It’s People Not Programs…A Stark Reminder!

At the beginning of this school year my son Caleb started preschool.  Caleb is a younger preschool student as he has a late summer birthday.  He is also one who forms deep connections with those he spends his time with and struggles forming new relationships.  Knowing these two things my wife and I knew that preschool was going to be hard for our little buddy.  We had the following choices for a preschool program: 

• Attend a Dubuque Preschool Program 

• He was already signed up (we would eventually move out of the district). 
• The program was only a half a day. 
• He would still be able to attend his former daycare only a block away. 
• Christy works a block away from the school. 
• Affordable before care available on site. 

• Attend Peosta Elementary in The Western Dubuque Community School District 

• Current home building (moved to new home prior to school year starting). 
• Full day preschool programs. 
• Uncertain on pick up and drop off. 

After a lot of discussion and thought we decided that attending the Dubuque program would be the best option for Caleb.  In our eyes the shorter day and availability of affordable before care made this the more attractive program for Caleb to attend.   For the next two months Caleb hated school.  At drop off he would hide in the back of the van, scream for up to an hour when finally in the building, and even tried to run out on several occasions.  We were very much facing the possibility that Caleb was going to be “kicked” out of preschool.  However, more upsetting was that he was suffering from a lot of anxiety at home and misbehaving nightly.  We had yet another decision to make.  Do we pull him from preschool and try again next year or send him to a full day program at Peosta Elementary. 

We decided to send him to Peosta Elementary.  He cried upon drop off for the first couple of weeks and has been all smiles for the last two weeks.  Currently he walks into school by himself and finds his spot on line (something we never thought he would do).  He talks about school with such joy and excitement now that it is evident he is enjoying his learning.  So, what was the difference maker in these two programs?  On paper and logistically we felt his first program was the better fit, however, we forgot something very import.  It is people that make the difference in a child’s life not the programs themselves.  I noticed four traits that the Peosta Elementary staff demonstrated that makes them people who make a difference: 

They Connect – with students as individuals.  The Peosta Elementary staff wanted to know who Caleb was.  They were interested in his story, his interests, and his education.  This connection gave Caleb a level of security that he had not had at his previous placement. 

They Communicate –  with students and parents.  For a week or two prior to Caleb starting at Peosta Elementary we were having conversations about what was needed for a smooth transition.  From that point on we have gotten continuous feedback on Caleb's progress and what he is learning in preschool.   

They Care – for all there students.  On the third day of school during our conversations at home about school Caleb stated, "My teacher loves me...so everything is going to be okay."  Caleb knew from very early on that he was not just part of a class but part of a family. 

They Continuously Do What is Needed – to promote the success of their students.  I don’t know if Caleb's positive drop offs and days at preschool will continue, but what I do know is that whatever happens he is going to be surrounded by people who are not going to give up on him.  Both at home and at school Caleb knows that the people in his life are willing to do what it takes for him to be successful. 

In many ways I feel it is the actions of those adults at Peosta Elementary School who have given us our Caleb back.  For two months he displayed behaviors so uncharacteristic for him, however, now we feel we have our fun loving son back.  His jokes and laughs fill our nights now instead of his screams and tantrums.  This is a true testament that impact is made by ordinary people doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways.