School is here again and I want to focus this time talking about just that. We have made it through 5 years and stepping into a whole other world this year. For us middle school is a big, scary, teary, word. We are not gonna talk about that right this second, but we will soon.
Luckily, I kept Iann home till kindergarten, and where we live pre-kindergarten was not even necessary. So I taught him what I could at home untill then and held off as long as I could. For many, you may have to even rely on daycare. I would suggest doing the same thing we do for school, such as educating the staff as much as we do the schools. You may not also be able to hold them back or may not even want to, either way whatever you want to do it’s gonna be okay. I personally only kept him home, because I could, not because I was scared of sending him because of PKU.
School went as it would for any child, we sent lunch for a a few years, sent formula with him to school. He teachers had a small fridge in the classroom where he could keep his formula and drink it throughout the day. I would educate the teachers and whom else would see him like art, music and P.E. I didn’t take any chances. Only problems were parents always sent cupcakes when it was there kids birthday. So I kept snacks for him in the classroom.
We were able to provide some education by printing off packets, as well, though online information, and putting together a folder. In elementary this worked because they only have one classroom.
Then we switched things up on the school and told them they had to start providing him food. We all know we can compare prices and the cost of food. Start young so they will like it, we want them to have it, we want them to get filled up. They should be eating it at school, and they wanna go through the line too sometimes. Luckily its a state regulation that they provide for him so we set that up through the Cambrooke food lunch program. We also have to put a 504 in place just for food accommodations. Sounds a little funny, but not when they learn educationally his/her regulation of food, controls focus, and so much more depending on your child on that 504 plan and all those places to check off. They may also need it in place and need more time acedemically.
In middle School you have way more teachers, emails and links are your friend and a new evaluation for that 504 may be the next best thing after a couple months in after your child feels things out.
The biggest thing about schools is, they can try to get away with not doing. My son is pretty sweet and and caring and luckily the school has realized that I am only advocating for my child, but I have had to get pretty stern with people especially with my child’s first year in middle school. I especially had to tell them that anyone working with my child must be educated.
PKU, Before, Now, & Later 