Version 3.0

Becky & Scott versions 1.0 & 2.0 have been completed and v3.0 is starting production today.

Current upgrades include: one mission to the middle east, one hyper puppy, possibly moving (again), one golf cart, one new computer and increased experienced with stealing the covers, being in charge of the remote, washing lots of 'green' clothing and all around living/being together.

Here's to a wonderful 2 years and many more!

To mucch...waaaay to much already!

You KNOW yt ou're in over your head at school when your first look at a sign in the grocery store looks like this: pre-k...

But, the reality says: per pk.

Oh dear.

We're working on 9 kids a class for pre-k...and we've been in school a month now! There's "talk" of hiring another teacher, but nothing official just yet.

Weekly Recap

Number of rainy days b/c of Felicia remanents: 2 (total fake out...it dissipated as it came towards us so no hurricane/tropical storm this week!)

Speech/language sessions this week: Eh...between 20-30

Number of homework folders given out: 43

Number of temper tantrums/refusals: 3

Number of pre-k to test: 3

Number of kids to observe: 4

Unbelievable comments this week:

*Kindergarten teachers that want to refer kids as 'speech' only instead of academic concerns to avoid RTI paperwork/implementation. Ooooh, that makes me so mad. No, you cannot push your kids to be SLI (speech/language impaired) to make your life easier. No, we are NOT that expendable and we will make you go through the entire process. And...just so you know, SLI kids do not count towards your special ed. teacher allocation -- not that that's the point....

*A FSC (fully self-contained) teacher's comment that she wished she had our job where we just see kids in small groups and send them back 20/30 min. later...our job must be easier. Yes, we sympathize with you -- you have a hard class this year. However the grass is not greener on the other side. Believe you me -- we write at least 50+ IEPs a year, attend ridiculous amounts of meetings and test test test. Our job isn't harder or easier than yours -- just different.

Positive Experiences of Note:

*Reassuring one parent that yes, her pre-k's sound development is completely age-appropriate. Saying /b/ for /v/ is completely normal at 4.

*Establishing rapport with one of my pre-k kiddos. Super challenging -- limited attention/focus, very limited language skills and tantrums when he doesn't want to do something -- which is....often. Walks all over his skills trainer (1:1 aid). Had a major meltdown last week, ran out of the room and threw himself on the ground hitting anyone within reach. His skills trainer took him back to class (...sigh...) Went in his room at circle time on friday and by the end he was sitting on my lap and following along with hand over hand assistance while being held tightly (sensory need; not being restrained). Once we were done he initiated communication by asking me sit again...AND he attempted to imitate the sign sit when modeled. He doesn't know many words...hasn't really been asked to do much in his 4 years..but this is a good starting point. I was really surprised at how quickly it all happened--we'll see how things progress this year. And I hope his skills trainer gets on board.

Next week is a 4 day week -- yay for Statehood Day!

Batten Down the Hatches

Tropical Storm Felicia is still approaching and (as of now) set to grace the island of Ohau with its presence on tuesday....bring on the flashlights!

Let's take inventory

Days of s/l therapy this week: 4

Number of total kids on 2 SLPs caseloads: 98 give or take a few

Number of temper tantrums: Approx. 5ish

Number of homework folders made: 100

Number of phone calls to the office to check on student location/registration: 10+

Children tested: 4

Number of children running out of the room: 2

Number of snarky comments made regarding mainland IEPs, procedures by other school personnel, etc: to numerous to count

Friday afternoon: Priceless

Interesting News

Two links of interest today...

Deployment in the News - talks about loading up equipment on the boat...

Scott Speicher Remains Found

Starring Meli