Last day of 2nd Grade- Take ONE

It's an odd day in my mind, but I'm trying not to say anything to make Xander feel insecure.

1st day of 2nd grade: Take ONE

We've made a decision- by "We" I mean Tim, Xander, and me- we've discussed and decided to keep Xander in the second grade for another year. I hate the term "held back" ... but that's what we're doing. We're talking it up... saying "You'll be one of the older kids, instead of the youngest" ...  and "You'll get to spend another year with Mrs. L getting extra practice so that third grade should be easier for you!"... and "Two of your closest friends are going to be repeating 2nd grade too, so you're not alone!" (of course not celebrating that his friends are struggling too, but that he won't be alone....)  Yesterday, we said something about Xander having a great year in the second grade, and he said, "It wasn't THAT great if I have to do it again." .... So again, we had to explain things to him... he DID have a great year. His grades were A's and B's all year long- we just feel like an extra year of practicing the 2nd grade skills will make 3rd grade more manageable. I just hate the thought of him struggling to make it all next year...ya know?

His issues center around his reading. He does math really well... except the word problems. The reading is kicking his behind. At the end of the 2nd grade, he should be reading around 90 words a minute, but he's in the 35wpm range... he's got a long way to go! In the third grade, they don't do phonics or sight words AND math has a lot of word problems. So it all comes back to being a solid reader...which he is not! So, we're working with him...trying to improve his reading at home, plus during the school year, he's in tutoring, AND we're having him repeat grade 2 for the extra boost. He is the youngest in his class, and even the teacher feels like the maturity issue can be part of the problem.

 But as everyone is posting pictures on Facebook of their kid's "last day of ___ grade" ... I posted "Xander's last day of school!"  It feels weird to say "Last day of 2nd grade" when he'll have TWO last days of the second grade.  Don't get me wrong... I am not at all doubting our decision to retain him for the upcoming year. My "weirdness" is from not knowing how to phrase it... for the sake of pictures! Is that silly? I know it doesn't matter what other people think, but I keep thinking, "This is going to confuse people next year when I say it's his first day of second grade...again!" LOL... I know, I know, Tim tells me I over-think things... I am pretty sure he's correct!

So, today we celebrate the last day of school... the last day of 2nd grade... Take One!! 

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Last day of 2nd grade- Take ONE

Dear Xander,

You have learned so much this last year! You have learned to read better, and to spell, and how to add, subtract and multiply (a little). You have made so many new friends. You absolutely love your teacher! She tells me all the time what a sweet and honest boy you are! You got an A on almost every single spelling test this year- that's so cool! You made the honor roll on both report cards; you received the "Shining Citizen" award; and you were named "Tiger Cub"! I am so excited for the next year ahead of you. I can't imagine how much more you'll know after another year of practicing the second grade skills! I anticipate your confidence level significantly increasing. You've got this son... you can do anything you set your mind to. I know you have the ability to do whatever you want!  I love you so much and have never been more proud of you!

XOXO,
Mommy!