Dima and I got to meet his new Bridges teacher and classmates today and things couldn't have gone better if we'd orchestrated every minute. The Bridges class is in the school he attended during kindergarten last year and as I checked in at the office he noticed the fish tank in the lobby. After asking permission from me to go check out the fish his teacher's aide from last year came through and he was happily chatting with her and I reminded him that in his back pack he had his 6 year old birthday gift from her - a hand-made tissue holder with his name on one side and the name of the school on the other she seemed flattered that he still had it and remembered her thoughtfulness. I thought it was significant to bring something from last year a connector for him and so the kids who have been there since the beginning of the year wouldn't have to thing of him as the newbie.
Dima was met and escorted to the classroom by a student from this year's class and as we walked and the aide talked to me we ran into Dima's kindergarten teacher. She's a vivacious person and I'm glad he had a chance to see more than one familiar face. The office staff seemed to know him too but it makes me wonder exactly what they remember....
Anyway - we got to the real deal in the room he was taking everything in - the teacher was engaging but firm and commanded their respect and attention. After their "indoor recess" the younger kids (Dima being one of them) still had freedom to go get books while those more advanced in math worked on a lesson. The teacher had some one-on-one time to look over a map of China with Dima he stuck with him nicely.
Since they were discussing Chinese New Year they got to make-- and decorate!! a dragon -- those of you that know Dima can imagine how this interested him - he's leaning toward art and artistic things - well, once they pulled out feathers and big sequins to decorate the dragon he was in heaven. The have a reward system of "chips" aka: bingo markers that they earn based on good behavior such as "showing you're ready to learn" by putting knees under the desk and hands folded on top. Today Dima got seven chips and then got to cash them in for popcorn!!
So..so far his impression of his new experience is: caring and familiar people as well as a place he's at home in, decorating with glitter and sequins, earning money and best of all popcorn. I'm hoping that I can help out in the class as much as my free- time allows.
When I told him last night that I was taking him out half way through today's school day he was crying and saying he'll miss Mrs. Chambers but today as we left he asked if he can come back tomorrow and seemed truly upset that he can't. After so much searching for help with the answers for him I hope we've got it. Today I sent a heartfelt thank you Mr. N. and his aides and the student that met us, I'm sooooooooo relieved that this seems to be a good fit for Dima.
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