Re: Playground --> Debby & Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi Debby,

Yes, it is the older kids that are the problem (grade 2 to 4 are

the worst), and no you didn't slight Olivia!! We've talked

extensivly about her being a novelty and are waiting for it to wear

off. It was starting too but she broke her finger this week and I

think that's what's drawing all of the attention now. UGH! The

exact opposite of what we wanted to happpen. We thought the finger

splint would make the kids back off but it didn't.

I would like to try having and older buddy to look out for her and

actually make it a job! What a good idea, I think that would help

the novelty wear off in a hurry.

Hi Kim,

The school is K-5 and they all have recess together. Since it's a

smaller school I don't think they'll be open to staggering the

recesses, I'm going to keep it in mind though if things go on for

too long! The letter to the parents that I sent out went to every

child in the school but I think that I'm going to have to actually

talk to them, I don't want to go up in front of them at assembly

(can you hear my knees rattling?!) but at least a lot of the parents

would be there to listen.

Thanks for the ideas you guys!

Leah mom to and Olivia

> Leah

> I'm on my way to bed now and my brain isn't functioning as it

should. But as

> I lie there waiting to fall asleep, I'll give this some thought.

> Just to clarify.........if I'm reading this correctly, you are

saying that

> it's the older kids who are crowding around Olivia? So Sherry is

suggesting

> one reason where all the kids mix and the other 2 would have the

> kindergartens playing in a separate area?

> Off the top of my head I think your best solution might be for

Sherry to

> identify 2 or 3 of the older kids who are more responsible and

mature (and

> possibly on the popular end so others will listen to

them....sounds terribly

> incorrect but I'm not thinking of the right way to say

that).........anyway

> I would have those 2 or 3 kids (probably girls LOL)

be " responsible " for

> Olivia at recess to ensure her safety and not allow other kids to

crowd her.

> What I am going to say sounds awful Leah and I certainly don't

mean this as

> slight to beautiful Olivia but in all honesty, the 'novelty' will

wear off

> and sometimes when it becomes " a job " it looses it's uniqueness.

You know

> what I mean? Olivia is wonderful but kids are kids and it will die

down, in

> the meantime you might suggest Sherry organize some " helpers " .

> In the long run I know it sounds bad because she will be singled

out as

> having these older kids hanging around, but if the kindergarten

recesses

> have to be changed OR the principal making big regular

announcements " please

> leave Olivia alone " , the end result of her being given " different "

treatment

> is going to be the same. This might be what you need to work over

the

> novelty and then once it dies down, these older kids can go off

and do there

> own thing again.

> Think about it, let me know if there is any info I am missing. I

think that

> is the least intrusive first step. Let me know

>

> Debby

> Playground help needed Please!

>

>

> > Hi all,

> >

> > Olivia's doing really well in school but her aide took me aside

> > today and said that they're having trouble at recess. The kids

> > won't leave Olivia alone and are swarming her. Twice today they

> > surounded her in a crush and she couldn't move or get out. They

> > want high 5's and hugs and just to look at her I guess. Putting

the

> > bone disease aside, this is just not acceptable. Sherry (the

aide)

> > said the kids had started to leave her alone but now this week it

> > was worse than it's ever been, she had to physically remove kids

in

> > order to get to Olivia.

> >

> > Sherry suggested maybe having one recess where Olivia could play

> > with the older kids and for the other two they would have to

leave

> > her alone. She's asked me to brain storm over the weekend and I

> > have no ideas! I'd hate to segragate the kindergarteners from the

> > older grades but I'm at a loss, otherwise Sherry is out there

trying

> > not to yell at the other kids to get them away.

> > If anyone has any suggestions I could really use them! Debby or

> > Jodi Z. maybe?

> >

> > Leah, mom to 9 years and Olivia 4.75 years, 19lbs, 33 " ,

> > RSS, OI

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >