Oh let me tell you!

It has been a while since I've written and checked my email for that matter.  Why you ask?  Well let me tell you....

Gus has really struggled at his new school.  He said that he liked his teacher but was getting grief from the class aide concerning what I packed for his lunch.  You and I both know what is in his lunch.  It got to the point where he'd come home to tell me that he had tried to hide his lunch so that she'd leave him alone.  This caused him to have a lot of unnecessary anxiety.  Then he was having issues on the bus.  I told him Nicole, Hank's sitter, would take him and pick him up from school, but he insisted on riding the bus.  So evidently there were 2 fifth grade girls that were being mouthy with him.  And being Gus, he wasn't going to take it.  So I guess one of the girls kicked him and he decided to take a rubber band and flick a broken crayon in retaliation.  The the other girl punched him.  So being me, I decided to email the principal and stated to her that I had reviewed the school system's harassment and bullying policy and was beginning to sense a pattern with the bus.  Who wants to deal with a parent like me--I'm turning into my sister!!!!  Anyway the situation was resolved on the bus however, Gus refused to go to school.  It got to the point where I was late 1 day and got a "warning" letter about being 15 minutes late (mind you I 'have' to be at school at 8:15 but kids don't come until 8:40)  and you may be wondering how would anyone know the exact minutes I was late? Well I have to clock in :) Super, I know!  So after this drama last Thursday night we decided he would go to school with me.  He began this last Monday.  He has a stellar teacher!!!! and I didn't choose the teacher, he was simply assigned based on numbers.  His teacher requires about 50-60 minutes worth of homework/night.  He has had no problem wanting to do it and he's actually surprising me at what he knows.  When it comes to the writing portion of it, he wants to just sit and write his stories.  He is SO happy!!!  Now he has already told me that he wants a blue teacher t-shirt so that he can be a teacher too.  And he yells at the kids that run down the hallway at dismissal, so some things haven't changed.  This has been a HUGE relief!!! 
Also Gus has found a nice group of neighborhood boys.  Every night they play and run around together.  Last night I had to go get him so that he could make jujitsu practice on time.  He refused to go and told me he wanted a new mom.  I'm still not happy about that, but I struggle because I know he just wants little buddies to play with and Trent's been getting home later than I'd prefer, so I don't want to fight with him...oh well.  Trent and him actually are out right now shopping for a new bike! 
Hank is happy as always.  Nothing to new and exciting with him.  He still loves his sitter.  Every time she leaves he says 'Bye Cole.'  He's talking so much more and she's been teaching him all kinds of fun things.
Trent still loves his job.  He's had a lot of positive recognition for what he's been working on so that's good.
I still like my school.  They really have great things in place-common lesson plans, everything posted in their rooms, 2 PLC meetings/week and they are required to plan together the other 3 days...I mean there is a LOT of expectations and additional work.  But there aren't teacher's unions here and I'm finding that really difficult.    I'm constantly being told that DPS is in litigation for this and that and it simply makes me nervous! And, there is a lot of things I'd like to change concerning my role in sped--I mean I am considered a 'resource teacher.'  That is just so 1979.  I don't like to pull kids out of whole group instruction.  But it's only been 4 weeks with kids, so I guess I'm just putting the horse before the cart right now.  Trent keeps reminding me that I need to keep my mouth shut, but you know me.  I'm not going to take someone not treating me like a competent professional.  OH WELL!!!  I do really like it and my principals and the kiddos are fun and sweet!

Ok so I'm wrapping this up so I can go check out what you've been up to these last few weeks.
Before we left school today, Gus found that little bee you gave me a few years ago.  I had it on my desk and he was asking about it.  I told him not to lose it because you gave it to me and it makes me think of you daily!
Love you so much!!!!