Re: ESY

[Guest guest]

This is the first year Trisha is getting ESY, basically what she does is go

all year with a week off in July and another week off in August (for the

summer and 1 1/2 weeks off in December and 1 week off in April plus any other

school holidays or closings. ). Her hours and her courses are the same as the

normal school day. She will continue with her speech and OT through out the

summer.

Carol

Trishasmom

She isn't Typical, She's Trisha!

[Guest guest]

Well I would say that the " I " in IEP means individualized...and that your son

REALLY NEEDS the whole 8 weeks at 6 hours a day. I think there must be some

presedent for keeping it the same. His program should not depend on budget, but

his needs. What state are you in? Maybe someone for your state will chime in

with some idea's.

Brigid

ESY

What does everyone else get for ESY? Because is autistic, our district

was offering 4 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks of summer. I know it was

great for him, especially since he just has a melt down when he doesn't have

school. It was a nice supplement for the summer. But I am finding out that the

State, which has audited out district, is not happy with how many children are

being enrolled in ESY and they have cut back funding to our district for it, so

this summer I am being offered 3 day a week, 3 hours a day for 6 weeks. Big

change and I am afraid of how is going to react. A few years ago before he

was recognized as being autistic by the school, that summer, escaped the

house, climbed over the fence, broke into our neighbors homes and garages to

play with the garage doors. We key lock all the doors and he would find the

key. I can't live another summer like that. He needs the structure and routine

of school. The only solution I am being told is to hire someone to take care of

him. I can't afford that. I have 3 kids now and the baby is also gross motor

delayed. On top of that, in order for me not to have to work outside of the

home, I work from home. I would need someone to be with most of the day,

and I can't afford to pay someone with experience to do that.

I want to know what everyone else does with their kids during the summer if

school is not offering enough. Also, does anyone know if I can fight this.

This is actually the first year, has shown regression to justify ESY

anyway. I have a lot of concerns with him since he is now in 5th grade. Next

year is middle school and so on top of not enough school being offered for

summer, he is going to have everything new. He's been at the same school,

teachers, aides, classmates, routine, everything from K - 5th grade.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Tollefson

[Guest guest]

Some schools will pay for speech camp or special camps. They don't like to do

it, but will whhen pushed

Brigid

ESY

What does everyone else get for ESY? Because is autistic, our district

was offering 4 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks of summer. I know it was

great for him, especially since he just has a melt down when he doesn't have

school. It was a nice supplement for the summer. But I am finding out that the

State, which has audited out district, is not happy with how many children are

being enrolled in ESY and they have cut back funding to our district for it, so

this summer I am being offered 3 day a week, 3 hours a day for 6 weeks. Big

change and I am afraid of how is going to react. A few years ago before he

was recognized as being autistic by the school, that summer, escaped the

house, climbed over the fence, broke into our neighbors homes and garages to

play with the garage doors. We key lock all the doors and he would find the

key. I can't live another summer like that. He needs the structure and routine

of school. The only solution I am being told is to hire someone to take care of

him. I can't afford that. I have 3 kids now and the baby is also gross motor

delayed. On top of that, in order for me not to have to work outside of the

home, I work from home. I would need someone to be with most of the day,

and I can't afford to pay someone with experience to do that.

I want to know what everyone else does with their kids during the summer if

school is not offering enough. Also, does anyone know if I can fight this.

This is actually the first year, has shown regression to justify ESY

anyway. I have a lot of concerns with him since he is now in 5th grade. Next

year is middle school and so on top of not enough school being offered for

summer, he is going to have everything new. He's been at the same school,

teachers, aides, classmates, routine, everything from K - 5th grade.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Tollefson

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You mustn't ever mention to the school that you use their service as a

babysitter. I seems that nine hours a week is very low. You can justifiy that

socially he would regress in this area without a consistant structured

environment that only school can offer. It would be an easier battle if you used

the social and communication piece wrapped around the academics to justify more

hours. ESY is specifically used not only for regression but for recoupment and

emerging skills. I would also check for sped camps in your area that may

provide a better alternative that school could offer. I hope this helps.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 13 DS/OCD/ASD?

Tollefson wrote:

What does everyone else get for ESY? Because is autistic, our district

was offering 4 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks of summer. I know it was

great for him, especially since he just has a melt down when he doesn't have

school. It was a nice supplement for the summer. But I am finding out that the

State, which has audited out district, is not happy with how many children are

being enrolled in ESY and they have cut back funding to our district for it, so

this summer I am being offered 3 day a week, 3 hours a day for 6 weeks. Big

change and I am afraid of how is going to react. A few years ago before he

was recognized as being autistic by the school, that summer, escaped the

house, climbed over the fence, broke into our neighbors homes and garages to

play with the garage doors. We key lock all the doors and he would find the key.

I can't live another summer like that. He needs the structure and routine of

school. The only solution I am being told is to hire

someone to take care of him. I can't afford that. I have 3 kids now and the

baby is also gross motor delayed. On top of that, in order for me not to have to

work outside of the home, I work from home. I would need someone to be with

most of the day, and I can't afford to pay someone with experience to do that.

I want to know what everyone else does with their kids during the summer if

school is not offering enough. Also, does anyone know if I can fight this. This

is actually the first year, has shown regression to justify ESY anyway. I

have a lot of concerns with him since he is now in 5th grade. Next year is

middle school and so on top of not enough school being offered for summer, he is

going to have everything new. He's been at the same school, teachers, aides,

classmates, routine, everything from K - 5th grade.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Tollefson

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all who responded. We are in Texas for those that know anything I

can do directly. The only summer programs I have found that he would

participate in is Camp Summit, but they only offer 1 week out of the whole

summer at $500. The only thing I am having a hard time proving, is his

behavior regresses at home, not at school. He wants to be at school, he

needs the structure and routine. When we had that awful summer a few years

ago, he bounced back right into his schedule when school started. How can I

prove to them that his behavior regresses at home when he is not in school?

As far as doing other things, he is MR and autistic. I also have a 5 year

old and a 1 year old also. It's very difficult to plan outings on a regular

basis, on top of the fact that he is going to be acting out.

The response that I got from the Special Ed Director for Elementary school,

was if I have to do it for you I have to do it for everyone. EXACTLY! When

they were offering 4 days a week 6 hours a day there were 4 other students

in there. I am not sure where these students are now. They might all be in

middle school now and would be the only one. He's not the only one in

the district with autism and in elementary school, so I don't know what the

other autistic kids do. Maybe they are not as severe as . I don't

know. I am so frustrated right now and I am freaking out over what I am

going to do with him to keep him busy and from acting out. I can't afford

to hire someone to help me keep him occupied. I understand that I need to

present to the district that his social and communication skill would

regress, but how do I convince them that he needs something. If not school,

then what? They can't answer me that. We get flyers home daily for summer

camps for " regular " ed kids. What is there for special needs kids with MR

that can't listen to instructions and may escape. I hope I don't sound like

I am trying to " pawn " him off, or that I don't want to spend time with him.

I do. But he is not the type to sit down and play cars with other people,

or read a book. He does his own thing and in his own world and as long as

he has his routine and every day is the same, he's happy.

Thanks again,

Tollefson

Re: ESY

> Hi ,

> You mustn't ever mention to the school that you use their service as a

> babysitter. I seems that nine hours a week is very low. You can justifiy

> that socially he would regress in this area without a consistant

> structured environment that only school can offer. It would be an easier

> battle if you used the social and communication piece wrapped around the

> academics to justify more hours. ESY is specifically used not only for

> regression but for recoupment and emerging skills. I would also check for

> sped camps in your area that may provide a better alternative that school

> could offer. I hope this helps.

> Charlyne

> Mom to Zeb 13 DS/OCD/ASD?

>

> Tollefson wrote:

> What does everyone else get for ESY? Because is autistic, our

> district was offering 4 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks of summer.

> I know it was great for him, especially since he just has a melt down when

> he doesn't have school. It was a nice supplement for the summer. But I am

> finding out that the State, which has audited out district, is not happy

> with how many children are being enrolled in ESY and they have cut back

> funding to our district for it, so this summer I am being offered 3 day a

> week, 3 hours a day for 6 weeks. Big change and I am afraid of how is

> going to react. A few years ago before he was recognized as being autistic

> by the school, that summer, escaped the house, climbed over the

> fence, broke into our neighbors homes and garages to play with the garage

> doors. We key lock all the doors and he would find the key. I can't live

> another summer like that. He needs the structure and routine of school.

> The only solution I am being told is to hire

> someone to take care of him. I can't afford that. I have 3 kids now and

> the baby is also gross motor delayed. On top of that, in order for me not

> to have to work outside of the home, I work from home. I would need

> someone to be with most of the day, and I can't afford to pay someone

> with experience to do that.

> I want to know what everyone else does with their kids during the summer

> if school is not offering enough. Also, does anyone know if I can fight

> this. This is actually the first year, has shown regression to

> justify ESY anyway. I have a lot of concerns with him since he is now in

> 5th grade. Next year is middle school and so on top of not enough school

> being offered for summer, he is going to have everything new. He's been at

> the same school, teachers, aides, classmates, routine, everything from K -

> 5th grade.

> Any thoughts?

> Thanks

> Tollefson

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You could take a video or actually invite the sped director over for coffee to

do an in home observation. If you think outside of the box you may come up with

something. I would not only mention the social and behavioral issues but talk

about his functional daily living skills. Does your state offer respite through

ARC or another agency?Your local ARC may provide a program or may offer some

suggestions. ESY does not have to follow a norm, need drives services. There may

be another school that has the summer program that you are looking for and your

sped coordinator could arrange that he attend. You could call your state

special education dept and inquire about summer programs, private and public,

around your area.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 13 DS/OCD/ASD?

Tollefson wrote:

Thanks to all who responded. We are in Texas for those that know anything I

can do directly. The only summer programs I have found that he would

participate in is Camp Summit, but they only offer 1 week out of the whole

summer at $500. The only thing I am having a hard time proving, is his

behavior regresses at home, not at school. He wants to be at school, he

needs the structure and routine. When we had that awful summer a few years

ago, he bounced back right into his schedule when school started. How can I

prove to them that his behavior regresses at home when he is not in school?

As far as doing other things, he is MR and autistic. I also have a 5 year

old and a 1 year old also. It's very difficult to plan outings on a regular

basis, on top of the fact that he is going to be acting out.

The response that I got from the Special Ed Director for Elementary school,

was if I have to do it for you I have to do it for everyone. EXACTLY! When

they were offering 4 days a week 6 hours a day there were 4 other students

in there. I am not sure where these students are now. They might all be in

middle school now and would be the only one. He's not the only one in

the district with autism and in elementary school, so I don't know what the

other autistic kids do. Maybe they are not as severe as . I don't

know. I am so frustrated right now and I am freaking out over what I am

going to do with him to keep him busy and from acting out. I can't afford

to hire someone to help me keep him occupied. I understand that I need to

present to the district that his social and communication skill would

regress, but how do I convince them that he needs something. If not school,

then what? They can't answer me that. We get flyers home daily for summer

camps for " regular " ed kids. What is there for special needs kids with MR

that can't listen to instructions and may escape. I hope I don't sound like

I am trying to " pawn " him off, or that I don't want to spend time with him.

I do. But he is not the type to sit down and play cars with other people,

or read a book. He does his own thing and in his own world and as long as

he has his routine and every day is the same, he's happy.

Thanks again,

Tollefson

Re: ESY

> Hi ,

> You mustn't ever mention to the school that you use their service as a

> babysitter. I seems that nine hours a week is very low. You can justifiy

> that socially he would regress in this area without a consistant

> structured environment that only school can offer. It would be an easier

> battle if you used the social and communication piece wrapped around the

> academics to justify more hours. ESY is specifically used not only for

> regression but for recoupment and emerging skills. I would also check for

> sped camps in your area that may provide a better alternative that school

> could offer. I hope this helps.

> Charlyne

> Mom to Zeb 13 DS/OCD/ASD?

>

> Tollefson wrote:

> What does everyone else get for ESY? Because is autistic, our

> district was offering 4 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks of summer.

> I know it was great for him, especially since he just has a melt down when

> he doesn't have school. It was a nice supplement for the summer. But I am

> finding out that the State, which has audited out district, is not happy

> with how many children are being enrolled in ESY and they have cut back

> funding to our district for it, so this summer I am being offered 3 day a

> week, 3 hours a day for 6 weeks. Big change and I am afraid of how is

> going to react. A few years ago before he was recognized as being autistic

> by the school, that summer, escaped the house, climbed over the

> fence, broke into our neighbors homes and garages to play with the garage

> doors. We key lock all the doors and he would find the key. I can't live

> another summer like that. He needs the structure and routine of school.

> The only solution I am being told is to hire

> someone to take care of him. I can't afford that. I have 3 kids now and

> the baby is also gross motor delayed. On top of that, in order for me not

> to have to work outside of the home, I work from home. I would need

> someone to be with most of the day, and I can't afford to pay someone

> with experience to do that.

> I want to know what everyone else does with their kids during the summer

> if school is not offering enough. Also, does anyone know if I can fight

> this. This is actually the first year, has shown regression to

> justify ESY anyway. I have a lot of concerns with him since he is now in

> 5th grade. Next year is middle school and so on top of not enough school

> being offered for summer, he is going to have everything new. He's been at

> the same school, teachers, aides, classmates, routine, everything from K -

> 5th grade.

> Any thoughts?

> Thanks

> Tollefson

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/4/2006 5:44:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

tollytx@... writes:

What does everyone else get for ESY? Because is autistic, our district

was offering 4 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks of summer. I know it

was great for him, especially since he just has a melt down when he doesn't

have school. It was a nice supplement for the summer. But I am finding out

that the State, which has audited out district, is not happy with how many

children are being enrolled in ESY and they have cut back funding to our

district for it, so this summer I am being offered 3 day a week, 3 hours a day

for

6 weeks.

Hey ,

Philadelphia tried to pull that one on us as well. I contacted the

Education Law Center right away, and apparently, I wasn't the only parent to do

so. They changed their minds and paid. Maddie gets 5 days a week for 6

weeks, 6 hours a day....it's exactly like her school day. Same school, same

classroom, same teachers, same aides......I had them write VERY clear and

strong language in her last two IEP's after the SD tried to take it away.

We

wrote that she NEEDED to be in her same classroom due to her autism and

inability to deal with transitions and changes. Maddie also doesn't sweat,

and NEEDS to be in air-conditioning.....another tool that works for us since

Philly doesn't have air-conditioned classrooms (it's a VERY real threat though,

and one I worry about a great deal every summer...she could die).

Donna

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/4/2006 11:29:26 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

tollytx@... writes:

When we had that awful summer a few years

ago, he bounced back right into his schedule when school started. How can I

prove to them that his behavior regresses at home when he is not in school?

,

Videotape. Although at this point, you don't want to HAVE to prove it

to them..then it would be too late already.

<<The response that I got from the Special Ed Director for Elementary

school,

was if I have to do it for you I have to do it for everyone. >>

And your response will be, " I don't care about everyone else......where's

the *I* in IEP " .

<<It's very difficult to plan outings on a regular

basis, on top of the fact that he is going to be acting out.>>

Bring up the distress caused to your ENTIRE family.

<< I am so frustrated right now and I am freaking out over what I am

going to do with him to keep him busy>>

, DON'T feel guilty about that....I'm telling you, I about went

BALLISTIC when Philly tried to take ours away. I remember being in tears,

yelling

at the principal (poor guy, it certainly wasn't HIS fault), saying

" OMG....WHAT am I going to do with her for TWELVE FREAKIN weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have

four other kids. I can't send her to a camp.....she can't even go to the

local supermarket because she's terrified of anything new " . , let

them know you're desperate....that no ESY is NOT an option. I'm telling

you, it's really all in the wording...and I don't care one iota about crying in

front of these people....I'm honest and human.

Good luck honey....keep us posted.

Donna

[Guest guest]

In reading the message about ESY I noticed that you said, " maddie doesn't sweat "

My daughter is very fairskinned and delicate looking. She seems very affected by

both cold and heat. She is 14. I never noticed if she sweat or not. She gets

very red if she is hot, and we always use sunscreen. We always avoid the sun,

and sit under a tree at a lake, or beach umbrella at a beach.She loves to swim

in our backyard pool.I will look to see if she sweats(I somehow don't think she

does..but is there any test etc for this?

Brigid

Re: ESY

In a message dated 4/4/2006 5:44:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

tollytx@... writes:

What does everyone else get for ESY? Because is autistic, our district

was offering 4 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks of summer. I know it

was great for him, especially since he just has a melt down when he doesn't

have school. It was a nice supplement for the summer. But I am finding out

that the State, which has audited out district, is not happy with how many

children are being enrolled in ESY and they have cut back funding to our

district for it, so this summer I am being offered 3 day a week, 3 hours a

day for

6 weeks.

Hey ,

Philadelphia tried to pull that one on us as well. I contacted the

Education Law Center right away, and apparently, I wasn't the only parent to

do

so. They changed their minds and paid. Maddie gets 5 days a week for 6

weeks, 6 hours a day....it's exactly like her school day. Same school, same

classroom, same teachers, same aides......I had them write VERY clear and

strong language in her last two IEP's after the SD tried to take it away.

We

wrote that she NEEDED to be in her same classroom due to her autism and

inability to deal with transitions and changes. Maddie also doesn't

sweat,

and NEEDS to be in air-conditioning.....another tool that works for us since

Philly doesn't have air-conditioned classrooms (it's a VERY real threat

though,

and one I worry about a great deal every summer...she could die).

Donna

[Guest guest]

Donna;

Thank you for that insight. It will help with my battle. I wanted to know,

is Maddie in the class by herself, or are there other students. Also, how

did you document this to prove to them. The teachers know what I am talking

about and understand, but they tell me they can only request what the

maximum they are given. If Maddie was out for the summer and then came back

to school, would she fall back into the schedule or would she regress do to

the time off. doesn't regress, because that is where he wants to be.

His outside of school behaviors regress, and as I say that to them, I think

to myself, they are probably thinking, too bad, he doesn't regress at school

and that is all we have to worry about. Outside of school is my problem..

I need to prove to them that it's his safety and life skills that are

regressing, but how?

Re: ESY

>

> In a message dated 4/4/2006 5:44:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> tollytx@... writes:

>

> What does everyone else get for ESY? Because is autistic, our

> district

> was offering 4 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks of summer. I know

> it

> was great for him, especially since he just has a melt down when he

> doesn't

> have school. It was a nice supplement for the summer. But I am finding

> out

> that the State, which has audited out district, is not happy with how

> many

> children are being enrolled in ESY and they have cut back funding to our

> district for it, so this summer I am being offered 3 day a week, 3 hours a

> day for

> 6 weeks.

>

>

> Hey ,

> Philadelphia tried to pull that one on us as well. I contacted the

> Education Law Center right away, and apparently, I wasn't the only parent

> to do

> so. They changed their minds and paid. Maddie gets 5 days a week

> for 6

> weeks, 6 hours a day....it's exactly like her school day. Same school,

> same

> classroom, same teachers, same aides......I had them write VERY clear and

> strong language in her last two IEP's after the SD tried to take it

> away. We

> wrote that she NEEDED to be in her same classroom due to her autism and

> inability to deal with transitions and changes. Maddie also doesn't

> sweat,

> and NEEDS to be in air-conditioning.....another tool that works for us

> since

> Philly doesn't have air-conditioned classrooms (it's a VERY real threat

> though,

> and one I worry about a great deal every summer...she could die).

> Donna

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

what we did for the transition for middle school which worked great fornathan,

was we started after the xmas holiday break going over to the middle school for

a few minutes each week and added up from there to where he would go over there

for half days by the end ofthe school year, and then over the summer he did all

his

ESY over there at first with his teacher from 5th grade and then she slowly

added his new teacher/aide until she was able to do by herself and he ahs been

at the middle school without any problems other than usaul health issues. as for

the summer i use respite and scl just on the mornigs after i work (i work the

graveyard shift a few nights a week have for years) it usaully works out nice,

but also there may be day camp programs etc for him to do. nathan usaully at

least goes to one during the summer. shawna

Tollefson wrote:

What does everyone else get for ESY? Because is autistic, our district

was offering 4 days a week, 6 hours a day for 8 weeks of summer. I know it was

great for him, especially since he just has a melt down when he doesn't have

school. It was a nice supplement for the summer. But I am finding out that the

State, which has audited out district, is not happy with how many children are

being enrolled in ESY and they have cut back funding to our district for it, so

this summer I am being offered 3 day a week, 3 hours a day for 6 weeks. Big

change and I am afraid of how is going to react. A few years ago before he

was recognized as being autistic by the school, that summer, escaped the

house, climbed over the fence, broke into our neighbors homes and garages to

play with the garage doors. We key lock all the doors and he would find the

key. I can't live another summer like that. He needs the structure and routine

of school. The only solution I am being

told is to hire someone to take care of him. I can't afford that. I have 3

kids now and the baby is also gross motor delayed. On top of that, in order for

me not to have to work outside of the home, I work from home. I would need

someone to be with most of the day, and I can't afford to pay someone with

experience to do that.

I want to know what everyone else does with their kids during the summer if

school is not offering enough. Also, does anyone know if I can fight this.

This is actually the first year, has shown regression to justify ESY

anyway. I have a lot of concerns with him since he is now in 5th grade. Next

year is middle school and so on top of not enough school being offered for

summer, he is going to have everything new. He's been at the same school,

teachers, aides, classmates, routine, everything from K - 5th grade.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Tollefson

[Guest guest]

Thank you Donna;

I'm glad to know that I am not the only one out there that is going through

these same issues. I posted my same e-mail on our state Autism e-mail group

and the responses I got back were take advantage of being home with him and

enjoy that time since you don't get that when his at school. I know for

" normal " kids that would be true, but for an MR/autistic child, he goes

crazy if his routine is changed. Heck he goes crazy if I decided to park in

the front of the house instead of in the garage. He has come along way

since his completely freaking out stage, changes are happening all around

him. But I know deep down, he feels as long as school is consistent,

everything is ok. It's just that was the norm for him and next fall he will

be changing schools, kids and teachers to go to Middle school. That alone

is stressing me. He's been at the same school since Kindergarten. So

basically, he is losing summer school that keeps him happy and when he goes

back in fall, he will be at a different school and I am not sure how he is

going to respond to that, and I don't know how to prepare him for that.

I just got off the phone with our in-home coordinator and what she can tell

me ( I always can get the real story thank goodness) is that the State

thought that our district was spending too much money and allowing too many

kids in ESY so they cut back our funding. Now, because our district has/had

a wonderful program compared to other cities close by, we are booming with

growth, which is obvious. So basically, we are increasing our size of

Special Ed kids and receiving less funding from the state because our

district actually cared about our kids and giving them what they needed.

How do you fight the state? I can say by this conversation, it sounds like

it is only going to get worse instead of better. Next fall, there are 48

kids going from PPCD, which is the 3-5 year olds to Kindergarten. We are

building new schools every year and can't keep up with everyone that is

coming in. Those 48 are just the ones that they know of. A lot of people

will be moving here over the summer. This mole hill is turning into a

mountain real fast.

Re: ESY

>

> In a message dated 4/4/2006 11:29:26 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> tollytx@... writes:

>

> When we had that awful summer a few years

> ago, he bounced back right into his schedule when school started. How

> can I

> prove to them that his behavior regresses at home when he is not in

> school?

>

>

> ,

> Videotape. Although at this point, you don't want to HAVE to prove

> it

> to them..then it would be too late already.

>

> <<The response that I got from the Special Ed Director for Elementary

> school,

> was if I have to do it for you I have to do it for everyone. >>

>

> And your response will be, " I don't care about everyone else......where's

> the *I* in IEP " .

>

> <<It's very difficult to plan outings on a regular

> basis, on top of the fact that he is going to be acting out.>>

>

> Bring up the distress caused to your ENTIRE family.

>

> << I am so frustrated right now and I am freaking out over what I am

> going to do with him to keep him busy>>

>

> , DON'T feel guilty about that....I'm telling you, I about went

> BALLISTIC when Philly tried to take ours away. I remember being in

> tears, yelling

> at the principal (poor guy, it certainly wasn't HIS fault), saying

> " OMG....WHAT am I going to do with her for TWELVE FREAKIN

> weeks!!!!!!!!!!!! I have

> four other kids. I can't send her to a camp.....she can't even go to

> the

> local supermarket because she's terrified of anything new " . ,

> let

> them know you're desperate....that no ESY is NOT an option. I'm

> telling

> you, it's really all in the wording...and I don't care one iota about

> crying in

> front of these people....I'm honest and human.

> Good luck honey....keep us posted.

> Donna

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/5/2006 3:43:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

tollytx@... writes:

Thank you for that insight. It will help with my battle. I wanted to

know,

is Maddie in the class by herself, or are there other students. Also, how

did you document this to prove to them. The teachers know what I am talking

about and understand

, Maddie is in a class with 4 other students, who all have the same

amount of ESY as her. Only one other is from Philly though, the others are

suburbs where it wasn't an issue. The teachers and therapists did the

documentation.....I just did the hollering and contacting Education Law Center,

who

REALLY are angels!!!! They made a phone call apparently and the SD jumped.

They REALLY don't like it when ELC gets on their backs.

Donna

[Guest guest]

,

You know I'm here in Texas and my son receives ESY services all the

time, the whole works. I'm the one who would not mind having short

hours due to him attending to numerous interventions during the summer.

