Re: School that doesn't allow talking and teacher problems

[Guest guest]

Sheree -

I hate to say it, but welcome to middle school. TOTALLY different

environment as you've noticed. If you look up the spec ed statutes and laws,

your son

certainly qualifies for OHI (other health impaired) classification with (at

a minimum) Tourette's. Contact your CST and tell them you want to meet for

the purpose of classification under OHI. Follow-up in writing (paper trail).

Once you put it in writing they'll have 30 days to act.

Middle school is a big change for kids. It's a time when we're supposed to

be pushing independence. Middle schools don't exactly like parents too

involved. As for the talking between classes in the halls, our middle school

had

a similar rule - There is only 3-4 minutes to switch classes and the hallways

are extremely " busy " and chaotic during this time. My son has also taken

part in those " silent lunches " that you describe so I know what you're feeling.

I have found at the middle school and high school level that e-mail can be a

good thing. It enables you to state your case and stay in touch and on top

of things without coming off as " over protective. " Remember, in middle

school there is a little less structure and the school struggles to balance

freedoms and keeping order.

My son always had a problem with forgetting things. In middle school this

became more pronounced. Projects, special assignments, etc are basically

placed in the students hands and parents don't find out they're not done until

you get the call it wasn't handed in. Of course, you had no idea it was due in

the first place - extremely frustrating.

My best advice is to become part of the solution - don't go in initially to

his teachers with your guns blazing. Let them know that you are there to

work WITH them and your sole concern is your son's school success.

I would start with your CST and go from there, but YES you son can be

classified under OHI. I will say, a lot of kids at the older level with ADHD

and

such are classified as ED ONLY because educationally they do not qualify for

classification (they test well during the evaluation process). Also, years

back an ED classification was often needed and helpful in obtaining

out-of-district placement in a school that offered special help.

Good luck!

In a message dated 9/6/2006 9:33:57 AM Central Standard Time,

Skbradfield@... writes:

I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started middle

school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules and

expectations.

Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in between

classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to silent lunch

and

have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask the

principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he basically said

he felt

that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social skills

was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have any social

free

time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of that time in

line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year olds to go

an

entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the middle

school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing classes

and

etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was willing to

help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want me

bothering

her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to finish and was

told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never happened and

apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he lost them.

She

refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the science book.

He

does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site to look

the

words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the words but the

site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son up for a

doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to make sure he

had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I walked into

the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were there to get

his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she refused to give

me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had scheduled a

conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a conference first of

all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that way. She then

proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately and that

if I

needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt. Does this

sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during class time or

during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was acknowledging

and

he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were told despite

his

biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he can only go

under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let happen. If

he

has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under health

impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

sorry so long

Sheree

[Guest guest]

Sheree -

Had a couple of other thoughts from my response earlier -

To boost your case as far as classification and your son, you don't want to

run around like nuts trying to fix everything right now. You need to let

teachers see what is lacking, etc so that when CST checks in with them, some of

the things will be evident. Even though classification of OHI is there, you

need to show how the health impairment is impacting his education. Just

because he has a diagnosis doesn't automatically give him the right to this

classification - you need to prove it's needed based on the impairment so that

he

can succeed.

Also, to lessen the frustration a little in the meantime, you might consider

contacting guidance and asking that a meeting with ALL of his teachers be

set up (include the principal too). At this meeting, you can bring handouts in

and YOU will be the educator. Tell them exactly what a day in your life is

like with your son. Describe and explain different symptoms, reactions, etc

he may have. I've found that this often helps break the ice at the beginning

of the year. It kind of puts the teachers in a humble situation because

they are YOUR audience for a half hour or however long your meeting goes. Let

them ask questions - show them that your goal is to help your son succeed and

all you are doing is enlisting THEIR help to do this. I guarantee you'll

have several different reactions, but a little education can go a long way.

Teachers are under so much pressure these days with state testing demands, etc

that they don't always have the time to learn about each student individually.

This is where you and your meeting will help them.

Again, good luck!

[Guest guest]

,

I have already gotten the paper work going for special education

qualification and the school psychologist said because he " CAN " qualify under

special

education as a ED student he had to go under this title despite he can also

qualify under OHI. They felt like myself that it was too harsh of a label for

him to go under because as a whole he is doing pretty good. They felt since

that was the only label under special education he can go that he should

continue with the 504 status. I don't think that is fair that if he can qualify

under both that he HAS to go under one or the other.

Also, I have NOT in any way shape of form threatened the teacher. I have

ALWAYS went at it as I was there to HELP my son and do ANYTHING I could to help

her help him. My neighbor next door said they had trouble with this teacher

last year too and went in complaining to the principal about how she had this

attitude so I am not the only one who has felt this way. Also, I realize that

Middle school is different but the kids need some kind of down time in the

day for speaking to their peers. If not in the hall on the way to class then

there should be 15 min or so put aside for this in the day.Did the middle

school that you went to give any time in the day for social time? I am a

teacher

so I am not clueless about how school works and etc but I do know that if I

don't help my son to stay on top of things he will get bad grades. I knew that

once we got him going he will do fine on his own but the several weeks we

HAVE to stay on top of him or he wouldn't get anything done . Especially the

first week of school where his anxiety is high and he is scared to death.

