Comments on: Megan

By: starrlife

starrlife — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:31 +0000

I’ll write a post on our whole school process if it’s helpful.

By: Amysilverman

Amysilverman — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:40:21 +0000

why do my role models (in so many ways) have to live on the other side of the world, practically?! THANK YOU for this.

By: Amysilverman

Amysilverman — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:38:21 +0000

You’re not prying! (And even if you are, I’m certainly asking for it!)
We don’t know yet what the attorney will recommend, as it turns out I didn’t even have a full copy of the IEP in my files. So right now we’re in info-gathering mode. Then I’ll know more.
And this might sound bad, but from what I hear, there’s not enough similarity between Sophie and Megan’s situations to warrant a meeting…. And to be honest, I’m not sure I’m prepared to hear what is going on with her. I’m pretty precariously balanced psych-wise, just dealing with Sophie day-to-day. I know that’s not the most self-flattering thing to say, but it’s true….

By: starrlife

starrlife — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:45:10 +0000

Well, 3rd grade was indeed the hardest year for us and we got some vibes about changing to the school with a “resource classroom” but (and I won’t judge you whatever you do) we thought long and hard and decided that there is more to school for Kayli than academics, she is like Sophie in terms of this school is HERS and we could not take it from her without some really good indicator of need. Kayli is not suffering, she is steadily learning and 4th grade is turning out to be fabulous! She is not as good a reader it sounds as Sophie- I don’t care. At personal reading time the teacher has set it up that she and a peer read together, she goes out for one on one time happily for a total of about two hours, she joined band (her initiative and I can’t say how it’s going to go and she is a main member of the jump rope team. She has playdates and b-day invites. This year we presented to her class about DS and they loved it!
If we had thought that the resource room option was the right one we would do it and who knows, perhaps next year will be different. But I’m holding out until middle school! The teen across the street went to the resource room and they loved it, felt it was a perfect decision for their child.
I think that if you just ignore the pressure to go elsewhere and have reasonable requests for accomodations (we have a 1:1) than they should respect that. Hugs…

By: krlr

krlr — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:51:05 +0000

Can I ask what sort of accomodations the atty is recommending (or that you think she needs?)? An aide? If she’s reading at grade level, does she primarily need help with math? Is it a finishing-within-the-alloted-time issue? Or the “activities”? (my oldest is only in K, so not sure what the “activities” would be in 2nd grade….). Sorry I’m prying.

Am also very curious about Megan. Sounds like you know people in common, or could find them? Since, you know, you’re a journalist (friendly pushing? Is that selfish?)

By: amy

amy — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:55:07 +0000

they mainstream — somewhat. their idea of mainstreaming is to segregate all the MR kids in the district at one school, where they have a mix of inclusion with the typical kids at that school and pulling out. i can see many reasons why this is done — mainly financial. it means, however, that the child will likely not be at her home school. that would be the case for us.

By: Hallie

Hallie — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 03:51:35 +0000

Amy,

Do they not mainstream the kids in Arizona? They do in Connecticut. I just assumed that was happening everywhere. I can’t even believe that’s a possibility for Sophie. I’m in shock.

By: cheryl fisher

cheryl fisher — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:48:16 +0000

I hear you! I have no idea how to make this better, either – but I hear you loud and clear. This makes me sad to think we have to even make these considerations. That, in and of itself, sets apart. Enough said.