Re: class trip

[Guest guest]

Arlene,

I've been reading about and her exquisite school experiences for

some time now, and I'm really happy for you and her both. As for the class

trip, I think you have to be realistic. Other parents are not invited

because their children don't need the help that does. And it is

unfair to assume that the school will pay for an aide -- or that an aide

will even be available for such a lengthy trip. This is really your

responsibility, to go if you want her to go. I would be happy that

is being allowed to go if you can handle the requirements.

I say, go. You'd probably have a great time.

CK,

Mom to Ian (2/89),

(9/90),

and Rose (6/94)

[Guest guest]

Hi!

That really sucks! In the U.S., that would be discriminatory and illegal.

Given the general enlightenedness of Canada, you might want to do a

little investigating.

Although this is painful, and it's hard not to take personally, don't give

up just yet. Appraoch this as a negotiation explain to them their legal

responsebilities as well as the ethics of their decision. Whether they

realize it or not, they are discriminating against Shan and in effect

saying that she is less worthy or valuable than the non-disabled kids.

Given how much they like Shan (it shouldn't be about like or dislike but,

what the heck make the most of the assets you have), I think they will

think twice when they see the bigger picture and what their decision truly

says about they themselves.

Take care,

Kent

[Guest guest]

Oooooooh Arlene,

I'd like to tell them to take that stinken trip and stick it where the

sun don't shine!!!

Ok now that I got that off my chest my grandma always said you

catch more flies with honey then vinegar so I ditto everything Kent

said. Shan deserves to go on this trip so you go get 'em girl. And

you just tuck all of us in your pocket when you go talk to them.

Tena

On 17 Oct 2000, at 22:48, Kent Moreno wrote:

> Hi!

>

> That really sucks! In the U.S., that would be discriminatory and

> illegal.

> Given the general enlightenedness of Canada, you might want to do a

> little investigating.

>

> Although this is painful, and it's hard not to take personally, don't

> give up just yet. Appraoch this as a negotiation explain to them

> their legal responsebilities as well as the ethics of their decision.

> Whether they realize it or not, they are discriminating against Shan

> and in effect saying that she is less worthy or valuable than the

> non-disabled kids. Given how much they like Shan (it shouldn't be

> about like or dislike but, what the heck make the most of the assets

> you have), I think they will think twice when they see the bigger

> picture and what their decision truly says about they themselves.

>

> Take care,

>

>

> Kent

[Guest guest]

Arlene,

We had to do some serious thinking last year about a class trip to New York

city. This is something the 6th grade class was doing and as a member of the

6th grade class Sheila was invited to go. However there was major reluctance

on the part of our school to take her. Our school has overall done a great

job of including Sheila, but this was just more than they wanted to take on

unless either my hubby or I would go wtih them. Since it was cost over $500 I

wasn't really interested in going. ;-) After thinking about it I decided that

Sheila would hate all the walking around and the museums they planned to see.

So, was I interested in Sheila's participation for inclusions sake or for

Sheila's sake? I finally decided that Sheila would not attend. The district

heard this as she would stay home and not attend school while the class was

on their trip. This is when I pointed out at any other children not going

would be expected to be in school, right? Did they really want to open up

that legal pandora's box? They decided right quick that they would be able to

figure out something for Sheila. ;-) I remember feeling really bad initially,

feeling that maybe as wonderful as they have been their attitudes still

weren't really endorsing inclusion. But eventually I decided that if I

reframed this to their concern about how Sheila would physically and

emotionally handle the trip made more sense to me. Good luck with finding a

solution that works for you and .

nancy

[Guest guest]

Arlene,

I am so sorry about this. Shan should be able to go without her mom just

like everyone else for her $302.00. I know that this is difficult for you

both and I am sorry they weren't thinking right on this. This school has

been great to her in so many ways it is just a shame that they messed up on

this one

There have been a lot of things going on with us lately and I am about at

the end of my rope. You know the " straw that broke the camels back " ? Well,

yesterday came off the bus with more complaints (by the aide and

driver) that I bawled for over an hour. Silly huh? I just get tired

sometimes. It is very difficult to have other view your child as a

" problem " . I know the feeling and I am with you 100% that this was wrong of

them. Keep your chin up my friend.

Dawn (mom to 7ds)

class trip

Last week a form came home to tell parents that a class trip for 3 days

in April is in the works ...going to Ottawa.

Okay..after major thoughts of all this and that...and thinking of who

must think what and blah blah...we come to the conclusion that Since

shan is fully intergraded that we should at least go to the information

night to find out more details about the trip, right?

we have decided that she can go! HORRRAY!!! we are going to let our

sweet muffin go with her friends to Ottawa.

so, we find out the price...$302.00 per person..okay a little steep but

we can swing it, after all, she will be with her friends having a blast.

the information night looked great :-)))

talked all about what they will be doing. an itinerary will come home

and have hour by hour of what they will be doing. Big coach bus with tv

and vcrs on the bus :-)

The whole thing sounds very exciting for .

sooo, after the meeting the teacher says...do you plan on letting

shannon go on the trip?

i am thinking the teacher is thrilled i have loosened my apron strings

and am being so brave to let her go....

well i say yes i am considering it....

the teacher says are you willing to go with her. i say no.

then i say, since shannon has two aides would one of them be going with

her? how would this work for shannon?

