Monday, September 14, 2009

And So It Begins

It's hard to believe that just one week into school I'm already gearing up for the 2010-2011 academic year with Christian. Yes, that is not a typo. I already have next year to deal with.

The school that Christian goes to is absolutely amazing, and I wish that we could keep him there until it is time for him to go to Kindergarten. However, financially we just can't commit to another year. To put it all in perspective without getting exact details, the cost of Christian's education this year costs more than most new sedans, and more than what both Chuck and I paid for one year of our college education. And that is with the very generous grant we received from the school. Next year, tuition jumps up to be the cost of about a new Yukon. And that is with the generous grant as well. We just can't do it. While it is hard knowing that we will be leaving such a wonderful school, it is easier with Christian doing as well as he is. I firmly believe he IS ready for a typical preschool. His school has given him such a great jump start, and his language is at and above age and peer level. I KNOW he'll be ok.

I've done hours and hours of research regarding Christian's placement for next year, and have a list of about 4 schools that we are interested in applying to and visiting. I feel so fortunate to live in an area that offers so many different types of preschools. We know that Christian will do well in a program that offers small classes, a very structored environment, and a program that is more academically based. We also need to be in a program that is open to working with a child with a hearing loss, and perhaps one that will work with us with whatever we have in our IEP.

So, this week I have an entire morning dedicated to calling in to one of our top choice programs in hopes that we will even be able to apply. It's very competitve and we need to actually speak with the director to request an application and play visit.

Just one more thing on my plate...

3 comments:

MB said...

Good luck! Isn't it nuts how early we have to start looking around here?

Or you could just rent a super cheap apartment in DC, fake your address and make the DC schools pay your tuition at his current school. Don't think I haven't thought of that!

Julie (Morgan's Mommy) said...

Hi Tina,
I know what you are going thought, I felt the same way going into this school year. Morgan went to a amazing school for the deaf and they gave her all the tools she would need to be mainstreamed. We wanted more than anything to keep her at that school but we just couldn't afford it..so sad! We worked hard to get a good IEP in place and visited many many schools to find the right one for her. It was alot of work but well worth it in the end. We found a great school for Morgan and a teacher who is more willing than I could have imagined to help and do whatever she could to help her. We were blessed. Morgan is now in her 3rd week of mainstream preschool and is doing amazing. We have not nothing but great reports from her teacher and her hearing support teacher. They are both amazed at how well she is doing. She is no different than all the other kids which is a goal within its self. Being around other hearing children is helping with her language skills for the better! I wish you the best of luck with everything!

leah said...

You could move to our area, and your decision would be really easy. Though I suppose "no options" isn't exactly what you're looking for (g)! We have mainstream or nothing, so mainstream is where Nolan is going. Wish us luck on getting an FM system in a year, lol!