Friday, March 23, 2012

First few days at the REAL preschool


Working hard at Playdoh spaghetti

Yesterday and today, Anellah and I attended preschool. It's been fantastic. It's definitely a preschool environment as opposed to Early Head Start which felt more like daycare. At Early Head Start she was one of the oldest in her class but she is the youngest in her new preschool class. It is perfect for her because she is rising to the occasion and working hard to keep up. The other kids have also been very sweet to her and multiple kids came and gave her hugs when she walked into the room this morning.

I am so happy with the new school. Her teacher, Ms. Kelly is very fun, organized, caring, and takes everything in stride! It's been a complicated process because not only do Anellah's diabetes needs need to be addressed she falls into a strange loophole in that she qualifies for the class based on her IEP but not based on her age. She is the first child to enter this relatively new program under 3 1/2 years old so nobody really knows what to do. Her teacher has been extremely proactive in finding out answers for me. In fact, every single faculty member I have met at the school has been exceptionally warm and helpful. I am ashamed to say I had much lower expectations for an OUSD school campus in a low income neighborhood!

I'm also excited about the nurse assigned to be with her during the day, her name is Nellie. She is young, sweet, flexible, and a quick-learner. She has experience with insulin pumps and definitely seems comfortable helping Anellah. Her sole responsibility is diabetes management as she is hired by the school district through an outside agency so she is not responsible for helping in the classroom in any other ways. It definitely makes for a much safer environment because she won't be distracted when giving insulin! I can't believe Anellah is so fortunate to have her full attention throughout the day!

Looking forward to all that our big preschooler is going to learn between now and summer break.

Brushing teeth on her first day of school


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