Kinder Drama

We had some kinder drama that resulted in our first parent meeting yesterday. Last week one of the K mothers overheard a first grade mother complaining to SS's K teacher about the benchmark testing. The Spanish immersion program is only in its second year, thus there will be plenty of growing pains. Right now, there's the first grade kids, and the kindergarten kids. From what we were told, the school principal is the gate keeper in terms of the program. The current school principal began her stint this school year. The program was researched and created with the full support of the former principal. From our limited interaction with the former principal, we got a sense of genuine warmth. She had returned to her office to find that SS was being evaluated there. She asked if she was ours, gushed at her cuteness, and told us SS would do just fine. Our equally limited interaction with the new principal. Ms. R, has left us feeling chilly in almost 100 degree weather.

What truly matters is that Ms. R is behind the program, and that is what fanned the flames of parental discontent.  The first grade children will have their benchmark testing at the end of the year in English. The obvious problem is that the children have been taught is Spanish for two years. It id not far fetched to predict that they will fail, or at least not do as well as their mainstream counterparts. From there the concern became that if the kids do not do well, Ms. R could use the test results to justify ending the immersion program. Say what? Gee, we just got here people.

It did not help that S (a mom), singled out by parents and teachers as the driving force, grassroots extraordinaire, was allegedly told by the district that Ms. R was not in favor of the program. Darn, too much drama, too early in the semester, and even earlier in the morning.  By the time we had our meeting yesterday, S had a "productive forty-five minute chat" with Ms. R, who assured S of her support for the program. Whatever. It still leaves the concern about the testing and our kids academic performance.

This is where it got even more interesting, as there were many things about this program we did not know.  The biggest surprise to us was that the classes are made up of "50% strong English speakers, and 50% strong Spanish speakers." As soon as my brain absorbed the information I questioned how SS was accepted, since I would not describe her as a strong English speaker, and let's not even think about the Spanish part.  The assessment that SS underwent was done in Spanish with half the class. There are A LOT of kids in kindergarten that do not speak a word of English. Sadly, those are the same kids who will fare even worse with English testing. Yikes, feel headaches coming on.

We met yesterday afternoon at a very cool park, for our bitching session, meeting of concerned parents. S managed to make some progress, including a "have coffee with the principal meeting" later this month. P and I are pretty sure they will be serving iced coffee.We were also made aware that the mainstream parents are not too happy with the program, mainly because the majority of children involved are "transfers." The first benchmark testing was done two weeks ago, but the parents were not informed. Someone mentioned that it was a state mandate to test in English, and if that is the case, then it is a moot subject. P and I had already planned for SS to be proficient in both languages simultaneously, including reading and writing. We were under the impression that we would have to work on the Spanish at home, but as it turns out, we are going to have to work harder with English, to make sure that SS does not lag behind. We do feel awful for the Spanish speaking kids, with parents who are probably more lost than we feel right now. 

The park opened recently, it's huge and cool. SS loves all balls, if it's a sport involving balls, she's on it. They have quite a few around the park.

Splash Pad fun.

E and S, no idea of the names of the girls behind them.

Mrs. Weekend Pooper

That is what we are calling Mrs. V-P around here.  There are four kindergarten classes,, and all receive a homework packet weekly. In three classes, it goes home on Monday, to be returned Friday. SS ended up with the teacher who believes the weekend should be spent doing homework.  Her packet comes home on Thursday, and is due Tuesday or Wednesday (need to check my notes from orientation). Thus, the Weekend Pooper moniker.  Call us weird, but we feel that weekends should be school free. With Patrick working Saturdays, he only has one day a week to spend with SS, and homework did not rank anywhere on his list of to do things.  Add SS's slowness and we are not exactly thrilled. Oh well...

This week SS received her first packet. That was our first glimpse of what SS needs to learn this year. Cool, but as P noted, it would have been nice to have that information during orientation, especially for non Spanish speaking parents.  For example, there are several items on the alphabet chart that even I have no clue what they are.   I know it is a bird on Q, but it certainly isn't a quail.  A quick Google search yielded Quelea and Quetzal as options. It's definitely not a Quelea, and if it is a Quetzal, it is one awful depiction.  We are to practice with our children daily, and I'm already behind.

Here is where I'm unabashedly wishing Abuela would move her a$$ nearby. Abuela is the absolute Queen of the Spanish Language. She has creepily encyclopedic knowledge of spelling, pronunciation and grammar. Every time I speak or e-mail her, I get a good dressing down about my horrendous butchering of her beloved language. That's the witch about language, use it or lose it. In a way, SS is going to help me right some of my many wrongs. And it is already rubbing off on P. The man that for seventeen years did not make the slightest effort to kick start his high school Spanish, that same dude, is really trying hard. I'm glad he finally found an important enough reason to try. Nah, I'm not bitter about it.  

