Student of the month

The letter came in the mail. The letter was from Robbie's school addressed "to the parents of."  I assumed it was another IEP meeting or a reminder about something I had forgotten. Your son Robbie was chosen as student of the month. I immediately felt proud and then nervous. How would Robbie handle sitting through an awards ceremony? The kindergarten student of the month will go first, making 7th grade next to last. We discussed the ceremony and what to expect, a little bit.  For Robbie anxiety is very real so you can't over explain or under explain. The balance can be challenging. The school did a great job of talking through it the day of  and a front row seat was saved for him. We arrived early, as we had the 5 of us and grandparents. The principle had Robbie come up and do a dry run with him before it began or was too crowed. Robbie had to be reminded he could smile- and he did - with the biggest smile he could make. Literally, the biggest slightly awkward looking smile possible.
Game time arrived and Robbie was amazing. He listened to the awards being given and clapped for  the other students. Once it was his turn,  he stood with the principle , accepted the award and smiled for the camera. The next morning as I said Good morning to him,  he replied " the man ( principal)  gave me the paper and I did it! I did a good job!!" Names can be difficult, even those you'd think he should recall easily.

                                       Yes you did Robbie. You are doing a good job.