Today was Ella’s big CSE meeting. John and I walked into a conference room
where eight people were seated around a table, ready to discuss Ella. There would’ve been nine, but the principal
couldn’t make it. The school
psychologist, counselor, special education teacher, physical therapy specialist, speech
pathologist, the CSE meeting chair, Ella’s current teacher, and her future
teacher had all convened to decide Ella’s future, and ultimately it was
decided that Ella will begin transitioning into the inclusion classroom, where
the special education teacher works with a general education teacher.
Halfway through the meeting I started crying. It was very unprofessional of me. Someone handed me a box of tissues and I proceeded
to blow snot into half of them.
“I feel like such a boob!” I said. I said that.
In public.
“Noooo!” said eight people all at once. They gazed upon me sympathetically.
I am such a boob.
I am overwhelmed, grateful, and thankful- which sounds the
same as grateful but the sentiment bears repeating- for these people. For these people who pour their hearts and
souls into their work. I would throw a
parade for them if I could. With
fireworks. And free ice cream. And maybe some hot air balloon rides.
Ella’s teacher cried, too.
“I didn’t want her to go,” she said.
It’s unbelievable how much progress Ella has made in
school. She has gone from a complete looney-bird to a real live kindergartner who just happens to need some extra
help.
I lobbied hard to keep my twins together, and in the end
they’re going to be split up anyway. Such is life.
I didn’t ask if they would move Daniel with her. I felt that might be going a little too
far. I mean, there’s being a boob and
then there’s being a major boob.
All in all, a successful meeting. Afterward, John and I faced the fact that we
can never, ever move lest we lose the incredible support our school district
has given us.
“I thought the meeting went really well,” I said. We sat in silence for a moment. I sniffled.
Life went on.
5 comments:
No, you're not a boob. You’re a Mom who loves her kids with all her heart and wants the best for all of them and, just like the rest of us moms, you worry because what is best is not always what is easy and clear-cut. I would hug you but can't because a) while we are cyber "friends" we are reality "strangers" and that would be weird, and b) I'm not a touchy-feely person so I probably wouldn't hug you anyway, but I would want to. But since we have the sanitary protection of the interwebs between us, brace yourself for a big, warm cyber hug!
{{{HUG}}}
There. I hope that helped. And don't worry. Your kids will be just fine. You'll be a total wreck... but the kids will be fine. :-)
Wow, that's great to hear that Ella has been doing so well in school! :)
Excellent news. You are great parents :-)
I've been to a couple of those CSE meetings for my son. I would find myself sitting there, completely overwhelmed that a roomful of kind, caring people were actually all sitting around discussing what would be best for my child. Granted, it was what they were getting paid to do, but just the thought that all of these people's jobs were, right then, to discuss the well-being of my boy...it was kind of amazing, and did have the effect of bringing me to tears at times. Anyway, I'm so glad Ella's meeting went well, and that things are going better for her in school. :)
Thanks for the kind words. It is overwhelming and even humbling to see all of these people working hard for one little person. I'm sniffling again. :)
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