The Challenges that Come

I've been reflecting lately on community. Our children first join a community when they are born, they become part of a family. A family is a place where a child feels loved, respected and safe. As they grow, we gradually hand them over to another type of community at school. Once children are in school, they become a member of a classroom community. Again, they should feel safe in this community as well as respected. As they delve into adulthood, they are then sent off to explore their lives as individuals and become part of a bigger community. A community in which we hope they will successfully contribute.

My first born has just stepped out into a classroom community. I couldn't be prouder, he seems to be doing well. He is making friends and still likes his teacher. But it's not my son I'm worried about. I'm worried about the attitudes of the members of my son's new community.

On the first day of school I received the same surprising response regarding special education children from three people. A parent in the classroom, the paraeducator and the classroom teacher all had the same concern about the high number of students in this years Kindergarten class. While 24 students is a lot of Kindergarteners in one class, they all agreed that it was really only 22 kids b/c two of the kids are special ed. and won't be in the classroom all of the time.

Just like that. Two children with disabilities have been excused. They were discounted. How can this be acceptable? Because they have special needs and leave the classroom for part of their day, doesn't make them any less part of the community. Those two girls still have a seat in the classroom, they still have their crayon box, a backpack. They are members of the class, so why are they being discounted in this way? I am sad for these girls, and their families. This is not how I would want Chelsea to start her first year of school. I am even more saddened for the school community. Do the attitudes of these three people reflect the attitudes of the entire school? Does the rest of the staff share these feelings?

At our parent night tonight I did hear the classroom teacher refer to the classroom as a complete 24 students, and I truly do not think she is one to value these children any less. I am not sure about the other parent, or the para. I feel this is a sign of things to come. While I have time before Chelsea begins Kindergarten, I now feel obliged to change the attitudes of our school community. For if our children can not feel accepted, respected and safe in their classroom, how can we expect them to successfully contribute to their community as an adult?