Re: Flagpole mom, pt 4/ IT'S ALL OVER

[Guest guest]

Woman ends flagpole vigil after promise

from district

Saturday, September 02, 2000

By Janice Crompton, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

The mother of a Washington County special needs

student yesterday ended

her five-day vigil strapped to a flagpole after

McGuffey School District

officials promised to hire a teacher of the deaf

for her son.

Deanna Lesneski, 47, of Buffalo, said district

Director of Special Education

Sheryl Fleck promised on video that the district

would make a full-time nurse

available and hire a teacher with a master's

degree in education of the deaf for

7-year-old " Max " Lesneski, who has Down

syndrome, asthma and a

hearing disability.

The teacher, who Lesneski said she met yesterday,

also has two years'

experience as a therapeutic staff support person

and behavioral specialist for

the deaf. The nurse will be responsible for

administering Max's medication.

Lesneski said she will meet with Fleck and other

district officials Tuesday.

She said Fleck promised that if the agreement was

unsatisfactory, she could

return to her protest after the meeting.

Lesneski said state Department of Education and

the Pennsylvania Society for

the Deaf officials visited her yesterday and urged

her to accept the agreement.

They plan to review the agreement for compliance

with a pact ironed out in

February between the Lesneskis and the district.

" I felt secure in my decision to temporarily leave

until Tuesday, " said Lesneski.

She said that although she's hopeful the deal will

work out, she still plans to

bring a lawn chair and jump ropes -- the items she

used Monday to affix

herself to the flagpole at Blaine-Buffalo

Elementary School -- just in case.

Lesneski's protest was sparked when Max had an

asthma attack in school

Monday and Lesneski said district officials

informed her they would not be

administering Max's medications this year --

allegations the district denied.

Lesneski maintained the district mishandled her

son's education by not

providing him with a qualified sign-language

interpreter, as required by federal

law, and by refusing to administer his medications.

She vowed not to end her protest, which drew

dozens of supporters, until the

district had a contract with a proficient

sign-language aide.

For now, Lesneski said, she's happy with the

agreement, and eager to get

back home.

" I want to get a shower so bad I can't stand it, "

she said.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

just to throw a little comment in here. It seems to me, (and remember this

is only MY opinion!) that things have gone a trifle OTT in the other

direction now. What this woman apparantly wanted was someone who could sign

to act as intepreter for her son, so, i want one too, I got an unqualified

but highly adaptable and willing to learn person. Whats with the qualified

teacher of the deaf for what is basically only support work doing being

asked to do the job? Seems a very expensive and over the top solution to me

when there are (at least in the UK) far too few specialist teachers to go

round as it is that to supply one teacher full time to one child is a bit

much. And a full time nurse?!!! Why would he need a full time nurse unless

his medical problems require full time nursing care in which case a full

time nurse who can use sign language would probably save the state a lot of

money! Not knocking mums efforts you understand, merely the response to

them by the powers that be.

sue Wong>

> Woman ends flagpole vigil after promise

> from district

>

> Saturday, September 02, 2000

>

> By Janice Crompton, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

>

> The mother of a Washington County special needs

> student yesterday ended

> her five-day vigil strapped to a flagpole after

> McGuffey School District

> officials promised to hire a teacher of the

deaf

> for her son.

>

> Deanna Lesneski, 47, of Buffalo, said district

> Director of Special Education

> Sheryl Fleck promised on video that the

district

> would make a full-time nurse

> available and hire a teacher with a master's

> degree in education of the deaf for

> 7-year-old " Max " Lesneski, who has Down

> syndrome, asthma and a

> hearing disability.

>

> The teacher, who Lesneski said she met

yesterday,

> also has two years'

> experience as a therapeutic staff support

person

> and behavioral specialist for

> the deaf. The nurse will be responsible for

> administering Max's medication.

>

> Lesneski said she will meet with Fleck and

other

> district officials Tuesday.

>

> She said Fleck promised that if the agreement

was

> unsatisfactory, she could

> return to her protest after the meeting.

>

> Lesneski said state Department of Education and

> the Pennsylvania Society for

> the Deaf officials visited her yesterday and

urged

> her to accept the agreement.

>

> They plan to review the agreement for

compliance

> with a pact ironed out in

> February between the Lesneskis and the

district.

>

> " I felt secure in my decision to temporarily

leave

> until Tuesday, " said Lesneski.

