I know I haven't been around much lately, and I'm trying to get back here more (I miss you all!). I've been pretty busy the past couple weeks researching curriculum and stuff, getting ready to homeschool Robin this fall. We just ordered our first set (science) the other day and it should be here by next week. We have Robin's transitional meeting at noon. It's supposed to be for him transitioning to middle school (should have happened last year but the middle school is overcrowded so they left the 6th graders at the elementary schools). I'm not sure how they'll take it when I tell them I'm homeschooling him. His current teacher already knows, so she might have given them a heads up. I took the day off for the meeting (didn't want to take kids with me) so I'm going to run a couple other errends and enjoy my day! Wish me luck with the meeting. I always dread Robin's IEP meetings. They're usually pretty stressful. Randy's are easy. He's a "joy to have in class". He just has speech issues. Anyway, I'll let you all know how it goes and hopefully I'll be around more since we've already picked all our curriculum except language arts. We still haven't decided on that yet. I hope everyone has a great day.

By My2cuties on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 10:21 am:

Good Luck today, I hope it goes smoothly for you. Relax and do enjoy your day. It will work out.

By Happynerdmom on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 10:50 am:

Enjoy your day, Cat! Best of luck with the transitional meeting. I had one for ds a few weeks ago.(Fun, fun...not!) They shouldn't give you a hard time about homeschooling, but even if they do, OH, WELL! I know it was a tough decision, but you are doing what's best for YOUR child...don't let anyone make you feel any differently.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 10:57 am:

{{{Cat}}}

By Conni on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 11:16 am:

Good luck at the meeting. I tried to email you the other day-- you may not have gotten the email tho!

Glad to hear you have everything picked out already (well almost everything!).

Email when you have time!!

Conni

By Sunny on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 11:52 am:

I'm sending you much strength! I don't talk about it on the board, but my 7 yr old has a few issues and attending his IEP meetings are literally torture for me, usually because I go alone and feel ganged-up on. This year I'm making my DH go with me.
I hope that your day goes well! Let us know.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 01:47 pm:

Good luck! I had mixed responses when I pulled my 2 children to homeschool. The teachers were extremely supportive. A few even gave me their home phone numbers in case I needed advice. The principal and guidance counselor were both absolutely rotten. They tried to talk me out of it and told me I was making a horrible decision. Most of their talking went in one ear out the other. It is not as though they were supportive when I was trying to work with them! Their negativity actually reinforced that I was making the RIGHT decision.
I hope it goes smoothly for you!
Yvonne

By Conni on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 02:18 pm:

Sunny- I can so relate to goin to the mtg's alone. I go to almost everything alone or with my EX husband. Honestly, somedays I am not sure why we got divorced... lol

By Cat on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 07:41 pm:

The meeting went very well!!! His current self-contained classroom teacher was there, along with the school social worker, one of the regular 6th grade teachers he has this year (who just happens to be one of my daycare parents), the self-contained classroom teacher of the middle school, the resource room teacher at the middle school and the middle school's councilor. I went alone (always do--dh has never been to one of the kids IEP meetings). When his scc teacher (Ms. O) mentioned I was possibly homeschooling Robin next year a few people looked a bit surprised, but not a shocked-Ohmygosh you're going to do WHAT-surprised, more of a curious suprise. We talked about my concerns and then discussed what will happen to his IEP while he's homeschooled (it becomes inactive, but it's still in place). We also discussed curriculum and they we pleased I'm going to use Saxon math and geography. I mentioned Total Language Plus and the scc middle school teacher said that's what she uses in her classroom! Then we finished up and brought Robin in so he could ask any questions or say anything if he wanted (he didn't). After the meeting the scc teacher at the middle school said if I needed anything to call her because she homeschooled her kids for 10 years! Then I went out in the hallway where the school social worker and I talked for a few minutes (I've gotten to know her really well and we're good friends) and she said, "Off the record, I think this is the best decision you could make for Robin." So they were all really positive about it. The social worker did say to make sure he gets lots of oppertunities to socialize, and then said, "I'm sure you've already thought of that and have things planned." I was very pleasantly surprised. The resource room teacher said I looked like I obviously had thought this through and done my homework. That was nice. This is the first IEP meeting for Robin that I've felt good about. He's doing well in class right now and hopefully can make it through the end of the year (it's always hard for him). I'm very happy with the way this turned out. Thanx for thinking of me and all the prayers.

By Tink on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 09:47 pm:

How nice to have your choices validated by the school personnel! There are so many parents that don't come away with that feeling. They must realize how competently you've handled the rest of Robin's schooling.

By Happynerdmom on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 10:13 pm:

Hooray! I'm so glad!! You must feel very relieved. It sounds like you will get all the support you need.

By Conni on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 09:26 am:

Wow!!! That is amazing. I am so happy for you.

By Dawnk777 on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 03:05 pm:

Wow, congratulations! You must feel good about your choices now!

By Yjja123 on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 03:25 pm:

CONGRATS on the support!

By Melanie on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 03:31 pm:

Wow, what a great meeting. I am so happy to hear they were all so supportive!!

By Sunny on Friday, May 6, 2005 - 03:59 pm:

I'm so glad it went well!