Just checking in to see how things are going with your kids in kindergarten.

As for us we have had a good start to the year, I separated the kids in school and they are thriving by being separate. Everyone is doing great and seems to like their teachers. There have been a few minor issues but nothing too alarming and nothing out of the ordinary for five year olds.

BBG Triplets Born March 31, 2004
31 weeks three days
Douglas
Kalie and
John Michael

I'm lovin' it!

We're half dayers, but it's OK. They don't offer full day otherwise I think I'd have signed up. Full day school will come soon enough, right?

I just love everything about their teachers and their classroom. I'm so impressed with the activities, objectives and quiet atmosphere. There's just this busy buzz every time I visit and everyone is off in small groups or alone working on something.

The girls are together, but yet working on different things according to their ability level; another bonus I love about the school's philosophy.

It's been a really great start for us, too.

Now, I have to get serious about extra-curricular activities.

Lisa

Kind of a rocky start for us. My BBB are all in one classroom (because there is only one K teacher)and that would definitely not have been my first choice!

27 kids in the classroom (also would not have been my first choice).

One of the boys who had absolutely NO issues in PK3 or PK4 and whose preschool teacher said, "He is absolutely ready. He is very sharp and going to do great."...is having issues. He did not finish the assessments and had to have a reading specialist come in to finish up his testing. He seems distracted all of the time and is constantly getting tallies for not listening and talking when he SHOULD be listening. He tested lower than one of his siblings on pre-reading skills, even though I KNOW he is actually a bit ahead (or at least he was back in May!)

The second boy...had issues...we already know about them and his issues continue, no surprise there. Mostly on the social/attention side of things. However, he doesn't have any classroom behavioral problems and has a great attitude about school and we are having him assessed for the other issues, so I guess this is going as well as I could hope for.

The third boy...had some behavioral issues the first couple of days...could not stop wandering around and talking, but now has snapped back to his normal self (I think) and is working really hard, so that is great.

Parent-Teacher conferences at the end of the week! Hopefully no surprises!

BBB born 7/26/04 at 35 weeks

We are loving it! Everything has smoothed into a good pattern and the kids are really enjoying school. I'm at peace with things now, too, and that's a good thing.

I'm shocked to see that some have 27 in a class. Yikes. That is sure a lot of 5 year olds!!

Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.

They love it... I am still getting used to it. I am sad when they get on the bus, but then I walk into the house and it is sooo quiet! Then I look around and realize that my house is staying clean!!! LOL About 2 hours before they come home I start watching the clock!

We have had a couple of issues that we are working out! The kids are having a blast, and Dan and I are having fun hearing all the things they are learning!

Dawn

Mom to Samantha, Jeremy, Paige and Christian

Born 12/12/03 @ 31w 2d



http://lovinglifewithquads.blogspot.com

My kids are loving it. They are all together, but don't seem to be bothered by that. They have all found their own friends.

The teacher is super fantastic. The other kids are fine too. I started volunteering to do the busy work for the teacher this week. She has 33 in the morning class and 24 in the afternoon class.

I am SO GLAD mine are in afternoon. Whew.

But I am very happy. Love the school so gar.

Michele
Sarah, Gregory, Amanda
born 1/22/04 at 35w1d

Our surprise baby Austin born 06/15/2005

www.fourtimesthefun.blogspot.com

It is definitely going. We are about 6 weeks into the school year and it has been quite a transition. The kids are gone for 8 hours a day and rarely get to play with their toys except for weekends.

Yesterday I had a meeting for Eric's speech and talked to their teacher about 2 other issues. One was a surprise. My son has been talking about a few kids pushing when they play soccer at recess. DH and I figured it was just getting a bit rough so not too concerned.
Well, yesterday at the meeting I found out that these boys had Eric down on the ground and were kicking him. The parents were evidently being called and the boys will be punished. I feel so bad for not understanding that this was a bigger problem and will try to do better at getting to the heart of the matter. I guess I thought that it was maybe just Eric's lack of experience playing soccer. I feel like such a bad mom.
There was some concilation in that when his speech teacher heard that there had been trouble at recess she said right away that Eric could not have started it. He really is a sweet boy and doesn't deserve to be bullied. I hope things go better now that the teachers and parents know about it. Guess I'll have to keep my eye on it.

Then of course, I had asked her about my daughter who has been more emotional since school started. I guess she's doing OK, has a couple of friends she hangs around with but just needs to pay better attention in class. (she had been sad about not getting as good a marks --sparkly stars vs. OK's--on her papers)

It's so hard to find out about everyone's day in the short time between afterschool snack and dinner. Guess I need to figure out the schedule better.

Sorry to vent so badly. Guess it's been a rough week.

Andi
g/b/g
6 yr old
triplets in kindy

Andi~

Sorry you're having a rough time.

