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Post by steffipoo on Nov 24, 2008 10:55:46 GMT -5
 Well I put Olivia in a special education school this year on a trial basis and it looks like this trial is gonna end. It's just not working out and Olivia is gonna be MIFFED!!!! She LOVES it there . She's part of the best buddies program loves her new friends but here's the kicker.. Seems like all the work we have been doing to get her to progress so much last year has gone out the window. I sent it all explained to the teacher what she's been doing etc. Everytime I go there for a surprise visit they are watching a movie or playing. Hey I am all for playing but PLEASE!!!! They finally at my request sent her to a different class for math. YES my daughter who's in 6th grade is in a high school math class at her school. Her class is no where near where Olivia is academically so she seems to be just loving being the smartest kid in class but it's not helping her at all. None of the kids in her class reads and they don't seem to be working on any reading with her. She hasn't regressed but hasn't progressed either. She has never ever had homework and she is used to HW every night. It's just not working out everyone is very loving and nice but I am definately NOT into movies and playing everyday. Parent particpation is nill. I went to open house and I kid u not there were me my mom my sis my cousin my son myself and 6 other parents there. For OPEN HOUSE!!!! UGGGG, Today I go do Olivias yearly IPP. Oh yea and they have yet to mention Livs IEP even though her bday was nov 13th. WEIRD. Me no likey. Any suggestions for me I am very frustrated right now. I'm done with school in dec then ready to start work after taking my test in Boston(hey Allisa was thinking bout coming to see you all then me n my mom are gonna make it an excursion for a few days)) on May 21st so after dec I have all the time in the world for a long time. Can't work in the hospital till after I pass the test. I need help feel like it is no where near the level she is on and if I hear about one more movie she saw I will SCREAM!!! HELP!!! (((HUGS))) Steff
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Post by Pat on Nov 24, 2008 12:50:27 GMT -5
((Hugs)) Steff!!! Can't believe they have so much play time. AAHHHH My IEP was a year late one time & twice no 6 mth reviews GRR (not going there)  All that to say, "If you don't call it, it will happen later than sooner." Come to think of it, I wonder if mine would have happened at all??  (yes, I know they have to, but they didn't.) Pat |
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Post by jelanismom on Nov 25, 2008 12:43:13 GMT -5
Hi Steff,
I've been so busy and I missed this...plus Jelani just had a birthday and we've been partying for 5 days straight!!! lolol ;D
I haven't much advice and anyway how could I? I need your advice!
But here's some ideas...just wanted to throw them out there.
Maybe contact the two people below, esp. Liz Spencer and just have a chat and run it all down to her. Liz has a teen with Down syndrome. You may already know her. In case you don't, she heads up the Family Resource Ctr. at WRC.
I've called upon her many times in the past with questions regarding just about anything and she's so helpful. She's also a hoot...she'll make you laugh in a heartbeat, kinda synical and upbeat with alot of wisdom and caring advice.
310-258-4063
And this lady just seems so helpful and I only spoke with her once. Not sure if she's in Olivia's age group of expertise.
Nancy Guardado
Service Coordinator
Westside Regional Center
5901 Green Valley Circle, Suite 320
Culver City, CA 90230
T (310) 258-4178
hugs,
Dawn
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Post by jelanismom on Nov 25, 2008 12:47:55 GMT -5
OH! And I forgot to mention what I think... Ok here it is....I think Olivia will definitly be going into some type of movie production position after her formative years in school.  ;D all this movie stuff has me craving popcorn!!! I know it's not a laughing matter Steff, but I tend laugh to just not cry. |
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Post by Ericsmomma on Nov 25, 2008 19:12:25 GMT -5
I can definetly see Liv in "High School Musical #10".....she's a natural talent!
And yes, I would push to get more academics....play is important, but so are the three "R's".
Olivia is blessed to be able to do regular school work, so why wouldn't they challenge her?
Each child should be dealt with individually, playing to both their strengths and weaknesses.
You should be able to see progress...if not, I'd sure be asking why!
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Post by alisonzmom on Nov 26, 2008 9:52:38 GMT -5
Hmmmm...... gotta say that sucks!!! You would think they would encourage and push Liv to continue to progress NOT sit around watching movies! They would not want to see "Barb-zilla" gracing their door, LOL!!! Do you think calling a team meeting and discussing your frustration and "displeasure" over the way things are being handled right now and how things can be changed to promote progress?
Sure wish ya didn't have to deal with this!
Barb
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Post by Googsmom aka Jennifer on Nov 26, 2008 10:27:46 GMT -5
How did the meeting go Steff? Did they listen to ya?
