Monday, February 27, 2006

As for My Concerns from the Previous Post...

Jenny did come in today, which means her new foster mother has stuck with it so far. Jenny continues to be doing a great job in class, and I hope that things have gotten better at home.

But another student unexpectedly did not show up. He was removed from one of those rare wonderful foster homes to be returned to his birth mother. This was not supposed to be considered until after a meeting on March 1st with me, his ACS worker, his school social worker, his outside counselor, and both his birth mother and foster mother. The idea was that we would all come together to collaborate and make the best choice for the student. In all phone conversations with all parties involved, it seemed the general concensus was that it would be best to let him remain where he is until the end of the school year.

Well, the meeting will not be taking place now. We haven't been able to get a straight story on how this happened so suddenly. This student has experienced an incredible amount of success this school year, due largely in part to an amazing foster mother who has been by his side from the moment he came into her home in August of 2004. Now he's in East New York, and I am nervous for him in so many ways.

But it is time for me to cut myself loose from the nervousness, and move on. It is amazing how attached you can become to your students, and surprising at times at how quickly you must sever those attachments. If you are the kind of person who prays, please pray for this student.

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