I'm also totally surprised that you're dealing with any type of bullying! I mean really! This is Kindergarten, for heaven's sake. What on earth are 5 and 6 year olds doing getting mad at each other on recess?

I think if it were me, I'd want to chat with the teacher about this recess behavior. Hopefully, you'll never hear of another incident like this again because the children will have learned from their behavior. Kind of a teachable moment for them, KWIM?

Hope things get better for you; vent away.

Lisa

Andi

I'm right there with you on the stressful start. One girl is adjusting beautifully. One is OK with some minor issues. Then there is the boy! He is soooo much farther ahead in many ways (including letter & number recognition, knows all important numbers like b-days, address, phone, etc) yet attention span is non-existent.

Mine are all in one class because there is only one pm class. The first few days were lots of issues with them wrestling and getting in each others space. Now that seems settled, just still dealing with the boy and his inablilty to sit quietly, listen, follow directions, and stay out of trouble.

Makes me sad to read all the responses about how happy everyone is as they watch their kids grow and learn and all I feel is helpless to figure out Gabe's behavior. Is he too young for ADD diagnosis? Will he outgrow this? I see so much potential in him. He is extremely bright. Many days he does things that are really inappropriate....maybe to get attention and make others laugh? Still struggling here! Hang in there! We survived the terrible 3s right? This too shall pass!!!

Kim

Kim~

Can Gabe get an aide to work one on one with him?

He might really love that individual attention and help him to stay focused on things.

I think any kid likes that kind of interaction with an adult no matter what level they're at in school.

Lisa

Kim:

The stuff you said about Gabe is the kind of thing that it seems everyone has been saying about their boys. And, it was what triggered my concerns regarding kindergarten vs. first grade -- if a boy is bored, he becomes inattentive.

Please know that we all seem to be having the same issues with boys (as opposed to girls), and you might want to read a book called, "Why Gender Matters." (Or, is it "Why Gender Counts?" I can never remember.) Anyway, the book addresses the developmental and physical differences between the genders and how they respond at different ages and how our society fails to take these distinctions into account. It is a real eye-opener. And, it might help you to feel better about things with Gabe and to understand how best to work with the differences.

'Just a thought. Hang in there, hon. I'm beginning to think that every 5 year old boy should be temporarily diagnosed with ADD, or at least that that's what the teachers think!

Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.

Lisa & Cat

Thanks for the thoughts. Some well meaning friends keep pushing for me to have him evaluated for ADD/ADHD. Could very well be that, but I'm not willing to go there yet. He just turned 6 in August! The really funny thing is that he freaks a lot of people out with his grasp of language, electronics, and so many other things. He just has NO attention span and has a very hard time sitting still. You can see the struggle on his face......sit still one more second and his head might explode!

He has also been doing some strange behavioral things that are just so off the wall sometimes! The boy has been potty trained for 3+ years. This summer he started peeing in the playroom and telling me he just couldn't make it to the bathroom. WTH!! It is 20 feet away!! Did it 4-5 times. Every time he would cry and beg for mercy. Didn't know why he did it.....just did. HUH???

Wish I could have explain him......reminds me of rainman some days! Brilliant....and quirky!! He is somewhat socially inappropriate (hugs complete strangers and tells them that he loves them) and yet so stinkin smart he says things that amaze me every day.

What is this combo? Just being a boy? The girls want nothing to do with him most of the time because he makes them crazy. If they are playing he will run through the room and knock their toys over. I'd better run....he is reading over my shoulder right now. Yep, too smart for his own good some days He just asked me what quirky means

Kim

One of my boys is unexpectedly having "attention" issues in school as well. He just turned 5 at the end of July and I am thinking he is just a typical 5-year-old boy at this point. He is very smart...but having attention issues...plus, he is very social.

He has had 2 pee accidents in his pants in the last 3 weeks. The accidents started with K started, however, they don't happen AT K. It is surprising.

BBB born 7/26/04 at 35 weeks

There is at least one bully in every school. My trio loves school and all their friends but I recently found out one boy (not in their class) had been picking on them. It started out with stealing their food during lunch into pushing and shoving during recess and throwing dirt in my girl's hair. I have informed the principal about it and the bullying seem to have stopped for now. Meanwhile, I have instructed my trio to stand up to this boy and to do whatever it takes to defend themselves. Sometimes the only way to stop a bully is some good old fashioned a$$ whooping. I have known a few friends' kids having been bullied in school and it really makes me angry about it especially when the school usually don't do much to help.

Div

I separated mine too, I think they are doing great being apart! I have my first parent teacher conference today, and I don't expect any surprises. The only issue I've had so far is dealing with the school about their food allergies, but that's a separate nightmare.

Kelli

Morgan (11) & natural (by natural I mean concieved on top of a picnic table at a campground, so maybe it should say nature-al) BBG triplets Eric, Josh, and Hannah born @ 33w1d



http://b5.lilypie