I am stuffed to the gills as I write this. Tonight was the annual Harvest Dinner for the Clifton Volunteer Fire Department- Duluth Township. It is held at the Duluth Town Hall out on the Homestead Road. Not on Homestead Road, mind you, but The Homestead Road. There is something very curious about the countryside around Duluth. It is fiercely proud, and quirky. There are people who have lived there for generations, and most of them know their good fortune. Many more have moved in during the last few decades, and they are dedicated to the area. Alex's aunties, Barb and Sherry, live in the country 'round there. They have a gorgeous wooded place, with a house they built from scratch and a shop that is the envy of all. Woods (40 acres), fields, a stream, fire pit, Quonset hut, a huge garden, and now the happiest chickens on the planet; their place has it all. Oh yeah, and a killer dog yard for when they have to go to work, free range cat, and 10 acres of invisible fence for the pooches. Their name for the spread is Camp Bark in the Dark. But I digress.
This year was my first in three that I have made it to the feast. Alex and Kevin make it every time and Alex even made the poster this year. Twirling his pasta on a fork, with a big grin. It is a fund raiser for the fire department, and Sherry is a fire fighter. So is Jody, who also fixes violins and lives nearby. She picked the numbers and our little family had a clean sweep in the door prizes. We walked away with the coolest cutting board ever (wooden circle with an engraved spiral), sustainable farming calendar and gift certificate for the New Scenic Cafe, and alphabet letters that interlock. The music in the background was great, fiddle and guitar duo. It took about ten minutes for me to realize the musicians had also played at our wedding. I thanked them and informed them that the music had done it's magic and we were still happily married eleven years later. There were dozens of happy eaters, all cozy in the Duluth Town Hall. An old country community building that we had wanted to get married at, but could never get ahold of anyone to work it out. The unknown woman we sat next to had fought to create Alex's charter school, when it was slated to be closed 7 years ago. She also knows my great friend Sam. Maybe we have just been in town long enough to make all these amazing connections, but I also like to think we have been doing a few things right along the way. Cultivating what is good and nourishing.
The food, of course, was excellent. Spaghetti with fresh, organic, homemade sauce. Veggies straight from local gardens. Venison and locally harvested meat. And dessert, dessert, dessert. Kevin is going deer hunting at Sherry's tomorrow, and we are hoping for venison of our own. The suckers are running rampant around here right now, and if we don't harvest them they will eventually come up with overcrowding illnesses. Plus they are as free range and organic as it gets. Tasty too. I do still have some lingering, post-vegeterian regrets, but I live with them. We are starting to break the news to Alex about where some of Mama and Daddy's food comes from, he still being a total vegeterian. Not for lack of trying on our part, he just wont touch meat. We started by explaining tonight that we were stopping by Barb and Sherry's after the dinner to close their chickens in for the night. So no other animals would eat them. This is a little part of the world we have not been terribly forthright about. He never asked, we never explained. He was rather interested in this new bit of information, and enquired about what types of animals might eat the chickens. We came up with about a dozen local predators. He didn't ask anything else, but we did forge on and mention Daddy was going to try to shoot a deer tomorrow. I am not sure that he knows what that means, but if Kevin brings one out of the woods I guess he will further his education.
So, now the Harvest Dinner is past and the trees in the country are at their peak of color. I currently have 44 pounds of green tomatoes ripening in the kitchen, and three coolers full of apples. The last of the flowers fill two jars on the table. Tomorrow we may have venison for the freezer and Sherry stated she forsees eggs in our future. Winter is surely coming (especially since it snowed today), but I think our cozy little free range life in Duluth should see us through.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Film at 11
http://www.fox21online.com/healthreport/duluth-clinic-helps-autistic-children-chttp
Well, I think this will work. This is a little piece that was done for the news in our area. Since Alex is such a ham, and loves his acting, we were asked to participate. It was fun, except for the fact that we had to do it twice. They lost the first entire interview set and film. Not sure how that happened, but a few weeks later they sent an entirely new crew to film again. I would be very curious to compare the two, since I don't think I said the same things at all. But I'm sure the gist was the same.