School

work wasn't the top of his priority. One more thing, he got in trouble in

the hall for asking a student the second day of school where his next class

was.

[Guest guest]

In NJ Tourettes and adhd allow for classification under other health

impaired. Read the IDEA handouts you got when you initiated the

process. there are also some good websites (wrightslaw.com and the

reed martin group for special ed that you can go to for help.

Bonnie

>

> I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started

middle

> school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules and

expectations.

> Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in

between

> classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to

silent lunch and

> have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask the

> principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he

basically said he felt

> that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social

skills

> was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have any

social free

> time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of that

time in

> line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year

olds to go an

> entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

>

> Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the

middle

> school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing

classes and

> etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was

willing to

> help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want me

bothering

> her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to finish

and was

> told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never happened

and

> apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he lost

them. She

> refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the

science book. He

> does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site

to look the

> words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the words

but the

> site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son

up for a

> doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to make

sure he

> had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I

walked into

> the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were

there to get

> his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she

refused to give

> me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had

scheduled a

> conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a conference

first of

> all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that way.

She then

> proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately

and that if I

> needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt.

Does this

> sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during class

time or

> during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was

acknowledging and

> he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were told

despite his

> biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he can

only go

> under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let

happen. If he

> has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under health

> impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

>

> sorry so long

>

> Sheree

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, I dont know what to say! I don t like the sounds of any of it.

Sharon

School that doesn't allow talking and teacher

problems

I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started middle

school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules and

expectations.

Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in between

classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to silent lunch

and

have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask the

principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he basically said he

felt

that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social skills

was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have any social

free

time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of that time in

line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year olds to go an

entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the middle

school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing classes and

etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was willing to

help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want me bothering

her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to finish and was

told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never happened and

apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he lost them. She

refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the science book. He

does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site to look the

words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the words but the

site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son up for a

doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to make sure he

had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I walked into

the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were there to get

his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she refused to give

me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had scheduled a

conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a conference first of

all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that way. She then

proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately and that if

I

needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt. Does this

sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during class time or

during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was acknowledging and

he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were told despite his

biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he can only go

under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let happen. If he

has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under health

impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

sorry so long

Sheree

[Guest guest]

Gosh, What a horrible situation! It doesn't sound like a great start to a 3 yr

long process in middle school. I would make an appt with the principal and lay

it all out on the table. Express your concerns, your frustrations, your

misunderstandings. Usually when I cry (and I do cry alot when dealing with

things re: my kids - I wish I didn't, but I can't help it), they begin to

soften.

If they are that inflexible, is there another middle school he can attend or

is that your only option?

Skbradfield@... wrote:

,

I have already gotten the paper work going for special education

qualification and the school psychologist said because he " CAN " qualify under

special

education as a ED student he had to go under this title despite he can also

qualify under OHI. They felt like myself that it was too harsh of a label for

him to go under because as a whole he is doing pretty good. They felt since

that was the only label under special education he can go that he should

continue with the 504 status. I don't think that is fair that if he can qualify

under both that he HAS to go under one or the other.

Also, I have NOT in any way shape of form threatened the teacher. I have

ALWAYS went at it as I was there to HELP my son and do ANYTHING I could to help

her help him. My neighbor next door said they had trouble with this teacher

last year too and went in complaining to the principal about how she had this

attitude so I am not the only one who has felt this way. Also, I realize that

Middle school is different but the kids need some kind of down time in the

day for speaking to their peers. If not in the hall on the way to class then

there should be 15 min or so put aside for this in the day.Did the middle

school that you went to give any time in the day for social time? I am a teacher

so I am not clueless about how school works and etc but I do know that if I

don't help my son to stay on top of things he will get bad grades. I knew that

once we got him going he will do fine on his own but the several weeks we

HAVE to stay on top of him or he wouldn't get anything done . Especially the

first week of school where his anxiety is high and he is scared to death. School

work wasn't the top of his priority. One more thing, he got in trouble in

the hall for asking a student the second day of school where his next class

was.

[Guest guest]

Ugh! Sorry for you. Sounds as if you need to find another school for your

child. You are butting heads with the school and they will classify you as a

" trouble maker " and you will get no where with them. From the schools

perspective: no talking in the halls is a rule to insure that students get to

class on time, to avoid any fights, or feelings hurt from name calling. I can

see their point but also yours.

Also, schools know that " over protective moms " try to baby their kids when

they enter middle school, so the school tries to be strict to get the kids to

adjust. I am not saying you are over protective, but that is probably how they

are viewing you. It will be hard for you to get accommodations for your son

without an IEP.

I would schedule a conference with the teacher, principal, guidance counselor,

and who ever else that you needed to. Be prepared for the meeting with handouts

that EXPLAIN in detail what your son needs and what the school can do to help

him. If there is a social worker available ask the school to have him

evaluated. Social workers can provide organizational skills and help him to

better adjust to middle school. They also know the system and can become your

ally in helping to fight for services for your son.

