The School Note

Over the summer, when Ellie attended her private preschool, we would receive weekly notes that discussed what they were learning in class--"we are focusing on trains this week and read "The Little Engine That Could", the sensory table was filled with beans, and Ellie mastered connecting 4 trains together and put them on a track"--or something along those lines.

Bear's school pic

During the school year, Ellie goes to the public elementary school where she is in the PPCD class [preschool preparedness for children with disabilities].  She rides the bus to and from school and with her being nonverbal, I pretty much rely on the teacher notes to give me a clear idea on what Ellie's day is like. The notes are sent home in her backpack typically 2-3 times a week.  The teacher circles if she was happy/sad, ate all/some/most of her lunch and if she had PE/Speech/OT, etc.  There is a blank spot for comments.  Usually these comments are about Ellie's behaviors.  "She sat 30 seconds in circle time!" or frequently "she was very unfocused and all over the place".  I don't really see a lot of academics mentioned even though I know they work on letters and numbers with Ellie.  The thing is, most of her IEP goals are behavior-based and we are having quite a few behavioral issues with Ellie.

So when I got this note, I cried.

I shall translate:

"Much Better Day!"

Activity 1) Sat and played w/ pop up peg toy for 10-12 minutes. (no prompts). she is usually everywhere.

Activity 2) Circle-moving to others' chairs when they stood up, but in general calmer, listening, not eating shirt

Activity 3) Chalkboard-only ate one piece of chalk. Sat and drew w/ markers w/out chewing them up. Sitting well.

Activity 4) Great at art time. Painted, didn't put in mouth, didn't rip it or rub a hole in it. Didn't dump water.

Activity 5) STAR 1-1 Not so good. Under table. grabbing

Lunch-Didn't sit independently, but better until she grabbed a tray and dumped it.



Can you believe it?!?!  She sat and she didn't eat everything or destroy everything.  Girlfriend did pretty good. . .until Activity 5 and lunch.

I am curious, do you all get notes home from school and if so what sorts of things do the teachers tell you about?

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In other news, Andrew and I will be hosting our first ever Thanksgiving and I don't cook.  Really, I. do. not. cook.  How we have escaped hosting for this long is beyond me (maybe people were afraid of being poisoned?).  Anyway, I have to do the sides and the dessert.  This will get interesting. I mean how do you have everything served warm at the same time?  Or avoid burning dishes as you attempt to juggle a few sides at once?  The good thing is Andrew is smoking the brisket which will be awesome.  Yes, a brisket.  What?  You thought we were going to have turkey? This is Texas, y'all.  (Actually, we have never made a turkey before, so yes, a brisket.) So, wish us luck!