Sixth Grade--That's a Wrap!

I'll admit, I was terrified for the start of middle school for Isaac.  Middle school is the WORST for typical kiddos--I truly remember crying every day of 6th, 7th & 8th grade; it was a nightmare!--I could not even wrap my brain around what these years would be like for a functionally non verbal, chromosomally enhanced student.  Add that it would be an entirely new school, without any of Isaac's previous classmates, AND with the new house, we would be commuting from out of district nearly 30min each direction to attend this school.  Elementary years were one battle after the other; my expectations for middle school were so. very. low. 

Let it be known...I was wrong!  Middle school has been AWESOME!!

As an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, the school curriculum focuses on nonlinear learning with a global emphasis.  Um, yes, thank you!  And the principal is passionate about the arts. Amazing!  And the culture of the staff is total inclusion of all students. *mind blown*. In fact, during our school tour, walking by the 'special ed' classroom, I asked where all the students were.  Perhaps they were on a fieldtrip, or...?  No, Ms. White, the students only drop their backpacks off here. They are all in the general ed classes with supports if needed.  WHAT?!?!  I literal stopped the tour as I didn't need to see anything else.  Lets sign on the dotted line. Isaac will be attending here. 

(Also...it's pronounced Mrs. Hugh Jackman. Jack-man, not White). 

Isaac jumped right in with his ASL fluent para and a team that was more than willing to learn all they needed to support their first student with Down syndrome.  Social studies, dance, math, theater, art, language arts-he did it all with full expectation to turn in his modified work just like everyone else.  He thrived in group projects. Developed power points and presented in front of his classmates (including a solo project on the history of ballet!). Built a replica of the Tacoma Narrows bridge and jump another grade level in his reading.  He ate lunch with a bunch of 8th grade boys every day so he could play basketball with them at recess and made a host of truly good friends, including a neurotypical child that boldly calls Isaac their BEST friend. <3     (they text and facetime after school--it's the best!) 

Winter drama showcase:

Cultural dance showcase: Dragon Dance

Homework:

Spring musical-Beauty & the Beast. Isaac was "the baker" in the opening scene and spoke all his lines clearly from memory: Good morning Belle, where are you off to? That's nice. Marie, the baquettes! Hurry up!  He added a "chop! chop!" for emphasis ;) 

100% in his performance & participation of the Disney Movie Mashup!

One of my favorite parts of the year was reading through his notebooks at the end of the quarter:

hahaha!  Seems I need to do a better job of explaining what an emergency is!

All of these experiences were coupled with some solid social & emotional growth (thank you for not biting us in the butt adolescence!) so at the end of the year when Isaac and just a few others from the entire school were honored for their character and success through the year, it made total sense to me. <3 

Somehow my terrorized middle school heart healed in watching my son have such an amazing school year.  <3 

Thank you 6th grade!  Isaac is already counting down the days to 7th grade and all the new adventures he is going to have then.  <3