It's Almost Official

Our school change is becoming more real by the day!  I informed the principal today who was very supportive and shared ideas of his own to help make the process more successful.   I will be informing Rebecca's teacher this afternoon at her parent teacher conference, and then will send the letter below to our friends.  We are on the road to a new beginning...


Hi friends,

I wanted to let you all know of a big change in the Morganstein family.  After much thought, we have decided to pull Rebecca from Timber Point and have her do Independent Study (AKA home school).  As you are some of the important people in her life (and mine :)), it was important to us that we fill you in on what we are doing.  Our hope is that some of you can help your children understand what Rebecca's going through so that this transition will be easier for her.  Her biggest concern with this change is not loosing touch with her friends.

A little history on Rebecca (for those of you that don't know):  Rebecca was diagnosed as severely dyslexic and moderately dysgraphic (difficulty with handwriting) 3 years ago.  What this means is that Rebecca is a very typical, smart 9 year old little girl that has some learning differences.  Reading, writing, and spelling are difficult for her.   We've been working closely with the school and her teachers to find the appropriate accommodations to help her with her learning difference.  ALL of her teachers have been wonderful!  Unfortunately, though, Rebecca continues to struggle and is falling farther and farther behind.  Her brain works differently than the average student and she can not easily learn using traditional teaching methods.  She requires a multi sensory approach to learning in a more individualized setting of which our school can not provide.  We are sad to leave, but we need to do what is best for her so that she can be a successful student.  There is no doubt in my mind that she WILL succeed!  

Our goal is to try a new approach and teach Rebecca the skills she needs so that she can be re-enrolled in public school - hopefully in middle school.  We have enrolled in an Independent Study program through FAME Charter School.  They are based in Fremont, but have recently opened a learning center in Brentwood.  We will have a credentialed teacher visit us monthly to make sure we are staying on track.  Rebecca will be working on her studies at home with me, but will have an opportunity to take classes such as art, writing, science, etc. through the learning center starting in the spring.  Rebecca is VERY excited to start our new adventure.  We have spoken at great length about it.  Rebecca and I have weighed the pros and cons of home school and we agree that this is the best option for her right now.  As I said before, her biggest concern is her friends.  She is already asking about setting up regular play dates :).

Our new adventure will start soon, though we don't have a firm date yet.  Once enrollment process is done with FAME, Rebecca will be pulled from Timber Point.  It sounds like this may happen in the next 2 weeks.  Rebecca is very open to discussing her learning difference and home school.  In fact, she's been having a hard time keeping it to herself over the last few weeks that we've been discussing it.  We both believe that dyslexia not something that should be kept a secret or that she should be ashamed of.  Her dyslexia doesn't make her any less of a FANTASTIC kid, but it is a part of who she is - a part that will be with her forever.  Thanks for being there to support her (and I) in this journey.

Change is in the Air

I was feeling pretty good about school...in the beginning.  Things have changed.  Rebecca brought home a story she had written a couple weeks ago.  It was a FANTASTIC story.  Rebecca's creativity oozed from the page.  She was so proud; jumping all around the room in anticipation of me reading it.  Her first question was "What is my grade?"  I looked at the page and saw 1.5 out of 4.  I couldn't squash her excitement, so I told her she had received a good mark.  Before we started reading the 2 page story, I glanced at the grading rubric in which the teacher had highlighted areas that needed improvement.  Neatness and spelling/punctuation errors were noted.  Yes, we struggle with that.  Then I saw that the grading teacher couldn't find a clear beginning, middle, and end of the story.  It also apparently lacked creative details. This is what caused the 1.5 mark.  I then had Rebecca read me the story.  She had some difficulty recognizing some of her writing, but the smile on her face never faded.  It was by far the most creative, unique story she had ever written and was filled with amazing details.  It did indeed have a very clear beginning, middle and end.  The only thing I can think of is that the teacher couldn't read Rebecca's handwriting.  How else could she have gotten such a low mark on this very good story?  At that moment, I realized Rebecca couldn't be in this school any longer.  


Timber Point Elementary is no longer  the correct placement for my special child, not that it ever was.  They do not have the funding nor the training to meet Rebecca's needs.  I came to the realization that she will never be successful in this setting.  She is floundering and I can not... WILL NOT sit back and watch her fail.  Therefore, change is in the air.  The only way Rebecca will be successful in school is if she is taught the appropriate learning strategies to her special learning style.  I've spent the last week searching for a better placement, but there is none.  Our only option is Independent Study, otherwise known as Homeschool.  I found a charter school in Newark that is opening a site in Brentwood that will support our new adventure.  They send a teacher liaison to our home each month to check our progress.  They also pay for our curriculum and offer some extra curricular classes on site such as art, writing, and science.  


Rebecca and I have talked at great length about homeschool.  She was a on the fence in the beginning, but has sense become excited about the idea.  A few days ago, I knew I was on the right track.  We were driving to tutoring when Rebecca said to me "Mommy, I want to be homeschooled because I want to learn.  I am not learning in school.  I want to learn more."  There is something wrong with the public school system if a 9 year old doesn't feel as if she is learning in school.  There is no doubt in my mind that Rebecca will be incredibly successful in homeschool and in life.  Let the adventure begin!