[blparent] pre schools

Wed Jun 2 14:45:33 UTC 2010

These are excellent suggestions especially the one on fund-raising. 
I think though that Nicky's kid is very little still a young toddler and
that the school he/she is in is more of a daycare. 
I base this because we have the same school in our neck of the woods. 
My kid is in daycare and the teachers don't use email. The director does
but I mostly talk with her via phone or in person when I pick up my
daughter or drop her off. I also talk with the teacher. 
You will need to tell the teachers and director what type of info you
need. You will be given a report of daily activities and you will want
to make sure the relivant data is communicated to you. Ask and they'll
tell you. 
If this is a daycare v. a preschool, they are strict about volunteering.
I'm not sure if this is due to liscensing requirements or because
parents that use daycares work so simply are not able to volunteer the
way a stay-at-home parent would. 
That being said, do take part in any parent type events, our daycare has
a graduation soon, a graduation that I call the "graduation to nowhere".
Still, we are going and will participate just as other parents do 
Also, get to know other parents. This is surprisingly easy because your
kid will be saying "I want to go pla with Johnny" and you can then get
in touch with Johnny's mom by asking the director to do a contact
exchange. You'll also be getting invites to birthday parties. 
Be careful with snacks, we are required to provide a snack for our
daughter. We did bring in a cake for her birthday and if you are allowed
to do something like that (some daycares do not allow this due to
allergic kids) make sure the daycare can look at the list of
ingredients.  This means that you can't make cookies or cake and bring
it in. 
Finally, know that while you've been told the school you've selected is
good, that is a judgement call. It may be good, but may not be right for
your family. So keep that in mind. Visit the school. Does it smell good?
Do the kids seem happy? Do the older kids talk with you or seem at all
interested that "the blind mommy" or "the blind daddy" is there? How do
the teachers respond to a crying kid? Does your child seem happy? Does
he/she talk about "school"? 
Know that you are the parent and you pay their bills so if this doesn't
work, you can either make it work or find a school that will do what you
need done. Really though, you just need to be present and ask specific
questions.

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Amy Murillo-Hicks
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 11:31 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] pre schools

Hi,

A couple of things that worked for us are.

1. Find a little time to  volunteer in the class room at least once a
month 
if possible.  Finding the time can be difficult, but very helpful to see
how 
your child is progressing.
2.  I always met with my child's teacher within the first two weeks to
go 
over what he would be working on, how I could reinforce the material,
and to 
establish a method for us to regularly communicate.  I often e-mailed
his 
teachers once per week.  This helps because teachers are so busy and
don't 
often remember to initiate the communication in an alternative way.
They 
often just send notes home if at all.
3.  I always went into his class room each year to read a twin vision
book, 
and talk about my guide dog. Making it an educational experience helps
the 
teacher as well. More often than not, schools are looking to provide
some 
education about social issues like blindness or other disabilities, and
you 
would be helping them out by bringing it right to them.
4. If there is a parent's group who helps with fund raisers, get
involved. 
If you are helping bring money into the school, it is amazing how much
more 
open minded they get.
5.  Provide snack, or what ever parents do in the class room as much as
you 
can.
6.  It sounds like you already did the best that you could in
researching 
the school.  Being proactive this early will set you up for life.  You
will 
learn from all the other parents who also researched what elementary
schools 
are the best, and you are on your way to following your child on a well 
planned journey through school. Now you just have to play your hand
through 
the wild cards your kid throws down. Good luck.  You'll be great!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nikki Fugett-Dobens" <nfugett at cinci.rr.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 3:12 PM
Subject: [blparent] pre schools

> Hi list! Mackenzie is starting at the Goddard school Thursday.  It is 
> supposed to be a very good school, and they have an excellent
carriculum. 
> Anyway, I was wondering what experiences you had when your children
first 
> started going to school, whether pre school or regular school.  I
guess 
> I'm worried that the school will not involve us as much because of our

> blindness.  So far, the school has been great, but I'm still worried.
I 
> just want to make sure I'm involved as much as possible with her 
> education.  Thanks for any suggestions!
> Nikki
> _______________________________________________
> blparent mailing list
> blparent at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blparent_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blparent:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blparent_nfbnet.org/amym2%40cox.ne
t 

_______________________________________________
blparent mailing list
blparent at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blparent_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blparent:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blparent_nfbnet.org/rebecca.pickre
ll%40tasc.com