I am so indebted to this clinic, I think I would go to the moon for them. Our fundraiser last month pulled in over $9,400, so I feel like I am helping out even if I was only a little part of it all. Still could do more, just not sure what. I do NOT like the way I look or sound on camera, so Hollywood is out unless I get a makeup artist (or 12) and voice coach. Tahirih is the bomb... maybe we could write a book together or something one of these years. Perhaps when survival of junior high is imminent. For now I am just happy to be helping in small ways.
In other news, Alex ate parmesan cheese the other day, without any coercion at all. I just put it on the table and announced he did not have to eat it because it was for me. And today he ate two different kinds of pizza. Also, this morning he woke up and announced that he was a fish, "Bloop, bloop.". For a kid who ate only bread and pasta and had almost no imagination a year ago, we're doing pretty well.
Well, I think this will work. This is a little piece that was done for the news in our area. Since Alex is such a ham, and loves his acting, we were asked to participate. It was fun, except for the fact that we had to do it twice. They lost the first entire interview set and film. Not sure how that happened, but a few weeks later they sent an entirely new crew to film again. I would be very curious to compare the two, since I don't think I said the same things at all. But I'm sure the gist was the same.
I am so indebted to this clinic, I think I would go to the moon for them. Our fundraiser last month pulled in over $9,400, so I feel like I am helping out even if I was only a little part of it all. Still could do more, just not sure what. I do NOT like the way I look or sound on camera, so Hollywood is out unless I get a makeup artist (or 12) and voice coach. Tahirih is the bomb... maybe we could write a book together or something one of these years. Perhaps when survival of junior high is imminent. For now I am just happy to be helping in small ways.
In other news, Alex ate parmesan cheese the other day, without any coercion at all. I just put it on the table and announced he did not have to eat it because it was for me. And today he ate two different kinds of pizza. Also, this morning he woke up and announced that he was a fish, "Bloop, bloop.". For a kid who ate only bread and pasta and had almost no imagination a year ago, we're doing pretty well.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Adventure Calls
In the crush of parenthood, homeownership, working, and life in general I have gotten spotty at picking up the phone when adventure calls. Sometimes I know and just don't pick up, other times I let the machine get it and never call back. Still other times I have made sure I was out of reach or booked when I figured the call was going to come in. I almost missed it this time and that would have been a shame, because there would not have been another call of this type to take this year.
Today it was Lake Superior that was calling. She wanted me to come out and play in the surf. I know, I know, it is October and that sounds damn cold. I almost declined on those grounds, but then I did the quick math and realized I would likely go the entire year without surfing if I did not get out. Avoidant as I am, that just did not sit right. And it is not that cold yet. It is not like it is snowing or anything. So, I cautiously agreed to go out with my friend Alaina. She and I have been kayaking together since the mid 90's, and we are nicely matched in skills. She kicks my butt in alot of things, and occasionally I get to do the kicking. We also live about five blocks apart, so the set up would be easy. And we both have kid pressure so I knew she would be good for a similar time frame as me. And thus our little adventure was born (and came to fruition with a lot of help from Kevin). I whined a fair amount about it being cold, my being out of shape, and general anxiety over the surf, and she commiserated and yet got us out to do it. And out we went.
Surfing on Lake Superior has changed in the last 20 years. Back in the day it was all kayaks, and that was good. The craft move similarly and all paddlers are evenly matched. I know where a kayaker is going to go, and what to expect in general. Now a days the fashion is all surfboards. Surfboards! That is so silly, but it is true. I don't like this trend. They sit out on top of the best waves, and then barely catch them. They leave many waves wanting, but get freaked out when there is a kayaker in the line-up. I have not figured out how to navigate this well, so I sit far away from them and barely get any rides. I will figure it out eventually. The thing is, they move differently, and have a whole code of ethics that I am not up on. Again, I will figure it out eventually. I suspect they are here to stay. It was a big storm that brought on this surf so there were tons of them. 18, to be exact, sitting right where I wanted to be. Oh well. I wasn't up to speed today anyways due to it being my first day out on surf. That always freaks me out and keeps my super conservative, so I doubt I really missed anything anyways. Who knows, since I can't beat them maybe some day I will join them. When I need a new hobby. Ha!
