School so far

So far we have had 10 days of school. It seemed to be going to fine until yesterday. Becca is loving Kindergarten. Bridget has not been crying every evening like she did last year. When we talk about her school day she seems happy and upbeat. My days are longer, but this new class is so much easier.

Then yesterday, I go thru Bridget's bag to see what has come home, as usual. There is an envelope addressed to the parent of Bridget. Hmmmm. I open and read it. It was vague, but gave just enough information to anger me. Here is the first sentence:

An assessment of Bridget's math skills indicates that she is eligible for out district's math intervention program. This is a program that provides additional support in math using research-based interventions. Math instruction will be provided in small groups utilizing our district approved curriculum. We will be implementing a program called Number Works.

It goes on and says the she will be working with a "Math Instructional Support Para-Educator". Her progress will be reported to me on a consistent basis. They hope this program will help her meet the skills she needs for the expectations of her grade level.

Here is my favorite ( read that as most infuriating) line: This is to inform you that your child will receive these math services.

Excuse me! Hello! Last time I checked I was the parent of this child. I am a bit concerned that the school did not bother to say something along the lines of "Bridget did not score well on her math assessment test. Here is her work. Here are some options. What do you think?" No, they just decided that this was the best plan of action.

The first thing I did this year was inform her teacher that Bridget seems to have some sort of school induced lack of confidence issues. Her teacher responded positively to this information. She said she would work with me to help this issue.

I have so many issues with this "intervention" program that it makes my head spin. First, the objectives that they say she cannot do are ridiculous. I asked more than once last year for more difficult math and was told "we do not individualize in math, ever". When we went over these objectives last night, she could easily do them all.

So they plan to pull her out of class to go work with a para. That alone sends red flags up. Then there is the whole issue of pulling her from her class. This is an issue in it's own.

I have to get ready for the day now. I did just get an email from her teacher that she is calling me this morning because she doesn't want me to worry. If nothing else, she is a responsive teacher.