Teacher says i need to talk to principal for that.

hmmm

so i walk over to principal and i say....who would be with shannon for

the class trip? she says YOU are not planning on going?

i say no ..are other parent volunteers going?

noooo, no parents are allowed on the trip. just 3 teachers and 22 or so

kids. hmmm no parents? why am i invited? HA!

well....principal doesn t think that funding would pay for an aide for

shannon for the trip because the aide would be working more then 8 hours

per day and how much money would they have to pay the aide..and with cut

backs...etc...i about heard enough at that point.

:-(

here i was..so excited that i finally made the decision to let her go.

thinking they wanted her so badly to go and i would be the bad mommy for

saying no. so i say yes, and i suppose the wanted answer from me was a

no.

i told the principal that she should check her resources and see if

there was funding for shannons aide to go. and if not, then i would

like in a letter the detailed information as to why shannon cannot go.

okay so i come home...bawling my eyes out thinking this is just not

fair.

I really dont want to go to Ottawa if no other parents are allowed to

go.

I think everyone else's 302.00 bucks is good enough but not shannons.

then i think gosh arlene just think, you are saving 400 bucks for

shannon to not go and here you sit crying about it.

then i think go grab the communication book and tell them to NOT even

look for any resources cuz shan AINT GOING with them anyhow!

the happiness of tonights meeting was washed away pretty quick.

inclusion doesnt really mean included with everything i suppose.

Arlene

i don't usually suffer from " poor shan syndrome " but i am tonight.

[Guest guest]

hi not sure if this is helpful..... i was looking in the wrightslaw book

about something else. i saw this on page 192 under LRE

" Sec300.553 Nonacademic settings.

In providing or arranging for the provision of nonacademic and

extracurricular services and activities, including meals, recess periods, and

the services and activities set forth in Sec.300.306, each public agency

shall ensure that each child with a disability participates with nondisabled

children in those services and actitiviess to a maximum extent appropriate to

the needs of that child (Authority:20U.S.C. 1412 (a) (5) "

i looked up Sec 300.306 Nonacademic services

" (a) Each Public agency shall take steps to provide nonacademic and

extracurricular services and activities in a manner necessary to afford

children with disabilities an equal opportunity for participation in those

services and activities.

( Nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities may include

counseling services, athletics, transportation, health services,

recreational aactivities, sepcial interest groups, or clubs sponsored by the

public agency " ..........

i took this straight from the book. slaw: Special Education Law i

hope that it was OK that i quoted from the book.

for what it is worth, when my older daughter went to st augustine on a 4th

grade field trip, i went along with her. i also go on every field trip with

alec. alec still needs VERY close supervision when he goes out to new

places.

Good luck with your decision. it is not an easy one.

lori- mom to danielle (12 preteen) and alec (8DS)

[Guest guest]

Just had to respond.. My daughter Kaitlyn (7) DS who is only in K for 1/2

hour daily as most of you know.. was recently not even asked to attend the

Kindergarten field trip. They were going to the local police station to

learn about stranger danger. I found out about the trip on a fluke and when

i asked where the permission slip was for Kaitlyn to attend, they asked HOW

DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE TRIP??? How dare them. What does that matter. I

told them I had sources everywhere! And with persistence Kailtyn was

permitted to go, but I had to go with her. Why does everything have to be a

FIGHT?? And thank you for the slaw excerpts, I will be bringing them

with me to the IEP. I also just found out there was a Kindergarten assembly

given by the local Fire Dept.. Guess they didn't learn their lesson.. guess

who was never asked to attend? I guess looking at firetrucks and learning

about safety is too much for Downs Kids!! Come On!

Tracey

Mom to Kaitlyn (7) DS and (13)

-----

Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2000 7:36 PM

Subject: Re: class trip

> hi not sure if this is helpful..... i was looking in the wrightslaw book

> about something else. i saw this on page 192 under LRE

>

> " Sec300.553 Nonacademic settings.

>

> In providing or arranging for the provision of nonacademic and

> extracurricular services and activities, including meals, recess periods,

and

> the services and activities set forth in Sec.300.306, each public agency

> shall ensure that each child with a disability participates with

nondisabled

> children in those services and actitiviess to a maximum extent appropriate

to

> the needs of that child (Authority:20U.S.C. 1412 (a) (5) "

>

> i looked up Sec 300.306 Nonacademic services

>

> " (a) Each Public agency shall take steps to provide nonacademic and

> extracurricular services and activities in a manner necessary to afford

> children with disabilities an equal opportunity for participation in those

> services and activities.

> ( Nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities may include

> counseling services, athletics, transportation, health services,

> recreational aactivities, sepcial interest groups, or clubs sponsored by

the

> public agency " ..........

>

> i took this straight from the book. slaw: Special Education Law i

> hope that it was OK that i quoted from the book.

>

> for what it is worth, when my older daughter went to st augustine on a 4th

> grade field trip, i went along with her. i also go on every field trip

with

> alec. alec still needs VERY close supervision when he goes out to new

> places.

>

> Good luck with your decision. it is not an easy one.

>

>

> lori- mom to danielle (12 preteen) and alec (8DS)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tracey,

This is discrimination, that is a Civil Rights violation, carries much

stronger punishment than violating an IEP!! You might want to mention that

at your IEP meeting, if your daughter is intentionally deprived of the same

educational opportunities the other children are given, you will file an OCR

complaint!!

Cheryl in VA