Even with the anxiety, the driving rain, the 40 degree temperatures, and the surfers, it was marvelous. Lake Superior is breathtaking, and Stony Point is gorgeous. It is a spot where there is a large rock ledge, an old lava flow, that seeps into the lake and smooths out the bottom for some killer waves. The water is clear, as there are no creeks coming in nearby, and it is blue. Very blue. I am not sure how that works since all the rivers that flow into the lake are Tannin Brown, like root beer or tea, but Lake Superior is a gorgeous blue color. Especially at Stony Point where the rock is light grey. Grey, and today it was being pounded by huge blue waves that would hit the ledge and then spray a good 15 feet into the air. The sky was grey too, due to the rain coming sideways. But really, it was rather warm. Once I got into my wet suit bottoms, layers of fleece, dry top (think gor-tex with rubber gaskets at neck and wrists), spray skirt, bulky life jacket, head cover, helmet, and gloves, well by that time I was quite warm. And I did not feel the wind or the rain. Just the excitement of getting out on the lake.
Lake waves and surf are quite a different thing from waves on the river. On the river the waves stand mostly still and the water runs past. In the lake the waves are crashing past and the water is mostly still. And the waves are ever changing. The swell comes from far out, where is has built across the miles with wind action. It is uniform and not very big until the bulk of it begins to run into the shallowing bottom. Then the swell rises into a peak, and if it rises high enough the wall of the peak turns verticle and curls over to crash down on itself as momentum pushes it towards it's end on the shore. After the crash the wave is all whitewater, frothing and rolling on towards the beach. Surfers play on the wave face, kayakers play on the wave face and in the whitewater. As long as you keep your balance you can ride the wave and the whitewater; twisting, turning, spinning, and even backwards riding. It is very fun, and exhilirating. If you lose your balance you are dragged along upside down, while the wave tries to foil every attempt to roll. Sometimes if you roll you get slapped over by the next one, and sometimes the next one. It has been awhile since my balance was in question that way, but I still remember. And that balance can go when one is freaked out or tired. So I remember, and play it safe. Probably too safe today, I only got a few good rides in the hour we were out. But they were worth the trouble.
It feels so good to be finally floating after all the prep, scrambling and racing on the way out after pushing off shore. Next you power through the whitewater that's trying to push you back to the shore, line after line of whitewater. If the waves are too big then the whitewater or building waves can pushes you too far back, of flip you over entirely before you break out into the quiet zone where the water is deep. Then you get to turn around, assess the waves coming in, wave to a few surfers, confer with your paddling buddy, and wait for a good ride to catch. Always adjusting position for wave and wind action and the strength of butterflies in your stomach. There are always many false starts before the perfect situation is reached. Where the wave is just right, your position is just right, and your will and skill takes you onto the moving face for a ride, ride, ride. Oh it is glorious when it all comes together. And really, this opportunity, to surf Lake Superior and be a part of her power in a fun crazy way is one of the reasons I settled here.
I am glad adventure called today, and I will try to remember to pick up earlier next time.
Today it was Lake Superior that was calling. She wanted me to come out and play in the surf. I know, I know, it is October and that sounds damn cold. I almost declined on those grounds, but then I did the quick math and realized I would likely go the entire year without surfing if I did not get out. Avoidant as I am, that just did not sit right. And it is not that cold yet. It is not like it is snowing or anything. So, I cautiously agreed to go out with my friend Alaina. She and I have been kayaking together since the mid 90's, and we are nicely matched in skills. She kicks my butt in alot of things, and occasionally I get to do the kicking. We also live about five blocks apart, so the set up would be easy. And we both have kid pressure so I knew she would be good for a similar time frame as me. And thus our little adventure was born (and came to fruition with a lot of help from Kevin). I whined a fair amount about it being cold, my being out of shape, and general anxiety over the surf, and she commiserated and yet got us out to do it. And out we went.
