I am still a bit shocked that this day has finally come. If you've been following this blog, you know what a long, difficult battle it has been to keep Marcus in school and out of jail. Today he finished summer school and is officially graduating from high school. I can't believe it. I feel happy and proud and, frankly, exhausted. I keep finding myself exhaling big breaths.
Thanks are in order.
Thank you to all the teachers and administrators, from pre-school to high school, who worked hard to love and support Marcus through good days and bad. Trust me, I know well how difficult this can be sometimes. You saw what I see - a smart, charming, funny, sensitive, and caring young man who struggled mightily with things beyond his control. School is a difficult place for those who are not deemed "normal", but you adapted creatively and helped him succeed in spite of a system designed to push him out.
I specifically want to thank the teachers, administrators, SSOs, secretaries, counsellors, social workers, and custodians at East High School for welcoming Marcus into his first general education placement since kindergarten. I mention all these people because Marcus interacted with all of them - daily. Yes, that means he wasn't always in class where he was supposed to be. He made regular rounds of the school to chat and find snacks. You were always there with a smile and reminders to go back to class. This time at East was, by far, the best experience Marcus had in a school. We had two goals coming to East - graduation and no jail. You helped us accomplish this. There are not enough words to thank you.
Most of all, I want to thank my husband Morris Smith. He stopped working so he could support Marcus to graduation. It takes a special strength to commit this much and I want everyone to know how much I respect and love you.
Going to spend some time celebrating this amazing accomplishment before thinking about what's next. I will post pictures of the graduation ceremony when it happens.
Thanks are in order.
Thank you to all the teachers and administrators, from pre-school to high school, who worked hard to love and support Marcus through good days and bad. Trust me, I know well how difficult this can be sometimes. You saw what I see - a smart, charming, funny, sensitive, and caring young man who struggled mightily with things beyond his control. School is a difficult place for those who are not deemed "normal", but you adapted creatively and helped him succeed in spite of a system designed to push him out.
I specifically want to thank the teachers, administrators, SSOs, secretaries, counsellors, social workers, and custodians at East High School for welcoming Marcus into his first general education placement since kindergarten. I mention all these people because Marcus interacted with all of them - daily. Yes, that means he wasn't always in class where he was supposed to be. He made regular rounds of the school to chat and find snacks. You were always there with a smile and reminders to go back to class. This time at East was, by far, the best experience Marcus had in a school. We had two goals coming to East - graduation and no jail. You helped us accomplish this. There are not enough words to thank you.
Most of all, I want to thank my husband Morris Smith. He stopped working so he could support Marcus to graduation. It takes a special strength to commit this much and I want everyone to know how much I respect and love you.
Going to spend some time celebrating this amazing accomplishment before thinking about what's next. I will post pictures of the graduation ceremony when it happens.
