Here is the second thing that tested my resilience the last two weeks.
A couple weeks ago some friends of mine were talking about the EXCEL testing that their children did and if they passed or not in order to join the highly capable pull out program at our school district. I said, "Weird, I haven't heard about Ty's results, as a matter of fact he didn't even tell me he took the test." My friends said that if I didn't know about it he didn't take it, it's made very clear when and how they test. I asked them how would I have known they said that the District would have sent a letter home regarding when he was going to test and then follow up with the results. What EXCEL is is a program for students that can choose to go to Highly Capable classes full time, (Think Honors or AP classes for younger children) part time (meaning Tu and Th) or for just certain subjects. It's up to the student and the parent to decide based on the test scores. The program (from what I've read) is great for students who want to dig a little deeper and be responsible enough to do experiments, work on their own, work through problems maturely etc.
So I e-mailed Ty's teacher and asked her about the EXCEL testing. She told me that I never signed him up so he was never tested... What now? Signed him up?? This was the first I was hearing about a sign up.
This is where the confusion was; in Kindergarten a letter was sent home saying that Ty was recommended by his teacher to be tested with CogAT testing. I filled out the letter and sent it back. Ty took the test, he passed and I got this letter saying he was in the top 5% of Kindergartners in the district and he was listed as Highly Capable in his District file and was automatically recommended to take the EXCEL testing in 1st grade.
In October we went to Ty's parent teacher conference; she gave us a pamphlet of what the EXCEL program was about I flipped through it, she said to talk about it with Ty and decide if we wanted him to take it. We said right then that we wanted Ty to take the test and we moved on.
In our minds that meant Ty was taking the test. We had teacher recommendation and verbal confirmation that we wanted the test to be administered. There was no letter sent home or anything.
Turns out, I was supposed to go on to a website and fill out a questionnaire and give my consent for Ty to take the test REGARDLESS of teacher recommendation and REGARDLESS of his testing last year. Whelp, no body told me that. I hear that you don't have to have a teacher recommendation to take the test, that it's open to anyone who wants their child to take it but teacher recommendation helps. Ty being my oldest child, I don't have any previous experience with the program. I think what happened was teachers just assumed parents knew about the process and glazed over it. Ty's teacher told me she sent home information about it, I read 99% of the paperwork that is sent home and I didn't see anything about EXCEL testing sign ups regardless of Teacher recommendation.
I began to ask about late testing, I can't be the ONLY parent in the school district that didn't know about this. I e-mailed Ty's teacher and I e-mailed Ty's Principal. I received e-mails back saying that they thought there was late testing for students that were new to the school and maybe Ty could test with them.
I started calling and e-mailing the District. It took over a week, but long story short Ty will not be tested because I missed the parent sign up deadline. There are no late testing options for him. If we want him tested we have to pay for private testing.
The program director is new, and I actually have a friend that works as his secretary so I got a little more info than would normally happen.
It was an arduous and frustrating process. I know it was my fault for not signing him up, because of this he will miss the opportunity to possibly have a better education next year because of some silly deadline. I know he still has to pass the test of course, but we feel like he is in a good position to do so.
We are looking in to private testing for now. I was nice but very direct about my disappointment in the lack of communication with Ty's teacher, Principal, the program assistant and the program director. I made some suggestions for the future years regarding how to educate parents on the EXCEL program and it's sign up process.
Good news though, Ty does go to great school and his teachers really do give a great education to these young learners. I'll be the first in line to sign Ty up for next year and hope he gets a great teacher next year who can continue to push Ty to be a great learner even with out the EXCEL program.
Like I told Matt... I died on that hill, I picked my battle and I lost. I still feel like it was worth the fight. Hopefully because of this, other parents wont have to pay for their mistakes like I did, hopefully I made such a fuss that a parent would have to blatantly ignore their phone, e-mail and child's take home paperwork in order to miss this deadline.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1KFWgZC Maylee came downstairs after she got into my make-up. I did a double take, she's one spray tan and glamour shot away from Jonbenet Ramsey. 😱
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1PujXeX We had "Friends-giving" dinner tonight with our friends @annbug1 & @heidirushing 🦃 for the win. #somuchleftover #thanksgivinginjanuary #foodcoma
Friday, January 22, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1RDUBLG My baby girl is allergic to berries. (I know, poor girl) but boy does she make up for it with her citrus eating! You should have seen her happy dance when I put that plate in front of her. #coracoraoranges
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Starting off with a bang.
This year sure has started off with a bang.
Funny, since I have been thinking a lot about what I can do to improve my parenting. It seemed at the slightest breeze my children were crumpling in to tears.
