Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Going to a big EP meeting today, wish us well!

I am a nervous wreck!!!
We have a big meeting in couple of hours. My DS(5), eligible for DYS, is going to a Kindergarten without any acceleration. He has pull out gifted for 40 minutes 4 times a week (which is more puzzle oriented).
He is complaining so much that the school is so slow, and he would like to take it to the next level (like his chess on computer), that he is not learning anything new. The only thing that he has special accommodation is that he is allowed to go to a math club (3rd-5th graders) and chess club (starting at 2nd grade, both are after school type activities. He loves it, and feels like that is where he belongs.
I spent the last week reading everything I could get my hands on, and I feel like my head is ready to explode.
Please, wish us well. We are this close to throw in the towel...
I will post an update, how the meeting went.

Thanks Dottie,
We do need it. Thank goodness that there is such a place as this forum, gathering of people that do understand the uniqueness of our children.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes and hoping for the best!

Keep repeating those words over and over at the meeting - your mantra! Good luck!
Grinity

Good luck!!!!

If your meeting hasn't yet begun, good luck! I'll be thinking of you! If it's over, I hope it went very well. Keep us posted. XXXX

Hey?!? - what happened? Start a thread for your meeting ok?
Grinity

<------crossing fingers

Good luck!

OK. We are back....long breath...
I think overall, very good.
My husband and I have been suggesting an acceleration into the first grade, with possible further subject acceleration. DS's K teacher was strictly against it, saying that emotionally he is not ready (very sensitive, can start crying- to which I explained that this is a part of his gifted personality and may not outgrow it in a year), and that she can meet his needs in all subjects except in math. She would agree with subject acceleration with math in higher grade. The ESE coordinator and DS's gifted teacher were very pro grade skipping. DS's gifted teacher will start on the possible move right away tomorrow. And then we have to meet with the principal to okay it. Other than that DS will be pulled out with 2nd graders to do Lego robotics, and have some science enrichment with science teacher (also possible pullout with higher grade), and will have math enrichment with gifted 3rd grade math group. So overall I think this would be great. Once we can get over his K teacher, everything will be more flexible. Hopefully the principal will agree. That is the next big decision.
On a side note, my husband was very passionate (much more than I would expect), until now at home, he was defending public schools and talking about social issues with grade skipping, and not to make a big deal about the gifted thing. At the meeting he was totally on my side, I was thrilled.

We picked this school because it has so many opportunities in math and science. But sadly until now, this week really (that the chess and math club started), it was to my DS very frustrating. He saw all the things that were going on, and that he could already participate in, just was not old enough or in the right grade. He must felt like a hungry dog that sees a hot dog, but can not eat it. Bad expression, but gets the point across.
Thank you all, for your support. If our story will turn out good, I hope it will inspire others to not stop advocating for your children.
I will keep you updated what is going on.