Open letter to PLSAS about the Early childhood program

My family’s time at Edgewood is coming to an end and I have very big feelings about it. Not only because this means that my children are growing up, that fact alone pushes me to new fun panic attacks. Also because I’m leaving the most loving, committed, and generous community I’ve ever known.

With my 3 children over the last decade, I have had the unique privilege of being able to sample almost every program Edgewood has to offer: dozens of ECFE classes, Preschool, SpEd Preschool, and Help Me Grow. We’ve utilized speech, occupational, and physical therapy services, as well as summer school programs.

I was on Advisory Council for 5 years.

When I say I love this school, I really mean I LOVE this school.

Early Childhood Family Education

I started ECFE classes in 2011, a new mom with no clue and no village. I quickly realized in that first class I had found my place and was a regular in all ages of ECFE for years. Often we’d be there more than once a week for different classes or sometimes I would schedule back-to-back classes, where I’d have 20 minutes in between to eat, switch out which kid was in Sib Care with Miss Mo, and then go to the other class. Those days of ECFE were oftentimes the only time during the week I would talk to another adult and I always looked forward to them.

I met some of my very best friends in ECFE. Whenever I go to Target or baseball practice and I’m chatting with another parent, my kids will ask how I know them. “ECFE” is usually the answer. We might not talk anymore, and a lot of the time I don’t even remember their names, but we still stop and chat for a minute in the produce aisle. It’s those small moments of connection that make me feel tied to this community and I have ECFE to thank for that.

I regularly share the not-so-fun moments of parenting on my social media pages and my blog. I get asked a lot how I’m able to be so open about admitting these failures and verbalizing my fears. I had a life-changing moment in one ECFE class. My oldest, Tessa, must have been about 11 months or so. The age where they are exploring and testing boundaries, maybe starting to walk, definitely getting an opinion. Michelle was the parent educator and in this first session of the class, after introductions asked the very innocuous question, “How is it going?” Everyone said mostly the same things, “It’s so exciting watching them learn new things!” or “He is saying 10 new words and it’s so funny!” Even when talking about the harder things, people peppered their statements with optimism. “We’re in a sleep regression so I’m exhausted but I’m sure it’ll pass soon.”

Then Michelle said, “But it sucks too, right?” And you could just SEE this circle of parents exhale. It was like they were just given permission to admit it’s hard out loud. More importantly, we were given the gift of being able to admit it’s hard WITHOUT having to qualify it. No judgments. The conversation turned from pleasant surface-level small-talk to uplifting REAL TALK. Suddenly we’re all talking like old friends exchanging advice on baby foods, laughing along with a funny and cute story, and commiserating on sleep issues.

I thought a lot about that moment. It took one person being brave enough for everyone else to feel comfortable and safe. I made the choice in the Edgewood parking lot that day that from now on, I would be that person. I will be brave and admit that sometimes I’m in over my head. My kids suck sometimes. I have no idea what I’m doing. I have continued that openness in all ECFE classes going forward and in my life as well. The response has been overwhelmingly positive and it is one of the great joys of my life to be able to create a space of safety and affirmation for moms. I can say without a doubt that day Michelle changed the trajectory of my parenting for the better forever and I’m so grateful.

Circle of friends preschool

The inclusion model that PLSAS uses is exceptional. I’ve had kids on both sides of this model and it’s impossible to say which one it benefits the most. They go on to elementary school never batting an eye that a peer might have a para in the room with them because they are so used to it. The diversity that CoF offers sets our children up for a lifetime of being includers.

All of the teachers we’ve had are incredible. CoF is filled with incredible people who were born to be preschool teachers and aides.

The people

A few days after my youngest, Peyton, had his first seizure, I had an ECFE class. During the parent discussion, I started crying like the flustered, crazy person I am. Again it was Michelle and she invited me to talk about it. I haven’t seen most of them since, but that day they cradled me with their patience and gentleness. They gave me a soft spot to land when I stopped spinning. I left that room feeling a little foolish for sure, but lighter. Motherhood is not meant to be a solo journey.

These people, teachers, and staff knew my family and I really felt that they had a genuine interest and concern for our wellbeing. I was asked often about his progress and when we got an official diagnosis, Michelle and Rochelle were some of the first people I wanted to tell.

I remember my middle child, Tristan’s, early childhood screening. He apparently made it his goal to make me look bad and told Trina he had never played with a ball in his life, had no idea what numbers and letters were, and also refused to do the hearing test citing “the beeps are in English and I only speak Spanish.” I was mortified in the corner, and Trina never batted an eye, assuring me he’s right on track.

We have taken full advantage of all of the services PLSAS has to offer and enlisted the help of Help Me Grow. Lisa was not only our teacher, but our family counselor and guide for helping us navigate this new Special Needs world we knew nothing about. We formed a bond that I am so happy to say, is strong to this day. I have felt comfortable reaching out to her numerous times for advice. She is STILL advocating for my family.

love first

Earlier this year I had a remote meeting with the Special Ed Director at Redtail Ridge, Miss Emily, and myself. Emily stunned me with the knowledge she had about Peyton and that knowledge comes from listening, watching, and intuition. There is so much about these kids that you can’t learn from an IEP or their latest assessment, and Edgewood’s teachers and staff know this. They CARE and they WANT to be there. Emily said to the director that ‘you just have to love on him and make him feel comfortable, that’s how he’ll learn the best.’

Love first, teach second.

Thank you for loving my children and my family so well. We are grateful beyond measure.