Jeffrey - Foothills Elementary School Mascot?

What a week it has been! The latest series of events that have changed life as we know it in our little family started on Thursday, August 21st. Jeffrey was out sick that day. Again. And in case you are wondering, no, he doesn't fake illnesses to get out of school. When he's really sick, it is fairly obvious. He hates to miss school.
Jeffrey and Hailey had already been back to school for a few weeks and getting comfortable with their new teachers and friends. Hailey just started Kindergarten, and just loves her teacher, Mrs. Tipton. Jeffrey was getting comfortable inside his portable classroom with Ms. Klinger (aka Ms."H")
We got an email from Providence Hall. A spot had just opened up in the 6th grade for Jeffrey. We had 24 hours to decide whether we wanted the spot. School would start up on Monday.
Providence Hall is a local charter school that opened up last year within walking distance in our neighborhood. We had already done our research on the school and its teaching ideas and had decided months ago that it would be in ours (and our kids') best interests to throw their names in the hat for their enrollment 'lottery' they had back around February. Alas, they were not chosen. Oh well, Foothills is still a great local public school that has served Jeffrey well for the most part in the 6 years he had been going there. Some great teachers, a couple of so-so ones, but all and all, we weren't disappointed at no being chosen, and knew there were a lot of families that signed their kids up and didn't get picked at Providence Hall. The only real concerns we have at Foothills has much more to do with the number of kids attending there, the unknowns with the school district budget crisis, and the fact that when Jeffrey moves on to middle school, that Hailey would still be on a year round schedule while Jeffrey would (likely) be on a traditional schedule. Not something we really wanted for our family, but we could deal with it.
So back to the email. What would we do with Jeffrey. Do we pull him out and try out something so alien to all of us? Would he fit in? Would he like it there? Would he get the same great support that we have really enjoyed for him at Foothills? All things to consider. We had to weigh our options. Fast.
As expected, Jeffrey wasn't too happy about the whole idea of changing schools. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I would be concerned if he were eager to jump ship so quickly. I'm happy that he likes where he is at. I've known too many that are never happy with where they are, and they are just never happy.
As Jeffrey was still sick and adamantly opposed about going to a new school, we called his uncle Jason over for a blessing. I think after Jason came over and helped with the blessing and we talked a little about the school decision we had to make, it set Jeffrey's mind at ease about whatever decision we would ultimately make about the school.
The next morning I took him up for a 'drive' and went up the new school for a tour. After the tour, he was excited about the opportunity to attend a new school. Even though he would really miss Foothills, as would we, he was willing to make that change and try something new.
We decided to go ahead and enroll him at Providence Hall.
It was time for some paperwork and finding some school uniform clothes for him to wear. White, red, light blue or navy blue, button collared shirts are required. Slacks in tan, blue or black colors are also required. Not always the easiest to find after everyone else got to those things long before we had a chance. But we managed.
By Monday morning Jeffrey was feeling fine and excited to go to school. We had met the teacher, Ms. Schnell on Friday afternoon. Tried to explain all his diabetes care needs to her and her in-classroom aide. I know she was a little fuzzy and unsure about it, but would be able to manage.
On Monday morning we left early for Foothills to turn in his books and get everything squared away with his withdrawal from the school. We ran into Ms. H in the hallway after dropping off a book to the library. She was a little saddened by his leaving, but understood the situation we were in. We got all his stuff from the classroom and went to the office.
We also had to inform the lunchroom and get his extra lunch money situation worked out, and Jeffrey just had to try to say good-bye to the head lunch-lady, who apparently knows him very well and checks in on him frequently. She wasn't there yet, but the other lunch-ladies would be sure to let her know that Jeffrey wanted to wish her goodbye. Very touching.
He also just had to let the Kindergarten teacher know he was leaving because he is assigned to a kindergarten kid in her class as a mentor. "Tell Caleb good-bye for me, would you?" "I hope he can get someone else to teach him his letters and stuff!" Again, a very touching moment.
The principal was also sad to see him leave also. A very nice lady that also knows him well. There were others in the hallway he had to give a shout out to also. But the biggest deal that he (and we) were really going to miss are his aides, Janet and Heather. We had worked hard, petitioning the schoolboard to let Foothills have an aide to help all the diabetics at the school. And now to be leaving, some sadness, uneasiness and guilt have set in.
His aides have been terrific. Heather, I had learned that morning, had given Jeffrey a really nice sweatshirt with hoodie to wear in his classroom because he mentioned he was cold sitting by the air conditioning vent. She had also given him for his birthday last year an Atlanta Falcons jersey and another shirt. Those aides have been so helpful with Jeffrey, making sure the last several years that he checks and records his bloodsugars, boluses the correct amounts for lunch and eats what he is has bolused for, and have just been there for him. Thats the hardest thing about leaving Foothills.
We also learned later that Heather took the job because of Jeffrey. She was comfortable with where she was at before taking the job, but after shadowing the other lady before her, and spending some time with Jeffrey, she said she just fell in love with him. She was afraid that we'd think she was stalking him or something, but she was sad to see him go. Another touching moment showing just how special our little Jeffrey is to so many people. Of course we already know just how special he is, but its just nice to see that others are really touched by his personality as well.
It seems everyone knows Jeffrey. I don't know how many times I've gone to the store or something and someone says "Hi, Jeffrey!" I ask him who that was, and he doesn't know, but thinks he goes to his school. I swear Jeffrey must be the Foothills School Mascot. Everyone knows him. What have we done?
The first few days of school have went on without much fanfare. He seems to like it there and knows several people at the school. Probably half of our neighborhood goes up there to school. Or so it seems.
We got the email from the school about a spot in Kindergarten opening up for Hailey on Wednesday.
Here we go again. The decision was not as easy as it might seem. Her Foothills teacher, Mrs. Tipton, is just great. Very organized and friendly. The new teacher at Providence Hall has recently rejoined the teaching ranks after several years off raising kids. A little unknown. School would start for her on Friday (yes, Friday). We had to scramble to get her a few outfits that would work on Thursday night.
I guess we will see how it all works out. I know its a long-term decision, and is only a 1-year proposition for Jeffrey as Providence Hall is an elementary school. He will be going to middle school next year. Unless we decide to enroll him in a different charter school next year.
Now, I'm just exhausted! Especially after coming back from a quickly thrown together scout camp on Saturday. But thats a different story for a different day.