> She said that although she's hopeful the deal

will

> work out, she still plans to

> bring a lawn chair and jump ropes -- the items

she

> used Monday to affix

> herself to the flagpole at Blaine-Buffalo

> Elementary School -- just in case.

>

> Lesneski's protest was sparked when Max had an

> asthma attack in school

> Monday and Lesneski said district officials

> informed her they would not be

> administering Max's medications this year --

> allegations the district denied.

>

> Lesneski maintained the district mishandled her

> son's education by not

> providing him with a qualified sign-language

> interpreter, as required by federal

> law, and by refusing to administer his

medications.

>

> She vowed not to end her protest, which drew

> dozens of supporters, until the

> district had a contract with a proficient

> sign-language aide.

>

> For now, Lesneski said, she's happy with the

> agreement, and eager to get

> back home.

>

> " I want to get a shower so bad I can't stand

it, "

> she said.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

I see your point. I don't think a nurse is needed on site full time, a

clinic aide who is well trained would be sufficient in my book. In cases of

a true emergency, I'd prefer a paramedic over a nurse anyday. I would want

someone who can get orders from an ER doctor and be able to administer

whatever drugs or life saving techniques needed. I don't think this is a

rural school, so one would tend to believe that a rescue squad is nearby.

I can't really express an opinion on the hearing impaired teacher. I

would think that a certified interpreter would be sufficient. I thought that

was what the mother wanted..someone certified in ESL..not speficially a

teacher.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/2/2000 11:34:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

c1ndysue1@... writes:

I see your point. I don't think a nurse is needed on site full time, a

clinic aide who is well trained would be sufficient in my book. SNIP

I can't really express an opinion on the hearing impaired teacher. I

would think that a certified interpreter would be sufficient.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I agree with both and Sue. Lets don't forget the mtg has not happened

yet, so they may at that time decide on a clinic aide/sign language aide.

Rejoice!

Amie

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My kids have never gone to a school that didn't have a school nurse on

site. And I always thought that having a nurse at each school (or sometimes

shared by two schools) was the rule rather than the exception.

I'm sure this woman's son is not the only child who needs nursing contact

time each day. For instance, in Washington, any child who needs medication

administered during the school day goes to the nurse to get it.

What with Ramona's medical needs, attendance at school would have been

very difficult without a nurse handy. We grew to rely on this wonderful

lady! But, she was not there just for my daughter...she was part of the

staff in the first place.

Take care,

mom to Ramona 16ds, and two big sisters on their own

c1ndysue1@... wrote:

<< I see your point. I don't think a nurse is needed on site full time, a

clinic aide who is well trained would be sufficient in my book. In cases of

a true emergency, I'd prefer a paramedic over a nurse anyday. I would want

someone who can get orders from an ER doctor and be able to administer

whatever drugs or life saving techniques needed. I don't think this is a

rural school, so one would tend to believe that a rescue squad is nearby.

>>

[Guest guest]

<< My kids have never gone to a school that didn't have a school nurse on

site. And I always thought that having a nurse at each school (or sometimes

shared by two schools) was the rule rather than the exception. >>

We have clinic aides in our schools. They administer the medication, call

parents when kids are sick, take care of the sick kids until the parents

arrive, etc.

[Guest guest]

Here we have school nurses present in the schools all day, in each and every

school. I believe the flagpole mom's argument was over the fact that school

refused to allow the child to self medicate or provide someone who would

administer the medication. The bottom line is, what does the IEP say?

Cheryl in VA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/3/00 9:13:38 AM Central Daylight Time, lumenasan@...

writes:

<<

Hi,

My kids have never gone to a school that didn't have a school nurse on

site. And I always thought that having a nurse at each school (or sometimes

shared by two schools) was the rule rather than the exception.

I'm sure this woman's son is not the only child who needs nursing

contact

time each day. For instance, in Washington, any child who needs medication

administered during the school day goes to the nurse to get it.

What with Ramona's medical needs, attendance at school would have been

very difficult without a nurse handy. We grew to rely on this wonderful

lady! But, she was not there just for my daughter...she was part of the

staff in the first place.

Take care,

>>

In our district each school doesn't have it's own full time nurse. In my

foster son's school the nurse is there on Tues. and Thurs. She is available

from another school on the other three days if she is needed. But, it would

be a 20 minute drive for her to get there.

There is a designated person in each school that is " trained " to give meds.

