back to school night

So, I made it to Back to School night & I did not have a paper bag over my head after all.

Shortly after we arrived I actually saw the Principal & interim Superintendent speaking near the doorway of the gymnasium, so I (gulped & then) went over to them to say hello.

With a smile, I thanked the Superintendent for "putting up with me" the other evening. But quite honestly he simply looked at the Principal (who had not been at the Board of Ed meeting), pretended to wipe under one of his eyes, & said they were all almost like that. Then he asked me if she (the Principal) had a copy of "the brochure" (Hayden's Positive Student Profile). I had distributed them to the BOE members when I was finished crying. I mean speaking.

She & I answered yes at the same time, because I had already given her one when I was at the school speaking with faculty about fx. But I have to say I was SO honored that he (the Superintendent) had actually read Hayden's "brochure"!

Anyway, so after the welcome meeting the parents all dispersed to their children's classrooms. We visited Hayden's Gen Ed teacher first, & listened all about what the third graders would be up to this year. Much of the discussion revolved around areas that are far beyond Hayden's academic level, but he is still a part of the class & for Back to School Night we were too.

Then we visited with the Special Ed teacher, who has been working with Hayden since before he even transitioned out of Kindergarten. This evening was our third Back to School night since he started in that program. And I will tell you that two years ago when H was in First Grade, I was one of three parents who visited the Special Ed room on Back to School night. Then one year ago when H was in Second Grade, I was the only parent who visited the Special Ed room on Back to School night. This year... Third Grade... once again Dan & I were the sole attending parents.

I get that it's tough for many parents to orchestrate childcare coverage, in order to get to the school for events such as these. Everyone's circumstances are different & that goes without saying.


However, for those who could make it to Back to School night & don't... I think it's sad. I mean truth be told for me I am selfishly glad because it's as if I get my own bonus Parent-Teacher conference. Hey, if no one else shows up to the Special Ed classroom, then naturally we just talk about Hayden!


But the thing is, for the parents who could be there & just aren't... I think they are shortchanging their kid. Any time I am at the school I learn some of the most fantastic details about Hayden's day. Perhaps my motivation to be involved in Hayden's education is partially because I was raised the daughter of a special educator... but whether or not growing up a teacher's kid is part of it... or if it's just my friggin anxiety that drives me to maintain any sense of control that I possibly can... either way... I go, we talk, & I feel better. About everything.


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