Two “Oops” Notes

Well, this week there have been two “Oops” notes that have come home in Kwabena’s bag. The first one was on Tuesday, for having to sit out at gym class, along with some other kids, apparently, for not following instruction. And then the one yesterday was for chewing on a paper clip during recess.

Kwasi and I are still not on the same page with discipline, but at least I’ve gotten him to back off from the spankings. He still thinks that is what Kwabena needs, but at least he’s not hitting him again 10 times with a stick! That’s abuse.

Here is what Mrs. Garner, Kwabena’s teacher said, when I emailed her for more details about getting more info on the “Oops” notes:

Hi Mrs. Appiah,

Kwabena is doing better when it comes to structure activities. Kwabena is still working on knowing what is appropriate and not appropriate when it is unstructured time (transitioning, free play, waiting outside in the morning). From what I got out of taking with Ms. Murray yesterday that directions were given several times and they were not followed. It had gotten to the point where the children had to sit out and a oops note was to be sent home.

We had indoor recess today and Kwabena was in another class and the lunch aide told me that he had placed a large paper clip in his mouth and was chewing on it. I have seen him several times take paper clips and play with him. It could have become a very dangerous situation and wanted you to be aware of what had happened.

Kwabena is also getting pulled out for additional/extension reading work (wonderful – very positive and thankful to have this opportunity!) and that teacher expressed difficulty with him following directions. This is something that we will/are being consistent with at school and we thank you for all of your support from home.

I want to remind you that there are wonderful thing/learning that is happening in the classroom and that the oops note is just a form of communication to let you know what is happening in the classroom. It is a opportunity to learn from (as we are doing in Kindergarten) so we can have fun while we are learning. Thank you again for all of your help and support and we will keep in touch. Please let us know if there are any techniques/strategies that you are working on and having success so we can all be consistent. I always love learning from others!

Have a great night,
Mrs. Garner

So after reading that, I’m feeling a little better about everything. I think the problems that Kwabena has with following direction is something that needs to be addressed, although I am not quite sure how. I think I need to talk to more people, and get some more information through books, and websites, and other parents, etc. This has always been an issue with Kwabena. Well, not always, but it’s definitely been the main issue we’ve had with him–figuring out how to get him to listen and follow directions.

I don’t think the “Oops” notes have served to have him get in trouble, per se, just things we need to be aware of that are going on, so that we can address them in school and at home, on the same page.

The good news is that he’s getting additional reading instruction, which is one of his strong skills, and I am happy about that. I would like to know more about the lack of directions he is following. Is he doing the work? Is he not staying in his seat? Would like to know more about that, so I’ll ask when I email her back.

The other good news is that he’s doing better with structured activities. That’s good. Now we just have to get him doing better with those unstructured activities.

Anyhow…..I think Kwabena is a good kid. He just has a problem with following directions, and that is where we need some help with figuring out how to get him to follow directions. I don’t think it’s always a defiant lack of direction following, but sometimes it is, and other times, I think it’s impulsiveness.

Off to do my research on this!

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