Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Elementary School So howis it going?

We're in week two of kindy at a small lottery charter with a focus on the GATE standards and other gifted stuff... But DD is still clearly way different than most of her classmates. I'm in that "we need to WAIT while they get going and get to know her" phase. We explained a bit about her on the get to know you forms and we won't wait TOO long but the fact that there's a sub for the first six weeks means it'll be even longer before we get really settled in... For now DD is learning how to be at school, and hasn't exploded on anyone yet, as far as I know. Going potty instead of worrying that she'll miss something we're still encouraging. But she's mentioned she's worried she'll be bored, it's all stuff she knows. They did let her go to first grade to pick a book but it was still below her level and she didn't want to read it the next day--novel choosing takes a little guidance! But not a bad sign. I'm trying not to worry that this is all just a huge waste of time. She wants to be learning literary devices like chiasmus and oxymoron. So... A bit more time and then a meeting. Dh is hoping she can go to second or third for LA in a bit...

So anyway, how are your littles doing as the year starts?

Badly. As usual.

The school still adamantly refuses to skip DD7 a grade, keeping her in an age-level classroom for most of the day except for 2 hours in separate gifted classes. Those gifted classes cover her language arts and math needs. Anyone care to guess what the regular class is doing while she's in that room? If you guessed LA and math... nailed it. DD's schedule provides her with no science, no social studies, and no art. DD is supposed to receive differentiated work in the regular classroom, and she's getting nothing.

The regular classroom teacher has already been notified of what a nonsensical disaster her schedule is. No changes have been made. We're notifying the principal this week.

DD is an extrovert who desperately craves friends (the more, the merrier), and she loves both of her gifted teachers. So it's with a lot of careful consideration that she has begun asking to forget about school and go back to homeschooling.

The next time the principal hears from us after this, it'll be to inform them that DD has been withdrawn from their institution.

I am sorry that things aren't going well, Dude.

Our son seems to be settling in nicely. Last year, he had a split day between kindergarten and first grade, and this year, he skipped first and is in second all day. His reading group is co-taught with the gifted specialist for two hours a day. we are a little worried about how math will go in the long run, but for right now, it is providing some challenge since he missed all of the symbolic representation of first grade.

the really big thing is that last year, he really fought going to school at all and this year, he is happily going into the building with minimal drama and no tears and stalling.

God, that sounds terrible, Dude. Today is DS7's first day back at the public school... crossing my fingers that this year will be better than the last two.

Dude, aren't there state standards about how much science a kid gets per week? There are in my state, I believe... That's appalling.

DeeDee

DD9 starts 4th in two days. Her class size, according to the list of names, will be 37! The teacher is supposedly experienced with gifted children.

Thing is, her 3rd grade teacher was terrific and experienced with gifted children, but even in that class DD was told things like "we're not teaching that yet."

My homeschooling trigger finger is itchy. If DD weren't such a happy extrovert it would be that much easier just to give up on the system, but nothing is simple in my experience.

Not only are there state standards about a number of hours for each subject... but we happen to live in a state that enacted legislation that extends the concept of FAPE (free and appropriate public education) to the gifted and talented. So yes, they're in violation of a number of laws.

Hey, JonLaw... interested in taking up a suit in SE Louisiana?

Ugh Dude how awful. I guess a lot of us are feeling the same, waiting to see, homeschooling in the wings if necessary...

Mom of 1 that sounds pretty good!

I'm trying to be philosophical about this year bc it's just k and the toddler brother keeps me QUITE busy, and it'd be great to have the kids in this school down the line, so I could even teach again... But man it's hard. It's hard knowing I'm going to totally have to advocate and it's weird bc I am generally delayed academics as an educator lol! But DD is the one begging to play guess the literary device at night. And at 6am.

This is totally awesome! Your DD sounds just great. There's a similar thread (IMO) going just right now entitled "NEWBIE NEEDS HELP!" in a slightly different area, but I think with the same general device.

(unless, of course, the thread gets hijacked by octopi

Best of luck--she sounds way beyond even grade skipping. I think she might benefit enormously from home/alternative schooling, if you can afford it.

Best of luck!

Can you file a formal complaint with the people above the principal if s/he ignores you? From my brief reading, it looks like Louisiana has some pretty good laws related to the rights of gifted students in public schools. Does your daughter have an IEP? Do they ignore it?