Yesterday I e-mailed the Director of Special Education in our district:

Hi XXXXXXX,

I'm not sure if you would know the answers to these questions, but I don't know who else to ask...

Do you know if the STACK classroom will be having an open house before school starts? It is only a few days away, and I've not heard anything from Henry's teacher. We received the letter from (county organization) giving us her name and confirming that Henry will be attending Highland*, etc.
But I've been expecting to get a letter from the teacher, letting us know what he'll need in the way of school supplies, and when we can come in to check out the room. That's important for any kid before school starts, but especially our autism spectrum kids!

Henry seems excited about first grade, and he is familiar with Highland's playground, but I don't think we've been inside the building since those initial speech and PT evaluations, years ago.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if I should be shooting these questions to someone in (The county organization).

-Gretchen

*Highland is not the real name of his school. That's actually the name of the elementary school I attended.

Well, whad'ya know, guess who called me last night? Henry's teacher. She was kind of loud and disorganized. Partway through the conversation she yelled "I'm on the phone!" to someone, presumably one of her kids. She explained that she just moved here, and will be getting a tour of the school today (Thursday). First she said that she would be sending me a letter today, about visiting the school on Monday (school starts on Tuesday). Later in the conversation she said that she would call me today about setting up a time to come in on Monday.

I am really trying hard to not jump to conclusions here, but I didn't get the warmest, fuzziest, most confident feeling about this new teacher. But I keep telling myself: There are all different kinds of personalities, and they can all be great teachers. Ms. H was not the only good teacher Henry will ever have. Also, there will be 2 aides in the classroom and I'm sure they will be wonderful.

I'm just uneasy, and will be for the next couple weeks until this is all a known, rather than an unknown.

I can tell that Henry is feeling uneasy also, and I need to make a conscious effort to spend more time with him. He has been talking in his sleep a lot, and I can't think of a more tactful way to say this, so I'll just say it- he has pooped in his pants several times over the past week. I can only imagine that he is

a.) responding somehow to Thomas' potty training (which is going great, by the way)

and/or

b.) this is how Henry is revealing his worry about the coming school year.

Last night I spent a little extra time reading and snuggling with him- that will, no doubt, be beneficial to both of us.
___________

One other thing on my mind today:

May JonBenet and her mommy finally rest in peace. I cannot read anymore of this story.