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Post by ALLISA on Aug 14, 2007 9:16:16 GMT -5
Hey all, I have a follow-up IEP meeting tomorrow....and I'm getting some bad vibes from it..... The SPED director will be there ( and she NEVER goes to meetings....usually a rep is there) also her behavior consultant will be there....and she is OFF for summer..... I know they are going to push to send her to an out of district school that I DO NOT think is appropriate....I have written notes to myslef and know what I want to say....but I have a feeling it is going to be unpleasant tomorrow....so any good vibes you can send me will be appreciated ! A good friend of mine is coming for moral support and to have soemone on "my side"....let's just hope I can myslef together and advocate in the best way for my sweetie...... Thanks guys....I'll let you know how it goes......
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Post by madiparkersmom on Aug 14, 2007 9:24:43 GMT -5
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck! Keep us updated.
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Post by Chester on Aug 14, 2007 9:34:42 GMT -5
Good Luck. I was just in your shoes. I had a bad feeling too, but it turned out to be the smoothest one yet.
I'm hoping they all keep Erin and her best interests in mind, not just what makes a good fit, or good operating sense to the school.
I'll be waiting to hear how it went. Dawn
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Post by Cbean on Aug 14, 2007 11:43:58 GMT -5
Good luck tomorrow. Will be sending positivity your way. Let us know how you made out. Remember to ask for a break if you need it!!!
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Post by Chris too on Aug 14, 2007 15:14:40 GMT -5
You'll be great, Alissa. This bit of unpleasantness is for Erin, so I just know you can handle it for her.
Best wishes! Chris too
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Post by Emilysmom on Aug 14, 2007 19:19:07 GMT -5
Allisa, I'll be sending TONS of positive thoughts! ! ! You CAN do this!!! You KNOW what is best for Erin. Be CALM, don't let them get to you, don't get in a hurry to speak at all..............but when you do, calmly tell them exactly WHAT Erin needs in order to learn. Don't let them even talk about PLACEMENT, till you ALL decide what services she needs. And, remember that you do not have to sign anything...........take it home, read it however many times you need to first. I strongly encourage the 3 ring binder with information about Erin inside it, so you will have important info about her in YOUR fingertips. And, even more importantly, I'd be sure to put several photos of her on the front cover so that everyone can see exactly who their plans are being made for. Sorry; you didn't ask for advice! Couldn't help myself! You're in my thoughts!!!
Susan
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Post by CC on Aug 14, 2007 20:53:10 GMT -5
BEST of LUCK going out to you for tomorrow. Stay calm, as Christine said take a break if necessary. I have done that many times when the IEP was a hard one. But most of all remember they can NOT force you to a program you feel is not appropriate and nothing is written in stone. If the worse comes to be and you are not happy just call another IEP. And if it helps any vision us all here from UNO right behind you CC ~
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Post by laurasnowbird on Aug 14, 2007 23:41:34 GMT -5
Good luck, Allisa. And remember, they cannot force her out of an inclusive environment until they have tried EVERYTHING, and can prove she is not making progress. I'm glad you're taking a friend, but we'll be there with you in spirit. And I agree with the others....don't sign anything you don't have a good feeling about. Especially if they come up with something that you haven't had time to consider or check out thoroughly! HUGS, HUGS, HUGS!!!!! Laura
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Post by ALLISA on Aug 15, 2007 11:48:51 GMT -5
I had my meeting this morning. Overall I'd say it went just as I thought it would.....the whole team recommends out of district placement. Which I am not 100 % against, but want the time to find the best spot for her. So the big question in the meantime is what to do while she "waits"...... I pushed AGAIN for more consistency with aides ( not rotating staff) and was shot down AGAIN.....I think that is a huge obstacle for Erin...havind differnet aides with differnet styles, expections, etc..... They did relent on the speech issue so she is getting what I wanted there. I did tell them I strongly object to the out of distrcit placement they had suggested a few weeks ago and gave detailed back up as to why and I think that is a mute point now. She is going to send me an amended IEP that says the team ( with the exception of me) is recommending out of district placement and I am waiting until 8 weeks after school starts and to evaluate how she is doing before I make that final decision. The good news is I'm proud of the job I did standing up for Erin and even managed to get through it without tears !! No tissues needed for this gal ! I prepped by writing down all my points and I read it before anyone else got a chance to say anthing. It was really nice having my friend with me....she didn't say anything....but she kept me grounded, focused and gave me a morale boost ! And of course.....all your positive thoughts helped, too Thanks guys !