Typically it is one of the secretaries.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/3/2000 8:30:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

wildwards@... writes:

<< I believe the flagpole mom's argument was over the fact that school

refused to allow the child to self medicate or provide someone who would

administer the medication. The bottom line is, what does the IEP say?

Cheryl in VA

>>

The way I understand from my older kids is they are no longer able to 'self'

medicate. (this is why you hear about kids sharing an aspirin with a friend

or whatever and getting inot big trouble....part of the unsuccessful war on

drugs i think, plus a liability thing) Since about 7 or 8 yrs. ago I think,

at least in my school. I remember because my kids told me a year or 2 before

the oldest graduated (95) one of the boys who was about a year younger then

her had to start going to the office to take care of his diabetes, he'd

always done the check at his locker and then injected if needed (the other

kids never even saw it after awhile, hehe) but something changed in the law

and he could not do that anymore. They thought it was pretty stupid and

inconvienent for him to have to do that because he'd been doing this by

himself for years. But it all of a sudden had to be supervised.

I understand the point tho, here I think they have a part time nurse who

comes in halfdays and takes care of the paper work and anything else she can

get done in the time she's there. Meds are administered by either the nurse

if she's there or one of the aides or office staff that have been 'trained' .

joy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/3/00 12:54:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

lowenthalrj@... writes:

<< Sue's point about the interpreter is a good one, but at the same time,

finding a qualified interpreter is getting more difficult and if the

interpreter isn't well qualified, then the student isn't really getting

their communication needs met. >>

Part of the proposed changes in VA SPED regs was over interpreter

qualifications. Currently, VA allows lower level interpreters to work for

three years, then if they have not passed the test for the higher level, they

can no longer continue working for the school system. The lower level rates

them at 50% accuracy. Tell me how a child can get an education when only 50%

of the information is given to them?

At the public comment session concerning the proposed changes to our

regulations I attended, we had interpreters requesting the standards be

lowered and parents and students requesting the higher standards be

adhered to!

Cheryl in VA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/02/2000 2:12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

sbntwong@... writes:

<< just to throw a little comment in here. It seems to me, (and remember this

is only MY opinion!) that things have gone a trifle OTT in the other

direction now. What this woman apparantly wanted was someone who could sign

to act as intepreter for her son, so, i want one too, I got an unqualified

but highly adaptable and willing to learn person. Whats with the qualified

teacher of the deaf for what is basically only support work doing being

asked to do the job? Seems a very expensive and over the top solution to me

when there are (at least in the UK) far too few specialist teachers to go

round as it is that to supply one teacher full time to one child is a bit

much. And a full time nurse?!!! Why would he need a full time nurse unless

his medical problems require full time nursing care in which case a full

time nurse who can use sign language would probably save the state a lot of

money! Not knocking mums efforts you understand, merely the response to

them by the powers that be. >>

Hi Susie,

I understand what you're saying, but we really don't know all of the facts

leading up to this.

As far as the signing, it may be more than just interpretation that this

child needs. He may need someone who can teach him new signs to help him to

communicate better. He may need someone who already needs to know sign to

explain things to him that the teacher & other students are saying & to learn

his lessons.

Then, for the nurse...it is possible that this child needs meds given

throughout the day & that he must have a qualified/licensed person to deliver

these meds.

My daughter ( the NDA ) one, has asthma. While in 2nd grade, she went thru a

particularly tough time with her asthma. The only way that she was able to

receive her nebulizer treatments was if I came into school to give them to

her. There was no nurse at her school & teaching staff is not allowed to

administer medications of any kind. It's the law. Besides, who would be

teaching the class while a teacher would be administering meds? ( just a

thought ).

My daughter was fortunate that I was able to do this....I wasn't working.

This is not the case for everyone.

So, my point is that we don't have all the facts to determine why these

decisions/personnel might or might not have been necessary.

I think it's easy to jump to many conclusions, when we don't have all the

facts.

IMHO,

Sandy O.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/3/00 12:54:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

lowenthalrj@... writes:

<< The original point (I think) was administering a puffer for asthma attacks

when they started. The puffer and the knowledge of when and how to use it

need to be in the child's classroom, not with a nurse who isn't even there

all the time. >>

I have heard of children with medical needs that have classrooms locations

specified on the IEP, within a certain time frame of the nurse's office, to

guarantee that the child would receive the assitance within a time frame that

doesn't jeopardize their health in the case of an emergency.

