Thursday evening before school started, I got a call that Ivy’s transfer request got approved. I can hardly believe it!
All summer we were in limbo. Did we expose ourselves by submitting a formal request to transfer Ivy? Will she be the one to suffer consequences either way?
We are ready for a change. I was dreading the confusion, the lack of clear direction, the structure, the work we have to do at home to compensate for what she didn’t catch in school. 3rd grade is hard. There is a lot of new information and a lot more individual work each student needs to do. If they don’t have a leader to motivate them as a social group, it is up to the parents to figure out individual strategies.
This is when I decided I will act. https://violetaaltmann.com/transfers-and-anxiety/
Before leaving the parents group chat I wanted to let them know why we left, to control the narative and to answer questions if they arise. I wrote “Dear parents, for objective reasons, at the end of last year I applied to transfer Evelyn to the parallel class. Last night I received notification that the transfer was approved. We’re not going far. See you around at school.”
And questions did arise and people followed up, in private or wished us well in the larger group. As I was introduced into the new class parents group I felt that familiar sense of connectedness and confidence among the new parents, the kind I was familiar with from the time I was in charge of coordinating communication and gathering money for Jackie’s class. How can a group of parents feel lost and frustrated, and another feel empowered and serene?
I took a chance. I asked. I knocked. And this time it was favorable. This time my knock was answered. I didn’t make it come across as a personal exception. In my formal request I only stated facts and I was objective. I didn’t want to offend or manipulate. There are plenty of instances where I pursued something and it was denied.
In 9th grade my dad jumped through hoops to transfer me to a different school. And his relentless work and determination inspired me. This may be an instance where I am simply paying to forward and set an example for my kids to not be afraid of change or simply try a different approach if the old ways don’t work.
I held my hands open and I prayed that God closes this door if it is not for us to pass through it. It was our consistent prayer this year that God would see this through. We did our small part by stepping out in faith, and He is in charge of fulfilling the resolution. And we will accept whatever decision for this year.