As an example- my son MUST complete something he has already set in his mind,

like completely reading to the end of a page in a book. He was getting in

trouble at school and being labeled as a non-compliant child when his teacher

would tell the class to put their books away. Sometimes he was not finished the

page and would not stop until he did. I called a meeting with the school and

requested in writing that my child be evaluated for an IEP. I explained to the

staff that my child is a completer. I did not say he had OCD. I told them that

he must be given a few min notice that reading time will end, so that he can

prepare his mind to stop reading. I told them this will help my child and will

help the school by getting the behavior they want. This was written into his

IEP. His teachers now do this and he is not looked at as a " non-compliant

child " anymore.

When you talk with the school you MUST be your child's advocate. If you are

too demanding they will blow you off and your son will suffer. It is a

delicate art, but you want to try to PARTNER with the school to help your child

succeed.

" In order to move forward...

you need to know where you are going. " (Lori Rilat)

---------------------------------

All-new - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

[Guest guest]

Oh my word, Sheree! My 11 yr. just started middle school yesterday and

loves it! Lots of talking going on in between classes, too and that's

probably the part she loves the most. I would feel very unwelcomed by

that principal and teacher and would get my dander up and try to switch

teachers or even schools! Ugh! It's hard enough for our kids to get to

school. I'm so mad for you!

Dina

[Guest guest]

I was just thinking that you can't be the only parent with this

concern, perhaps you can gain support? I think that if t hey don't

change the rules, they will have a lot of kids (too many) breaking it

for it to be a sound policy.

Best wishes,

Bonnie

>

> I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started

middle

> school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules and

expectations.

> Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in

between

> classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to

silent lunch and

> have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask the

> principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he

basically said he felt

> that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social

skills

> was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have any

social free

> time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of that

time in

> line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year

olds to go an

> entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

>

> Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the

middle

> school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing

classes and

> etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was

willing to

> help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want me

bothering

> her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to finish

and was

> told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never happened

and

> apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he lost

them. She

> refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the

science book. He

> does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site

to look the

> words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the words

but the

> site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son

up for a

> doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to make

sure he

> had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I

walked into

> the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were

there to get

> his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she

refused to give

> me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had

scheduled a

> conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a conference

first of

> all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that way.

She then

> proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately

and that if I

> needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt.

Does this

> sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during class

time or

> during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was

acknowledging and

> he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were told

despite his

> biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he can

only go

> under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let

happen. If he

> has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under health

> impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

>

> sorry so long

>

> Sheree

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/6/2006 10:33:51 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

Skbradfield@... writes:

that is in his home

Sheree

Sweet thing - I feel your pain. I was there just a few years ago - in

Middle School. RUDE, AIN'T IT???? The 'kid gloves' definitely come off when

they

cross that threshold into Middle School.

I would suggest you contact your son's Guidance Counselor an arrange for a

meeting. Here's where you'll find out exactly how much of an advocate your

child's Guidance Counselor is going to be. I would also suggest that, unless

your son is the type that can handle sitting around listening to adults talk

about him, he not be included. Some kids are ok with this, some aren't.

We found the Guidance Counselor an incredible help to us in Middle School -

she was truly only interested in what was best for the child & nothing else.

If your school is set up like ours, they have " teams " for the kids (groups

of teachers who have all the same students, each teacher has a different

subject), ask the counselor about a " team " meeting as well. Be truthful with

her/him about your experience so far with the teacher & let the counselor know

that you definitely don't want that to be the tone for the rest of the year.

You have to be firm, yet polite - that will go far. Verbally state the

obvious..... " I know we ALL want to see my son to have a successful school

year,

so I don't understand why it was a problem when I asked for the homework

assignment - perhaps everyone here isn't aware of his 504 " (or something to

that

effect).

Good luck to you. Stay in there & stay strong. There is a lot more

expected out of kids in Middle School - my son's first year there (non-OCDer)

was a

9 month nightmare for us because he was a very disorganized child. I must

admit though, as difficult as it was, it really taught him some good lessons in

staying on top of work & being organized on his own. It's a hard lesson for

some kids. We had many 'head-butts' with some really ignorant teachers.

Unfortunately they're out there. The no talking in the hallways is common, and

yes, it's because of the short amount of time the kids have to get from one

class to the next.

Do what you can & stand up for your child. Find one of his other teachers

who is understanding & ask that teacher to help you deal with the other

teacher. GOOD LUCK!!!

LT

[Guest guest]

are they kidding???!!!! that's horrible and they're rude too - can you

switch???

Quoting Skbradfield@...:

> I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started middle

> school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules and

> expectations.

> Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in between

> classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to silent

> lunch and

> have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask the

> principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he

> basically said he felt

> that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social skills

> was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have any

> social free

> time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of that time in

> line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year

> olds to go an

> entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

>

> Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the middle

> school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing

> classes and

> etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was willing to

> help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want me

> bothering

> her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to finish and was

> told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never happened and

> apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he lost

> them. She

> refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the science

> book. He

> does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site to

> look the

> words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the words but the

> site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son up for a

> doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to make sure he

> had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I

> walked into

> the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were there to get

> his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she refused to give

> me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had scheduled a

> conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a conference first of

> all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that way. She then

> proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately

> and that if I

> needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt. Does this

> sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during class time or

> during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was acknowledging and

> he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were told

> despite his

> biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he can only go

> under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let

> happen. If he

> has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under health

> impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

>

> sorry so long

>

> Sheree

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

And also, my sons' school has all his homework posted on their school website a

week in advance. That includes any vocab words, etc. Everything is posted.

Are there any kids in the neighborhood that are in his class that you call for

homework questions or borrow books if he forgets to bring one home? My son has

two kids on our street and they are constantly coming over to borrow his things.

" autumn71A@... " <autumn71A@...> wrote:

are they kidding???!!!! that's horrible and they're rude too - can you

switch???

Quoting Skbradfield@...:

> I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started middle

> school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules and

> expectations.

> Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in between

> classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to silent

> lunch and

> have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask the

> principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he

> basically said he felt

> that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social skills

> was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have any

> social free

> time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of that time in

> line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year

> olds to go an

> entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

>

> Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the middle

> school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing

> classes and

> etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was willing to

> help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want me

> bothering

> her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to finish and was

> told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never happened and

> apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he lost

> them. She

> refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the science

> book. He

> does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site to

> look the

> words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the words but the

> site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son up for a

> doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to make sure he

> had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I

> walked into

> the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were there to get

> his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she refused to give

> me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had scheduled a

> conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a conference first of

> all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that way. She then

> proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately

> and that if I

> needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt. Does this

> sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during class time or

> during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was acknowledging and

> he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were told

> despite his

> biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he can only go

> under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let

> happen. If he

> has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under health

> impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

>

> sorry so long

>

> Sheree

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was just about through with a reply and my computer froze! Argh!

So here's a much shorter one, LOL!

Yes, sounds like our middle school.

Very familiar with silent lunches but I think they still got the

regular meal (mine mostly packed their lunches anyway). There was

just a " silent lunch " table to sit at.

I do think they were rude to you. If I happened to be there

before/after school and the teacher was seen, never a problem talking

to them. But I did set up many meetings during middle school years

and what I had to do was call the guidance office, say I wanted to

meet with " ? " and then they would tell me times available, I'd pick

and then they would inform the teachers of the day/time to meet (so

teachers had no say).

Socializing - no, schools don't care. Social " skills " - not middle

school's problem. The latter coming up for my son in 8th grade. I

could have argued the point I felt, but it was 8th grade so we were

almost done with middle school anyway.

Here's some info below from our state education site on the

disability definitions.

*******************************

(8) Other Health Impaired.

Other health-impaired students have chronic or acute health problems

which cause limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a

heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, to such an extent that

special educational services are necessary. The health problems may

include heart

conditions, chronic lung disease, tuberculosis, rheumatic fever,

nephritis, asthma, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, epilepsy, lead

poisoning, leukemia, diabetes, attention deficit disorder or

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, genetic impairments or some

other illness which may cause a student to have limited strength,

vitality or alertness, adversely affecting educational performance or

developmental progress.

(2) Behaviorally-Emotionally Disabled

Behaviorally-emotionally disabled students are students who, after

receiving specially designed educational support services and

intervention strategies in the regular educational setting, still

exhibit patterns of situationally inappropriate interpersonal or

intrapersonal behavior.

The inappropriate behaviors must be long-standing patterns of

behavior which occur regularly and often enough as to interfere

consistently with the student's own learning process. A behavioral-

emotional disability is evidenced by one or more of the following

characteristics, which cannot be attributed primarily to

physical, sensory, or intellectual deficits:

(a) inability to achieve adequate academic progress (not due to a

learning disability);

( inability to maintain satisfactory interpersonal and/or

intrapersonal relationships;

© inappropriate or immature types of behavior or feelings under

normal conditions;

(d) a general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression;

(e) a tendency to develop physical symptoms, pains or fears

associated with personal or school problems.

The term does not include the socially maladjusted student unless it

is determined that he/she is also behaviorally-emotionally disabled.

>

> I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started

middle

> school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules

and expectations.

> Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in

between

> classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to

silent lunch and

> have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask

the

> principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he

basically said he felt

> that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social

skills

> was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have

any social free

> time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of that

time in

> line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year

olds to go an

> entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

>

> Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the

middle

> school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing

classes and

> etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was

willing to

> help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want

me bothering

> her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to

finish and was

> told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never happened

and

> apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he

lost them. She

> refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the

science book. He

> does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site

to look the

> words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the

words but the

> site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son

up for a

> doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to

make sure he

> had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I

walked into

> the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were

there to get

> his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she

refused to give

> me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had

scheduled a

> conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a conference

first of

> all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that way.

She then

> proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately

and that if I

> needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt.

Does this

> sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during

class time or

> during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was

acknowledging and

> he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were told

despite his

> biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he can

only go

> under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let

happen. If he

> has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under

health

> impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

>

> sorry so long

>

> Sheree

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow! I am just catching up on posts and I can't believe how nasty your

school is being! Your principal sounds like a jerk and it is against the law

for

the school to ignore your son's 504. Since you have already tried to talk to

some of the people there, I'd start making some noise at a higher level!

