How Typical.....

How incredibly typical...Contacted council to lodge complaint regarding vilification of my child by parents (and their children) and requested that they send out a newsletter/info pamphlet advising benefits of inclusion for all children, also info regarding their stance on discrimination and EEO info. Got palmed off back to teacher for her to put it in the newsletter...

1. The teacher is on sick leave till the end of the week and the Team Leader would have known that when she spoke to me
2. The teacher has enough issues with the parents right now regarding their perception that the additional needs kids ( and parents ) receive more than their fair share of the teachers time...Her putting this in the teachers newsletter would really set it off
3. The incidents are occurring outside of the kinder jurisdiction...Pick up and drop off times, parents talking nastily about the kids elsewhere (remember six degrees of separation??)THEY ARE NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TEACHER.

I really have to wonder where they find such people...Talk about handballing. I will be calling this TL back and telling her how it is and what I want done..This is getting beyond a joke when kids are name calling in front of their parents without correction and I just get an inane smile and shrugs of 'what can you do?'...I'll tell you what you can do is teach your...nah lets not go there..

Mr 5 has a much improved pencil grip now and despite the fact he's yet to be tested and will probably not score in the range to qualify for specialist school...I am sure he'll be OK. I plan to commence him on learning to read phonetically (how we learnt 10-20 years ago) so he's ahead of the others at the start of school and if he lapses will not fall behind too much.

I FINALLY received a reply from DET regarding SLD funding, despite my letter being specific and not general. I received a standard "spin doctored" response which addressed none of my letters issues...After FOUR months and god knows how many drafts it's a wonder any one still knew what the original letter was about...Come to think of it ...

So I will be ringing (not writing) again for specific answers to my questions, like why is John Munro (Melb. U) cited as the person who developed the new whiz bang Language Disorder Program, but he refuses to comment on it and says "it has nothing to do with his work" HELLO..You supposedly developed a program which has placed thousands of SLD kids outside the realm of individual funding and this has nothing to do with your work....Yeah right because YOU ARE NOT A SPEECH THERAPIST OR PATHOLOGIST, you are an educator of educators , thrice removed from the realms of the REAL WORLD of teaching because you live within academia. When was the last time you stood before a class of kids and taught? And a class with SLD kids? YOU HAVE NO F%$#@$% IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a nicer note ..has anyone seen Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy ??(got DVD from os)or even into "the bard of the eighties"?? I thought it would be hard for anyone who's not read the book/s to follow but it was good to see it completed after all this time..hoping they do the whole series. I got Miss 8 into it and offered her my books which she says she'll try after she attempts the Harry Potter series.

Last Man Standing

Just wondering if any who watched the premier episode of Last Man Standing and thought it reminiscent of a male Sex In the City?? I like the show but the idea is a bit worn I thought, Candice Bushell did it first, people and it was a book before it was a hit series.

I thought it down to earth and funny, very "blokey", but then again I can recall a male colleague commenting to me when SITC commenced that it was about " women trying to be like men".( who'd want to) I think Australia will relate well to it as it is an Australian show.

Calm...calm...calm...calm...calm

As the title implies...I have calmed down enough to write again and not rave...I don't think any one really wants to read about my sleeplessness over a few narcissistic mums at a local suburban preschool...but if you do wish to read such rantings..feel free to visit but it will only be updated when I feel the need.

I am very very happy because Mr 5 has managed to get the idea of toileting....oooooh yuk you say...but he trained for bladder control 12 months ago and its taken another 12 months to get the "other" bit happening. If you have a child with additional needs you tend over look the stuff like toilet training as a small part of the bigger picture, but it shows what perseverance, a good psychologist and lots of big time bribery can get you.

I will be interested to watch the interview/show with Rod Astbury about Graham Kennedy...Derryn Hinch claims he will be vindicated. Still cannot agree with his "outing" of someone who chose to live "un known". If people wish their sexual preferences to be known they will let you know, if they do not, no one has the right to assume, insinuate or tell it like it is.

Miss 8 has created a reading corner in her room, it consists of a sari thingo Daddy bought her from a Malaysian trip, "Post It"'s on the wall telling you what it is and what book/s are currently being read there, cushions and toys...we will see how tidy it remains. Found it a bit hard to vacuum around, had to lift it all and replace it all...DRAAAATS.

All three had a lovely time at their "big" cousins 18th yesterday afternoon....don't care what anyone says but there were in excess of 8 teenagers there too (18 and over) all who looked out for the littlies, danced with them, played with them, and went out of their way to make them feel included....Thank you , Craig, Sarah, "Mosh", Wayne, for teaching Mr 5 to dance and helping him when he got discouraged. You are very special people, don't every change.

And to my niece..please no more piercings or at least don't tell me...MIL(nana) is at me and at me to tell what I know oh and ..........................................................

HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY, AMY