The End of Preschool

Antalya is officially done with preschool.

It always felt like I had so long before I needed to start worrying about IEP's, school transitions, inclusion issues, and so on. 

I thought I would be so prepared when the day came.

But now it's here. And I'm not.

But regardless, time moves on, preschool has come to an end, and ready or not, Antalya is headed to Kindergarten in the fall.

Antalya has thrived in all the different preschool settings she has been. 

And this year was no different. 

We will miss her wonderful teachers and all the sweet kids in her class (especially one little boy that would occasionally say, "Antalya come sit by me" when I dropped her off. And everytime he did my eyes would swell up and I have to resist the urge to run over and hug him).

On the last day of school, Victoria and I joined her class for a picnic and party outside. 

There are many opinions, and every child is different, but for Antalya, I feel a mainstream classroom is where she needs to be. 

And I am completely unwilling to bend on that issue. 

Here in Utah, that is not the general rule. And even though Antalya has always attended a mainstream classroom and has done really well, the concluding opinion at her transitional IEP meeting was to send her to a special ed kindergarten class. 

I saw it coming, and in my panic decided the best course of action would be to apply to every charter school within 20 miles in hopes that I would find one with a small class size and a willingness to help every child in the class succeed. 

Maybe it was luck, or chance, or an answer to prayers, but she got offered a spot at a Montessori school  for next year. We'll have a 25 min drive each way, but the school has small classes and has already been down the road of helping a kindergarten child with Down syndrome succeed in a regular classroom. 

We thought it over and over, and decided the only downside was the drive, and it was by far the best option we had available for next year. So come next fall, Antalya will start her elementary school experience in a mainstream classroom, where I know she needs to be. 

And I am so grateful!

Individual Education Plan

Her teacher handed it to me yesterday in a brown envelope.

I've been expecting it.

What I wasn't expecting is how it made me feel.

And how the feelings would linger ALL DAY LONG!

Yes, folks, I sadly admit that I walked around most the day yesterday with a pouty face. I know my daughter has Down syndrome. I've know it since before she was born. But for some reason, while I sat and read through her IEP yesterday it was like someone was telling me for the first time that my child has a disability. That my child is delayed. That my child has weaknesses to be improved on.

But like always - Antalya has a way of bringing me back to reality. The sweet reality that is her!

On our way to school this morning she tripped over the speed bump in our apartment complex and skinned her knee. When the kisses and hugs had been given and the tears had stopped, I set her back on her own two feet. And you know what she did? She went back across the speed bump, turned around, gave a quick smile, and then did a perfect replay of how she meant to cross the darn thing in the first place.

And then once at school, the little boy that hung up his coat next to hers quickly put his arm around her when he saw her and walked into class with her. Both with huge grins on their face.

So, really, what does it matter if she is behind in several areas? If she is willing to try again every time she falls, and if there are friends to walk by her side, my little Antalya will accomplish everything she sets her mind to.

Maybe for her next IEP I should make sure it is known that this little one is the best "beanie-wearing, blueberry-pancake-mixing, mommy's-helper" in the whole world!