@dyiu13 I got sick to my stomach reading that. At our 8th grade moving up rehearsal, kids were making fun of and laughing at the kids with special needs. After that the guidance counselor (who has an adult son with autism) lectured everyone about inclusion and respect. It worked, I think, there were no hiccups at the ceremony. Hopefully people will be respectful of the kids with special needs at graduation. How did they even exclude 2 kids especially with such a small class?
@dyiu13 Iām so so angry that happened. It is awfully hard to be the mom in that scenario trying to contain your anger to not spoil things for your kid when you want to go on an immediate rampage. THIS SHOULDNāT HAPPEN!
My brother who is Autistic wasnāt allowed to participate in graduation because they feared he would be disruptive. Technically he didnāt graduate so they had that right but other special needs children were allowed to walk with the graduates and received a special certificate instead of a diploma. And no this wasnāt decades ago but only two years ago.
@dyiu13 Iām also sorry about this. How awful for everyone there, especially those students and parents. Iām appalled that the school officials did nothing.
WHAT THEā¦ @mom23travelers thatās upsetting. Here kids who graduate with IEP certificates and stay in school until they are 21 can walk across the stage their senior year or the year they leave school- parentās choice.
@dyiu13 Iām so sorry about what happened. Breaks my heartā¦ @mom23travelers WHAT? What what? I am floored at what they did. Wow!
@dyiu13 you are absolutely correct. Living life well is the best revenge. I firmly believe in karma and it will come around. Iām sorry the experience was ruined for you.
@dyiu13 Iām so sorry that happened. Thank God for Mama Bears, even if itās hard to be one. You help make the world a better place because you care about this kind of thing, which sadly so many do not.
When we pulled out of the gifted magnet years ago, it was in large part because of bullying. Among the perpetrators? Two girls who received GSUSA awards for their work against bullying (complete with powerpoint presentations and assemblies for younger kids).
What a joke. Please catch my eyeballs as they roll across the floor and out of the roomā¦
Well, they knew whereof they spoke, anyway.
And @mom23travelers ā¦thatās just disgusting. Some people are just a waste of respiration.
Definitely disheartening stories today. Hoping our kids all step up and set a better example. We are gearing up for Sundayās party and Mondayās graduation. S got his cap and gown today and let me read his year book. 
DH is picking D up from the airport right now. Have not seen her in 3 months and she has not been home since New Yearās. Still need to get the house in better shape for the party. LOL
@dyui13 - your story breaks my heart. I am so sorry this happened. Glad to hear youāll be using your voice to make sure this doesnāt happen going forward.
@PAO2008 - Have so much fun! Iām so happy for you who still are in the midst of graduations and celebrations. Having all my kids home already feels like a distant memory! (They left 2 weeks ago, lol.)
Happy to cross a few more tasks off the list today- a dmv visit and new bank account. Next Friday is registration. Will this kid ever show any enthusiasm??
@carolinamom2boys S16ās school has a 1-day orientation 101 in mid-Juneā¦the dates depend on the college they are entering. During that orientation the advisor meets with students to share the proposed schedule and see if theyād like to make any changes, then I guess there are other activities. It runs from 8 - 3, with activities for parents that are separate. Then, freshman move in the Thursday before school starts for orientation. Maybe that runs Thursday and Friday? Iām not sure, but weāll drive out the day before and stay at a hotel near the beach, then move him in on Thursday, then weāll stay at the hotel one more night with D18 before heading home. That way, if he does find he needs supplies, we can pick them up and drop them off the 2nd day.
@dyiu13 : It is very easy to see when adults have turned both their eyes and their hearts away from the messages and principles they have been espousing, especially when those adults are teachers and administrators.
It is not easy to sit and take note of the intentional, small-hearted acts by āleaders of the communityā against other members - those marginalized, pushed to the periphery, included under legal mandate but left just outside of the circle and made to feel less than cherished, less than valuable.
Your level headedness, and the way you presented the dayās account, chilled me.
