Her First Day

At Phoebe's four year old check-up last year, it was suggested that we have her speech evaluated.  We went through our school district Pre-K screenings last December.  She passed each section except speech, which we expected.  This meant that we would have to take her back in for a speech specific evaluation a couple weeks later.  After this evaluation we waited to hear if she would qualify for speech services through the school district.  If she did qualify for services, based on the evaluation results, she would be accepted into the district's Pre-K program.

Eric and I attended a meeting about her evaluation at the beginning of February.  She did qualify for services based on the speech evaluation done in mid-December.  There was a whole team of people at this meeting to discuss Phoebe, her strengths and weaknesses, and how we all can help her in the areas of speech where she needs to improve.  An IEP (Individualized Education Plan) will be written with goals for Phoebe, and she will get to attend school two days a week, and receive special speech services each day she is at school.

I was happy with this outcome.  Whatever needs to be done to help Phoebe, I want to get going on so that we will start to see improvements before she starts Kindergarten.

So, last Tuesday was her first day of school.  She was a little nervous.  She told me several times that her tummy was hurting before school.  Eric and I both went with her to walk her to her classroom, and just to make sure she was okay.  She has two classroom teachers, and a speech teacher.

She is using Sarah's Tinkerbell backpack from last year.  She is excited to carry a backpack with her own things inside.

On the first day, her class was having a "100 Day" party, and doing "100 Day" activities.  Each child was asked to wear something with 100 of something on it... So, I asked Eric to drill holes into 100 conversation hearts.  Then he strung them onto yarn for her to wear as a necklace on her first day.  It turned out very cute!  One of Phoebe's teachers was very impressed by this, and even high-fived Eric and told him what an awesome Dad he is!

Phoebe has had a good first few days of school so far.  I know it will continue to get better for her as she gets more comfortable in the classroom and makes more friends.  Please pray for her during this transition time, for her safety, and for her teachers and us at home to see improvements in her speech skills.