Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Apparently, It's my call!

Cautious optimism is always healthy. But, in the meanwhile, assume there is no hidden agenda and celebrate your successes thus far!
We are rooting for you

Nah. She's had your back from the start. I see NO reason to doubt that she's on the side of you and your son.

No worries here! Not a one!

I am also DOK. Please keep us posted.

Wow, don't look that gift horse in the mouth! That's wonderful... I hope her meeting goes as well and she comes back just as giddy.

because our kids look sorda 'normal' to us...?

and because there are 'powers that be' who are in opposition to your principle, there just are...


((sigh))
enjoy it while you got it!
Grinity

I'm so happy for you. We met with our principal yesterday and got the opposite response. Her big idea, which she will be going forward with, is to keep DS6 inside (doing work) for recess everyday for eight weeks. According to her, that will teach him to complete his work in the allotted time and learn to transition without "drama" (her words).

Oh NO Movingup6. 8weeks with no recess? How do you feel about this?

I'm beyond devastated. The principal is a hard-liner. She claims to understand being gifted, but she isn't the least bit flexible with our DS6's needs. She says he must finish the grade-level work before they can do anything else for him.

We tried explaining what works for us at home (starting with the most complex idea and working backwards based on aptitude; short in-depth instructional time with a long work cycle), but it was not even considered. She countered with how they do things and basically that was how it was going to be. Clearly, she sees him as rebellious.

We are definately in a bind. If we go over her head to the school board, she could potentially retaliate and make life hard for all three of our children who are at her school. If we don't do anything, our son is sure to suffer during/after her campaign to reform him. Homeschooling seems to be our only true option.

Movingup6 - Maybe you should start another thread to hash some of this out further?

I know it's easy for people say "Just tell him to do the easy stuff and then he'll get the challenge he wants. Why is he being stubborn/defiant/willful/rebellious?" I can't really answer that. I know for my son, he said "If it's too easy, I can't focus on it." Even his teacher gave in, took away the easy worksheet, gave him a harder one and he'd jump right on it! Even the psych who tested him said he missed the easy questions but perked up when the questions got harder and got all of those right. I don't even think it's on a conscious level for him. Basically, I decided to homeschool based on a difference in learning style.

If the district shoots this down, we will be homeschooling next year. The principal knows this as well. That may be part of the reason that she's working so hard!