Surfing on Lake Superior has changed in the last 20 years. Back in the day it was all kayaks, and that was good. The craft move similarly and all paddlers are evenly matched. I know where a kayaker is going to go, and what to expect in general. Now a days the fashion is all surfboards. Surfboards! That is so silly, but it is true. I don't like this trend. They sit out on top of the best waves, and then barely catch them. They leave many waves wanting, but get freaked out when there is a kayaker in the line-up. I have not figured out how to navigate this well, so I sit far away from them and barely get any rides. I will figure it out eventually. The thing is, they move differently, and have a whole code of ethics that I am not up on. Again, I will figure it out eventually. I suspect they are here to stay. It was a big storm that brought on this surf so there were tons of them. 18, to be exact, sitting right where I wanted to be. Oh well. I wasn't up to speed today anyways due to it being my first day out on surf. That always freaks me out and keeps my super conservative, so I doubt I really missed anything anyways. Who knows, since I can't beat them maybe some day I will join them. When I need a new hobby. Ha!
Even with the anxiety, the driving rain, the 40 degree temperatures, and the surfers, it was marvelous. Lake Superior is breathtaking, and Stony Point is gorgeous. It is a spot where there is a large rock ledge, an old lava flow, that seeps into the lake and smooths out the bottom for some killer waves. The water is clear, as there are no creeks coming in nearby, and it is blue. Very blue. I am not sure how that works since all the rivers that flow into the lake are Tannin Brown, like root beer or tea, but Lake Superior is a gorgeous blue color. Especially at Stony Point where the rock is light grey. Grey, and today it was being pounded by huge blue waves that would hit the ledge and then spray a good 15 feet into the air. The sky was grey too, due to the rain coming sideways. But really, it was rather warm. Once I got into my wet suit bottoms, layers of fleece, dry top (think gor-tex with rubber gaskets at neck and wrists), spray skirt, bulky life jacket, head cover, helmet, and gloves, well by that time I was quite warm. And I did not feel the wind or the rain. Just the excitement of getting out on the lake.
Lake waves and surf are quite a different thing from waves on the river. On the river the waves stand mostly still and the water runs past. In the lake the waves are crashing past and the water is mostly still. And the waves are ever changing. The swell comes from far out, where is has built across the miles with wind action. It is uniform and not very big until the bulk of it begins to run into the shallowing bottom. Then the swell rises into a peak, and if it rises high enough the wall of the peak turns verticle and curls over to crash down on itself as momentum pushes it towards it's end on the shore. After the crash the wave is all whitewater, frothing and rolling on towards the beach. Surfers play on the wave face, kayakers play on the wave face and in the whitewater. As long as you keep your balance you can ride the wave and the whitewater; twisting, turning, spinning, and even backwards riding. It is very fun, and exhilirating. If you lose your balance you are dragged along upside down, while the wave tries to foil every attempt to roll. Sometimes if you roll you get slapped over by the next one, and sometimes the next one. It has been awhile since my balance was in question that way, but I still remember. And that balance can go when one is freaked out or tired. So I remember, and play it safe. Probably too safe today, I only got a few good rides in the hour we were out. But they were worth the trouble.
It feels so good to be finally floating after all the prep, scrambling and racing on the way out after pushing off shore. Next you power through the whitewater that's trying to push you back to the shore, line after line of whitewater. If the waves are too big then the whitewater or building waves can pushes you too far back, of flip you over entirely before you break out into the quiet zone where the water is deep. Then you get to turn around, assess the waves coming in, wave to a few surfers, confer with your paddling buddy, and wait for a good ride to catch. Always adjusting position for wave and wind action and the strength of butterflies in your stomach. There are always many false starts before the perfect situation is reached. Where the wave is just right, your position is just right, and your will and skill takes you onto the moving face for a ride, ride, ride. Oh it is glorious when it all comes together. And really, this opportunity, to surf Lake Superior and be a part of her power in a fun crazy way is one of the reasons I settled here.
