ENCORE

We had an evaluation completed on Jan. 7.
Julia is officially identified as Gifted.

• she knows all, but 1 of the standards for Pre-K
• she knows many of the standards for Kindergarten
• knows 50 sight words (1/23/13) - K benchmark is 40
• knows 67 words (2/1/13)
• she reads books! (not every passage & page completely)
• with assistance, she's learning new words constantly! It's crazy!

Her eligibility meeting was on Monday - determined not eligible because there is no evidence of a disability. Currently ENCORE are general education services provided for all Pre-school children identified as Gifted. The eligibility & IEP situation is different, we have to determine if there is a disability & whether special education services are needed. We're considering for Julia to start Kindergarten early (see above info) ... in order for that to happen, she must have an IEP. We need to consult with her ENCORE teacher in a few weeks/months.  Which means we have to wait ... I hate waiting! I'm not a patient person!

Julia's first ENCORE class was Thursday. We had to complete all kinds of registration forms ... I didn't expect that.  I officially have a child in MNPS! How wild is that??!!

I knew it would happen soon, but it was in the future even though we'd applied for optional schools in November. However, the paperwork part really made it more real, even after getting her psychological report on Monday.  Being a parent of a MNPS student is slightly different than being a MNPS employee. It is a unique position, perspective to have. I know policy & procedure, but it's been other people's children before. Now I'm applying this information to my child.  It is an advantage yet also crazy, weird, exciting!

Julia had a great time at ENCORE (at Robertson Academy)! She walked right into class & started checking out room, comfortable & confident. Her teacher said "she's quite a thinker."

No joke! She's a never ending thinking, talking, running & constantly emoting 4 year old girl! Jai & I need a support group! Seriously!