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Is the public school, perhaps with a gradeskip or some subject accelerations (or both) an option?

Is there a different private school that might be more willing to see things your way?
and

Have you been entirely clear about what the problems you are seeing are, with little vignettes to illustrate your point? You may want to write it all down, and ask them to read what you've written and think about it.

We are all trained to be agreeable and socially accommodating, the challenge of writing down exactly what you see as the problem, not assuming that they see the problem, but spelling it all out, and including a lot of the emotional pain, might help.

Think back to that last time you were on the dating scene. Remember how few people were really able to 'say what they mean and mean what they say.' Based on that perception, realize that it is perfectly fine to pretend this meeting never happened and keep presenting your case over and over and over. Literally become deaf to anything you don't agree with and keep asking. And look into alternatives.

One tip is to schedule meetings at the end of the school day, when the interested parties might be willing to agree to 'anything' just to be able to go home.

Best Wishes,
Grinity

Hugs to you, Mama22gs.

It happened to us too, 3 months ago, and I am only just recovering. Whatever it is, I hope you can draw strength from us as I do from the rest of the people here.

One "statistic" (who knows! Might be real!) the Gifted Services officer spouted to me was: 20% of children in an urban population are actually ready for acceleration, but we don't do it because it doesn't make sense." Hmm. Then what does? Holding them back?

Unfortunately, the public school is not an option. We'd have to move, and even then we think that our two little fish would not fit in the very large public school pond here. DS8 is a pretty anxious kid, so small seems to work well.

We talked with the other private schools around here last summer. They threw out the "all children are gifted" reply. We asked if there were other kids at a similar level as DS, and we heard that grouping kids of all abilities together is much better for all of them.... Definitely not worth the very high price tag or the change.


I like that one. Too bad I can't invite them over for appetizers and drinks. I'd be sure to make them double-strength and get everything in writing.

That's consistent with my experience. When I spoke to DD7's first grade teacher regarding acceleration, she said that there were several other kids (in a class of 22) she felt would also benefit from it.

I guess what I was trying to say is, call their bluff. I think once yous start talking about school wide changes for all these fictional highly gifted kids you'll discover that they are suddenly more willing to talk about differentiation for one child.

LOL! Don't forget the camera!

No,No - Mamma22gs brought the cocktails - I brought the camera - for documenting any sensitve material brought out by the cocktails for later persusion purposes.

I understand just what you are going through. I haven't quite gotten through to the school with it yet but I am working on it. Damian has some of the same issues and the school cites parenting and discipline.