|
|
Post by carolyn on May 12, 2005 16:05:47 GMT -5
Well, I have joined the ranks. My initiation is complete.My transition meeting this afternoon sucked. I went to a meeting with current teacher, current OT, transition coordinator, next year K teacher, building principal, special ed teacher, next year speech therapist. I have met or spoken with every one of these people previous and discussed plans for next year. The principal and special ed teacher were struck with complete amnesia. Acted as though we had never discussed any thing, and the suggestions they had for next year were totally a joke. The special ed teacher was particularly difficult- boarding on combative. She doesn't really want him in her room next year as he would be her only little one. She is qualified for Cognitive impaired, K thru 4 but next year her youngest would be 2nd grade. We were considering her for about 2 hours a day, to go over and provide some extra help. (John will be in K all day) When I talked with her before she was very enthusiastic and helpful. Today she was sullen- seemed to want nothing to do with us. The tension in the room was palpable. I get the feeling none of these people like each other one bit. The principal is all business, not a warm drop of blood in her stony heart. I am a little afraid of her, but today I stayed firm. I am not even sure what was accomplished today, except that we will put in for a full time aide, and that he should spend part of his day with the special ed teacher but the how much and when was not determined. We will need another meeting to be sure. The K teacher seems to want to help, but acted like she could not talk - like people in the room made her feel oppressed- after most everyone left she became chatty patty. I also liked the speech therapist for next year, all business and constructive comments. I actually felt the tears rising in my eyes by the end, because nobody seemed to care about the little person we were discussing- just cared about who is going to have him when and how it would get paid for. I managed to choke out that I think who ever does get him will be getting a great little boy. I just can't believe how tense that meeting was. You know that feeling when you walk into a room and the tension is super thick- just hanging in the air like a cloud- and you have no idea what just transpired?
Our regular K schedule here is called blue/green. Blue goes to school all day Mon, Thurs and 1/2 day Wed. Green group goes Tues, Fri 1/2 day Wed. The plan is for John to go to both groups so he will get the instructions 2X- and there will be plenty of time for speech and ot. We will try to work it out so he goes to speech, ot and CI room during his duplicated "specials" like art or music. Have I totally confused you?? Anyhow, on Wed. he will just go the 1/2 day as that would be the same 1/2 day if he went both sessions and he would have no place to each lunch as the kids aren't there for lunch that day. He is already 6, so while he will be exhausted at first, he will get used to it. So I guess I hold my breath and pray the aide gets approved. I got the feeling it is going to be tough tough tough. But if we get denied, I will keep trying until I get approved. No way can we do this with out an aide. The principal asked me point blank why he needs one, if he has no physical reasons. I told her it would be in her personal best interests, because if he gets lost or out the door, she will be the one with the problem. As I said, very tense.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jessie on May 12, 2005 17:48:15 GMT -5
Wow Carolyn, that sounds like a very tough meeting. Those kinds of stories just tick me off so bad - why are the people that choose to go into these professions act like this? I just don't get it.
Glad you stood your ground and reminded them that you were there to discuss JOHN.
Hope things turn around for you - maybe they were just having an off day for some other reason and you won't have to deal with that attitude again. One can hope anyway.
Jessie
|
|
|
|
Post by Debi on May 12, 2005 18:13:00 GMT -5
Yes, Carolyn I know just HOW thick the atmosphere is at those meetings.. been to quite a few of them myself. It's tough, but keep your cool, keep your focus on John just as you did in this meeting, and write up your notes. I think it's very helpful to just write detailed notes of what everyone said and be sure to keep doing that in both formal and informal conversations. You can't really "use" someone's comments outside a meeting but it helps YOU keep track of important issues.
I agree with you that they will be lucky to have John in their class and I suspect he will be quite the good teacher for this team. I'm sorry you have to get this initiation this early.. maybe you will have a tough IEP but a really good school year ; then this will be worth it.
|
|
|
|
Post by momofrussell on May 12, 2005 18:19:47 GMT -5
WOW, Carolyn, I don't know what all to say. First maybe a **WHEW** for having the first transition IEP out of the way. I know it can be a biggy for most of us. I too was nervous but excited prior to ours last year, but it did turn out good. I am sorry the tension was so thick you needed a knife to cut your way through it. I find it facinating that maybe the people don't like each other. So sad... and yes, you are ALL their with a common goal, to give what is best for John. And amnesia from the principal and spec ed teacher.. now THAT would have bugged me something else! LOL... Hope you helped them remember!
I really don't see how they can DENY you an aide or para. I'd like to here their reasoning... and you just say.. "nope.. para or I don't sign!" heehee ;D And the old "put it in writing why I can't have it" will probably do the trick too!