I came up with an idea, I needed to talk to my children about RESILIENCE. When things get tough you can choose to crumple OR you can take what is handed to you and make an opportunity out of it or consider other possibilities, or just plain be tough. Not sit and cry about how "Life isn't fair!" If you want to get my blood boiling tell me "Hey, that's no fair!" I understand that is a typical comment made by children. My children however have learned never to utter that phrase. My response always is "You're right, life isn't fair. I can take back what I have given you, OR you can be happy with what you have." Usually I continue with something along the lines of, " There will always be someone bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, prettier, that has more money, you name it, there is someone that is better at that than you. Do you complain about it? Nope, you are thankful for what you have and try and work on what you want to improve. "
So with the idea of teaching resilience to my children I think Heavenly Father thought that was a good time to teach it to Matt and I as well. A few things have simply not gone our way so far this year, in fact they have BLIND SIDED us.
1. Our Landlord (who is really not a people person) called to tell me that he is selling the house we live in this year. Okay, that is fine, but when does he plan on doing that? His response "Oh, you know, I'll watch the housing market and see. Maybe early spring, maybe late fall? Who knows? But I am ready to sell it and I'll let you know when I decide."
I am not one who seeks that type of adventure. You know the kind like "Ohhh I wonder where I'll live in a few months? Will it be here? Will it be there?? Ohhhh fun!" So after a lot of discussing, Matt and I are in the market for a home. Trouble is, I have very strict criteria that I am not really willing to budge much on. We have all ready found a possible solution to our predicament, but it is a short sale. So that means that A. the closing will take a long time if B. it even happens at all. Also, C. THIS short sale is due to what seems like a horrible sticky divorce with a LOT of litigation involved. So we are just waiting to see if the Bank accepts our offer while we continue to look around for another home that fits in our search area (very teeny area) and price range. It's been all ready a barrel of laughs (sarcasm people) just figuring out that stuff (side note, our real estate agent is WONDERFUL so at least she is bringing her A game and talking us through all the stuff going on) along with how rent will be paid in the future to our land lord.
Long story short there, in the past he has come to our home to pick up a personal check in person. He does not ever come when Matt is home and always comes right when I am walking out the door to pick up Ty from school. We have an awkward conversation that I dread, then he then takes the check and deposits it at his leisure, could be the next day (it's happened probably 5 times since we moved here 3 years ago) or he could deposit it a month later (with our current months check so we have double rent taken out on the same day) for a girl like me and a young family like ours, that is too much uncertainty. We asked about direct deposit, he thinks that is risky and feels uncomfortable with it. Fine, we'll mail you a cashiers check. I set up a recurring payment for the first of every month to be mailed to him. Funny thing is, the first of January was on a Friday. Banks don't print checks on Sat or Sun, so it was printed Monday and mailed Tuesday with a 5 business day turn around from that date. Needless to say I got numerous panicked texts. My thought is what is the big deal, you don't even deposit my checks by now anyways. However I get it, he wants his check. He starts to threaten late fees "per the contract" that is now void since he raised the rent on us this year even though he told us that he would never and we never signed an addendum agreeing to the raised rate. Anyhow, it's not all hearts and flowers on that front. We may have worked out a solution for getting a cashiers check and getting it to him another way, but he stopped by (unannounced for the THIRD TIME this month) to discuss it again, right when I was leaving to pick up Ty. Grrrrrrr. Anyway, we are hoping to hear about the short sale soon or that the perfect home pops up so we can quit wasting our money on a rental, but for now we are just biding our time and I feel anxious with baited breath. In the end I know it will all work out. I know God knows what is going on in the little Spence's world and that he has everything ready to go. I just need to chill out, pray for peace (You like that mom?) and show my resilience.
That's just one part of the super fun and fantastic times we've had this month.
I don't have time to type part two, i'll work on that tomorrow and hopefully there will be more resolution on that front as well.
Funny, since I have been thinking a lot about what I can do to improve my parenting. It seemed at the slightest breeze my children were crumpling in to tears.
I came up with an idea, I needed to talk to my children about RESILIENCE. When things get tough you can choose to crumple OR you can take what is handed to you and make an opportunity out of it or consider other possibilities, or just plain be tough. Not sit and cry about how "Life isn't fair!" If you want to get my blood boiling tell me "Hey, that's no fair!" I understand that is a typical comment made by children. My children however have learned never to utter that phrase. My response always is "You're right, life isn't fair. I can take back what I have given you, OR you can be happy with what you have." Usually I continue with something along the lines of, " There will always be someone bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, prettier, that has more money, you name it, there is someone that is better at that than you. Do you complain about it? Nope, you are thankful for what you have and try and work on what you want to improve. "
So with the idea of teaching resilience to my children I think Heavenly Father thought that was a good time to teach it to Matt and I as well. A few things have simply not gone our way so far this year, in fact they have BLIND SIDED us.