With recent legislation, schools CANNOT deny children the medical assistance

they need to attend public school. The school should have put a proper plan

in place to guarantee that child got the assistance he needed. Saying we

don't have someone on hand is just not gonna fly!

Cheryl in VA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/02/2000 11:34:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

c1ndysue1@... writes:

<< I can't really express an opinion on the hearing impaired teacher. I

would think that a certified interpreter would be sufficient. I thought

that

was what the mother wanted..someone certified in ESL..not speficially a

teacher.

>>

Maybe these people that they hired ( nurse, sign teacher ) was all that they

could come up with on short notice. Not that others wouldn't have been just

as capable....but after thinking about this situation more, maybe that is

part of the situation. Maybe after looking at everything, not just this one

little boy's circumstances...they thought that this was the step to take to

do more inclusion for more folks.....since it seems that they weren't really

doing it at this particular school....but rather sending the SPED kids out of

the area, rather than the home school.

So, maybe they are thinking that even more moms will be wanting THEIR kids at

their home school & that they should do better to accommodate them.

Just a thought,

Sandy O.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/03/2000 11:30:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

wildwards@... writes:

<< Here we have school nurses present in the schools all day, in each and

every

school. >>

So do we.

~Sandy O.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/03/2000 12:04:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

JTesmer799@... writes:

<< The way I understand from my older kids is they are no longer able to

'self'

medicate. >>

In our state, they have just changed the law about kids with asthma being

able to carry their inhalers & self medicate. Up 'til recently ( this year ),

they were not allowed to do this. Due to the fact that some people with

asthma can't afford to wait until they can get to the nurse's office ( if

physically able ) and find the nurse, and get the meds unlocked & then get

their meds......they can get a note from their doctor & their parents & THEN

get permission to have their very necessary meds with them to self medicate.

This is only available to those children who have been instructed & also

" UNDERSTAND " when, why, and how much meds they need. I tend to believe that a

7yo child with DS has the ability to assess his situation & deliver his own

meds with full knowledge.

JMHO,

Sandy O.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/02/2000 11:11:42 AM US Mountain Standard Time,

sbntwong@... writes:

<< that things have gone a trifle OTT in the other

direction now. >>

Our district has a nurse for every couple of schools and each school has a

" health aide " who is just a trained lay person to dispense medications. The

nurse has one day a week she is at the school, the health aide is there all

the time. There are so many children in our school on medications, I don't

see that we could be withtout one. If that school had a person like this,

they wouldn't have had the problem that they had. I just can't see that

they don't have the need for a person for other children besides him. Are

there no children on seizure meds or ADD meds at this school? Are there no

OTHER children who have asthma?

As for the sign language, we had it written in our IEP that the aide hired

to work with our son be trained in sign language. If they hire someone who

is more than that GREAT.....and hopefully there is someone else in the school

who can benefit! I think it is great that this mom opened the doors.

Maverick is the only child in our school who is fully included. BUT, in his

IEP we require 1. Yearly inclusion training for all who will be working with

him(including playground aides and librarians, etc. 2. Possitive behavior

management training, and 3 an Inclusion specialist. Now this may seem Over

The Top for one student...but what about the others who are going to be

coming to our school? What about the teachers who are being educated and

going to leave our school and go to another school where there are MORE kids

who are fully included?

This mom opened the door for alot of us and has now brought to that campus 2

more professionals that if the school was SMART, would be used to benefit

others.

I applaud her and those who are willing to take that extra step to bring

awareness to others so that we don't HAVE to go that far. (Altho I have now

vowed that I will not leave home without a jumprope and lawnchair in the

car!!)

[Guest guest]

The original point (I think) was administering a puffer for asthma attacks

when they started. The puffer and the knowledge of when and how to use it

need to be in the child's classroom, not with a nurse who isn't even there

all the time.

Sue's point about the interpreter is a good one, but at the same time,

finding a qualified interpreter is getting more difficult and if the

interpreter isn't well qualified, then the student isn't really getting

their communication needs met.

Is the mom supposed to be interviewed tonight? Maybe she will clarify these

points.

Judi

Re: Flagpole mom, pt 4/ IT'S ALL OVER

In a message dated 9/3/2000 8:30:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

wildwards@... writes:

<< I believe the flagpole mom's argument was over the fact that school

refused to allow the child to self medicate or provide someone who would

administer the medication. The bottom line is, what does the IEP say?

