Avery’s new school tour went great!  It looks like it’s a fabulous school…catering to those that may have some difficulties and even those students that fall under the “gifted and talented” title.  It seems to be a school for those that don’t fit within the cookie cutter, big-box school systems that many schools are accustomed to teaching to.  After the tour I walked away feeling hopeful.  I felt ok…I’m ok with this.  This is where he should go to school and we will just figure out a way to pay for it all, right?  I felt pretty settled on that choice.  I had the school calendar, the school supply list, and was going to turn in the application for admission by the end of this week…..

Then we have another curve ball thrown our way.  I get a phone call from the principal at his current school (We will refer to her as “Mrs. Z” to retain ambiguity).  She mentions that she had received several concerned phone calls over my last blog post because I was adorning the school “unfavorably”.  I scrambling in my mind to think of what I could have possibly said about his school that was “unfavorable”….I didn’t use the school name…I did not name his teachers….so what did I write that was so blastfimous to have people I know, who read my blog, turn around and tattle on me…..and then I realized what perhaps people were taking offence to….the truth!

I mean, I did not sugar coat things.  I was honest and to the point in my dealings with his school to date, and if the truth is unsettling to those that read about it…I guess that’s ok with me.  It was unsettling to me as well, but it doesn’t change it.   Avery’s dyslexia did go undetected by his teachers…FACT.   The school does not have a special needs program….FACT.  The school does not have a stellar reputation for working with families that have children with special needs…..FACT.  In addition, I never said they wouldn’t work with us…I said they didn’t have the resources or the expertise to work with us…..all FACTS.  But now before you go running to grab your phones again to call Mrs. Z and tell her I’m “bashing” the school again…please read on…….

Everything I stated was true….HOWEVER, and this is a big however, I most definitely jumped to some conclusions about his school and made assumptions due to past experience without actually making the phone calls to back up those claims.  So here is where I admit to my hasty decision that his current school is in no way able to work with us.  I should have called instead of relying on hearsay and reputations. For that, I am regretful! Which brings me back to that phone call from Mrs. Z…..

After telling me that she read the post herself and was disappointed to see that I felt his school couldn’t help us, we talked in length about Avery’s situation.  I expressed my concerns about the classroom adaptations he would need, and she expressed an unparalleled willingness to listen and learn.  She wants to know what they can do to help Avery…and what she can learn about Dyslexia and take back to the teachers in an effort to help other children.  She gave me a resounding, “absolutely” when I asked if they were truly willing to meet those classroom accommodations he would need.   She said they want to work with us as a team to make sure he gets the education he deserves and the help he needs.

I was speechless for a moment….feeling sheepish for having made assumptions….you know the old adage….”assuming makes an ass out of u and me”….well, I was feeling like the ass at that point.  She acknowledged that she could not speak to whatever happened in the school before she took over as principle, but now that she was in the hot seat, she seemed steadfast in her desire to change the way things have always been done and to change the reputation that the school has gotten over the years.   All of which was music to my ears and an effort I would like to be a part of as well.

So, we have a meeting planned for next week involving the key players in Avery’s education…us, Mrs. Z, his teacher, and the director of the Dyslexia Reading Connection who will also be his tutor through the years.  I am excited and nervous at the same time.  I still feel overall, we have a huge decision to make regarding which school he attends, but what a blessing to actually have OPTIONS…yes, that is a plural word!!

I am eternally grateful that Mrs. Z  called because no matter what is decided, there are many people right now working together to make sure my son gets the education he so deserves….and he is truly the only thing that matters in this whole mess.