Progress Report

Hard to believe that we are already close to half way through the first quarter of the school year.  Last week we received Riley's first mid quarter progress report.   He is doing great.  The boys' school require a parent/teacher conference during the first quarter.  Its actually a nice way to start the year with a progress report and a conference so you can make sure things are on track. 

I'm hoping this is considered when I get called into a meeting with the principal to talk about his safety issues due to non listening on the playground.  Recess is his favorite part of the day and the part that gives me the most anxiety. It brings so many variables with it including a variety of teachers wide open spaces and the freedom to run.  We have made huge progress with lining up when asked but added a new issue.  Today he ran up the hill where there are fences to surrounding houses.  Apparently he was putting his fingers through the fence that has dogs in the yard.  He wasn't listening and these behaviors get thrown in the safety concern category which apparently means they are shared with the principal.  I'll be waiting for that call. I feel like Riley's teacher is totally on aboard with treating him like the other kids but it appears that some of the other teachers that only have him during recess aren't quite sure what to do with him.  Not sure why yelling at him and sitting his sassy little bottom down, like they would with any other child that wasn't making good choices, wasn't their natural response.  Sometimes he can play the Down syndrome card just enough to convince adults he is different.   He needs clear boundaries and consequences just like any other 5 year old.  I am thankful that the school is willing to work with Riley but lets try the standard responses before we tackle trying to come up with a new way to deal with him.  I clearly remember the women at my grade school that had recess duty all the time we all loved her but were all clear about the fact that we would be sitting on the "wall" if we stepped out of line.  Riley will learn the rules too but he needs them reinforced.