what to do?

I called the boys' school, and asked to speak to the Vice Principal. She had taught both Chas and Sam briefly when their teachers were out, so she knows the kids, and I felt comfortable talking to her.

I explained what has been going on with Sam, his attitude to school and the fact that he has been complaining and trying to avoid school. "Oh gosh," she said. "He is miles ahead of the class, he must be so bored." So we agreed to meet on Tuesday morning, together with Sam's teacher, to figure something out. Sam's teacher has been on maternity leave and just returned a few weeks ago so I hate to stress her out, but I AM STRESSED about this. Lady, feel my stress.

First of all, if we can immediately jump to the conclusion that he is bored, why was it allowed to happen in the first place? There are remedial classes for the slow kids, why not something similar for the speedy ones?

Can I just keep him out of school and give him projects to do at home and in the studio for the rest of the year? (you might be right, Witchypoo!) Will we murder each other? I bet Mum and Dad would be happy to help out with him. He could also spend some great time with Sean, doing manly mechanical stuff.

Shall I send him to another school, which claims to have a "gifted program"? I don't like separating the boys though, and that school is MEGA EXPENSIVE!

Can we skip him up again? He is already too young for his class and would like to play with the younger boys in the year below, but the work would be more challenging. If he is skipped up, he will be entering high school at 10 and 2months. There will be kids in his class who are 14, and worldly wise.

Is there a cool program online that Sam could do?

I am feeling it for my son. He is not happy, and I hate to think that every day, he sits in class with his eyes glazed over, phasing out. There must be another way. I hope that our meeting on Tuesday is productive, I am sure it will be. When Sam was 3, I followed teachers' advice and sent him to "big school" against my own feelings, (he turned 4 during the summer, so he was just 4 when he started school) and they were right to give me that advice. Maybe these ladies will have some creative solution that I haven't thought of.

Is there anything I have forgotten? Anything I should say to them on Tuesday? Please advise!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Sorry, no advice on this one, but I have tagged you for a meme.
You should have your wireless router soon, and can insert links.
Candygirlflies said…
Is he happy with his social outlet at school? If you were to take him out, or change schools, would he miss his friends?

If you choose to home-school, there is an enormous amount of information available to support you on the web! I often use home-schooling websites to find fun, new activities for my girls.

Would the school be willing to help you find a "tutor" of sorts for your son-- someone who could spend some time with him doing "enriched" work?

CGF xo
Nan Sheppard said…
Yes, CandyGF, he loves his friends at school, loves to play, in fact he has always liked school until now. At break time he can hang out with the boys the year below, (his age group) and he also gets along with the older kids okay thanks to having a big brother. So moving him would be sad, I know he would miss his friends. Can you recommend any particular websites? Sam LOVES the computer, and we are getting our connection next week. Yay! I am hoping that the school will be okay with giving him some more challenging work. I am going to suggest they let a group of kids do different stuff, so that it's not just Sam. He loves a group project, and I am sure there are other kids in the school who would benefit.
Nan Sheppard said…
By the way, I haven't been able to leave you a comment in ages, CGF. "page cannot load" or something. Will try again when we get connected at home.
Candygirlflies said…
Hi, Nan--

I'll rustle up a list of resources for you over the weekend!!

My kids have the same problem at school... Just not enough stimulation in some areas of the curriculum!! I'm constantly in search of interesting extra-curricular activities to "fill in the gaps".

While my eldest would LOVE to be home-schooled (but I'm just not able to take on the enormous commitment it would require at this point), my second child, like your son, would be devistated to be taken from her friends...

Anyway, I'll get back to you!! Soon!! Promise!!

And the comments?? I have NO idea what's going on with that... but if it's happening to other people, it would explain why I haven't heard from many of my "regulars" in awhile... I'll check into it!! Thanks.

Please always feel free to drop me an email instead, if you like, at candygirlflies@gmail.com

xo CGF
Anonymous said…
I would be careful about skipping him up and up. I've seen that happen with kids, and they seem so lost. Even though they're bright kids, they lose out on childhood when that happens--I think, anyway.
I love the idea of including him and some other bright kids in advanced group projects. I remember doing things like that when I was in elem school--we got to do research projects and present them to the class, and the one I remember best was when we got to make puppets that matched historic characters and write a play for the class.
Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth.
Nan Sheppard said…
I like that idea. They can benefit the whole class that way.