SS seems to be doing well adjusting to her 90% Spanish, three hour school day. Since we moved, SS has been watching movies and cartoons in Spanish.  Never thought that cable/DVD feature would help so much. It's so funny to hear SS sing along and repeat things in Spanish. Like P, she asks me several times a day how to say something in Spanish. She must not be hating it much then. Yesterday she pointed out manzanas (apples) and zanahorias (carrots) at the supermarket.  We are working on a  Spanish related treat for her in January. The plans have not been finalized, but P said it is happening. We are sure SS is going to have a blast.

Wow, after clicking on publish I realized this is post number 1,000. And to think I was going to do this for just one month after coming home with SS. Must say that it is fun to be able to look back her very imperfect life with us.  The good, the bad, and the ugly. I'm glad SS will have something not only to look back on, but also to read. 

P will be able to help with the reading, because astonishingly, his Spanish reading skills are impressive.

I'm going to need help from Abuela with the pronunciation of some syllables.

 

I know C is for crab, but now idea what it is in Spanish. That is a crab, right? Also lost on N, Ñ, P, U and W.

SS has six of the colors down, good thing she learned some in preschool.  Ironically, she knows café, a color that I learned in school as brown. It was not until I was in my teens that I learned the Spanish word, marrón. Purple I learned as violeta; the word morado reminds me of bruises.  So much for one people one language. 

Oh what a feeling! SS jumped from joy knowing there's no school today (pictures taken yesterday after school). TGIF, living for the weekend.

First dental extraction.

Today we had more confirmation that P and I are the product of first cousins. We told the grandparents about SS needing to have a tooth extracted. The reason, to make room for the tooth behind. Turns out that the tooth was removed because it was an extra tooth. SS had an extra tooth and we were clueless. In my defense, P went to the initial appointment with SS. Then sneakily scheduled the extraction for a time when he could not be present. Wimp.  I could not even blame my ignorance on him, at least to the dentist.

Dr. K is such a kind soul, and a perfect fit to be a pediatric dentist. We opted for local anesthesia, because we really do not want SS under general unless absolutely necessary. I mentioned that SS had stitches under local, and knew what to expect. That meant that SS knew she would be getting a shot, a big no no word, in a pediatric dental office.  The call it "sleepy juice." Oh well, we believe in using proper terminology, and too late anyway.  The tech seemed teed off that I ruined things, and tried to talk me into approving general. Nope, seems hypocritical because I have been under so many times without incident. But there's always a risk, and one we are not willing to take with SS for a tooth extraction.

SS once again was amazing.  She whined a little, but did not shed a single tear. Dr. K caught on to the fact that SS likes to whine, even when she can't really feel. Welcome to our world lady.  Upon realizing that SS is all about super heroes, Dr. K had a novel way of explaining.  She told SS to pretend to be Green Lantern, and that there was going to be an earthquake while she was trying to save the world. Dr. K then shook SS gently, to prepare her for the "wiggling." The tooth was out in no time, and SS was all smiles. 

Once in the van SS went into full clingy mode. We had a few errands to run, and she was back to her Velcro baby days. I could not step away from her or she'd complain that she was in pain, or that she was scared. Once P came home, she turned it up a notch, but it is understandable.  This was a big deal for SS, and Baba was not there. Mainly because he is saving his time for whatever my surgeries bring, The wimp tease was just that. SS asked to sleep with us, but upon finding out that the Tooth Fairy does not visit our room, she high tailed it to her spaceship.

This is one kid friendly office, among the goods, two old fashioned arcade machines, with multiple games each.

There are six of these around the room, which is overkill, but kids must like to be surrounded by many TVs.

And this is what SS was looking at, the TV above, playing Madagascar.

Waiting for her gum to numb, and still managed to crack up Dr. K and the tech, with her pirate impression.

All done, with her tooth safely placed in a treasure box, to be placed under her pillow tonight.

That is one long tooth, even Dr. K was in awe when she extracted it.

SS showing us the future, how much money we are going to spend on braces. Ouch.

SS's pain medicine. She really has a great racket going. Not to be mean, but where are my treats after getting prodded, sliced, diced, multiple scans, MRIs, and X-rays? Man, once I had a test done that made me flop like a fish out of water. And I so wish I was kidding, or exaggerating. A freaking fish. Did I get a treat? P did cry, kissed me, hugged me after, and wanted to murder my neurologist... But I did not get a toy. I think I'm going to add up how many treats I'm owed, because SS's racket is a real good one.

I love how focused she can be, that is, when she is not chasing dust particles.

Very proud of her St@r W@rs creation.

SS refused to eat or drink, we were lucky to get yogurt in her tummy just before bath time.