IDEAS TO SAY THANK-YOU TO YOUR CHILD'S CLASS

IDEAS TO SAY THANK-YOU TO YOUR CHILD'S CLASS

It is almost Christmas and time for parents to acknowledge all the hard work teachers, schools and specialists have contributed throughout the year. Every year I make the extra effort to say thank-you to the children in my son's classroom, his teachers and of course his aides. I usually do this through a letter and a card, but it is not always easy to know what to say, so I thought I would share my ideas for this year.  These little extra ways of showing appreciation, I believe, help to strengthen friendships my son has with his peers.

Even though my son deserves to be in a mainstream classroom, I have always be very aware of the impact his needs have on the other children, I feel as a parent, you have to be.

Here is the Christmas card my son and I have made for each child......

Writing is difficult..... so anything that shows he has contributed is important and personal.

An example of a letter I write to every family who had a child in my son's classroom.....

To the Parents of the beautiful children in.......

I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank the children and families of _____.

It is hard to believe we have all arrived at the end of another school year.  My how the children have grown.  I feel we are all so blessed to have such wonderful, caring and supportive people involved in our children’s education.  ______________ have been miraculous this year. What inspirational women!

As always, I was extremely concerned when it was time for ___________ to start another school year, with new class mates and surroundings.  It is so difficult to determine if he is settled, happy and learning. I also wondered if he would continue to speak and foster friendships as he had done previously. When I reflect, I know I had absolutely nothing to be concerned about.  Your children, the truly amazing little people that they are, have accepted ________ and his Autistic traits, involved him socially, playing games, reading and bonded in a such a special way, only the children can really understand.  ________ is a very gentle soul. His traits can be over-whelming at times and can, isolate him when around other children.  However under the gentle guidance of _______________________________, your children have looked beyond those traits and differences allowing ________ to open the door into his world. Your children have seen ___________ true nature and for this I am forever grateful.

________________ has progressed so much in his social and cognitive development this year, all thanks to just being around children. He has enjoyed reading the kids stories and playing with them in the playground. He has thrived on their warm smiles and high 5’s in the morning and will engage, socially confident and happy.  This is such as special gift, as I know how lucky I am to have a Autistic child capable of these feats.  Autism can be an incredibly cruel disorder. It can take your child in a world where no-one is permitted to enter. Just to have _____________ looking at us, saying a few words, smiling and laughing, being cheeky, running and playing are “gifts” to our family.. gifts I was told he would never have.  Your support with ____________ is also greatly appreciated. To have your children share in his development, to understand what Autism is, to accept differences without judgement, all at a very young age, is truly incredible and a credit to you, the parents of these precious angels.

A heart-felt thank-you is also extended to all the Birthday parties we were invited to and were able to attend. To all the Parent-helpers to worked with _____________ within the classroom and the friendships extended to both my boys and myself. I have really enjoyed hearing stories from the other parents and children about _____________ day.  It gets hard sometimes when he cannot tell you all the things he did and learnt, so to hear this from others, gives me strength and courage to face the hardest of times. 

I cannot thank-you all enough.  We have a truly compassionate school and parish environment and this I know will give _____________ the opportunities he deserves in life. So again, God Bless and thank-you.

Faithfully,

Blessed are Those.

I. Blessed are those who stop and listen to my chatter. You may not understand me; but I love when people talk to me, for I long for companionship, too.

II. Blessed are those who take my hand and walk with me when the path is rough, for I easily stumble and grow weary. But thank you, too, for letting me walk alone when the path is smooth, for I must learn independence.

III. Blessed are those who take the time to tell me about special happenings, for unless you make special effort to inform me, I remain ignorant.

IV. Blessed are those who wait for me. I may be slow, but I appreciate your patience.

V. Blessed are those who are not ashamed to be seen in public with me, for I did not choose to be born thus. It could have been you as well.

VI. Blessed are those who do not pity me, for I don't want pity. All I want is understanding and respect for what I have learned as well.

VII. Blessed are those who notice my accomplishments, small as they may seem to you. I must work long and hard to learn many of the things you take for granted.

VIII. Blessed are those who include me in their games, even though I may not understand the rules, I still like to be included in your activities.

IX. Blessed are those who think of me as a person who loves, and hurts, and feels joy and pain just like you do, for in that respect I am normal.

Author Unknown

CHRISTMAS is a time to sit back.....breathe, enjoy family, time and most importantly be appreciative for all the good people and opportunities in our lives. It only takes a minute to smile and say thanks.....