Kelley in NV

[Guest guest]

I just now read all of the posts concerning this. I feel SO bad for

you and I certainly know how you feel.

First of all, my son's diagnosis of PANDAS is very new...just

happening over the Summer and we have been hopping to find help for

him.

Anyway, my son is now in 8th grade. His 6th and 7th grade years he

went to a public middle school. I am familiar with all that you

wrote about. No talking in the halls, no talking at lunch, no going

to your locker between classes, you must walk down the correct side

of the hall...on and on. I went in to school many different times

and I encountered the same kind of attitudes that you did. I heard

the principal screaming into a MICROPHONE in the lunch room barking

out orders for all the kids. My son said that he would even tell

them to shut up.

Ok, call me a mother hen all you want but let me ask you this. If

you were at your job and your boss started screaming at you to shut

up how do you think you would respond?? So, why is that ok to do to

the kids?? We're supposed to be teaching here aren't we?? I'm all

about discipline but can't we weed out a little better the kids who

are misbehaving and deal with them instead of punish the entire

school?

as I said developed OCD over this Summer...or at least it

became apparent this Summer. He was TERRIFIED to go back to his old

school. Now, this is a kid who was popular, outgoing, and had gobs

of friends. We ended up pulling him out of public school and

putting him in a private Christian school. Now, I know this isn't

for everybody, and I'm not suggesting that at all but I will tell

you this, I have had support up to my eyeballs in this school. He

has been going 1/2 days for the past week and 1/2. The teacher's

have been phenomenal. It really worries me what we are doing in our

schools. It is especially true of the middle school years. These

are the years that I think are the most difficult for the kids

already...raging hormones, lots more responsibility, and then for

those of us who have kids that are dealing with other things such as

OCD, ADHD, Tourette's..it becomes that much harder.

Sorry for running my mouth so much but I feel your pain. If it were

me and I had it available and could swing the cost I would pull him

out of public school through at least the middle school years. Good

luck to you. I hope things work out.

Dana

>

> I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started

middle

> school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules

and expectations.

> Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in

between

> classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to

silent lunch and

> have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask

the

> principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he

basically said he felt

> that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social

skills

> was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have

any social free

> time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of

that time in

> line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year

olds to go an

> entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

>

> Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the

middle

> school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing

classes and

> etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was

willing to

> help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want

me bothering

> her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to

finish and was

> told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never

happened and

> apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he

lost them. She

> refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the

science book. He

> does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site

to look the

> words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the

words but the

> site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son

up for a

> doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to

make sure he

> had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I

walked into

> the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were

there to get

> his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she

refused to give

> me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had

scheduled a

> conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a

conference first of

> all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that

way. She then

> proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately

and that if I

> needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt.

Does this

> sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during

class time or

> during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was

acknowledging and

> he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were

told despite his

> biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he

can only go

> under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let

happen. If he

> has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under

health

> impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

>

> sorry so long

>

> Sheree

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

feel free to vent dana - that's why we're here! I totally agree we're

no where near middle school but how dare they treat the kids this way!!!

Quoting Dana <pba1221d@...>:

> I just now read all of the posts concerning this. I feel SO bad for

> you and I certainly know how you feel.

>

> First of all, my son's diagnosis of PANDAS is very new...just

> happening over the Summer and we have been hopping to find help for

> him.

>

> Anyway, my son is now in 8th grade. His 6th and 7th grade years he

> went to a public middle school. I am familiar with all that you

> wrote about. No talking in the halls, no talking at lunch, no going

> to your locker between classes, you must walk down the correct side

> of the hall...on and on. I went in to school many different times

> and I encountered the same kind of attitudes that you did. I heard

> the principal screaming into a MICROPHONE in the lunch room barking

> out orders for all the kids. My son said that he would even tell

> them to shut up.

>

> Ok, call me a mother hen all you want but let me ask you this. If

> you were at your job and your boss started screaming at you to shut

> up how do you think you would respond?? So, why is that ok to do to

> the kids?? We're supposed to be teaching here aren't we?? I'm all

> about discipline but can't we weed out a little better the kids who

> are misbehaving and deal with them instead of punish the entire

> school?

>

> as I said developed OCD over this Summer...or at least it

> became apparent this Summer. He was TERRIFIED to go back to his old

> school. Now, this is a kid who was popular, outgoing, and had gobs

> of friends. We ended up pulling him out of public school and

> putting him in a private Christian school. Now, I know this isn't

> for everybody, and I'm not suggesting that at all but I will tell

> you this, I have had support up to my eyeballs in this school. He

> has been going 1/2 days for the past week and 1/2. The teacher's

> have been phenomenal. It really worries me what we are doing in our

> schools. It is especially true of the middle school years. These

> are the years that I think are the most difficult for the kids

> already...raging hormones, lots more responsibility, and then for

> those of us who have kids that are dealing with other things such as

> OCD, ADHD, Tourette's..it becomes that much harder.

>

> Sorry for running my mouth so much but I feel your pain. If it were

> me and I had it available and could swing the cost I would pull him

> out of public school through at least the middle school years. Good

> luck to you. I hope things work out.

