Excessive Happiness

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Baptism by Fire

Posted 7:12 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

Yesterday, I was at Paloma Creek, doing a parent interview and trying to get her son's ARD scheduled, which wound up being today. As I like to do, I told her the purpose of a transfer ARD was to keep the child's placement from the previous district for thirty days, and to re-evaluate their progress at another ARD. Legally, this is what we're supposed to do. She seemed okay with the arrangement and agreed to come to the ARD the next morning.

Imagine my surprise when she comes in my room about an hour before the meeting, saying that she had been in her son's classroom, didn't like his placement and wanted it changed. I asked her where she would like her son to be, what did she feel he needed. I then called my supervisor to ask her opinion. She said that either she or the other elementary supervisor would be at the ARD. This made me feel a lot better, as my mentor was sick today, so I was going at it alone. I had also been told that this parent could be a challenge, so I was prepared for that.

We managed to squeeze in a brief staffing before the meeting, so we could all look over his records and discuss placement and related services before the mother arrived. Then she came, and we started the meeting. I had filled out as much paperwork as possible beforehand, and also took notes. The whole meeting was a rather tense situation. We are legally bound to do one thing, the mother wanted something else and didn't appear to want to compromise.

The special ed supervisor came and after being brought up to date on the student's records, offered a solution that the mom agreed to. Sometimes it's really good to have a supervisor in there to offer something that we are unable to! Unfortunately, the program that was recommended isn't on our campus, so he will be transferred to another school.

I filled out the remaining paperwork, we all signed off on it and left. I had the supervisor check my forms to make sure I'd filled everything out correctly, and I had. She e-mailed me later saying that I'd had a baptism by fire and I'd made it through. That made me feel good.

Welcome to the school year!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Enter the Storm

Posted 5:47 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

So far, I have survived the first two days of the new job! Yesterday, I went up to Paloma Creek elementary, with donuts in hand. Unfortunately, PTA also brought donuts, but mine were there first! After getting a tour of the school from the speech therapist, I called my mentor diagnostician, she came over, and we spent three hours poring over the special education software. It really helped a lot to be able to go through it with someone.

After she left, I went down to the cafeteria for lunch, which was provided by PTA. While I was there, I met last year's diagnostician who was there to help with a couple of last-minute ARD meetings. (They are held to determine a child's eligibility/placement in special education services.) During the first one, she did the paperwork (via the special education software) which I watched, during the second one, I did the paperwork while she watched. The pace was definitely slower when I was doing it, but everyone was really patient.

Today, I started the day off with training in autism assessments. That was definitely very informative. After that, it was lunchtime, and I hit Subway before heading back to Paloma Creek to prepare for today's ARD. Another diagnostician did the first one, then it was up to me to do the paperwork for the second one. It went by without a hitch, and was over quickly. The ARDs during yesterday and today were quick, which is generally not the norm. Once we start doing evaluation ARDS and annual ARDs, it'll be closer to an hour.

Once we signed off on all the paperwork and everyone left, it was time for a special education staff meeting! At least for the special education staff at Paloma Creek. It was good to meet everyone else and put a face to the name. We've got some great ideas for the school year, it'll be neat to see them implemented.

Tomorrow I'll start off with another meeting (I have at least one every day this week!) then venture out to Providence and take up shop there. This job will definitely not be a cakewalk, but I think I will enjoy it and really learn a lot!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Calm Before the Storm

Posted 6:46 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

Thursday, I left work early and headed up to the technology building with Denton ISD for my special education software training. We learned how to fill out paperwork for the ARD meetings using the software. It's a lot of paperwork, I'm glad it's being done on the computer. I'm feeling a bit nervous about all of the paperwork that I'm going to be filling out, but the good news is that I recognized most of it from previous work in the schools.

We also recived our laptops after the meeting, that was exciting as well! My e-mail account was set up, and I've been receiving e-mails from different staff members at my schools. I bought a monthly/weekly planner to write down all my meetings and ARDs in. So far, I have four meetings set up this coming week, with the possibility of more. I have a feeling a lot of my time this school year will be spent in meetings!

Friday was my last day at the preschool, and it was chaotic and bittersweet. We wound up being moved out of our room so administration could put chairs in there. They were supposed to be put outside, but due to the rain, that wasn't a good option. We wound up combining with the other pre-k classes for the day. We ordered pizza for the kids (and ourselves), and had a graduation rehearsal, then the class party.

Graduation was Friday night. It was also chaotic, but the kids graduated, so that's the important thing. Since it was also my last day, I took lots of pictures of the kids, and made sure to say bye to everyone. While I am sad to leave my friends there, I'm excited about the new job!

I've been spending today reading up on the Admission, Review & Dismissal process in the state of Texas, as well as the right of parents of students with disabilities. Not the most exciting reading in the world, but it's going to really help me in my job. I plan on going through files and getting organized this week, in between my meetings! I'm ready to begin!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Great News!

Posted 9:04 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

Last week, I received a phone call that changed my life: it was someone with Denton ISD offering me a job as a diagnostician! I had interviewed with them the week before, my third interview with a district last month. I really felt that the interview team and I meshed well, and they seemed to really like me.

I found out later that same day that they were already calling my references! They had told me that I would hear from them by Tuesday of last week, and I did! The schools were I will be working are in the eastern part of Denton ISD, so they are both less than thirty minutes from our house.

Yesterday, I had new employee orientation. I got my badge, learned about the district policies and benefits, and listened to a bunch of other stuff. I also met the diagnostician at the middle school across the street from one of my elementary schools! That's right, I will be working at two elementary schools. I got the information about them today, and tomorrow, I will go up and start meeting people at the schools.

