School Counselor

Abby stayed home Monday becasue she was so upset and Serena was unable to get her dressed and to school. We met the teacher and agreed to try harder today. Abby made the following list of problems:
1. At recess the kids chass me, and they run in to me, they are lowd.
2. At lunch the kids are lowd, they throw food, And they stare at me.
3. At class we have to do a hole lot of schoolwork.
4. At home we have to do a lot of homework to.

This morning after a lot of fighting we were able to get Abby dressed in her uniform. Katie went and got Abby's friend Fanney to walk to school with us. This did not help and Abby hid behind the bed and cried. Serena had to half carry half drag her into the hall and down the hall to the elevator. We met another family at the elevator and the mother held the door until we helped Abby in. For better or for worse this mother said she really didn't like this school either. Becasue we had to take Fanney to school Abby walked as far as the front of the school. We thanked Fanney forwalkign with us and she ran on ahead. Serena had to pull Abby by her arms up to the gate where Abby grabbed on with both hands crying and screaming that she hated this school and wasn't going. We stopped there to catch our breath. Everyone was staring of course. Now some of you readnig this are probably by this time saying , "What that child needs is good spanking!" but I really don't want her to be that upset about school. If she is scared to go and spends the day crying that is not benefitting anyone. After the other kdis went in we had to frag her by the arms into the building. She sat in the hall outside the office door and we stopped again. Every school has a policeman at the door. You have to show ID and give yoru address and they sign you in. This one was not helpful! She was teasing Abby that everyone was laughing at her. Said, "Look even your baby sister is laughing at you." (She wasn't! Lilly will pat your arm and hug you if you are upset.) Then she said, "Now your tardy and really in trouble." I had had it and said being tardy was really the least of my concerns we were doing fabulous to have even made it inside of the building today. A nicely dressed woman was in the hall and I asked if she worked inthe office. Abby had bolted every time I let go of her this morning, so I didn't want to leave her sitting in the hall and go to the office.
The lady came over and squatted down on the floor with us and ws wonderful! She was immediately sympathetic. She suggested we move to a room right there where we could talk and figure out what to do to help Abby. Serena had to once again drag Abby into the room, but there were comfy couches and we plopped down together and the lady sat down and Katie played with Lilly. The school counselor joined us soon after. Apparently this was her office. We went through the entire speal. Every single concern that Abby voiced the lady was willing to work to find a solution. It was never "you will just have to get used to that." The noise was the biggest concern she raised. The lady said Abby could bring a book to red during recess and didn't even have to go outside. There is no equipment but the teacher can take the class to the park across the street and their is equipment there. The kids can take balls and jumpropes and other toys to the playground when they go out. She did not have to eat lunch in the cafeteria where it is loud and the children throw food. They admitted that she does look different from the other kids but that there are other white children in the building, including Fanney in her class, and that she will always see people who are new or look different. Suspect the children are not chasing her but are running around screaming and this scares her. She is very upset about her friends back home and we agreed she could call them after school. She did not have to go to class today until she was ready. She could stay with the counselor and could stay in the office as much or whenever she needs to. The lady and counselor left for a while so Abby could explore the space with just us there. We looked at all the books and played with the stress balls and admired all the blank paper and art materials. There was baskets with board games and baskets with play doh. The counselor right away had ideas of things to try. She knew of some other quiet chidlren who were in other classes to introduce Abby to so she would know others inthe cafeteria and on recess. She offered to bring Fanney or other children down to her office so Abby could play with them in the quiet and secluded place. We explained that Abby had her new school supplies today and had all of her homework and make up work done. Abby told the counselor about her project for last week. She chose a giraffe and did a report complete with drawing. The counselor asked if she had a tour of the school and we said no so she took Abby to show her around the whole building. Abby asked to play Trouble and the counselor said she would play so I could get home to take care of Lilly and Katie. She agreed to talk to me again when I pick Abby up this afternoon and will meet us on the playground in the mornings for a while. We tucked a picture of me inside the plastic cover of her dictionary and Abby kept my charm bracelet to wear and feel the charms if she got upset or missed me.

We did not get a picture of the uniform today, the first day she has had the complete outfit, because her hair was a mess, and her face was red and wet. We will post one as soon as we have a good morning though.