Take that sharp, critical, Leica-lens focus and turn it on the administration. Make the years to come for the next group of students infinitely safer and brighter.
I thank you for that effort.
I apologize I have been distracted elsewhere and am now playing catch up for quite a few pagesā¦so my comments will be for a conversation a few pages back.
@MidwestMom17 I loved how you put this regarding the topic @MuggleMom brought up āI just assume everyone has been infected with College Admissions Mania Virus and it involves a lot of mis-information, ignorance, and putting foot in mouth. Itās a widespread affliction in a certain social circles.ā
@palm715 What nice words for @MuggleMomā¦and I believe sunglasses may be the best graduation gift for her D!
My MIL is visiting for graduation (tomorrow a.m.) and mentioned to DH today that she had checked with āseveral peopleā and they had not even heard of the small college that S16 will be attending Not sure who those āpeopleā areā¦but their opinion obviously trumps S16 and his parents who have done extensive research over many, many months on colleges. I also am assuming that ānot hearing about a collegeā translates to it being relegated to a ālower statusā since it is so unknown. @MuggleMom I too feel your pain! But in addition, it is nice to know the inside secrets of why a college is such a good choice for your particular childā¦whether or not anyone else EVER gets that! I just wish folks in general were more sensitive and less opinionated in things that they have limited knowledge about.
@MuggleMom havenāt seen you too much lately hereā¦I know you were one of the last adrift after most folks thought the boat had docked with all safely on shore.
One more thing: I was listening to NPR on my way to work earlier this weekā¦and S16s college was advertised! I was surprised! They had a very nice blurb about the collegeās unique approach, etc.
Preview of life to come. Both DC were off on their own adventures last night and DH and I went out to dinner at a place we do not normally end up when it is the 4 of us. Very pleasant but I do think the two of us have some catching up to do with each other. This past year has not left much time for that.
DS is at loose ends without practice, homework or other calendars telling what to do with his time. I"ll give him some things to do >:)
@Cheeringsection How did the catching up go? DH and I have years of catching up to do. We have been adrift on the lives of the kids for a long time. I keep telling him Iām worried we will have nothing to talk about.
Last night we had DS16ās graduation party. Turned out to be about 40 adults, young adults and children. It turned out to be a huge success . Just the way DS16 had wanted it. Brisket, pulled pork, feathers , slaw, past salad and cookies . Then cake and down to the theatre room for āGuardians of the Galaxyā and āThe Avengers- Age of Ultronā DS16 was beaming , and we had several offers from undercalssman to take his place at our home when he leaves. I have to give all the credit to both of my sonās and my husband who stepped up and did all the cleaning and cooking for the day while I was at work. ( I knew it was wise not to schedule that day off 
)
Last night was actually more emotional to me than the graduation. One of the graduates was someone that DS16 has been friends with since he was a toddler.
Seeing all the graduates together discussing future plans and all of the new Seniors discussing plans for senior year seemed to make things final. Well throughout simple gifts of his favorite candy, trading cards , etc showed these kids really took time to get to know my son. But the icing on the cake( no pun intended ) was he received notification of his room assignment and roommate for the fall. Suddenly , I heard the door shut to his childhood , and while I look forward to his future, I felt myself grieving for the past. I guess this really happening , so I need to get onboard . 
Wow. What an emotional night but Iām glad you all had fun @carolinamom2boys
The catching up was good but there is much more to do.
Graduation was very nice here! Less than 2 hours for more than 570 students.
So proud of DS. His val speech went well- received numerous compliments & it is extra special when your 18 year old tells you āhe loves youā in front of a packed house! :x
ā¦ DS then had an all night shut in party & I had to set the alarm to 4:30 to go pick him up. He is sleeping & I think I am going to need a nap this afternoon (lol). Then I think weāll have to start adjusting to now being college-bound!
Congrats! @bookmom7 Here, we are in the midst of addressing party invites and studying for finals. This week is the last week of classes.