Kimber's spark!!

For the first time in a while I have gotten to see that amazing sparkle in my beautiful daughters eyes, and it feels amazing! As I posted earlier we have been having some major struggles with Kimber in school and it has been extremely tough for our family. I have been on a mission to help her and find the resources we need to enable her to feel like she has the ability and tools to succeed. In short I have been on a research and calling craze, maybe a bit obsessed with it I might say. After some sleepless nights and overwhelming feelings of hopelessness I have finally found on place that has given us some hope! I visited Cascadia School a couple weeks ago and got to sit in on a classroom and speak to the principle about the school and the philosophies on learning and children. From the outside the place looks like a tiny building that you can drive right past and not notice. However the minute you walk in there is a great energy and feeling of creativity and joy. There were kids in the hall discussing their weekends and writing there thoughts for the day, teachers sitting on the ground next to them fully engaged. All of the kids are very encouraged to help and listen to one another, both teacher and fellow student involvement is part of the philosophy. There are gifted children above average academically, and other kids who struggle and are receiving extra attention.

So now I have to try to convince Kimber that this is a pretty cool place and she should try it out for a day. I did not know what kind of reaction she would have. Kimber is a very sweet kid, but not the most outgoing when it comes to change. Her reaction was awesome!! She said "well obviously my school isnt working so why not check some place else out?" Tuesday morning we were off to a new school where she would spend the entire day in the class she would be in if she were to ever attend. The ride there she was so nervous, barely spoke a word. As we walked in she said mom my stomach hurts. I thought look at this little person being so brave, no asking if she could change her mind, or crying. I told her how proud I was that she was so open minded that she was willing and brave enough to try this new school. As we walked through the hallway with the principle who was so comforting, we passed multiple cages with animals in them. If you know our house them you will know that that instantly made her feel more at home. We got to the door of the classroom of 15 kids and 2 teachers, and were greeted by such a warm and friendly teacher. She told kimber how excited she was to have her there and escorted her to the class. I think I was a nervous as her, maybe more!

All day I could not wait to pick her up, it felt like it took forever! Right when I walked up to get her I saw the huge smile on her face. She said goodbye to the two friends she had made that day and skipped off to the car. Now.....this is a child who I have to pull teeth to hear about her school day on a regular basis, and can barely ever tell me something she learned. Today she could not stop talking about the science projects she had done, and the friends she made, how she learned more in one day then a whole year at her school. She looked so happy, for the first time in a long time I saw her with some confidence about school. She said mom "at that place I never felt like they were leaving me behind, at my school they just move on when I dont get it and they never go back to help me figure it out." I was very impressed with her when she suggested making a pros and cons list for each school. We sat down and did it together, and her reasoning was so logical and smart. The only reason she would be sad to leave was because her brother was finally at her school and now she wouldnt be with him. She immediately called her best friend who moved to Spokane and told her all about the day and how she wanted to go to this new school. That night for the first time in soooo long she went in her room and wrote a song about her day. She used to do that very often but has not seemed inspired lately. The next day when she came home from regular school she was like...its official I want to switch schools.

At this place they encourage the kids creative side, and find ways to use that to learn. They will not allow a child to continue without understanding, and if they are struggling they receive one on one until they get it. I am so hopeful that this is the change Kimber needs. It seems like such a great fit with her personality and learning style. She will attend there for the entire week next week. They are going to assess her and create a development program for her. We will meet at the end of the week and decide what we all think of how the week went and what we feel about the plan. I am hoping and praying that this is the new path we have been looking for!