Cheryl in VA

>>

The way I understand from my older kids is they are no longer able to 'self'

medicate. (this is why you hear about kids sharing an aspirin with a friend

or whatever and getting inot big trouble....part of the unsuccessful war on

drugs i think, plus a liability thing) Since about 7 or 8 yrs. ago I think,

at least in my school. I remember because my kids told me a year or 2 before

the oldest graduated (95) one of the boys who was about a year younger then

her had to start going to the office to take care of his diabetes, he'd

always done the check at his locker and then injected if needed (the other

kids never even saw it after awhile, hehe) but something changed in the law

and he could not do that anymore. They thought it was pretty stupid and

inconvienent for him to have to do that because he'd been doing this by

himself for years. But it all of a sudden had to be supervised.

I understand the point tho, here I think they have a part time nurse who

comes in halfdays and takes care of the paper work and anything else she can

get done in the time she's there. Meds are administered by either the nurse

if she's there or one of the aides or office staff that have been 'trained'

..

joy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/3/00 11:11:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

c1ndysue1@... writes:

<< My kids have never gone to a school that didn't have a school nurse on

site. >>

My children also have never gone to a school that the nurse or the nurses

aide were not at the school. The grammar school has a nurse all the time. The

middle and high school have either the nurse or the aide there.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/3/00 12:42:06 PM Central Daylight Time,

wildwards@... writes:

<<

I have heard of children with medical needs that have classrooms locations

specified on the IEP, within a certain time frame of the nurse's office,

to

guarantee that the child would receive the assitance within a time frame

that

doesn't jeopardize their health in the case of an emergency.

With recent legislation, schools CANNOT deny children the medical assistance

they need to attend public school. The school should have put a proper plan

in place to guarantee that child got the assistance he needed. Saying we

don't have someone on hand is just not gonna fly!

Cheryl in VA

>>

Cheryl,

I agree with you about that. Our district is one that only has a nurse in

each school part time BUT when we had a medically fragile child at one school

they put a nurse there full-time for the first year and then trained the

teacher and educational assistant the signs of distress and what action to

take. They didn't really have to do anything other than call us immediately

and we would take the child directly to their doctor so it wasn't like they

were doing medical procedures.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/3/00 2:12:49 PM Central Daylight Time, Michdock@...

writes:

<< 1. Yearly inclusion training for all who will be working with

him(including playground aides and librarians, etc. 2. Possitive behavior

management training, and 3 an Inclusion specialist. Now this may seem Over

The Top for one student...but what about the others who are going to be

coming to our school? What about the teachers who are being educated and

going to leave our school and go to another school where there are MORE kids

who are fully included? >>

,

I think of all the reg. ed. kids that this will help. Aren't we hearing about

kids feeling left out and isolated and picked on in schools? I also think

positive behavioral support is poorly taught in education courses at least in

our area. (I have a degree in elem. educ.) So I think it is great that these

teachers get this training and I think it helps every student in that school,

not just those that are " officially " special needs.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/3/00 2:06:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Gwhiz@...

writes:

<< Here we have school nurses present in the schools all day, in each and

every

school. >>

So do we. >>

I'm also on a school nurse list. Not all schools have their own nurses and

this is something that is discussed periodically on that other list. Nurses

want to serve the medical needs of the children in their districts and often

brainstorm ways to convince their school boards that a fulltime nurse in

every school is needed. But money being tight in many districts the school

nurse along with music and art teachers are often the first to go when the

budget axe is wielded. Even in states which require an RN or LPN only to

administer meds may not have one or the other in each school. Another concern

that is frequently discussed is their desire to be present at IEP meetings of

children with multiple medical needs. Even though I'm a nurse and a mother of

a child with multiple medical problems it never occured to me that I could

really use this ally at meetings. Since this is a transitional year for

Sheila I called the nurse in the middle/high school an d talked with her

about Sheila's many medical needs and concerns--I then invited her to the

meeting. If you do live in a district where there is a part or fulltime nurse

and your child has some medical concerns consider trying to get to know this

person. You may discover that you have a district person who will go to bat

for your child even in educational areas. A child in poor health is often too

distracted to learn--the nurse will want to help reduce the distractions. She

can be an invaluable resource for you.