I am glad adventure called today, and I will try to remember to pick up earlier next time.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
An Almost Perfect Day
"Following the leader, the leader, the leader, following the leader down the rapids!" When the going got tough, the tough got singing. I don't even remember why Alex was unhappy, but he started asking where the car was. This is not a good sign when it is a good two river hours away, with lots of rapids in between. But that little song turned it around. Suddenly he was happy to be out in our inflatable kayak, following three friends down a long and twisty rapids. Perhaps it was having to leave the rope swing behind that we had discovered, and the boys had tested, that got him grumpy. Jethro, at 11, had done an excellent job climbing the ladder up the bank and swinging out over the river. Alex got to the first rung and dragged his way in, twice. Which I thought was great for a little guy who is not even a graduated pollywog. And he did too. Jethro was not impressed. He went higher and higher, and probably would have stayed there all day, but we had to move on so we could get home sometime. The river was low, low, super low, so it took longer than usual. But it was stone gorgeous out. Hot and sunny in mid-September. The woods starting to turn to fire. I tried to get our friends with a cata-raft out with their two girls, plus more friends who boat whose son would have fit with Alex, but no luck. It was just our little crew of five people and four boats. No dog this time, maybe if Kevin had come along to wrangle and play. He had to get some work in before we go off to Pittsburgh next week, so I played it safe. Alex is doing great with the whitewater routine now. He does not even protest when I clip on his helmet, or stuff him is his wet suit. He prefers sitting on the bow of the boat, with feet in the water if I let him, and I have to get stern to have him sit near me for big water. But he sits, and then grins through the whole rapid. This year he has gotten to paddle with a mini-canoe paddle, next year we may need to upgrade. For entertainment today Anett rolled with his paddle, after making her boat go in a circle while she was upside down. They don't have a TV either... Anyways, between the rope swinging and the singing down rapids and the entertainment, it was another perfect day (except for the parent missing out). After the first verse that I made up Alex took it over and continued to sing down the river, inventing new phrases as we went. It was a golden moment. For a kid who didn't talk much a year ago, we sure have come a long way.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Glorious Fall
It has been drop dead gorgeous up North. 75 degrees and sunny. My tomatoes are finally ripening and the apple tree is packed with Haralreds. I have been running up on Hawk Ridge regularly, which is up behind our house. I can leave the house and with a little three block warm up be into a trail through the woods that connects to the Superior Hiking Trial. Eventually you will be able to get from my house to Canada on foot. For now I just go about 3km and am very happy winding through the pines and oaks, past the raspberries and thimble berries. On the ridge our family has seen chipmunks galore, multiple cheeky squirrels, a zillion lbb's (little brown birds), deer a-plenty, hawks, eagles, owls, and even two black bears. It is a magic place. Usually I run up with the dog. It used to be our old dog, and I have named my favorite height Lucky Peak after her. Jack has not earned a landmark yet, but that will come. I find running clears my head, gets my blood going, and makes my days better. I have been at it consistently for three years now and would recommend it to anyone with good joints.
So, we are now at the end of week two of school for Alex. It has been a long road, with many twists and turns to get here. Today he was observed by the Autism specialist, Sheila Merzer, that the school hired for better programming for Alex. We are going to the annual Harvest Fest tonight for North Shore Community School, so I hope to hear more about the day. We get a communication notebook home every day, and so far it has all been good news. Alex is happy in his class, and is fully integrated. He has not needed to be pulled out once due to meltdown or upset. He does have a full time aide that he shares with another boy, and I don't know yet how much assistance he has been needing. I will be checking on that shortly. So far it has been time to get used to the routine and slot in as much as possible. The Autism specialist is one of the best in the business, and she will have spotted all the places where it looks like Alex is understanding, but he really isn't. That is the tricky thing about Autism with Alex. He learns patterns and how things work in one way, but cannot easily transfer that knowledge. So we are always trying to vary things and figure out where the knowledge gaps are. We are going out of state early next week, so this is the last day of school for Alex for a week. I hope to write a bit more once I hear how things have gone this week. Overall, from our end, he comes home happy and tired. He sits with the same little friend on the way to school, Lussi, and plays with her at school too. He also talks about his new friends Issac and Beourn. Plus he has started reciting some of the school routines at home, like holding up one finger for quiet, two for stand up, and three for go quietly to the door. Oh, the bus is here, gotta run!