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Post by Chester on Aug 15, 2007 14:59:15 GMT -5
Great Job! I was thinking about you, and was hoping you had updated.
I think re-evaluating at 8 weeks is a wonderful idea. That gives you time to take a look at ALL of the options while they are operating. Maybe you've already done that though?
Interesting about the inconsistent aides. Our special ed. director refused to sign our IEP when I asked for a consistent aide. He finally did after I suggested a consistent aide for the first 6 weeks of school and then we'll re-evaluate. At least he'll be able to get into a routine of the day without trying to figure out how to manipualte each different aide. JT's teacher has since told me not to worry, she's going to leave the same aide with JT.
Good job, I'm proud of you! Dawn
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Post by CC on Aug 15, 2007 21:06:00 GMT -5
"The good news is I'm proud of the job I did standing up for Erin and even managed to get through it without tears !! No tissues needed for this gal ! I prepped by writing down all my points and I read it before anyone else got a chance to say anthing." Even if you don't know exactly what you want for Erin in the 8 weeks they can not just make you leave girl. It will work out I am sure CC ~
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Post by Chris too on Aug 15, 2007 21:11:49 GMT -5
I knew you could do it! WTG!
Chris too
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Post by Emilysmom on Aug 15, 2007 21:31:26 GMT -5
WTG Allisa!! I'm very proud of you! I knew you could do it!
Susan
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Post by momofrussell on Aug 15, 2007 22:50:47 GMT -5
Allisa... did the show you ANY "burden of proof" to back up why Erin needs to be placed out of district? They HAVE to have proof!!! IF she is doing her goals, ect... then they can't just arbitrarily (sp?) move her. Further more... the law truly reads that EVERYTHING must be done in the current setting BEFORE placeing the child in a different placement or more restrictive environment... THIS INCLUDES... a CONSISTANT AIDE... or 1:1 FIRST....before changing placement.
If you ask me...they are almost doing an illegal change on you. I'd have to see more proof then just "we have decided and no you can't have a more consistant aide situation". Nope.. not good enough. I'd say... give me the eight weeks AND more aide consistancy and THEN prove Erin can't handle it! Any and all supports are to be provided by law in the current LRE setting to collect data to prove it's not working.
Like districts try to say things like "well, if you need a 1:1 that means you need a new placement, more restrictive, you can't have 1:1"... and OH CONTRARE! YOU MUST try to provide the 1:1 or ANY AND ALL supports FIRST before changing placement.
So... I think you did a great job standing your ground... and I truly would suggest if you REALLY don't want Erin at this other placement, you really need to think about an advocate or even a lawyer. I feel they are trying to snow you... I really do.
I am proud of you for sticking your ground and getting what you think is appropriate for Erin! YOU ROCK!
A.
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Post by ALLISA on Aug 16, 2007 7:39:47 GMT -5
thanks all for the responses ! A.....I did leave with a lot of questions.......if they are willing to spend "x" amount of dollars in out-placement.....why can't they spend that here and get a GOOD teacher/aide ? The "reasons" they gave are JUST what you said and I DO feel they are NOT legitmate reasons..... Erin is requiring too much Her program is getting too "specific" it is a public school and she can't "act up " in the hallway, upsetting studetns and parents no answers they gave had ANYTHING to do with goals and not meeting them..... so I had a bad feeling.....BUT......there is that part of me that feels she may be better off in the private, so if it's what I want....I don't care what their reason is....so long as I get what I want ( sweet of me ! ).....but.....I'm not 100 % sure WHAT I want..... The Sped director did say one thing that really bugged me....but I just held my tounge, because why be fighting when it's not the right time ? She pushed the Collaberative school again and mentioned they have a second one ( not the one I visited and hated) but another one and perhaps I should go see that....."because the sequence is public, collaberative, and THEN private"....like I MUST try a collabeative before going to private.....I KNOW that is BS.....but, why bother pointing that out ? All it did was re-inforce what I knew.....they want the quickest easiest solution for them....not best for Erin....
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