This summer he qualifies automatically for the assign days given.

Contact TEA Toll-Free Parent Information Line:

If you need information about your rights related to special

education, you may call and leave a message at any time on the toll-

free number operated by the TEA's Division of Complaints Management. A

staff person will return your call during normal working hours. The

telephone number is 1-.

Do not put if off as there is a cut off soon for ESY so see what

information you could find out.

You could visit TEA Special Education site for more info:

htt://www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/

Hope something helps.

Irma,17,DS/ASD

[Guest guest]

Irma;

You are in Houston right? The problem is I don't think there are enough

students to fill an all day program. I just don't know how to go about this

the right way. Do I talk with the Elementary SP Director about moving him

up to Middle school ESY and conference with the Middle School Director.

What I am being told is that the State has pulled our funding because our

district was being too generous for what they were offering and the State

didn't like it. It's not that the district doesn't think needs it,

it's that the money is no longer there to pay for it and in the mean time we

are booming with new students moving in everyday so the funding is just

going to be getting smaller and smaller as long as the State has that

" POWER " to pull it and not give some back as our population grows. I just

don't know how to file a complaint with the state that will make any sense

and effect anything.

Re: ESY

> ,

> You know I'm here in Texas and my son receives ESY services all the

> time, the whole works. I'm the one who would not mind having short

> hours due to him attending to numerous interventions during the summer.

> This summer he qualifies automatically for the assign days given.

> Contact TEA Toll-Free Parent Information Line:

> If you need information about your rights related to special

> education, you may call and leave a message at any time on the toll-

> free number operated by the TEA's Division of Complaints Management. A

> staff person will return your call during normal working hours. The

> telephone number is 1-.

> Do not put if off as there is a cut off soon for ESY so see what

> information you could find out.

>

> You could visit TEA Special Education site for more info:

> htt://www.tea.state.tx.us/special.ed/

>

> Hope something helps.

>

> Irma,17,DS/ASD

>

>

>

>

>

>

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>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm in San , remember the Alamo? ; )

Hope you received what I had sent which could be revised.

I can not recall of any funds being cut. Ill contact someone out in

Austin who is chair person of one of the committees I've been

attending lately and ask if this already taking effect with some

changes going on with the State? The state plan is still in the works

and this is sort of violating when mentioning about the fund issues,

this is not your problem, with all the changes going its hard to keep

tabs. Maybe you could request for some documentation stating this to

be shown to you. As far as not having enough students to fill in the

day program, you could automatically request them to help assist a

program of your choice, see if they would contract with the school

district with one of the sample letters that I had sent could be

something similar. First do your homework though.

Before any compliants, speak to the teacher, school principal, school

administrator, & Supertindent. Keep a phone log or just any contact

document. Give the school every opportunity to abide by your

requests. If they fail to, then inform them you are filing a formal

complaint to the TEA and follow through.

Should it end up this far:

Write down facts. Stick to the point. Point out violations and refer

to the Laws. Remember to sue the appropriate terminology such as

IDEA, LRE, FAPE, etc. Keep focus on your son's best interest to

succeed in the school.

You could contact the Advocacy office to see if they could assist

with something.

North Texas Regional Office:

1420 West Mockingbird Lane, Suite 450

Dallas, Texas 75247-4932

Intake (800)880-2884

The ARC of Dallas

12700 Hillcrest Rd., Suite 200

Dallas, TX 75230

www.arcdallas.org

Unless you would not mind contacting Kathy Kelchner, M.Ed.

(Educational Consultant)

kathykelchner@...

www.kelchner.net

Irma,17,DS/ASD

>

> Irma;

> You are in Houston right? The problem is I don't think there are

enough

> students to fill an all day program. I just don't know how to go

about this

> the right way. Do I talk with the Elementary SP Director about

moving him

> up to Middle school ESY and conference with the Middle School

Director.

> What I am being told is that the State has pulled our funding

because our

> district was being too generous for what they were offering and the

State

> didn't like it. It's not that the district doesn't think

needs it,

> it's that the money is no longer there to pay for it and in the

mean time we

> are booming with new students moving in everyday so the funding is

just

> going to be getting smaller and smaller as long as the State has

that

> " POWER " to pull it and not give some back as our population grows.

I just

> don't know how to file a complaint with the state that will make

any sense

> and effect anything.

>