Archive for the 'School time' Tag
September 30th, 2009, 1:53 pm by Michelle Reese
 A mom in Michigan is under fire because state regulators say she is violating childcare law there. Each morning, the woman’s neighbors bring their children to her house for care before the bus arrives. Then the woman takes all the children to the bus stop. But the state says that because she is not licensed, and the care is ongoing for more than four weeks (Michigan’s statute), she is breaking the law.
According to Susan Wilkins, the executive director for Arizona’s Association for Supportive Child Care, the Michigan woman may also be breaking the law in Arizona, but it’s a fine line.
In Arizona you cannot care for more than four children (who are not your own) at any point in time without being regulated if you’re receiving compensation for that care, Wilkins said. And compensation may be the “exchange of goods or services,” such as a “you watch my kids, I’ll watch yours,” situation.
“If she’s doing it for absolutely no money, she would probably be exempt,” Wilkins said. “But that would be a fine line.”
The laws are in place, she said, for the safety of the children. That’s why there are regulations, she said.
“If you have five children in your home and you’re caring for them in your home every morning, what safety do you have in place? Are you doing anything with curriculum for the kids or are they watching television? Are you giving them a snack? There’s all kinds of things to consider,” she said.
Group home care licensing is required for anyone who cares for between five and 10 children (not their own), she said. That is set up by the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Office of Child Care Licensing.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Arizona law • Being a mom • child care • kids at home • School time | Post a Comment »
September 10th, 2009, 1:23 pm by Michelle Reese
 A friend sent this post to me about a book. I have not written about parenting books (there SO many and to be honest, I’ve read NONE of them.) But this one sparked my interest.
My husband and I have had a hard time motivating our 7-year-old, not just in learning, but in participating in team sports or other “active games” that include other kids. With a lot of help from his wonderful teacher, his school work has improved a lot in the last two weeks. And by putting in place a routine each night, we are getting homework done. But it can be a struggle. (I know: What first-grader LIKES to do schoolwork?)
One description of a ’shut-down learner,’ is a child who can spend hours focused on an activity such as LEGOS. Have I mentioned how many LEGOS are in my house and that they’re played with from the minute my son wakes up to the time school starts? I know that’s just one tiny piece of the puzzle, but that was enough.
I may have to read this book.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • education news • parenting book • parenting tips • School time | Post a Comment »
August 24th, 2009, 3:35 pm by Michelle Reese
Last week I had the chance - eh, hem - to talk to my son’s teachers, twice. Keep in mind, it was the second week of school. Last year, I had the same pleasure of getting that call, “Hi, Mrs. Reese. I wonder if I could talk to you about your son’s behavior in class today.”
EEK.
To top it off, my 7-year-old told me visited the principal. “He’s not mean (mad) at us,” he said.
His teacher confirmed this, that in fact the meeting with the principal was to remind my son of the school rules about talking in class (and not turning pencils into missles.)
EEK.
After the two teacher contacts, I thought it best to go in and sit down to chat with my son’s teachers.
I called to set up the meeting, where I learned he is having a diffult time staying focused in class. While I expressed concerned, she reassured me my son isn’t the only one. The first few weeks can be tough for the students - especially those in first grade who have - to regroup after summer break.
So this weekend, my husband and I reminded my son about not playing during class time and being good listener.
But I also took something she told me to heart. She suggested - and is doing this also - talking to my son about being a leader.
He is the oldest in his classroom. And he has four years of learning at this school under his belt. He should naturally be a leader.
But that’s not my son’s personality. He’s more of a go-with-the-flow type. I wasn’t sure about her suggestion until she told me it was working.
I got a nice note from her Friday about his improved work.
I’m hoping he’ll embrace a new role as a leader. He would be good at it, and I’m sorry I didn’t see that sooner.
Thank you to all teachers who offer insight even we, as parents, didn’t see.
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August 10th, 2009, 10:12 am by Michelle Reese
With ZERO hesitation, my son marched off to first grade today. Last night he packed his bag, picked out his outfit and went to sleep at a decent time.
But when we arrived this morning at the campus, I don’t know who was more excited: the kids or the principal. The principal is new to the school this year. I saw him as we drove up, waving at everyone.
Then he stopped at our car - my son had rolled down the window - and gave all of us a “high 5.”
I asked how the first day was going.
“It’s like Disneyland!” he said. Then off he went to welcome another family. Yea, I think it’s going to be a good year.
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August 5th, 2009, 11:56 am by Michelle Reese
 My son on his last day of kindergarten in May. I didn’t cry when my son started kindergarten.
I did boo-hoo and mope a bit, knowing that another year meant another year of him getting bigger, older and definitely more independent.
While my daughter is constantly in my lap, tugging my ear, asking for a hug and a kiss, my son - now 7 - is a more reserved.
Except when no one else is looking.
Last night in the pool at my parents’ house, I grabbed him and tickled him and kissed his neck.
“Ah, MOM!” he squawked as he squiggled out of my arms. Too many other people were around.
But in the mornings, when he comes downstairs where I’m cooking breakfast, he reaches up for an embrace and doesn’t want me to let go.
