Kaylee Jaymie Halstead

Meeting

Kaylee pov
We were sitting in the reception area waiting for Mr James.
Kaylee: he's taking ages
Dad: patience Kaylee
The receptionist came over
Mr Lyon: they're waiting in the meeting room for you
Dad: thank you
Mr Lyon: if you wanna follow me
Dad: it's alright I know the way
I followed dad to the room
Dad: keep it calm okay
Kaylee: no promises
We walked into the room and Miss Jackson, Mr James and Archie were there. Me and dad sat down.
Dad: Alright. Let's get into it
Miss Jackson: We appreciate you calling this meeting, Detective Halstead. I think we can all agree that Kaylee is incredibly bright but she's facing challenges that need to be addressed
Kaylee: I'm right here you know
They do this all the time. Talk about me like im not here
Dad: And you're part of this conversation so pay attention

I huffed and sunk into my chair
Mr James leaned forward glancing at the report. Mr James: The ADHD diagnosis makes a lot of sense given Kaylee's difficulties with focus and impulsivity. But the ODD, That one's a bit trickier
Kaylee: weren't you the one that brought it up to dr Charles
Dad nudged me
Kaylee: what?
Dad then turned to mr James
Dad: I get that. But ignoring it isn't gonna help.
What kind of support can the school offer?
Miss Jackson: Well first we should look at an Individualized Education Plan, an IEP. That would allow us to put accommodations in place, like extra time on assignments or movement breaks
Kaylee: Wait, movement breaks?
Miss Jackson: Yes, Kaylee. If you struggle to sit still for long periods we can work in scheduled breaks where you can step out, reset and come back more focused
Kaylee: Huh. That does sound kinda nice
Archie: And it's something we can build into our sessions too
Dad: See? Not all bad
Mr James: The bigger concern is her defiance
Kaylee: I'm not defiant
Mr James: Kaylee last week you told your English teacher that his assignment was and I quote, 'a pointless waste of time.'
Kaylee: I wasn't wrong.
Dad: kid
Miss Jackson: Kaylee no one is saying you're wrong for having opinions. The issue is how you express them
Mr James: Exactly. There's a difference between asking why a rule exists and flat-out refusing to follow it
Kaylee: Depends on the rule
Dad: Kaylee
Kaylee: Fine. I get it
Archie: Kaylee the thing is you're not bad. You just think differently and sometimes that means you react in ways that make life harder for you
Kaylee: so what? I'm just supposed to shut up and do what I'm told?
Mr James: No. But you do need to learn when to pick your battles
Miss Jackson: And how to communicate in a way that gets your point across without landing you in trouble
I was tapping my fingers on the table so Archie gave me a fidget toy
Kaylee: So what does that mean for me? Like practically?
Miss Jackson glanced at dad then back at me. Miss Jackson: Well first we'll start with the IEP. We'll also update your behavior support plan, which means clear expectations and consequences but also strategies to help you self-regulate
Dad: Like what?
Archie: For example, if Kaylee is getting frustrated in class, instead of snapping at a teacher, she could use a signal something small, like tapping her desk twice to let me know she needs to step out for a breather
Kaylee: Wait, I get to leave class?
Archie: Sometimes. But only when you actually need it not just when you're bored. I also want you to use your timeout pass more. We gave it to you for a reason
Kaylee: lame
Dad: nice try
Mr James: And at home?
Dad: She's starting therapy. We're working on strategies for impulse control and authority issues
Kaylee: Authority issues is a dumb name
Dad: Kaylee
I huffed but didn't argue.
Mr James: That's good but we need consistency. If she's held accountable at school and not at home or vice versa it won't work
Dad: Trust me she gets plenty of accountability at home
Kaylee: Tell me about it
Miss Jackson: It's clear you have a strong support system Kaylee. That's going to make all the difference
Kaylee: So what if I mess up?
Dad: Then we figure it out. Together
Miss Jackson: This isn't about punishment, Kaylee. It's about setting you up for success
Kaylee: Okay. I guess that's fine
Dad: High praise
I flipped him off. Mr James closed the report.
Mr James: Alright. We'll get the paperwork started and keep in close contact. Kaylee you willing to meet with me once a week for check-ins?
Kaylee: I guess
Mr James: I'll take it.
Miss Jackson: Then I think we're done here
Dad: Thanks, everyone. Appreciate it
As the teachers gathered their things Archie gave me a fist bump
Archie: You can do this you know
Kaylee: yeah yeah
Dad ruffled my hair
Dad: C'mon kid. Let's go get that pizza you scammed out of me
Kaylee: Bribery works every time
Dad: You really are my kid
Kaylee: duh
Dad just shook his head, leading me out.