Comments on: It’s Back to School – Why I Think I Might Switch My Daughter to Catholic High School #BTS

By: Paula schuck

Paula schuck — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 14:30:39 +0000

In reply to Margarita Ibbott. Ha! Love how supportive you've been. I am the parent. I have made the choice to move her. Now I just need the office to be open the day I go so that I can switch get over fast. I want them to read her iep and get things in place now. I love L fir all her help and support too. I really appreciate that. She's a good kid with a great future. We're lucky to know her.

By: Margarita Ibbott

Margarita Ibbott — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 03:08:55 +0000

In reply to Margarita Ibbott. PS. she is going to look adorable in her uniform :)

By: Margarita Ibbott

Margarita Ibbott — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 03:05:25 +0000

Well then… you clearly know how I feel about this issue. You also know that I believe strongly on the principle of “who’s the parent?” At this stage of the game, you get to make all the decisions for what is best for your daughter. Both my daughters changed schools when they entered grade nine. My eldest, went to a school where she knew no one (or maybe one person). And she ended up LOVING IT. As she said, you have to give the transition 6 months to a year. Don’t give up after one month because that will not be the time to make a change. It can be a bit hard but ‘you will find your peeps’ is what she said.

You know it is the God-honest truth that both my girls LOVE having uniforms. One less anxious decision to make in the day.

There is a smaller student population at the school that you are now considering so resources may be more accessible. As you know, we are keeping our son (also special needs) in a school that has less students to pull on the resources. The thing is at a high school level, the game changes. You need to be there to ensure that the IEP is followed but know that THEY are also expected to be more independent. You will get that at ANY high school (catholic or public).

The leap to a Catholic school may not be as big as you think. It may be a chance for a new fresh start that may provide a wonderful and positive experience. There are not guarantees but my daughter had a great experience at that school.

Everything in my heart and mind wants me to keep saying trust me, you’ll (she’ll) love it. But ultimately, she is your and J’s child.

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 23:28:13 +0000

In reply to Nancy T. Nancy - My younger DD oddly sometimes has fewer big issues at school than my ODD with anxiety. Anxiety is such a shitty thing sometimes. She stresses and then procrastinates over something and then suddenly the thing is bigger than it ever was supposed to be and we are all running around trying to get a lid on the anxiety and the assignment or the school issue for P. I hate that. Life should be happy go lucky for kids. I think I have decided. I think I need her to be somewhere that the kids around her will also be good, kind and caring kids. I just get a better feel for all of that right now from the Catholic high school. It's a good school. It just was never in the plan. I am so happy to hear that your kiddos are doing well.

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 23:24:43 +0000

In reply to Deanna T..

Deanna: Thanks for the comment. Honestly these decisions regarding education make me nuts. Who ever thought they would be this hard? I am glad to hear uniforms were tolerable. I know high school kind of sucked for me too. I was chased home by a bully girl often! That’s what I recall about high school and I was a nerdy academic. Whatever. I am hoping to minimize the sucky – ness of high school for my kids. If that’s even possible.

By: Deanna T.

Deanna T. — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 17:49:49 +0000

My kids are in public school, French Immersion, like your girls. No special issues or IEPs (thus far, knock on wood). The plan is to send them to Catholic High School. Unless we up and move, which would be shocking, the school hubby and I both attended is about a 5 minute walk away. They have uniforms, which I actually think is a plus. Even when I was a kid I sort of *liked* having a uniform, much less worry about what to wear. Though kids still find plenty of ways to compete and judge you on accessories, shoes, or whatever. (If you can believe it I remember at one point the turtle necks we wore under our uniform blouses were a big social indicator as to whether you were cool or not). Hubby and I both had relatively positive experiences at that school, by which I mean the teachers and the learning experiences were solid, and the rest of it pretty much sucked, because well, high school DOES.

By: Nancy T

Nancy T — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 17:19:53 +0000

Our 2 girls attend a FI Catholic Elementary School. My older daughter has an anxiety disorder (Selective Mutism) and has an IEP in place. The principle is amazing – her grade 1 & 2 teachers AMAZING. Grade 3 made me question keeping her there – but it’s only one teacher that seems to not understand or bother with her IEP and required assistance.
So we’ll see how this year goes – removing my daughter from the school and her friends would be devastating for her and if needed we’ll fight until there’s no fight left to make sure she gets the assistance she needs.