A side note to let you all know that Stephen will be back in school tomorrow. We managed to survive another spring break. The first day or so was chilly, but the last few days have been a preview of summer in Alabama. The weather has been sunny with temps. in the high 70's - 80's. Wanting so much to wear shorts but I don't dare yet. By not doing so, I am doing my town a small favor. Stephen has been wearing his little short sets, stylin' and profilin' :) But mom needs a few visits to the tanning salon and a couple of bottles of lotion :P
You will not believe the things Stephen has been learning lately! I will put a couple of albums together and have them ready for all to view soon.
On the first day back to school, I have a busy schedule. Tons of house work to get caught up on, and then I have a pre-IEP meeting with the staff at Stephen's school at 1:00. We may be revising his IEP...He's missed so much time from school, due to his illnesses, I'm afraid he will have nothing mastered. For example, he was supposed to be 100% toilet trained by May of 2004. He's only about 80%. This can hurt him. As backwards as this all sounds, in the state of AL if a special ed. student fails to master their goals, they are denied extended school year services. However, if children in regular ed do not excell, they must go to summer school. Go figure. Our state is suffering terribly in the education budget dept. and of course, special education student's needs come last bc they do not have the "potential" regular ed. students have. (that's my opinion) No Child Left Behind, MY Arse! The no child left behind had good intentions I think, but I've seen too many loop holes in it where special ed is concerned. And the new IDEA is ...well, I only have a 2,500 character limit. I won't get on my soap box. But to make a long story short, children like Stephen have less rights as of this time last year :(
ANYway, we are going to get out and enjoy this last day of spring break. I'll try to have Stephen's albums ready soon. Y'all have a pleasant Sunday!
19 comments:
{{{{{Mia}}}}} glad you survived spring break. Your weather sounds like ours...I know {{{{{Stephen}}}}} is enjoying being able to wear his shorts. Please give him a huge hug for me!
I'm definitely seeing the irony in that. I guess they figure if a child isn't progressing, the parent isn't doing their part? And they aren't going to offer it to kids whose parents aren't helping out? But then again.. wouldn't that go the same for non special ed kids? Grrr.. If you had more energy, I'd tell you to go to Washington! Change the laws! Fight the good fight. But I know it's sometimes hard enough to comb your hair most days. :(
I'm a little confused. Does this mean they won't let him continue in school? If so, I think that reeks of dog doodoo. I don't think children's potentials should be compared to anyone else to determine their value or abilities. I sure hope the meeting goes well for you. :-) ---Robbie
Public educational systems are suffering nationwide. And what I've been reading about AL and the special ed resources, it's REALLY suffering. I just don't get it. Keep doing what you're doing - all will work out as it needs to. No need to put added stress on yourself - or Stephen. I hope you enjoyed your last day of Spring Break. :)
Viv-Gave him all the hugs and sends back many more! He had a fun day today. I think he's ready to get back to school and see his friends :)
SloMo-I'm just not sure what their reasoning is. From what I've read, I can fight against those decisions. But is the stress really worth it? I know I can do the same thing with him at home. It's just that all else will have to be put on hold till fall. ...including my health. I just don't have "time" to take care of myself. Darn this getting old crap. All in all, he has great teachers this year. So that's a big plus.
Robbie-No, it isn't right and I didn't even know they could do such until year before last, which was the worst experience we've ever had in the education system. I almost took him out to home school. It was awful! But, The last year and a half has been back to normal and he has teachers who really love their job and the kids. It shows in him. He's happy :)
Freee-You're right, and you know how I stress. I sound like a whiner. It could be a lot worse. Correct, AL is just terrible, and it's so needless. The money is THERE. It's just being grossly mismanaged. Until we have people in Montgomery who know how to do their job, it's going to be like this...Sad isn't it? They can't even afford classroom books, they say. That's a bunch of hooey! if you ask me..
Mia congrats on seeing the "break" through! Seems though like a ridiculous rule if children are being denied services for not having met an "arbitrary" goal set in an ideal rather than reality. They should be looking for improvements, not perfection and the pace should be set by Stephen. He's had a harder route to follow with all the additional physical stress his body has been through with the illnesses. He's done great/still smiling! Like to smack those numbskulls!
Ayn-Thanks for your support, hon! That's a good way to look at it, Improvement instead of perfection. I'll remember that. I looked at his report card again last night and he's got 2 improvements, and 2 continue to train marks. In speech, he's mastered 2 goals. (giving high 5's) :)
Hope Stephen's first day back went well. I can understand your frustration with the school situation but am still hoping that things work themselves out for the best to you. I know you will have a busy schedule but don't overtax yourself if you can help it. Sending more love and hugs to you and Stephen. ~RC~
RC-thanks for the well wishes. The meeting was really nice. He's doing better than I thought. Much due to the fact he has a great teacher and teacher's aides. The director they have for his school's spec. ed. dept. really advocates for them and got funding to go through! YaY! For her! =)
It breaks my heart that some children are denied because they have special needs. We all know that some children in all walks of life are indeed "left behind."
My thoughts and prayers, as well as good vibes are coming from me. I hope everything works out for Stephen.
Hug the little guy for me please!
Love you both, Penny
Penny-thanks for commenting. I found out that the director at his school was able to get funding from the state the other day! We are so blessed to be surrounded by people who care, and do all they can for him and his classmates. I've seen the worse side of it one year at his old school, and it's really hard in those situations. If you have a good team on your side, you have it made.
RC-he had a great few days back. He's really hyper these days but we're hanging in there. The boy loves school!
So what you're saying is that if Stephen isn't 100% potty trained by May, he won't be able to continue his schooling? Surely I'm misunderstanding...because that's just crazy!
But I'm so glad he's doing so well. I'll look forward to seeing his albums. =)
Bridgette-The meeting went SO much better than I'd even hoped. The staff at this school are heavy advocates and got the funding that is needed! (YaY!) They are saying that although he isn't 100%, he has improved and they feel that's good enough! Year before last, different school, different story. I lost 15 lbs and cried all the time then :( it was a nightmare.
It's maddening to read that Stephen is in effect being penalized for what he has yet to accomplish instead of being rewarded for what he HAS accomplished under the current special needs educational system. I'm not going to get on my soap box either, except to say that's it's the working class like us who suffer from a government that doesn't have its priorities straight!
Muse-Amen! Thank GOD the staff at this new school is working hard to get the funding needed. (that's really what it all boils down to...money) So many people have expressed concern about this, I'll try to write an entry on this subject. Thanks so much for your support!
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