Maybe it’s a boy thing. But I like the idea that it’s just he and I in those moments. Those stolen hugs before his sister tries to claim me all for herself.
He starts first grade next week and I wonder how long those hugs will last. He’ll certainly be taller than me in a few years - not hard since I’m only 5-foot - but I hope those hugs last long after that.
He’s my baby, the first child I read to every night, “The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear.”
He has it memorized and so do I.
I’m excited for him to start first grade, but also a bit sad.
My brother said he didn’t cry at kindergarten, but he did at first grade… something about the fact that the classroom looked more like a classroom and less like a play area.
I know my son is ready, but I also wonder how he’ll react to that.
I hope he knows that no matter how that first day goes, I’ll be there, waiting in the wings with that hug of reassurance - when no one is looking.
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April 23rd, 2009, 9:11 pm by Michelle Reese
 I think the toughest part of being a parent is the realization you’re making choices for someone else. At this point in my kids’ lives, I’m the one deciding for the most part what we’re doing on the weekend, what activities we can fit in the schedule, where they go to school.
My husband and I talked a bit last night about that last piece. He has been in the same neighborhood school for four years, two in the preschool program for children with language delays and two for kindergarten.
I’m in my second stint as an education reporter, I know there are many different education formats out there: private, public, public-charter, Montessori, student-led instruction, teacher-directed instruction, traditional and back-to-basic.
But I haven’t seen a survey anywhere where you click answers to questions to help decide what’s best for your own child.
When I picked this school for kindergarten (it wasn’t an instant decision by any means) I drove around. I checked out two Montessori schools. I checked out the neighboring district’s schools. At that time, private school was not an option.
In the end, I got what I wanted: Our neighborhood school placed him in an integrated kindergarten with typical peers, but a smaller student-to-teacher ratio and a continued Individual Education Plan for speech services.
While he had a great experience that year, his dad and I asked to hold him back for social reasons and the staff agreed without hesitation.
Now we’re at the end of another kindergarten year. He has really flourished and was mature enough to tackle the material this year and still be challenged. And here we are again: facing another school year.
Every time I enter a school for a story assignment or just to meet with teachers and talk to them about education, I find myself thinking whether or not I can picture one of my children there (my daughter is 4 but misses the cutoff and will spend next year in a pre-kindergarten program at the church preschool she attends).
Sometimes it’s obvious: Nope, this one won’t work for my son. Yup, my daughter would love this. Nope, they would KILL me for putting them here.
But more often than not it’s, “Well, maybe…”
It’s not anything anyone is doing wrong or right – it’s just a tough decision.
And that’s the catch: I have to make a decision.
(Besides, I don’t think they would much like driving from school-to-school to check it out. And there is probably some truancy officer who would have something to say about missing school. Not that I would know anything about that.)
The truth is, I’m a bit worried about class sizes as he gets older and into higher grade levels. We were blessed this year because his kindergarten has a teacher, a teacher’s aide and 21 kids.
I don’t know how it’s going to pan out. I’ve like both the first-grade teachers at our school - a lot. And yes, once again, he has an IEP for continued speech-language services.
But every now and then I wonder: What about this? What about that?
And, I told my husband: What if we make the wrong choice?
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March 31st, 2009, 12:09 pm by Michelle Reese
I attended my son’s IEP (individual education plan) meeting this morning. He is in his second year of kindergarten. Since he turned 3, he has been on an IEP in our school district for speech/language services.
We were running late this morning to get there. I told my son - now 6 - several times, “Go get your socks. Get your backpack. Find your shoes. We have to go.”
Ok, this - in speech/language talk - is a four-component direction.
I learned during the meeting that one of the receptive language issues the school is working on with him is - you guessed it - four-component directions.
I guess that would explain why he didn’t finish all those without me walking him through it. I forget this sometimes (more often than I care to admit). Instead, I get upset, look at the clock and yell: I’m walking out the door now. Let’s go!
I apologized to my son before we even got to the meeting. I did feel bad for not assisting him more when he said, “I don’t know where my shoes are.” Eventually, it took both of us to find them - in my bedroom of all things.
Then we went to the meeting and I was reminded what I need to do to be a better parent, and a good role model. Good thing we have these meetings. I know they’re not directly for parenting, but they help!
My son will move on to first grade next year, and continue to receive speech/language services for receptive and expressive language issues as well as pronunciation assistance.
And we’ve made a new direction in our house: Shoes go by the front door when we walk in. Hopefully, that will help.
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March 26th, 2009, 11:09 am by Michelle Reese
My school district is debating changes to school start times. The argument is that high school students do better when they start later in the day, since most of them stay up later at night. My children are not in high school yet, but this will still have an impact on them.
That’s because a change in high school start times could mean a change in elementary and junior high start times to adjust bus schedules. In my case, plan A calls for a 7:45 a.m. start time and plan B calls for a 9 a.m. start time. Right now, we’re at about 8:35.