>

> Dana

>

>

>

>

>>

>> I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started

> middle

>> school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules

> and expectations.

>> Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in

> between

>> classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to

> silent lunch and

>> have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask

> the

>> principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he

> basically said he felt

>> that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social

> skills

>> was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have

> any social free

>> time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of

> that time in

>> line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year

> olds to go an

>> entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

>>

>> Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the

> middle

>> school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing

> classes and

>> etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was

> willing to

>> help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want

> me bothering

>> her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to

> finish and was

>> told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never

> happened and

>> apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he

> lost them. She

>> refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the

> science book. He

>> does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site

> to look the

>> words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the

> words but the

>> site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son

> up for a

>> doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to

> make sure he

>> had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I

> walked into

>> the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were

> there to get

>> his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she

> refused to give

>> me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had

> scheduled a

>> conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a

> conference first of

>> all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that

> way. She then

>> proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately

> and that if I

>> needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt.

> Does this

>> sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during

> class time or

>> during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was

> acknowledging and

>> he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were

> told despite his

>> biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he

> can only go

>> under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let

> happen. If he

>> has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under

> health

>> impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

>>

>> sorry so long

>>

>> Sheree

>>

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

We started homeschooling 8 years ago because of the non-cooperation of

schools. It was the best thing we ever did! And much, much easier

than we first assumed it would be. The thing I find so ironic is that

most people comment that they are afraid to homeschool because they

think their child will not develop social skills. From what you are

writing here it doesn't sound like they do at schools! In fact, my

son has public schooled friends who complain of being picked on and

ridiculed all the time. That is not GOOD socialization. With

homeschooling, you can be a social as you want to be. . .As involved

as you choose to be. We've never found socialization to be a problem.

We stay involved in a homeschool group, do lots of field trips, and

do volunteer work.

I'm so sorry to hear of your situations, because I can relate. It is

most hard on your child. Our son was so distraught over the school's

treatment, he spiraled into a dark depression where he stopped eating

and sleeping. Our laughing son just disappeared. The last straw was

when I had to chase him down the street one morning as I was getting

ready to drive him to school. He was running and crying, saying he

couldn't go to that place again. He was 7 years old. I held him and

told him he never had to go there again. They used humiliation as

discipline, and refused to work with him and us (his parents). They

refused to let him use the bathroom, even though he was on large doses

of laxatives and had a doctor's note telling them they had to let him

use the bathroom whenever he needed. It took a couple of months,

after we quit the public schools, for our son to recover and snap out

of the depression, but he did. Since then he has thrived with

homeschooling. He always tests in the top 90% in the nation. He tends

to be a brainiac and can work ahead now which is great. Too often in

school he was bored and got in trouble because he had nothing to do.

In spite of repeated requests to give him extra work to keep him busy,

they never did.

My experience with private schools, is that SOME are no better than

public schools, but a lot more expensive. We tried private school one

year and it was very expensive. I'm sure there must be some good

private schools, we just didn't find one in our area. Homeschooling

costs a lot, lot less. It isn't for everybody, but there are millions

who do it successfully every year. If your child is really, really

suffering, it is something to consider.

BJ

> >

> > I am so upset and I am wondering what to do. My son just started

> middle

> > school and this middle school is unrealistic with all its rules

> and expectations.

> > Tell me if you think this is crazy. The school has a rule that in

> between

> > classes you can not talk in the hall. If you do then you go to

> silent lunch and

> > have a sack lunch... not a hot lunch as punishment. I went to ask

> the

> > principal about how he was supplying kids social time and he

> basically said he felt

> > that wasn't his job. He felt his job was academics only and Social

> skills

> > was secondary. There not any time in the kids day that they have

> any social free

> > time, except at lunch which is 30 min and you take up half of

> that time in

> > line getting your food. I think that is unfair to expect 12 year

> olds to go an

> > entire day with only 30 min of a down time.

> >

> > Also, The first week my son was a nervous wreck over starting the

> middle

> > school and was having trouble with all the change such as changing

> classes and

> > etc. well, I tried to explain to the home room teacher that I was

> willing to

> > help her help him. She has an attitude and basically doesn't want

> me bothering

> > her. I asked her for some voc words that my son didn't get to

> finish and was

> > told he would do during working lunch. Working lunch never

> happened and

> > apparently she gave him the words to do at home and some how he

> lost them. She

> > refused to give them to me again and told me they were in the

> science book. He

> > does not own his own science book and she gave us an Internet site

> to look the

> > words up. We tried on several different occasions to get the

> words but the

> > site server was down so she gave him a " 0 " . I went to pick my son

> up for a

> > doctor's apt and went by his locker that is in his home room to

> make sure he

> > had all the books he needed. His teacher was on planning time. I

> walked into

> > the room and she asked if she could help us. I told her we were

> there to get

> > his books to take home. I then asked for the words which she

> refused to give

> > me and then the assistant principal walked in and asked if I had

> scheduled a

> > conference to talk to the teacher. I wasn't there for a

> conference first of

> > all and I thought it was VERY RUDE for her to talk to me that

> way. She then

> > proceeded to tell me she had seen me a lot in the building lately

> and that if I

> > needed to talk to the teacher I could e-mail her or make an apt.