1. Our Landlord (who is really not a people person) called to tell me that he is selling the house we live in this year. Okay, that is fine, but when does he plan on doing that? His response "Oh, you know, I'll watch the housing market and see. Maybe early spring, maybe late fall? Who knows? But I am ready to sell it and I'll let you know when I decide."
I am not one who seeks that type of adventure. You know the kind like "Ohhh I wonder where I'll live in a few months? Will it be here? Will it be there?? Ohhhh fun!" So after a lot of discussing, Matt and I are in the market for a home. Trouble is, I have very strict criteria that I am not really willing to budge much on. We have all ready found a possible solution to our predicament, but it is a short sale. So that means that A. the closing will take a long time if B. it even happens at all. Also, C. THIS short sale is due to what seems like a horrible sticky divorce with a LOT of litigation involved. So we are just waiting to see if the Bank accepts our offer while we continue to look around for another home that fits in our search area (very teeny area) and price range. It's been all ready a barrel of laughs (sarcasm people) just figuring out that stuff (side note, our real estate agent is WONDERFUL so at least she is bringing her A game and talking us through all the stuff going on) along with how rent will be paid in the future to our land lord.
Long story short there, in the past he has come to our home to pick up a personal check in person. He does not ever come when Matt is home and always comes right when I am walking out the door to pick up Ty from school. We have an awkward conversation that I dread, then he then takes the check and deposits it at his leisure, could be the next day (it's happened probably 5 times since we moved here 3 years ago) or he could deposit it a month later (with our current months check so we have double rent taken out on the same day) for a girl like me and a young family like ours, that is too much uncertainty. We asked about direct deposit, he thinks that is risky and feels uncomfortable with it. Fine, we'll mail you a cashiers check. I set up a recurring payment for the first of every month to be mailed to him. Funny thing is, the first of January was on a Friday. Banks don't print checks on Sat or Sun, so it was printed Monday and mailed Tuesday with a 5 business day turn around from that date. Needless to say I got numerous panicked texts. My thought is what is the big deal, you don't even deposit my checks by now anyways. However I get it, he wants his check. He starts to threaten late fees "per the contract" that is now void since he raised the rent on us this year even though he told us that he would never and we never signed an addendum agreeing to the raised rate. Anyhow, it's not all hearts and flowers on that front. We may have worked out a solution for getting a cashiers check and getting it to him another way, but he stopped by (unannounced for the THIRD TIME this month) to discuss it again, right when I was leaving to pick up Ty. Grrrrrrr. Anyway, we are hoping to hear about the short sale soon or that the perfect home pops up so we can quit wasting our money on a rental, but for now we are just biding our time and I feel anxious with baited breath. In the end I know it will all work out. I know God knows what is going on in the little Spence's world and that he has everything ready to go. I just need to chill out, pray for peace (You like that mom?) and show my resilience.
That's just one part of the super fun and fantastic times we've had this month.
I don't have time to type part two, i'll work on that tomorrow and hopefully there will be more resolution on that front as well.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1Qd2d4v Ty finally spent a part of his hard earned money, on a depreciating asset. He's super stoked, and a terrible driver. 😫😄 #mychildhooddreamwastohaveoneofthese
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1llNqJS Three generations of Mignon's, with a Maylee girl photobomber. #familiesareforever
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1RHYIGP Sometime a blue raspberry jolly rancher is in order. Of course, one must compare and share their blue tongue with others. #jollyrancher
Monday, January 11, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/22VFWzj I was told the other day that she is my mini me. I think she has more Spence than me, regardless, this girl sure is beautiful inside and out. I swear she can read my mind, she is so helpful. Definitely a little momma in training. She asked her Dad which Princess she was and Matt didn't skip a beat saying Cinderella because she is kind, sweet, beautiful and LOVES to clean up. #mayleecakes
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1mEFV1B My baby is in a toddler bed 😩 she loves it, by the way. #graciebaby #notababyanymore #gottagetanewhashtag
Monday, January 4, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1OIs47l I made a New Years resolution to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. Tomorrow is the first real life day since school was cancelled today due to freezing rain last night. Anyhow, I was wondering what I'd have to do to convince Matt to head to bed at 10pm. Turns out, it's not a problem tonight! #nightynight #gottareadtofallasleep
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Instagram Fun
via Instagram http://ift.tt/1NXIAg7 ❄️💕🎉 a sledding we will go. This is the first time for the girls, wish us luck! #overexposed #imglowing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)