On Thursday, Katie got an acceptance letter to serve in Americorps. She will head to Denver, CO, in September. When I called my husband to give him the news, he said, "So we are hoping for orders to Northcom, right?" Northcom is in Co Springs. I pretty much thought this was a sign that we'd all be heading West this summer. My husband called me the next morning at 8 am to tell me that the monitor has offered him 2 jobs - one in Quantico, teaching at MC Command and Staff, and one at the Pentagon - a joint job. Both are good choices, and I had already been looking into homes for sale in that area. There appears to be a good selection in our price range. This is an exciting time for us, but bittersweet for me, the mom. Katie will go off, by herself to a place she's never been. A place we've never been! Tim reminded me that probably 40% of today's active duty Marines did exactly the same thing at her age - and they knew they'd be going to war! I suppose that is supposed to put things into perspective for me, but she's my kid, not a Marine! I know she will be OK, but I'd have a lot more peace of mind if we were a few hours away from her, not several states! I am incredibly excited for her, as well. She will be embarking on a whole new chapter of her life. I suppose being so far away from us will force her to be self-reliant. Which can only be a good thing. But, YIKES!
I joined the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia, and have been communicating with several members who have their kids in VA schools. I want to find the best school for Mick, with the least restrictive environment and the most inclusive one. But, I am learning that inclusion means different things in different districts, and even in different schools in the same districts. He will be tested and evaluated, to determine his "level" - either mildly, moderately, or severely mentally impaired. Even typing those words pains me. Because I know that he is developmentally delayed, but I also know he is smart. His current school has full inclusion - he does everything the other kids do, along side them, with modifications (mostly communicative ones) as necessary. It would kill me to see him in a class all by himself, being treated as the class "pet", but not having the same opportunities to learn as "typical" kids. I don't want him in a special ed class that does not include "typical" kids, either, because he learns best by imitation, and I'd rather he be challenged to keep up with them, than having minimal learning opportunities because of some perceived inability or disability on his part. He is supposed to start receiving outside (of school) speech therapy again, and I hope that it will make a difference. As frustrating as it is for us to try and understand him when he is trying to make his wishes known, I know it has to be even more frustrating for him to not be able to communicate - and especially hard when people don't know him. Around here, we can pretty much figure out what he wants, needs, or is trying to say. That won't be the case when he starts out in a new school.
And then there is Jack. I am really interested in this new Catholic High School that is opening in Dumfries, VA. As tough as his middle school years have been, I am ever conscious that a public (vice DOD) high school is more likely to have problems with drugs, gangs, and unsavory influences. Not to pretend those things don't exist in base schools, but I'd like to think they are a little more controlled here. Can we afford Catholic school and a new house? And utilities? And gas/transit fare to and from DC if Tim gets the Pentagon job? And, I'd love to have Molly do her Junior and Senior years at this same Catholic high school, but it will have only 9 and 10th grades to start with. So, do I want Jack and Molly at separate schools, or would it be better for them both if they went to the same public high school? So much to think about!!!!
I am ready to move on and do something different, but this is a hard place to leave!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment