Just RK

Thanks to Cate for “in the news” being the first thing I thought of when I figured I’d post a link to an article.  (Don’t ever think you don’t make an impression!) Came across this article today in a very roundabout way I won’t bother to explain. But I thought it was interesting.  Common Core State Standards Don’t Rhyme with Individual Education Plans I’d like to have time to write the 20 posts or so it would take to catch you all up on Braska’s school situation. In a word—Frustrating. Here’s the summary… Positive : She goes to school. She likes to go. She likes the bus. Her teachers are nice. Needs improvement : Behaviors are becoming an issue at school, not at home. (dropping in the hall, not following directions, being goofy in the bathroom, etc) She’s the class clown, it seems. I am getting very little info or communication unless I prod, though they seem willing to share once I do prod. I’m not convinced our placement arrangement is the best, but I can’t figu...

I know I’ve been MIA. I know that my readership is basically nil. But I know there are a few of you who may still happen by. So in this moment, as I sit at McD’s after a very healthy and balanced lunch, I’ll pause to post instead of logging in to work for a few minutes.  Don’t you feel special?  Wait. Maybe you want to wait til after you see what overly-awesome and super-interesting things I have to share first.  Then you can be the judge of it all. Why am I at McD’s? Good question. It’s not a place you find me often at all. But it’s close to both of the schools where my girls are this afternoon, and I didn’t have a long period to go do something involved, so lunch and some quick internet time was about what fit. Both schools? And in the afternoon? Don’t they go to the same school and isn’t it half-day for mornings?  Well, let me back up a bit.  We’ll see if I can get it explained in the few minutes I have left.  Oops… Happy Valentines Day.  ...

The girls go to a private Christian school (PreK-12), and the school is having their annual dinner/auction this Saturday.  It’s their one big fundraiser, so we’re supporting the event and we’re attending.  (I’m just thrilled there’s no candy, wrapping paper, or popcorn selling required.  HATE doing that stuff!)  They asked people to donate stuff and I assumed they meant high-dollar stuff, as I’ve heard of some major donations.  Then someone mentioned to me that I should do some bows or something for the auction.  I thought that was a little nuts, because I just do it for fun, for gifts sometimes, and mostly just for my girls.  I really enjoy it, but it’s not so much a money-making situation at all. But after talking with the coordinator, I agreed to do up a little bundle of bows with a holder.  She said they want things of all values, so it doesn’t come off as only for people who can spend lots of bucks and not for just the average family at t...

We’re busy. Really busy.  Overbooked.  More than even the normal overbooked.  I hope to get to more details about it all soon. But the time just keeps passing… But we took the time to let Braska be a little mini-hostess of sorts at a big event for her previous school, where she still goes for private therapy. Just so happened that Whitey Herzog was there too… Aren’t we all luau ready?  It was a fun night. And I’m glad for the neat pic. We have an autographed print of it Whitey gave us, too. So nice! It doesn’t look like it in this pic, but Braska had a blast this whole night. And it was a late one.  The girl was just amazing, charming dollars for the school right out of wallets left and right. (KiKi was at Grandma C’s for a sleepover. So she had fun, too, don’t worry.)

Here we are. Today Kinlee is with me since it's Thursday. Waiting for Braska to emerge after school. I have found in just these short four days that I kind of like this time. I have been able to arrange time to be here early enough to sit,  enjoy the peace,  and prepare for the rest of the day. On Tuesday and Thursday when KiKi is with me, she sits in the drivers seat and we pretend to take trips. Sometimes waiting is not a bad thing.

Pre-K4 and Kindergarten. Here they come. They were so excited this morning! I got up and went for a very early walk/run in the dark. I prayed for them to have a great year and for protection,  as we have been doing many times a day. I got my shower and get-ready routine out of the way before trying to gently wake them with the hall light and some household noise. They were up and eating breakfast by 645, and then we dressed and primped and took pics. We took some pics in front of the house and loaded up. Managed to get on the road by goal time of 745. First day drop off was all new since it's a new private school for us ... Some parents do the drive by drop and some park and join the classes in their areas outside. I took Kinlee to her class area,  where she saw two friends she recently met and was glad to see. She was being all girly with her friends so I took B in to do last bathroom stop before class. We are working on all that as we go.  Another post... Then we joi...

My friend Cate put forth a question to us, her humble readers, and once I started working through the  comment, it made me think I should have just done a post on it myself.  But I don’t have time right now. So I’ll just direct you to her post , and share what I wrote, and if you have respectful input on either, then I know I’d like to hear what that would be. Ok, if what you're asking is what would WE do if it were B, then I'll answer this way...  **I would for sure not put her on the regular bus. Not a chance.  Maybe in a couple years, but not at this age. **I might use the minivan service. The car seat thing is huge to me. And it would be independent, if that's what you want, but safer. **But I would definitely be driving, and I am driving. (Of course that was solidified by my switch to private school, but I had declined bus service even when the plan was the school 15 minutes away.)  There is just something huge to me about the car ride ...

First off,  the dentist went ok the other day. Not great but much better...   More details on B's blog when I can do more than these phone posts. Today we are at the pediatrician getting physicals. Kinlee for K4 (Yes we have been blessed to be able to find a curriculum-based program who will let her jump up a year due to academic skill. More details on that soon too.)  Braska is doing Kindergarten,  but no longer through the conventional means at public school. She will be attending the same private school as KiKi but in the half day academic Kindergarten class. She was screened and accepted and they have been granted a nice scholarship,  so reg ed private school it is!  I'm very excited to be involved in this new school and will talk more about it soon I hope. They are totally excited about having both the girls, and what more could I ask than to have teachers actively want my kids in their classes? I'm still so blown away that this all worked o...