LOL, okay, climbing off my soapbox ;-)

nancy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/4/00 6:54:57 AM Central Daylight Time, NEHolroyd@...

writes:

<< Even though I'm a nurse and a mother of

a child with multiple medical problems it never occured to me that I could

really use this ally at meetings. Since this is a transitional year for

Sheila I called the nurse in the middle/high school an d talked with her

about Sheila's many medical needs and concerns--I then invited her to the

meeting. If you do live in a district where there is a part or fulltime

nurse

and your child has some medical concerns consider trying to get to know this

person. You may discover that you have a district person who will go to bat

for your child even in educational areas. A child in poor health is often

too

distracted to learn--the nurse will want to help reduce the distractions.

She

can be an invaluable resource for you.

LOL, okay, climbing off my soapbox ;-)

nancy

>>

,

Our part-time school nurse was the nurse at the special needs school before

it was closed so I am very comfortable with her knowledge of disabilities. I

always update her on medication or medical issues with my foster son and have

used her to check his ears every other week to screen for ear infections. It

was very helpful in determining that he had almost constant fluid issues.

Much better than running needlessly to the dr.s office. You are right a good

school nurse can be a wonderful ally. One school nurse went to bat for us on

toilet access issues.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/04/2000 6:09:41 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

Bonoratoe001@... writes:

<< After all this woman has been

through and what she was willing to do for her son, she deserves anything

she can get for him. >>

I think the key phrase here is " Anything she can get FOR HIM! " . What she is

doing she is doing for the betterment and health of her son. Not for selfish

reasons, not for cosmetic reasons, but for health, communication and

educational reasons.

How many of you would say NO if that were offered to your child? How many of

you feel that your child would benefit from these services? How many of you

would be grateful if your child got these services?

If your child DOES get your services, it is becuase someone was willing to

fight and educate the system before you came along. Let's support these Moms!

[Guest guest]

I must respectfully disagree with all of you. After all this woman has been

through and what she was willing to do for her son, she deserves anything

she can get for him. Sign language interpreters are rare. They are hard to

come by. There are few schools that offer the program and fewer still are

the graduates who pass them. Here in Hawaii, 18 passed out of a class of

over 100. They are paid well, probably better than the teacher with better

credentials. They start here at $25 an hour. I think also the judge is

trying to make a point. The district could have saved money by doing it

right the first time and not sending the mom to these extremes. Now they

have to do it the judges way.

Elaine Mom to (now 17) and 14 (DS)

Re: Flagpole mom, pt 4/ IT'S ALL OVER

>

> In a message dated 9/2/2000 11:34:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

> c1ndysue1@... writes:

> I see your point. I don't think a nurse is needed on site full time, a

> clinic aide who is well trained would be sufficient in my book. SNIP

> I can't really express an opinion on the hearing impaired teacher. I

> would think that a certified interpreter would be sufficient.

> ~~~~~~~~~~~

> I agree with both and Sue. Lets don't forget the mtg has not

happened

> yet, so they may at that time decide on a clinic aide/sign language aide.

> Rejoice!

> Amie

>

>

[Guest guest]

Everywhere we have been stationed, the schools have school nurses. The only

places that didn't were the very rural districts in Missouri. That is

pretty much the rule now. It is great coverage against lawsuit to have

medical personnel on hand. They give medications (when there is a

prescription). The also do catheterizations for kids who need them and

check all the typical kids who get hurt or become ill.

Elaine

Re: Flagpole mom, pt 4/ IT'S ALL OVER

>

> Hi,

> My kids have never gone to a school that didn't have a school nurse on

> site. And I always thought that having a nurse at each school (or

sometimes

> shared by two schools) was the rule rather than the exception.

> I'm sure this woman's son is not the only child who needs nursing

contact

> time each day. For instance, in Washington, any child who needs

medication

> administered during the school day goes to the nurse to get it.

> What with Ramona's medical needs, attendance at school would have been

> very difficult without a nurse handy. We grew to rely on this wonderful

> lady! But, she was not there just for my daughter...she was part of the

> staff in the first place.

> Take care,

>

> mom to Ramona 16ds, and two big sisters on their own

>

> c1ndysue1@... wrote:

> << I see your point. I don't think a nurse is needed on site full time,

a

> clinic aide who is well trained would be sufficient in my book. In cases

of

> a true emergency, I'd prefer a paramedic over a nurse anyday. I would

want

> someone who can get orders from an ER doctor and be able to administer

> whatever drugs or life saving techniques needed. I don't think this is a

> rural school, so one would tend to believe that a rescue squad is nearby.

> >>

>

>