K
Kjs
Guest
husband and I are really worried about this transition to High School. Yes..husband is also asking for advice. We don't know where to get answers so I thought of this wonderful group who may be able to offer some wonderful advice.
As you all know School is a struggle. difficult child has many emotional issues. So much anxiety, frustration, anger. He has come a long way this past year and we are so proud of him. Asking advice from parents of easy child's would not be true advice.
Here is our problem:
difficult child advanced a grade (would not suggest this) So he has struggled emotionally more than others in his grade. He has always attended very, very large schools. We chose the "choice" High School because it is small.
difficult child strives on fitting in. Knowing everyone, having many friends.
We did not want him in the district High School of 3000 kids because there is just too many opportunities for wrong choices. And we understand the pressures. difficult child is excited about the small school. The way it was explained was their sophmore year they would be enrolled in College courses taught by college professors for college credits.
We also know that Freshman year is very important. Could decide the rest of there High School years. So WE are open to all opinions. Soon. I am going to the school today.
New school. They do not know him. (good I guess. No reputation yet)
They messed up his schedule. First they only had him scheduled for 3 blocks first semester. They forgot his French class. He has taken French 6 - 8th grade. I didn't want him to not take it this year then take it later.
Need two years of foreign language for college.
His schedule is such:
Walks to the district school one block away. Takes the shuttle bus to the technical school. He will spend three blocks there. Then take the shuttle back to the district school for his French class to end the day. Walk home.
We thought Pefect. The culture shock of a small school would be lessened because he would be with all the kids and feel part of the school since he would have his last class there with all the kids he knows.
(district school is his home school so he is tecnically part of that school)
However, they also forgot to put History on his schedule. I pointed that out. They took away principles of engineering and added History. difficult child is upset. He wanted principles of engineering. And most Freshman take that to begin their career track.
difficult child wants that class very much. But we foresee problems. We don't want him to dislike the new school because he doesn't see any of his friends. We don't want him to do poorly on purpose. Knowing if he does not keep up his grades he will get kicked out and not have a choice where he goes. So if we take away French and put in principles of engineering he will not go to the district school at all. He will take the bus from that school and back to that school each day, but no classes there.
I certainly can see him purposely doing poorly if he doesn't like this school. Very afraid he will miss being part of the circle of friends he has.
difficult child does not deal with change very well. So this transition has been very hard on him already. School has NO idea how difficult this is for him.
They also said he can pick up his new schedule the first day of school. Um....NO. Maybe a normal kid would have no problem with this, but it would definately start off bad for him.
They want him to pick up his schedule the first day of school. Then get on the bus to the district school and FIND his French class in this 3000 kid school. He has never been IN the school before. The stress would be just too much for him. I need the schedule now, take him to the big school and show him where to go.
Back to the classes....What do you think?? Would the transition be easier if he kept the class at the big school? He wants principles of engineering (something different than the norm). We are both afraid of the shock of such a small school will do.
On a good note...difficult child starts the day at 7:30. At 8:55 (after his first block) he will have a 35 minute break. All students do waiting for shuttle busses from the district schools. They go to the commons. That is just like work. They have vending machines, snack, food, juice...microwaves so he can warm up food if he brings it. Also have hot lunch program same as other high schools.
Now, he can use that 35 minutes for intervention if he choses, but I see him socializing. He loves to socialize.
What are all your thoughts on this? I am going to go to the school today.
Don't know who his case worker is. Don't know if his IEP was transferred. Don't know if his teachers are aware he HAS an IEP. And what happens with the French teacher at the big High School? How would HE or SHE know of his IEP if his case worker is at the small school?
I know I am stressing...but I fear school. It has been SOOOOO hard. Really hoping for a better 4 years. New beginning.
We (yes husband too..) really need opinions for people who understand.
As you all know School is a struggle. difficult child has many emotional issues. So much anxiety, frustration, anger. He has come a long way this past year and we are so proud of him. Asking advice from parents of easy child's would not be true advice.
Here is our problem:
difficult child advanced a grade (would not suggest this) So he has struggled emotionally more than others in his grade. He has always attended very, very large schools. We chose the "choice" High School because it is small.
difficult child strives on fitting in. Knowing everyone, having many friends.
We did not want him in the district High School of 3000 kids because there is just too many opportunities for wrong choices. And we understand the pressures. difficult child is excited about the small school. The way it was explained was their sophmore year they would be enrolled in College courses taught by college professors for college credits.
We also know that Freshman year is very important. Could decide the rest of there High School years. So WE are open to all opinions. Soon. I am going to the school today.
New school. They do not know him. (good I guess. No reputation yet)
They messed up his schedule. First they only had him scheduled for 3 blocks first semester. They forgot his French class. He has taken French 6 - 8th grade. I didn't want him to not take it this year then take it later.
Need two years of foreign language for college.
His schedule is such:
Walks to the district school one block away. Takes the shuttle bus to the technical school. He will spend three blocks there. Then take the shuttle back to the district school for his French class to end the day. Walk home.
We thought Pefect. The culture shock of a small school would be lessened because he would be with all the kids and feel part of the school since he would have his last class there with all the kids he knows.
(district school is his home school so he is tecnically part of that school)
However, they also forgot to put History on his schedule. I pointed that out. They took away principles of engineering and added History. difficult child is upset. He wanted principles of engineering. And most Freshman take that to begin their career track.
difficult child wants that class very much. But we foresee problems. We don't want him to dislike the new school because he doesn't see any of his friends. We don't want him to do poorly on purpose. Knowing if he does not keep up his grades he will get kicked out and not have a choice where he goes. So if we take away French and put in principles of engineering he will not go to the district school at all. He will take the bus from that school and back to that school each day, but no classes there.
I certainly can see him purposely doing poorly if he doesn't like this school. Very afraid he will miss being part of the circle of friends he has.
difficult child does not deal with change very well. So this transition has been very hard on him already. School has NO idea how difficult this is for him.
They also said he can pick up his new schedule the first day of school. Um....NO. Maybe a normal kid would have no problem with this, but it would definately start off bad for him.
They want him to pick up his schedule the first day of school. Then get on the bus to the district school and FIND his French class in this 3000 kid school. He has never been IN the school before. The stress would be just too much for him. I need the schedule now, take him to the big school and show him where to go.
Back to the classes....What do you think?? Would the transition be easier if he kept the class at the big school? He wants principles of engineering (something different than the norm). We are both afraid of the shock of such a small school will do.
On a good note...difficult child starts the day at 7:30. At 8:55 (after his first block) he will have a 35 minute break. All students do waiting for shuttle busses from the district schools. They go to the commons. That is just like work. They have vending machines, snack, food, juice...microwaves so he can warm up food if he brings it. Also have hot lunch program same as other high schools.
Now, he can use that 35 minutes for intervention if he choses, but I see him socializing. He loves to socialize.
What are all your thoughts on this? I am going to go to the school today.
Don't know who his case worker is. Don't know if his IEP was transferred. Don't know if his teachers are aware he HAS an IEP. And what happens with the French teacher at the big High School? How would HE or SHE know of his IEP if his case worker is at the small school?
I know I am stressing...but I fear school. It has been SOOOOO hard. Really hoping for a better 4 years. New beginning.
We (yes husband too..) really need opinions for people who understand.