For us, I could see it work both ways. During the winter, when it’s dark in the morning, my kids tend to sleep in. There have been at least three times this year, since January, that my son has been late to school because we just couldn’t get it all together and out the door. With that in mind, a 9 a.m. start time would work just fine. However, it would get me to work later, and my daughter’s day care absolutely ends at 5:30 p.m. I would be pushing it to get a full 8 hours of work in each day unless I just stay tied to my desk (though I write this as I’m eating lunch at my desk).
An earlier time may be a struggle at first, but I think it’s the better option for my family - and perhaps others. That’s because most days - the kids arise quite early. I don’t know how, but in the summer they’re up between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. Today, it was 6:45. When that happens, we would have little problem getting to school by 7:45 a.m. if I ignored the dishes, the pick up in the kitchen and prepping dinner for that night (all of which usually delay me in the morning). And, truth be told, if they get up at 6:30, but don’t have to be at school until 9 a.m., what on earth are they going to do to keep busy? They’ll pull out toys and books and colors and be distracted and we would likely end up late anyway!
A decision is a few weeks away. But I’ve put my opinion out there for the earlier time.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Uncategorized • School time | Post a Comment »
January 5th, 2009, 10:19 am by Michelle Reese
I got a phone message last night from a friend I haven’t talked to in several weeks. What it boiled down to was the past two weeks had been crazy with the kids at home and ”Hallelujah! School is back in session.”
Yea… I have to agree.
I don’t have the same reason, however. I had to work nine of the 10 days my kids didn’t have school. Because of that, their holiday break was a mixture of going to daycare, going to camp and going to grandparents or my sister-in-laws.
In other words, there was no routine. We pretty much stuck to bed time and rise time, but each day I had to remind the kids where they were going after they got dressed.
And while my son lamented last night, “Mom, I don’t want to go to school” and he had a tough night sleeping, this morning I saw him run to the playground and bounce in line to his class.
I was a little worried about how he would do.
Mom worries too much. He did great - and hopefully that will be the report when the day ends.
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August 7th, 2008, 3:09 pm by Katie Mozurkewich
My son started the first grade yesterday. He also started a new school; his first public school. He was deliriously excited to go. Mommy, on the other hand, was not so much excited as scared out of her wits. I tried, I really did, to not let him see my stress. To smile at him whenever we discussed the new school, the new kids and the general largeness and differences of his previous Christian education. I must have done a truly fantastic job of convincing him that this was going to be the best day of his life. Because he was ready. He wanted to start last week. Last month. As soon as he could.
And then the day comes. It’s morning of the first day of school. I have a plan, of course. My friend would come over and play with the younger kids so that I could take Nick by myself. Walk him to his door. Shake the teacher’s hand and watch him walk into his first day at his new school like a scene from a movie. He’d turn just as the door begins to shut and he’d give me that smile. That perfect, “I’m going to be fine mom!”, smile.
But plans never really turn out that way, do they. I’ve never had a plan turn out just like I wished it to. I don’t know what compels me to still make them.
My friend can’t make it. Ok, no big deal. I’ll just get his lunch packed, breakfast done, clothes on, what else is there? This is a piece of cake. Oh, no! I’ve forgotten about the two other kids. Delirious in my loss of another well laid plan to ruin, I holler the younger ones into clothes. Into shoes. The smallest can’t find shoes. Well, that doesn’t matter now because we won’t be getting out of the car anymore anyway. We’ll just drive through the Parent Drop-Off like every other seasoned parent. We leave the house: 4 people, 1 backpack, 1 lunch and 6 shoes. We arrive in what I think is a timely manner and wow! Look! The drop-off isn’t even busy. What luck I’m having. But, no. The gate is locked. There’s no one in sight. No one with a blue shirt ready to help a lost mother on her first day of public school. What to do now. Ok, I’ll park. I saw someone at the front of the school.
“Excuse me, where do I drop off my son? There’s no one in the drop-off section?”
“Oh, ma’am,” (I hate being called ma’am), “The first bell already rang. You have to take him into the office.”
Great. Ok, well I’m already parked. “Everybody out! We’re late.” But the 40 pound youngest still isn’t wearing shoes. “C’mere, I’ll carry you honey.”
And off we go. Across the grass in a mad rush with (at least to my credit) a lot of other confused looking parents and children wearing new backpacks. We head through the office. We’re 12 feet from the hallway where I know his classroom is, so I attempt to head straight through to drop him off myself. (Still thinking my plan just might work!) But no. The office lady hollers at me that parents are not allowed beyond that line. That line that is 6 feet from his classroom. Ok then, we wait. We wait in line for approximately 10-15 minutes while I watch several other families roam right by this self-same office lady who somehow takes no notice. Why can’t I be that invisible? It’s probably the 40 lb. child in my arms and the sweat running down my brow. We get to the front of the line and the woman takes our names. She asks another employee (or possibly parent helper) to escort my son to class.
I turn the opposite direction and head out of the office and out of the way as fast as I can. But then I remember. And I turn around. And all I can see is his little head bobbing down the hallway with his tiny little backpack, going the opposite direction. And he never turns around for me. Because he’s fine. Because he’s confident. Because he’s starting a new chapter in his life.
And in a way so am I. Without him. And I bawled all the way home.
Posted in: Katie Mozurkewich • School time | 3 Comments »
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