So, we are now at the end of week two of school for Alex. It has been a long road, with many twists and turns to get here. Today he was observed by the Autism specialist, Sheila Merzer, that the school hired for better programming for Alex. We are going to the annual Harvest Fest tonight for North Shore Community School, so I hope to hear more about the day. We get a communication notebook home every day, and so far it has all been good news. Alex is happy in his class, and is fully integrated. He has not needed to be pulled out once due to meltdown or upset. He does have a full time aide that he shares with another boy, and I don't know yet how much assistance he has been needing. I will be checking on that shortly. So far it has been time to get used to the routine and slot in as much as possible. The Autism specialist is one of the best in the business, and she will have spotted all the places where it looks like Alex is understanding, but he really isn't. That is the tricky thing about Autism with Alex. He learns patterns and how things work in one way, but cannot easily transfer that knowledge. So we are always trying to vary things and figure out where the knowledge gaps are. We are going out of state early next week, so this is the last day of school for Alex for a week. I hope to write a bit more once I hear how things have gone this week. Overall, from our end, he comes home happy and tired. He sits with the same little friend on the way to school, Lussi, and plays with her at school too. He also talks about his new friends Issac and Beourn. Plus he has started reciting some of the school routines at home, like holding up one finger for quiet, two for stand up, and three for go quietly to the door. Oh, the bus is here, gotta run!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Summer Review
Well, I do not know why these photos are so small, must be the formatting and will try to fix it in time. It has been an excellent summer for camping and outdoor adventures. We finally got ourselves a used Grumman canoe to go with the 14 kayaks, and that really upped our camping. Also I pitched a little fit last year when I realized we had not camped AT ALL, and swore this year would be different.
Jack and Alex both did great in the new canoe- The William B. Our only trouble was when Kevin was casting from the stern. I was pretty sure there would be major chaos if he landed a fish. Luckily this did not happen.
Our first real camping trip was up to Indian Lakes Campground at Brimson. I found the perfect North Shore camping guide by Andrew Slade and we just got amped and started going whenever time and weather permitted. The first trip was early June.
Jack turned out to be an excellent camping companion. He even figured out how to open the tent on his own when he needed out in the middle of the night.
Mid July the Carlton Kayak Races came along again. This was our 13th year of putting on the St. Louis River Whitewater Rendezvous. Always a marvelous time. Yes, that's me going down the top drop on the Slalom. Whee!
Alex's best friend Fraya was in the horse show at our little county fair, so we went to cheer her on. Alex loved the animal barns this year (previous years he has refused to go in...too loud) and he is getting a taste for rides as well. It is not summer in the Mid-west without them!
Our biggest camping trip was a three day to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. On the first night, when we camped in campground on Sawbill Lake, Alex met this big bug. He thought it was very cool. On the second night we had some bedtime tears (which never ever happens in our house- we are very fortunate in his sleep habits). I am not sure if it was because we were out for a second night, or because we were away from the car (at Alton Lake on portage in to the BWCA), or just because he was extra tired. That was our only autism bump in the road. Otherwise the usual kid whining occured at times, fixed by strategic snacks and distractions.