Thursday, I will get my laptop and learn about the special education software that the district uses, and Monday is my first official day as a diagnostician! Except for yesterday's orientation, I will be at the preschool through Friday, which is when my kids will graduate. Although I'll be sad to leave the friends I've made at the preschool, I'm really looking forward to the new job!

Saturday, August 02, 2008

I Swam With Dolphins

Posted 8:01 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

Wednesday, July 16th, Mom & I drove down to Galveston, where we would get on the cruise. The hotel that we spend Wednesday night was called the Hotel Galvez. It was a really nice hotel, and we also found out that it is haunted. The fifth floor of the hotel has been known to have some odd happenings, and guess which floor we were on? That's right, the fifth.

We got up the next morning (and didn't see or hear any ghosts), and took the shuttle to the ship. Once we were on board, we took our stuff to the room, ate some lunch and explored the place. We watched the boat leave the dock and toasted our trip!

We were onboard the Carnival Ecstasy. It was a short cruise, four nights with one port, Cozumel. Thursday evening we sat in our assigned seats and met another mother-daughter team! We went to the show that night, and crashed back in our room. Friday was a sea day, I started with a facial, which felt wonderful! I also had tea in the afternoon, which was really enjoyable. I tried out the pool on the lido deck, which was fun, but also quite crowded.

Saturday, we stopped in Cozumel. We went over to the Dolphinaris to swim with the dolphins. After getting in our life jackets, we got into the water. We learned about the dolphins, then got to do some of the commands with them. Our two dolphins were Olympia & Aphrodita. They would give us a "kiss" on the cheek and also we could shake "hands" with them, too.

We then got into the deeper water, and the dophins swam around us. If we put our hands out, they would swim under them so we could pet them. That was really neat, but the best part is when they took us for a ride. I swam out really far, and the dolphin swam up behind me, flipped over on her back. I then grabbed her fins as instructed, and she pulled me back over to the rest of the group. It was really neat!They also danced and sang for us, although I did not recognize the tune they were singing!

After leaving the dolphins, we did some shopping around Cozumel, but it was really too hot to do too much. Back on the ship, we ate lunch and hit the showers! Later, we did some shopping! Sunday was our last day on the ship. I took a towel folding class, which was a lot of fun, although I don't think I'll be making a career out of it. I did make a pretty cute dog, though!

I also entered a name that tune contest, which I wound up winning! That was a lot of fun. After that, Mom & I did tea. It was definitely a refreshing treat in the mid-afternoon. After dinner, we said farewell to our dining companions and packed our bags. It is always more difficult to pack on the return trip!

Monday morning, we docked in Galveston and waited to get off the ship. We were on the road headed for home around eleven that morning. It was a really enjoyable trip and I got a lot of pictures! They can be viewed here!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

My Best Friend's Wedding!

Posted 8:05 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts

Becky & I met in middle school band. The percussion section stood behind the french horn section, and that's how we met. Through the years, we have remained best friends for eighteen years, although there were a couple of years that our friendship was through phone or e-mail only. I remember us promising each other way back when that we would be in each other's weddings. She was in mine, and she asked me to be in hers.

Becky's wedding was on Saturday, so I started getting myself ready for it on Wednesday, when I got my eyebrows threaded. Mom had recommended it, and I must say, I am pleased with the results! It hurt, but it wasn't too bad. It is definitely something that I will have to do more often!

Thursday, I got my manicure and pedicure. I had gone to this place before and been really impressed. I was not disappointed this time, either! The best thing was, I was distracted by the woman working on my hands, so I wasn't ticklish on my feet, which was very unusual for me! I always wind up laughing whenever I get a pedicure, because I'm so ticklish!

Friday, I dropped Roxie off at the boarder's, took a shower and packed my clothes for Saturday. David came home and we drove out to the First Baptist Church in Red Oak for the rehearsal. We got to meet some of the out of town friends, and also heard the music that would be played during the ceremony.

Dinner was barbecue, and we had some great discussions at the table! After we ate, there was work to do! We had to get the church set up for the wedding. It was really neat to see everyone pull together to help the family. I helped with the altar sprays, as well as other things.

It was late when we got to the hotel, but we gathered in Becky's room to reminicse and pray. She talked about how it was neat to see her friends and family all gathered together to witness the marriage. I agree! That's something that's really great about weddings.

Saturday morning, I woke up at the crack of dawn, and headed out to my parents, stopping at Starbucks along the way. Mom did my hair and makeup, and I made it back out to the church in time to get in my dress for pictures. Unfortunately, pictures wound up being postponed until after the ceremony.

While waiting, we helped get things ready. I got to do hair, help with makeup and take things to the room where the guys were getting ready. Time seemed to fly by, and it was time to go! A few minutes before we walked out, Becky & I sang "Chapel of Love" together, like we did in bride's room right before my wedding!

We all lined up in the foyer and waited to begin. Finally, it was my turn. I was a bit nervous, but excited to be a part of Becky & Eric's day! I couldn't stop smiling! When Becky & her dad walked down the aisle, I was so happy for them! I saw how happy they were and I know they will be very happy together.

Once the happy couple left for they honeymoon, we all changed into our regular clothes and cleaned the place up. It was a lot of fun, but we were really tired when we got home! It was a wonderful wedding and I look forward to spending more time with them!

Pictures can be viewed here!

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Thirty, Flirty & Thriving!

Posted 6:01 PM by Dezi Rollins, LSSP | 0 Thoughts