> Does this

> > sound unfriendly to you??? I have never disturbed her during

> class time or

> > during the school hours. My son has a 504 which not one was

> acknowledging and

> > he has paper work for Special ed certification. which we were

> told despite his

> > biggest problem is organization which is caused by his ADHD he

> can only go

> > under the special education title under ED which I refuse to let

> happen. If he

> > has tourettes, OCD and ADHD I don't know why he can't go under

> health

> > impaired. Can someone help me? I don't know what to do????

> >

> > sorry so long

> >

> > Sheree

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all of your replies! You were so MUCH help! I wanted to update

you on what is going on right now. The school has decided we should stick

with the 504 right now. We are suppose to have a meeting at some point to update

his 504 for middle school. The teacher that was giving us problems is still

being a pain, but I ordered my son the science book he was using in class so

I can also teach him what he needs to know. So far it is working out better.

THANK GOD! I still don't like the school and feel all the school cares about

is score and not the child. The science teacher has weighed his one test

grade as 50% of his grade. He got a 52 because he wasn't given a study guide

and I had no idea he even had a test. It wasn't written in his agenda. Any

ways. He has 9 grade. He has 8 grades with 100% because he did extra credit and

brought all his grades up. Because she weighted his test 50% he still has 76%

for a grade which I think is crazy! Well, I told my son not to worry about his

grade but just do his best and that is all that mattered.

I still feel the school should allow the students to either talk between

classes or give them some free time in the day for down time. I think that the

schools who do this are GREAT SCHOOLS! Thanks again for listening. I don't know

what I would do with out having all of you for support!

Sheree

[Guest guest]

Hi, I am just wondering. Is the school overcrowded? Is that the reason for no

talking? If they have so many students that when they all start to whisper it

sounds like a low rumble, imagine what it sounds like when they yell.

As a teacher myself, I would just like to tell you that even if there is not

enough books to go home with each student, they should have all the needed

materials in their notebooks. There comes a time when teachers stop giving

study sheets. Usually it's fifth grade. I dont know what grade level you guys

are at now.

This is to give the child responsibility in learning how to study. Plus, it

helps out for 6th grade when the teacher really wont give anything.

You can do a couple things about this: One, you can go to the teacher and

explain that your child is on medication in which he might have some short term

memory loss. I had to do this for my 9 yr old. Ask the teacher to makeyou sign

off on his homework folder each night. Ask the teacher to take time out of his

or her day to make certain that the child has the correct info in the homework

folder. If they dont have a homework folder, get one.

Two, email. This is a wonderful thing. If the school has a website, does he

or she post what the assignments are on the net? Can the teacher make a

standard e-mail to you letting you know what is coming up.

I see this on both ends. As a parent and as a city school teacher. If its an

urban school, the no talking is there for a reason. Not everyones kids are as

good as yours.

Trust me.

Good Luck!

Skbradfield@... wrote:

Thank you for all of your replies! You were so MUCH help! I wanted to

update

you on what is going on right now. The school has decided we should stick

with the 504 right now. We are suppose to have a meeting at some point to update

his 504 for middle school. The teacher that was giving us problems is still

being a pain, but I ordered my son the science book he was using in class so

I can also teach him what he needs to know. So far it is working out better.

THANK GOD! I still don't like the school and feel all the school cares about

is score and not the child. The science teacher has weighed his one test

grade as 50% of his grade. He got a 52 because he wasn't given a study guide

and I had no idea he even had a test. It wasn't written in his agenda. Any

ways. He has 9 grade. He has 8 grades with 100% because he did extra credit and

brought all his grades up. Because she weighted his test 50% he still has 76%

for a grade which I think is crazy! Well, I told my son not to worry about his

grade but just do his best and that is all that mattered.

I still feel the school should allow the students to either talk between

classes or give them some free time in the day for down time. I think that the

schools who do this are GREAT SCHOOLS! Thanks again for listening. I don't know

what I would do with out having all of you for support!

Sheree

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to let you know that the teacher did not give ANYTHING to study

for the test. I asked her about it and she said she wanted to know what they

learned in class from listening to her. That is OK if your child is an

auditory learner but if your child has ADHD and OCD that just doesn't cut it.

We

didn't have a book or anything for him to study for the science test. The one

thing that could have helped him a little would have been a word list which she

refused to give me because she said she had already gave it to him once.

Well, he didn't have it and it was only the eighth day of school and that test

has affected his whole grade.

His anxiety was up from it being the first weeks of school and I am sure

others were too so I feel she should have given him a break.

We know a little more as with other parents how their system works and we

are doing better at helping our child but I am sorry I think giving a test that

affects the child's grade by 50% on the ten days after school just started

is ridiculous. The first five days was learning how to find their classes and

how the routine was. She also told the kids verbally that she was having a

test that Friday. She did not put it on the board for them to write in their

agenda. As for on-line looking at what the teacher wants... don't worry I am

doing that EVERY night. My son has been keeping an agenda since first grade and

does it well so We have not had any problems with it. BUT why have an agenda

when you don't write what all you are expecting from the student for them

to write. I don't even care about his agenda now. All I do is look at the

e-mails. The agenda is wasted in her class.