I have to say I have always had WONDERFUL principals at the schools Russell was at... all but ONE! Back in IL we had a principal who thought he was the president of the USA! LMAO! He was NOT at the IEP.. thank goodness, but after a week of school with no aide, at my request, we (teacher and I) realized he needed one for their set up and structure. He questioned me why... and said "I thought you said you didn't need an aide". Uh, yeah.. but have you SEEN my son lately? LOL... we got an aide.. he was nice after that.. but he was a hoot, he really thought he was some big cheese president or something... I'd "hear" things from our coordinator and visaversa... it was funny..
ok.. so I digress here....
Anyway... IF the plan that you spelled out (I think I followed as good as I could LOL) is what you want and is "appropriate placement" for John, then that should be it! I just wish they weren't so TENSE at the meeting. Things like that make my mind wander and wonder....
Good luck Carolyn!!!!!!!! I think you did good, girl! Remember, even if they don't THINK you are part of the team, jump right in and JOIN the team and show them! heehee
Hugs!
A.
|
|
|
|
Post by carolyn on May 14, 2005 9:11:55 GMT -5
A little bit of an update. I talked yesterday with my transition coordinator and John's current teacher. They agreed the meeting was terrible, embarrassing actually and agree that I might need to re-think even sending John to this school. If this is the team that I will have to deal with, ugh. I decided to spend the weekend thinking about this, perhaps visiting my other options again,next week, and really listening to my intuition. I know that one of the other districts I visited really gave me a good feeling, but I just really wanted John to be in the same school as his brother. But you know what, Peter only has one year left in that building anyhow, so whats the difference! The other district I have to consider is so small the whole thing is housed in 1 building. K-12 share the same principal. According to my sources, the advantage is that the smaller districts are usually more willing to get involved- they have more time and energy to work with - The district I am in now is not exactly big- 4 grade schools, 1 middle and one high school. But it is big for the county I live in. Many districts are tiny. Also, this smaller district does not have an in house special ed room- he could end up leaving anyhow if the work becomes to much. But as of today, the special ed woman I would get in my home district pissed me off so bad I guess i would rather take my chances. She made absolutely NO attempt to impress me- to reassure me- to give me one reason to give her the chance to work with my kid. He is a great kid, and deserves the best!
|
|
|
|
Post by momofrussell on May 14, 2005 10:54:24 GMT -5
Russell usually does not attend our home schools. We tried when we moved to IL but it didn't work and then was sent 30-45 minutes away from us and it was the BEST decision we made for him  I always wanted Russell in our homeschool or close to home, but I have always realized to truly find "appropriate placement" I have to take "want" out of the equation. It's funny (actually bizarre funny not HAHA funny) how alot of you have to beg, borrow and steal to get your child "out of district" for appropriate placement. We have always been offerred this stuff, I have never had to ask or go look for it. I am sorry some districts don't see it that way.  Again, Russell is an enigma all on his own and "appropriate placement" is something different for us, but I feel SO bad that some of you have to jump through hoops for things rightfully YOURS! A. |
|
|
|
Post by rickismom on May 14, 2005 16:13:52 GMT -5
GOSH O GOLLIES!
What a meeting! I know that we also sent Ricki to a different school than she "should " have gone to. And although she doesn't live by her classmates, the negative attitude of the principal of the school nearest me really scared me off. I think that first priority for a school is that they should WANT your child.
|
|
|
|
Post by momofrussell on May 14, 2005 16:37:51 GMT -5
Speaking of principals. Isn't it strange that a principal can make or break a spec ed setting at a school. So very sad I think. All but one of our principals have been WONDERFUL and VERY pro Spec Ed. When we first moved to IL and placed Russell at the elementary school in their EC class, that principal was a hoot! He thought he was the president of the USA or something... truly a hoot! So, he didn't get that involved with IEP's, THANK GOODNESS, but he was sure opinionated on how HIS school should be ran (with that Tim Allen AUH AUH AUH inserted here!). And... ironically... I was JUST told Friday that they DO have a new teacher hired for next year, since they are taking away my prize possesion LOL. They say I will like her... then the coordinator says.. OH, and you know the principal is leaving too?, RIGHT?  UH, no, funny, she just LIED TO ME and told me a day or two ago that she will be at Russell's IEP in the Fall! Ok.. sorry to start rambling and take over here... but I had to share! A. |
|
I always wanted Russell in our homeschool or close to home, but I have always realized to truly find "appropriate placement" I have to take "want" out of the equation. 
Again, Russell is an enigma all on his own and "appropriate placement" is something different for us, but I feel SO bad that some of you have to jump through hoops for things rightfully YOURS!
