School’s Here!

That Saturday night, Kwabena was exhausted around 7 p.m. and begged to go to sleep. You figure his body felt like it was 11 p.m. Kwasi was exhausted, too. So was Ohene, since he hadn’t napped all day. And considering that I had been putting in looong hours with my bathroom makeover, well, we all hit the hay by 7:30 at the latest. We slept until about 4 a.m. (except Ohene, who slept until about 6 a.m.).

On that Sunday of their return, we were soooo lazy! We hung around the house, lying down all day, watching TV, just doing nothing, really. I think we were all just exhausted.

Monday we were back on schedule. Kwabena stayed home with Kwasi since Kwasi didn’t have money to send Kwabena to Miss Marilyn’s for the week. Ohene still went, though. I tried to get Kwabena to do some work on Monday, writing his name several times, and doing his numbers, but it turned into an all day and all night chore. I think he had been away so long from school work that it was just not the most feasible thing we should have done. Anyhow, he’s since been doing better with doing some writing and what-not, and he’s been finishing up his school summer packet, doing his cutting exercises.

His behavior, on the other hand, OMG….. Total lack of listening, and Kwasi barking at him, and even me barking at him at times. Driving us mad! But, we’ve got to be patient. A lot of changes going on right now.

Speaking of which……It’s school time!!!!!!!!!!

Last night was the parent’s meeting for the Kindergartens. It was a chance for the teachers to just review how things were going to be for the kids, and what to expect. There was one mom, however, that wanted to know how the kids are grouped according to skill level, etc. This is what I had been wondering, too. And even though the principle did call me regarding that question (from an email I sent to her), I still wasn’t quite clear how the procedure was.

There is no formal assessment, I don’t think; unlike other school districts in MD and the nation. I think they informally assess them while there, and determine their level, and then try to group them with kids that are on the same level, within the same class. I guess what I think they do is try to tailor the work in a way to meet the kids’ levels.

My concern, though, is that Kwabena may not be challenged. He also knows how to read, and his writing his pretty good, penmenship-wise. And now the next part will be expanding those reading skills and getting more involved in writing about things. I want to be able to work with him at home on some things, too, because I want him to excel. I want him to be challenged, and worked to his potential. I think he can be a very lazy kid, just like how I was (and still am at times!). And I think he may only work as much as you expect from him, so if the expectations are not high enough, he won’t be motivated to go much further.

I guess I can only see. I don’t think I will wait until November for Teacher-Parent conferences. I really want to know before that how he’s doing, and if he’s stimulated enough, and what behavioral problems he may be having. I’m already expecting some!

Anyhow, this morning was the school “Open House,” a time to meet their teacher, find their classroom, and do a little hunt around the room to get familiar with where their desk is, where their cubby is, where the computers are, etc. It was only 30 mintues. Kwasi was bitching about having to go because of a work issue that came up that was pretty important. But I don’t care how important the work issue is–this is your son’s schooling, and you’re going to be involved throughout the whole process, not just me. It starts from Kindergarten.

It ended up working out fine, in that he didn’t have much conference calling he had to do during the Open House. So, in the end, he got to come along, support his son, take a couple pictures of us at his desk, and just be involved. 🙂

So, school starts on Monday, August 29th!! He will take the bus, and then we will follow him over to the school (he’ll be riding the bus) and do all of our photo opps on the playground behind the school. They won’t be letting parents into the classroom, which makes sense. I hope there won’t be any tears!!

So….in all that, I still am a parent to Ohene and to this new baby on the way! Ohene, poor thing, definitely doesn’t get all the individualized attention that he was getting when it was just he and I. After I put Kwabena to bed, I have started still going over to our room (where he still sleeps), and lying down with him, even if Kwasi is already there. He simply likes cuddling up with Mommy. And I miss it, too. I even miss picking him up from Miss Marilyn’s. He would give me the biggest smile and squeal as he comes running towards me, ready to jump in my arms. How sweet!!!

And the baby…..this poor baby! He seems to be an afterthought most times, because I am so busy focusing on this issue….that issue….I never even got a baby book for him! 🙁 (Hell, I can’t even find the kids’ baby books after our move! Not sure what happened to them! They might still be packed away somewhere in the garage…..I can only hope!!!!). But yeah, this baby doesn’t even have a baby book. And I have not been taking many pregnancy pics, or blogging about it. How unfair is that?! I must do a better job…….

In the meantime, let’s wrap up this post, and I will come back with more detailed posts of my 3 kids 🙂