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Post by steffipoo on Nov 26, 2008 18:13:57 GMT -5
goin next week.... Thanks for everyones' input. (((HUGS)))) Steff
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Post by Jackie on Nov 27, 2008 10:59:30 GMT -5
Steff...I understand. Special Ed is not what it once used to be. I imagine special classes are still excellent in select schools where there is a lot of oversight. Even though we chose to go the total inclusion route with Em I can still see how she would have benefitted if there had been decent sped available to us. When she was a freshman in HS ...I think I told this story before...I went with her the last hour of the day to the sped class to celebrate her birthday with all her friends from special olympics. She was an office aide sixth hour and we worked it out so she was excused. I took in cake and individual cups of ice cream. Well my first surprise was that Em was not the focus...she was told to sit at a desk like everyone else...and then the AIDE passed out the cups...she also popped the tops off of each one as SHE handed it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now mind you...these young adults were from 16-22!!!! Two even drove their own cars. How hard is it to pop the top off your own icecream....LOL. This was just the beginning...but the clincher for me was the end of the hour when spelling tests (yes spelling tests still at this age)...were passed out and then the aide called everyones name and had them go put a big smiley face sticker right on top of their laminated school mascot with their name on it....sheesh......I was cringing in my chair at this point and had zippers on my mouth. Almost all the work done in these classes was worksheets...one after the other. Very little teaching or lecturing. The class was a mixed bag of disabilities but at least half were "learners" and I shudder to think what they missed. Like so many sped programs...the aides did it all. Not sure what the teacher ever did...but I did write down once her statement to me on the phone...."We haven't wented to the mall for a while and we haven't wrotten in our journals this week at all"...yup...her exact grammar and a college degree. (Years ago one of the first educational gurus Lou Brown...said we should all put our kids next to the best and brightest because thats how they learn best.) These people had no clue. One of the unfortunates was Elvis...who sadly to this day cannot even read. He drives..cant read the signs (  ?)...and can do lots of things but has 0 academic skills. I also observed another functional living class where they were supposed to learn survival skills. And...found them doing nothing but crafts...even guys were doing purple and pink butterflies on that plastic stuff with holes in it...using yarn to sew with. I think I heard they cooked about 3 times all semester. It IS sometimes very hard with our kids to know if you are really reaching them. Just to be able to repeat a string of letters or numbers back is not necessarily learning them. We need teachers who know how to teach with comprehension...and to know when concepts ARE being comprehended. There is value to play and friendship enrichment...but at Liv's age...school should be a serious business. I think you are right Steff to be upset. It becomes very hard when our kids are so happy in settings that we perceive as inadequate. I guess each of us has to evaluate our own child and decide if we cant have it all...which aspects are most important for their development and happiness. I was very careful to not push Em past the point of no return when it came to learning...but still think if she had had more support she would have learned even more. There is just sooooo much our kids CAN and SHOULD be learning in class..in or out of sped. Our kids are being better socially included every day so I no longer think that should be the sole criteria for placement in school. I think the most enriched learning environment for their skill levels and learning styles should be it. When most of us can turn the kitchen table into a tutorial center to reinforce or TEACH the skills they are supposed to be getting...why can't educated professionals do the same thing in an appropriate setting. My Thanksgiving vent...LOL...Thankful that is ALL behind me. |
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Post by ALLISA on Nov 27, 2008 21:21:42 GMT -5
this thread is about school.....all I saw was Steff say she was heading MY way.....please tell me if you are coming here Steff !! I'd love to have you and your mom !!
Okay....back to thread.....I'm sorry to hear that it isn't working out....but sounds to me as though you are making correct choice.....Liv is capable and should be doing the academics.....
what a complete and total disappoint that must be for you.
I have a friend who is now homeschooling her young teenager for the exact same reason.....
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Post by Googsmom aka Jennifer on Nov 27, 2008 22:34:56 GMT -5
Ya know Steff, I was actually thinking about this today while making pie. This is just my two cents..LOL If by the grace of God Brook is doing so well in school like Liv is, i'd be pushing for them to push her more. I'm always pushing Brook to try and do new things. If she was doing math etc.. like Liv is and needed more oppurtunities, i'd be making a stink to get the proper schoolwork. OK...i'd first ask nicely of corse, but if they said no...grrr. Liv is such a smart girl. You need to do what your momma gut is telling you too.{{{{ HUGS}}}}}
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Post by CC on Nov 28, 2008 22:22:16 GMT -5
Aww Steff that just plain SUCKS. I hope you all can work it out since Liv seems to like it.
One thing I have always tried to find is a program where Chris kind of fit right in the middle. You know not the highest functioning to give him something to strive for and not the lowest to kind of keep his self esteem going, KWIM.
Funny how different schools are, Chris goes to a school just for ones with exceptional needs and gets homework every day, has a set schedule of academics, life skills and a work program which works into his transition stuff...
We really are lucky its NOT a perfect program but then again where is that perfect program?? I keep looking LOL Worst thing in Christopher's program is their gym class OMG its just so way behind where Chris is KWIM.
Anyway didn't mean to ramble here...
The good news is if they don't get their acts together pronto for Liv you can move her back to the public school.
Hope you don't mind me asking but why did you move Liv out of the public school?
CC ~ |
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(yes, I know they have to, but they didn't.)
;D
?)...and can do lots of things but has 0 academic skills. I also observed another functional living class where they were supposed to learn survival skills. And...found them doing nothing but crafts...even guys were doing purple and pink butterflies on that plastic stuff with holes in it...using yarn to sew with. I think I heard they cooked about 3 times all semester.
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