It's no secret that we have transferred Jessica from our school district to Kenton County Schools. Yes, we have to pay tuition, but believe me, if the past 8 days of her schooling are any indication of the remainder of the school year, it will be worth it.
What saddens me is that we had to leave Holmes at all. As an alumni, and those who know how deep my love for Holmes goes, this was a tough decision, but one that has been weighing on our minds for the past two years. The past two years have been filled with broken promises and conversations full of smoke and mirrors. Our expectations were not outrageous or demanding. We simply expected our child to excel, and when she had struggles, we expected educators and administrators to help her. That's not too much to ask, and really should be an automatic in my opinion.
What really broke the deal for me, and pushed me to make a final decision to move forward was a conversation with a central office employee and an administrator. How disheartening to mention that I'm looking at other schools and ask what can you say to convince me that she should stay at Holmes....and get no response! How disappointing to express concern for my daughter's needs and accommodations only to be told that this is not a concern.
Even more disappointing is that phone calls promised to me were not made...no one followed up with me. It was four days later when I took Jessica to Woodland to register her. No one called, no one.
Now would it have made a difference? Maybe. No, I honestly have to say yes...simply because I had fallen for the promises before, and sadly I would have given them another chance, just as I had so many times before. I would have believed that something was in place that was going to be different and better. I would have believed that she would have received the help as well as the challenges she deserved. I would have believed and trusted, because I've known these people for so long. I just would have trusted, and I would have wanted to believe it would get better.
Actually I should contact the administrator that I spoke to and tell him Thank You! Thank you for being so unprofessional during our last conversation. Thank you for making me promise that I would be available to answer my phone the rest of that day. Thank you for promising that someone would call me by day's end and not following up to make sure they did, because they didn't. Thank you for expressing that my daughter's accommodations were not your concern. Thank you for helping me make a decision that I do not regret for a minute.
My only regret? That I waited 2 years! In my heart I fear the past two years were a waste of educational time. Don't get me wrong, Jessica has encountered a few great teachers in middle school and she's made some wonderful friends. She participated in some meaningful extra curricular activities that she will remember forever. But when I look at what she is being offered now, I can't help but ask myself....why did I wait? Why didn't I go with my gut instinct last year? Or the year before? Why didn't I listen to friends and family who were telling me how bad it was? Why didn't I listen to my husband, who not being a Holmes Alumni, was not looking through rose colored glasses? Why?
Why aren't Covington schools like this:
Jessica and I walked into Woodland Middle School and from day one we were treated with importance and respect. These folks had never met us, and in my opinion had no reason to treat us as such, but they did. I hadn't filled out a single form, no records had been transferred and I had not paid them a dime. But they worked with me immediately to meet Jessica's needs, and it was the best thing! I emailed her teachers, she met her teachers, we attended a picnic, Readifest and almost 2 hours of walking through her schedule and chatting with her teachers....all of this before school started. And let me tell you, they provided more opportunities for us to do this than what I had asked of the administrator at Holmes. I was amazed at the differences already! Ironic thing is, as I mentioned, they had not seen her records, and really didn't seem to need it...they took my word of what I thought was best for her and had no issue with working with her best interest in mind..
But it didn't stop there! Jessica has had some type of homework every day. They have a homework hotline which is a great communication tool. Her teachers send updated information via email. I've sent emails to her teachers and have received responses within 24 hours. Jessica brings home books to work in for her homework assignments. Her homework is meaningful and productive.
It almost brings tears to my eyes to hear her describe her day as calm and quiet. I love hearing about the instruction that goes on every day. I love that she gets in my car when I pick her up and I don't have to ask her "what did you do today?" then proceed to drag it out of her...she tells me almost immediately. She walks me through her day, telling me about each class and what they did, what they learned, what they are working on. I hear content in her voice again.
I'm getting the Jessica back who loves to learn, loves to explore, and loves to share about her day. She seems happier at home, she seems easier to get along with....she seems to be losing a lot of the hostility and anger that her brother was usually on the receiving end of....poor thing :)
I feel like I'm renewing a relationship with her again. I felt we were becoming distant but couldn't explain it. I couldn't pinpoint anything I was doing wrong...only that she was a teenager, and that's how it is. But in the past week, I've seen these positive changes in her. I can only devise that she's in a calmer atmosphere and the time is productive and meaningful. She feels respected and validated by her peers and teachers. She feels a purpose to her day.
I am not naive. I know that all teenagers have their fair share of drama, and no doubt Woodland is not exempt from that trend. But what I do know is the main focus is on learning and there are no exceptions. The expectations are high, and so far they align with our personal expectations.
We have no regrets. What I see happening with her confirms that.
A parent can't ask for more than a smiling and enthusiastic child when you ask her about her day!
