Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Two Deviated Points;;Ooops ,no funding for you..Sorry.

I got a call last week which I have internalised until we sorted out the implications and ramifications. It appears that Mr 5 has an IQ of 74, Vineland 68, Verbal 77 Overall performance of 73. Regardless of what this might mean in the "real" world; to DET and the CEO, it means absolutely SFA. Nada, Zilch. No dice. With regards to any sort of funding to help him at school..Let alone him qualifying to go to the specialist school part time. Whilst I am happy that his IQ scored high, this is within the two deviated points allowed so he well may be a 70 or 69.5 and has been marked up..We will never know because once the scores indicate over the required level a written report is not done. So I have scores and I will have a written speech path. Report and hopefully a diagnosis report from his pediatrician and that is all the school will have to help them learn to teach him..It ABSOLUTELY SUCKS. The school can use existing funding the help him but this won't happen. We need to find a really good S/P to take over from his EIP S/P as once at school he cannot access the program and we need a S/P who will work with the teachers. We need a teacher who can think outside the square and can modify and adapt the curriculum to his learning capabilities. Over 80% of the tasks and things he has learnt to date have been via inventive and round about ways rather than the norm.
The special education unit at the Catholic Education Office really needs a kick in the pants as apart from not being advertised on the CEO website ( what don' t they want add. needs kids in their schools? ) the amount or lack of empathy I received was contaray to the ideologies of the teaching of Catholicism, let me say that. No one seems to want to tell me what paperwork they require to even help them to help him..I am more than happy to get reports needed but TELL ME WHAT IT IS YOU NEED!!! Apart from the principal not returning my calls , I had already told him Mr 5 had missed the funding bus so of course we are of no consequence because we are not worth any extra $$$ to the school. I have to contend with trying to get an IEP (individual education program) for him and convincing him to let me have the teacher I want. This is my son's step into the stage of formal education, I need a director who can direct and motivate him, a venue he is not afraid of and an audience who appreciates his interpretation of life.

Girls Weekends...Don't you wish you knew what goes on??

Well, I am back in land of the breathing, not living exactly as still have asthma, but able to function. The weekend away was GREAT!! Nice food, great company, lots of laughs, nice food, great books, lots of laughs, no kids or hubbies. I can recommend Cafe Medici on the Docklands Boardwalk for a great meal and if you are into people watching, a great source of fun and commentary. Gold Class cinema at the casino is to die for, I had never been, only heard of it, and although very decadent..Is worth saving for a special occasion or night out. I could not believe the number of families a the Casino complex, near the food court and Circus galactic or whatever they call it..If we are taking out kids to places like this for entertainment; is it any wonder the country has a gambling problem. I think you should not be allowed to take kids any where near the complex..The idea that the "children's entertainment area" is even in a casino, lends itself to the question of underage kids getting into the casino to gamble..I saw at least 3 of dubious ages heading towards the main complex. But, hey that's my issue, I don't even bet on the Melbourne Cup or buy Tattslotto tickets. Anyway, we shopped(or two of us did) the other being pregnant, decided that staying in the apartment with free access to Foxtel without a child asking for Nick Jnr or Disney was relaxing enough. She also had a nap, totally uninterrupted. After three plus hours of shopping, I had vouchers from my birthday to use to..We came back to sit, eat and read for hours and hours of uninterrupted bliss until we went to the piccies.Sunday was Girls Day In at a place called Natskin which has all sorts of packages, we had manicures, pedicures , full body salt scrubs and full body massages...So much luxury was absolute bliss and they are really nice people. Not much for manicures, my nails are short and long nails and kids don't go together, plus I garden a bit so it was quite an experience. Have had the other treatments before at Daylesford and love them. You are soooooo sleepy when you return. I was in bed by 8.00 that might and slept through until 07.45!!!!!