Has the last 7 days felt more like 14? Has Charlie Sheen’s problems made you weep because they have stopped production on Two and a Half Men? Are you stunned by Kara’s review of Casey’s singing this week on American Idol? Wasn’t she mooning over the guy just last week? Or how about Ellen’s terrible critiques in general on the show? Have you felt like you were the one standing in the spotlight on stage waiting for 4 people to rip you to shreds as you just sang your heart out? Or maybe you received their praises and have been glowing ever since. Well tell me about it- in letter form of course. Write the who, what, when, where, and why of it all. Grab my button from the RIGHT sidebar and link up at the bottom. I look forward to your Letters of Intent!
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Dear A.R.D. Committee (Admissions, Review, and Dismissal),
Next Tuesday I will be sitting in a room with you discussing Jakob’s I.E.P. (Individualized Education Program). Please for the love of all things that are good and holy- let’s not make this difficult this time. I know the school district does not want to allocate money to special services outside of the regular education classroom. But you and I both know that you are required by law to provide them. Jakob is under the autism umbrella now and so it is I who has the upper hand- not you. So yes, he is kind, responsible, well behaved, and smart. He does not cause problems for his teachers. He is a joy in the classroom. Wonderful- I love hearing these things. But, that does not mean that you get to neglect his needs because he is not making waves behaviorally.
Yes, I’m well aware of how good his grades are. But his disabilities are keeping him from reaching his full potential. Jakob is a s.p.o.n.g.e. and has a love of learning. He could be doing so much better than he already is. So when I ask for more accommodations do not guffaw at the idea.
A child who is reading almost 2 levels higher than his grade level should not be making “B’s” and “C’s” on his writing. He is being penalized for his fine motor disability. So when I ask for graph paper for tests, dictation for essays, access to the computer for any written assignments, copying from the board/overhead to be obsolete, extra time on tests as needed, and daily visits into the writing lab with the resource teacher- I expect to hear a resounding “yes” across the board.
Thank you,
A mom who is ready for battle and is not taking “no” for an answer.
Don’t mess with Mama Bear when she’s protecting her cubs.
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Dear all my legion of fans/followers/and lurkers,
I am working again today. I promise to leave you some comment love for your link-ups as soon as I am home from work. And thank you so much for you patience last week with MckLinky. I think we got things all worked out!
XOXO,
Your humble leader. (Bawahahahaha)
26 Validations To Make Me Feel Worthy:
Katie has Irlen's Syndrome, which is a form of dyslexia and her's is a severe case. She had modifications one of which was all her handouts had to be run off on paper in her "colors" (she had to use colored overlays because of the tracking issues and the words as blurred). One teacher tried saying it was too much trouble.
Seriously? Yeah - she didn't try that stunt again after I started making phone calls. Rooting for you!
Wow. GOOD LUCK, WOMAN! You tell 'em who's boss! I hope it all works out for you. You sound like a spectacular mom!
I hate dealing with the kinds of things ...I am an advid pursuant of the rights of Autistic and special needs kids....My kid is perfectly fine but I know a little boy who truly makes me feel awesome everytime we talk and he is just such a great kid...problem he is under that broad umbrella of Autism and our school tries to dismiss his needs because he is not "that" disfunctional....His mother is soft spoken but I am a lion in a room full of scavengers...I will stick up for the lambs ...so good for you never ever except no!
Hope all goes well, darlin'. My brother-in-law had major trouble with teachers at his school regarding his IEP, and my mother-in-law showed 'em who was boss. Stand up for your baby! :)
Love, LOVE, LOVE the new format! Wish I knew how to do it. Although I finally bought Photoshop.
TADA!
Can I also buy some time so I can figure it out or at least install it?
Preparing for 504 meeting with my daughter's 6th grade team. Pre-emptive strike before Jr. High. 504 for my own child is new thing for me.
Do you know what else? I have a secret. I have my mild/moderate special education endorsement. I have an M.Ed in educational psychology. I have 20 years of school counseling behind me and suddenly, with my own child, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!
Could you throw me that life saving unit right there? Yes, the donut one.
Aw. Thanks. I'll just rest for a minute right here...
US MAMA BEAR HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER! I didn't write a letter today, but perhaps I should have. My post almost came across sounding like one anyway!
And HERE, HERE on the A.I. judging. My biggest beef with them is how they rip one person to shreds for not changing up the song "TOO KAROKE"....and the next one gets tomatoes thrown at them cause they do! Make up your mind, dog.
I feel like that bear when they have one escalator working during rush hour and everyone starts crowding in on my kids. I hope your meeting is productive!
Good Luck! Don't talk "No" for an answer, like i know you won't!
W2G momma bear! Hope you get smiling faces and all the 'yes's' you can handle. :)
One of these days, I'm going to link up again. I DO feel like this week has been 14 days long.
Have a great weekend. Hope the weather cooperates for y'all. We are in for some nice weather... or I'm going to find the weatherman and you may see me in handcuffs on the news.
Good luck with that meeting!!
I was under the impression that the schools got MORE money for the kids they had in special services, so it seems weird to me that they wouldn't want to do those things for him. Unless, because he has a diagnosis they get the money anyway without doing anything extra.
What a tough situation. Get 'em mama bear!
Good luck with the meeting! Let that Mama Bear in you come out -- you're your child's best advocate!
Good luck in your meeting! I know they can be SUPER stressful! I have a degree in SPED so I have only been on the other side of the table...but I completly agree that every kid should get the things they need to reach their full potential! Sometimes money makes things so difficult!
For everything that is whole and holy I HAAAAAAAATE ARD meetings. It's like they think they know more than I do. I have one coming up in two weeks and I seriously want to b-slap the principal.
sometimes I feel like they don't listen to you at those meetings unless you threaten them. Not that I ever have or anything. Ok, maybe I have, but a mommas got to do what a mommas got to do.
Go get 'em Mama Bear! Fight!
good luck Mama Bear!!!
You go Mama Bear!
I'm not sure how they can argue with that!
I hope your meeting goes well. Children should be given all possible opportunities and resources and WTG for fighting for them and not sitting idly by.
Getting teachers to follow IEPs is like asking the Pope to ok birth control. It will most likely take an act of God Himself to make it happen. SMH........
Good luck though! Maybe it will be your lucky day :D
Good for you- fight for your son. So often schools try to cut corners- FIGHT on ma'am!!!
Good for you standing up for your babies. I hate that they only pay attention to the kids causing waves when their are others that need help as well.
It has been a crazy week for me. Sorry I haven't been around.
I know what you mean about not letting the kids who are quiet and get on with things fall under the radar...They are the ones who should be rewarded but it's often the naughty kids who get all the attention..
Opps, meant to ask - what gadget on blogger do you use for your link slideshow for blog buttons?? Or would I find it somewhere else??
Go, Mama Bear! Isn't it sad that we have to "fight" for what is right? Poor Jakob, who shouldn't have to be struggling so hard. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
You're right about his good behavior being a detriment to getting services he needs...makes me want to suggest paper airplanes and such...I know it's not right, but geez!!!
Glad you are working in these tough economic times... Sometimes the blog just must wait.
You are such a wonderful mom. Such a wonderful advocate for your boy!
(I have missed you!)
You go girl! Stick to your guns!!!! I am sorry I didn't link up this week - craziness - I will next week for sure :0 I gotta go read the one about Kate G. now. :)
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