Second Grade Brings Changes

First grade was hard on us. I still don't know why nor will I probably ever know what made it so difficult on Ethan. BUT!!!! We are into our 2nd week of 2nd grade...and Ethan is doing AWESOME!!! Here is what's new!

1. Ethan no longer has a personal aide. The classroom will have what is called a "transitional aide" to help him get settled the first 6 weeks. She acts as a classroom aide but is secretly there for Ethan. She says he is adapting very well, and does not foresee any issues. WOOHOO!!!

2. I recently emailed Ethan's 2nd grade teacher because we are noticing positive changes at home after school! He is chatty! AND he is using words that are more conversational & less "mimicked or memorized."

3. Because he is doing so well at school, we decided to add another evening activity. Last year, he did Art Class & Swim Class. This summer he proved he could swim in the deep-in independently, so we are changing out Swim Class for Piano Lessons! Only 2 lessons in, and his teacher is saying he is catching on quickly!

First Grade Anxiety

"Mom, I think I need another day off school."

I have heard these words every morning ever since Spring Break ended over a week ago.

This school year has been a very hard one for Ethan. Unforeseen circumstances have caused his classroom to be pretty inconsistent. Both his teacher & his personal aide have had a lot of family emergencies this year, and he has had 2 student teachers. But that is just life.....nothing goes according to our plans, right?

How is Kindergarten Going?

In a word? A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

A Nascar car usually accompanies
us on our walks to school.


We L-O-V-E Ethan's new school and his teachers. Mrs. D is his Kindergarten teacher, and we couldn't have picked a better match for Ethan! She is very organized, clear in her expectations of her students (and their parents), very consistant in her classroom rules & management, and so friendly. She admits being a bit strick during the beginning of the school year, and I love that about her. Eventually this will create a calmer & quieter classroom. All of the kids will know how they are to behave in her care. For Ethan, this will result in less surprises & less anxiety. He will know what is expected & he will learn how to behave in an elementary classroom environment. LOVE.

First Day Of Kindergarten

Well, the day is finally here. What Ethan has been working so hard for over the last 3 years of Early Intervention. His first day of Kindergarten.

He is in a typical Kindergarten classroom with 24 other kiddos. The school has provided Ethan with a personal aide although to the rest of the class she will resemble a classroom aide. She was in Ethan's preschool classroom last year for a child with autism, but that student has moved out of our district. So, Ethan, thankfully, gets to take Mrs. B with him to Kindergarten. Love.

Our new teacher is Mrs. D, and I already love her. She is very blunt....for lack of a better word....which I adore. She has very clear cut expectations of her students & their parents, she is very organized & has been teaching a long time. I think she might be the perfect Kindergarten teacher for my son.

I'm happy to report that Ethan had no tears or separation anxiety when taking him to school today....and neither did I! LOL!

Happy First Day Of Kindergarten, Ethan! I pray we have a great year!!!