This Fall my beautiful daughters started another year of school. This year Mikayla joins Maddy at Venice El.! At this current time we are almost finished with the 1ST quarter.
Our Kindergartener Mikayla is off to a roaring start. All of the reports from her teacher have been glowing. She completes her work well and independently and is helpful to the other kids in her class. She is loving her daily centers and her specialty classes like music and art. She also started ballet and tap lessons and became a Daisy Girl Scout this Fall. She loves doing her homework and going to her afternoon activities. Mike and I are so proud of our baby girl.
Then there's Maddy. Our first born is having some trouble. I've mentioned before that Maddy has ADHD. This complex disorder is a huge obstacle for her. Although she was an A/B Honor Roll student last year, she failed the reading section of her FCAT by three measly points. Reading Comprehension seems to be the root of all of her troubles and unfortunately, 3rd grade is a retention year in Florida. After a break stint in summer reading camp, we still had no choice but to have her to repeat 3rd grade. Mike and I have had many issues concerning her progress in school, her stimulant therapy and the potential side effects. We have come to the conclusion that she HAS to be on a daily medication during school. Without it she struggles to concentrate and keep her grades up. Over the years we have tried dietary changes and vitamin supplements but they do not have the same positive effect. So we monitor her health closely with our doctor, have regular conferences with her teachers, counselors and principal at school and stay educated about her disorder. I say it often... "It really takes a village." because I don't what we would do without these professionals that help guide us through these challenging years. Hopefully between all of our efforts we can keep her healthy and help her succeed in the classroom. Maddy is so bright and talented in so many other ways, it's a shame education officials put so much emphasis on one test. Although this is stressful time for Maddy, Mike & myself, we know that someday she will graduate high school, go to college or a trade school and pursue a successful career that WILL make her happy. Which in the end is all that matters.
Maddy has also returned to her weekly ballet lessons and has also become a Brownie Girl Scout! Being active and social with kids her age outside of school is just as important for her overall ADHD treatment.
3 comments:
Your girls look so pretty and already for school!
I can relate to what you are going through. Maranda didn't pass FCAT and had to repeat 3rd grade too. She was in an LD class and has central auditory processing disorder. So it took a while for her to comprehend things at times. She is now a Junior at Brickhouse Academy and is there on the McKay scholarship. It is a small school and perfect for her.
I work in the clinic at Gulf Gate and I know how well the med works for some kids. I know after seeing first hand how much a difference it makes, it has changed my mine on it. The key is finding the one that works best for your child. It is so good to be in communication with the teacher. We had a teacher talk to us (the nurse and I) about a student's behavior off his med, we told her to let the mom know so she can adjust accordingly if needed. Good luck, you have a couple of great kids there and you're such a good mom!
I hate what the FCAT puts the children through. It is ridiculous to hold them back like that!
Thanks Lyndsey. I didn't know Maranda had a learning disorder or that she was held back too. What an ordeal! Please tell me it gets easier? We are actually starting an evaluation process with Maddy too. I wonder if she's has something similar. I'll keep ya posted. Thank you it's so nice to hear from other parents about these things. They should have support groups for this stuff!
It's so maddening that ONE stinking test could hold Maddy back. It just seems so unfair. You're right though, in the future, this will mean nothing to her. She's such a creative, talented girl!
Mikayla looks like such a cute little peanut in those pictures. She's growing up too quickly!
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