This morning, James and I attended Bella's ARD meeting (Admission, Review and Dismissal Meeting) with her speech teacher, the principal of her school and the kindergarten representative. In this meeting we go over the things Bella has accomplished this year, the speech teacher let's us know how she is doing and if she is still eligible to keep receiving speech therapy. She is doing well, but still has goals that need to be reached, so she will continue on this semester with her speech therapy.
We asked the teachers in the room about available preschool for Bella to start next year (she won't start Kindergarten till 2010). And the school does provide a preschool, but it's the same old story we always hear....it's provided for children with ESL or who meet the income requirements. So, in other words...if we want Bella to go to a preschool that isn't just a daycare, we are going to have to pay for it. Which stinks, b/c we thought going into this speech thing that they would help her progress from just the twice-weekly speech therapy into preschool....then on into kindergarten.
For some reason, James and I have always "made too much money" which is funny, since we never see any of it. When Bella was just born and James was in his last semester of college....he worked 3 jobs and went to school....we were flat broke, which is why I eventually had to go back to work and put Bella in daycare. But even though we were BROKE...we didn't qualify for medicaid or food stamps or WIC. Nada....you make too much money, they said. Ummm, what?
Anyways...
At the end of the meeting, we decided with the speech teacher that I would start to bring Bella in at a later time so she could be in therapy with another student....to help with the socializing skills. And I'll be on the lookout for preschools....one's that don't cost $900 a month (ahem, Montessori...).
I'm so glad she is making progress....we see it in our daily life alot more than the speech teacher see's in the 30 min, twice a week that she see's Bella. I feel that her speech is improving by leaps and bounds, but that there is still a ways to go from what Mommy can understand and what day-to-day people will understand. I think once she can get other people to understand what she is trying to say to them, her confidence will increase greatly!
11 comments:
I'm sorry the meeting didn't go as planned but happy that Bella is doing so good! That's fabulous!
I too am stressed about finding an affordable preschool next year. I just don't know what we're going to do. But I'm sure something will come up. If it comes down to it, you could always drive and put Bella in one of the Arlington Rec Center preschools. I love love LOVED it. And its pretty inexpensive ($70 a month). And don't get me started about not qualifying for food stamps or medicaid. I get so mad I could spit. But Bella is fabulous and with that personailty ON TOP of the progress she's already making, she'll be GREAT!
What is ESL? I was talking to James about the preschool thing at Dance, and we are looking too and it would be nice to get them in the same preschool, but I didn't know it cost $900 a month. That's ridiculous! Let me know what you find out. I am way impressed with Bella! I had her in nursery and she never talked and now she talked a lot to me at the dance class.
ESL= English as a Second Language.
And the $900/month thing is for a Montessori school in Arlington, I think...James had seen it when he was doing some research. I will definitely let you know what I find out, Katie!! :)
$900/ month is rediculous for any preschool in my opinion!! That's a mortgage!! I KNOW Bella has made progress and I should know since I don't see her as often so I can tell more. She has definitely improved. She was talking like crazy while I was there. I hope you find a fun preschool for her. I think we might just put Kenna in the rec center.
Her teacher said she had mastered the goals that they had set out for her initially, and so now they just made some new goals for her. Hopefully she does okay with another student in there and maybe that will help her in primary and dance class to be a more willing participant and wait her turn.
Fun stuff. I am not excited for that. I'm a nervous wreck with just weaning Cayden off of a bottle! haha!! Good luck with finding a suitable place! :) I worked for Kids R Kids in Vegas and they have one in Texas. They are really good. The teachers always have to have a lesson each day and certain schedules to follow. There is one in Arlington. The website's kidsrkids.com Its worth a try :)
Here in my area they have preschool for kids with different concerns as well as ESL and income. Hayden did it one semester and they determined that he didn't need it so we went on to Mothers Day Out. I am glad you are noticing progress, they change a ton from 4 to 5 just wait...
I’d suggest looking into a “Mother’s day out” program too. I have 2 friends who’s little ones go. (They usually are faith based – Catholic/Baptists/etc. I know we’ve talked about this before – but at that that young of an age – IF they talk about Christ- it’s very basic stuff that I really don’t think would confuse them. Just stuff like “be nice to your friends, listen to your parents, etc”.) I just asked one of my co-workers here about the program she sends her little one to. Her daughter is 3-almost 4 and she pays $380 a week for three days of “school” – her rate will drop to $360 when she turns 4.
As for the preschool – I’m not saying I don’t sympathize – but yes, it is very expensive. We still pay more for Caedyn’s school than we do on our mortgage – and that’s AFTER two rate drops (due to her getting older). This is why we call it “school”, if we have to pay tuition – we ain’t calling it daycare! :-)
Oops - sorry - the $360 / $380 is per month.
I know those ARD meetings aren't very fun. Arlington has a great preschool for kids who need a little extra help but I don't know what GP has. I hope you are able to find a good and affordable solution.
Post a Comment