hmhh,
Are you not in a different SD than last year?
If so, an IEP could be a different sort of experience. Also, never mentioning it should be PART OF the IEP for an anxious kid in my opinion. Teachers should not be making comnets in front of other students obviously but if it needs to be in writing, do it.
My ex-difficult child never went to s Special Education class but I wanted that protection in place. It is much more important now that when my son was in middle school 8 years ago--my that's sounding like he's really old and I guess he is.
The times they are a changin'...... and not for the better in terms of keeping kids in school.
Martie