I am a teacher too and I don't care if the noise level is loud for the

teachers. The kids still deserve a down time at some point in the day. There are

MANY middle schools out there that do give the kids this time and I feel that

those schools are smart. My son only has PE three days a week and two of those

days he comes home completely WIRED from sitting at desk all day. I don't

think that is healthy. Even high school isn't that strict.

Sheree

[Guest guest]

WOW! I agree with you. I do not think that nine days into school any type of

major test should be given. And I do think that a lot of school is learning

social behavior. Complete scilence is odd.

Have you taken these complaints to the school? Its middle school right? I

teach middle school and we do allow talking. Now it is a privlidge that we will

take away but your right, kids need that outlet.

Why PE only 3 times a week?

Skbradfield@... wrote:

Just wanted to let you know that the teacher did not give ANYTHING to

study

for the test. I asked her about it and she said she wanted to know what they

learned in class from listening to her. That is OK if your child is an

auditory learner but if your child has ADHD and OCD that just doesn't cut it. We

didn't have a book or anything for him to study for the science test. The one

thing that could have helped him a little would have been a word list which she

refused to give me because she said she had already gave it to him once.

Well, he didn't have it and it was only the eighth day of school and that test

has affected his whole grade.

His anxiety was up from it being the first weeks of school and I am sure

others were too so I feel she should have given him a break.

We know a little more as with other parents how their system works and we

are doing better at helping our child but I am sorry I think giving a test that

affects the child's grade by 50% on the ten days after school just started

is ridiculous. The first five days was learning how to find their classes and

how the routine was. She also told the kids verbally that she was having a

test that Friday. She did not put it on the board for them to write in their

agenda. As for on-line looking at what the teacher wants... don't worry I am

doing that EVERY night. My son has been keeping an agenda since first grade and

does it well so We have not had any problems with it. BUT why have an agenda

when you don't write what all you are expecting from the student for them

to write. I don't even care about his agenda now. All I do is look at the

e-mails. The agenda is wasted in her class.

I am a teacher too and I don't care if the noise level is loud for the

teachers. The kids still deserve a down time at some point in the day. There are

MANY middle schools out there that do give the kids this time and I feel that

those schools are smart. My son only has PE three days a week and two of those

days he comes home completely WIRED from sitting at desk all day. I don't

think that is healthy. Even high school isn't that strict.

Sheree

[Guest guest]

Sheree,

My son is in middle school too, and they do talk between classes.

They have to keep it controlled, but not prison-like quiet. I think

having to resort to this type of atmosphere is a sign of bad

management.

I also think what your son is having to deal with in this teacher is

ridiculous. Children have different learning styles, she should

teach to the entire class - not just the ideal student (or her

perception of the ideal child). But, even ideal students miss/lose

much of what is given to them by verbal means alone. I'm sorry, but

that teacher needs to find a different job - she obviously doesn't

have the heart of a teacher! If your son has ADHD, you certainly

have a right to accommodations, which should put a stop to a lot of

what you and your son have been faced with as a result of this

teacher's actions. My son (13 y/o OCD, ADHD primarily inattentive

type, and gifted) just brought home his extra set of books today - an

accommodation required in his IEP. I maintain a good relationship

with my son's school, but when he has had teachers who haven't worked

in his best interest, I don't hesitate to push for his rights. Good

luck in your attempts to help your son.

>

> Just wanted to let you know that the teacher did not give ANYTHING

to study

> for the test. I asked her about it and she said she wanted to know

what they

> learned in class from listening to her. That is OK if your child is

an

> auditory learner but if your child has ADHD and OCD that just

doesn't cut it. We

> didn't have a book or anything for him to study for the science

test. The one

> thing that could have helped him a little would have been a word

list which she

> refused to give me because she said she had already gave it to him

once.

> Well, he didn't have it and it was only the eighth day of school

and that test

> has affected his whole grade.

> His anxiety was up from it being the first weeks of school and I am

sure

> others were too so I feel she should have given him a break.

> We know a little more as with other parents how their system works

and we

> are doing better at helping our child but I am sorry I think giving

a test that

> affects the child's grade by 50% on the ten days after school just

started

> is ridiculous. The first five days was learning how to find their

classes and

> how the routine was. She also told the kids verbally that she was

having a

> test that Friday. She did not put it on the board for them to write

in their

> agenda. As for on-line looking at what the teacher wants... don't

worry I am

> doing that EVERY night. My son has been keeping an agenda since

first grade and

> does it well so We have not had any problems with it. BUT why have

an agenda

> when you don't write what all you are expecting from the student

for them

> to write. I don't even care about his agenda now. All I do is look

at the

> e-mails. The agenda is wasted in her class.

>

> I am a teacher too and I don't care if the noise level is loud for

the

> teachers. The kids still deserve a down time at some point in the

day. There are

> MANY middle schools out there that do give the kids this time and I

feel that

> those schools are smart. My son only has PE three days a week and

two of those

> days he comes home completely WIRED from sitting at desk all day.

I don't

> think that is healthy. Even high school isn't that strict.

>

> Sheree

>

>

>