Finally in late August and early September the weather was warm enough for more expeditions in our new inflateable kayak. We now know Alex can fit in it with an adult, and a dog or second little kid. It is a bit of extra work to add the dog or another kid, but well worth it. We started with short trips, then added long trips with snacks on board, and finally cut the snacks to only at rest breaks. He is taking the whitewater like a champ, and has now been on board for class II+ and III-. Yeah, it has been a good summer!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Hello Again
Well well, it has been quite awhile. Summer goes so fast up here, I can't believe it is already September. As I put Alex on the bus, however, for the first day of Kindergarten, the reality of fall was apparent. It has arrived, wrapped in a summer package. It is 70 and sunny today, time to tend the garden and get a little more sun before the rains set in. This summer was a bit lacking in the good weather department, until this last week. Now it is gorgeous, and all the trees are coloring early to celebrate. I am not sure where to start, or go, with this post, so will ramble for just a bit, then see if I can get some pictures up.
It may not seem it, but I am ecstatic about Alex starting school. I wish I could go to his school, and I hope my wishes will line up with his experience. His school really wants him, and that is great, coming from a system that often treated him more as a burden. Again, from my perspective, and not the individuals that taught him, but the overall system. A few key comments like, "No no, you wont want him in a regular classroom" just before we mainstreamed him in a private preschool, and later from another staffer, "Gee, sounds like he's doing great in regular preschool, but I am sure the best place for him will be back in a special ed classroom next year.", shows that the Duluth school system has one plan and one plan only for a kid on the Autism spectrum. Also, I was recently told by a district insider that, "We are required to graduate our special ed kids (from high school) with an eighth grade education.", and "We shoot for adequate education, no more." Wow. So glad we found the charter school, and that is it's own district, with it's own goals. If all goes well the need for services will drop off as Alex learns and grows, as he integrates into this system that seeks to teach all it's kids strong social skills, as well as the academics. In fact, their hand book says, "We believe that social learning is as important as academics.", which is so true! Where is a kid who graduates from school but can't make friends or work with people? That kid is living in his parents basement forevermore. And what about a kid with no self control? Of course all of this must also be taught and modeled at home, but how perfect to have it as a basis for learning at school too, rather than an after thought. I swear there are still many schools where the principles of The Lord of the Flies still rule.
With that thought, I am off to enjoy the day before I must be off to work for the evening. I have morphed into a new schedule at work, where I will work mostly days, with a few evenings here and there. That way we can have a semi-normal schedule with work during the day, family time in the evening and weekends. And I will try to fit in more blog time too. Cheers!
It may not seem it, but I am ecstatic about Alex starting school. I wish I could go to his school, and I hope my wishes will line up with his experience. His school really wants him, and that is great, coming from a system that often treated him more as a burden. Again, from my perspective, and not the individuals that taught him, but the overall system. A few key comments like, "No no, you wont want him in a regular classroom" just before we mainstreamed him in a private preschool, and later from another staffer, "Gee, sounds like he's doing great in regular preschool, but I am sure the best place for him will be back in a special ed classroom next year.", shows that the Duluth school system has one plan and one plan only for a kid on the Autism spectrum. Also, I was recently told by a district insider that, "We are required to graduate our special ed kids (from high school) with an eighth grade education.", and "We shoot for adequate education, no more." Wow. So glad we found the charter school, and that is it's own district, with it's own goals. If all goes well the need for services will drop off as Alex learns and grows, as he integrates into this system that seeks to teach all it's kids strong social skills, as well as the academics. In fact, their hand book says, "We believe that social learning is as important as academics.", which is so true! Where is a kid who graduates from school but can't make friends or work with people? That kid is living in his parents basement forevermore. And what about a kid with no self control? Of course all of this must also be taught and modeled at home, but how perfect to have it as a basis for learning at school too, rather than an after thought. I swear there are still many schools where the principles of The Lord of the Flies still rule.
With that thought, I am off to enjoy the day before I must be off to work for the evening. I have morphed into a new schedule at work, where I will work mostly days, with a few evenings here and there. That way we can have a semi-normal schedule with work during the day, family time in the evening and weekends. And I will try to fit in more blog time too. Cheers!
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