Jump to content
RemedySpot.com

Re: Report Card in the Mail....

Rate this topic

Guest guest

By Guest guest
in Health, Medicine and Natural Healing 11

 Share

Recommended Posts

Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Aloha Fellow List-mates,

I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like myself

would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my daughter's

intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the list...Aubrey,

13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is mild

to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school, (she

is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she receives

most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of this

past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies, Beginning

Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a lot of

improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her Hawaii

State Alternative Assessment...

During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I asked

if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did in

their classes...and received nothing.

I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report card

read:

Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED teacher

listed as the teacher for each one.

Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her typical

peers do...

Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with so

many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel this

is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young life...my

beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so very

hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

Your thoughts out there?

Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

Desi

________________________________

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Desi,

Was this a computer-generated report card? Pete used to get these in middle and

high school. They never made much sense to me, ( I discounted them as " silly " )

but I don't remember seeing class ranking or GPA. It seems to me that for kids

that were a little more included, they were weighted, so there was some kind of

GPA.

Without knowing more about this, (but I can't imagine that it wasn't computer

generated):

The computer will only calculate what is put into it. So, as I am guessing here,

due to all the record keeping required, if the special ed teachers now have to

give the classroom data and so on to the admin types, they will have to code

things a certain way and since GPA was likely never calculated by the special ed

teachers for the special curriculum or the most heavily modified classes, if no

grade was entered, the computer has nothing to enter but a 0.

Yes, it stings, but it is not personal. Due to the competitiveness fostered by

" no child left behind " and school rankings at the city and state levels,

(probably counties weigh in here in some states, too), they calculate

unbelievable amounts of data. Since ALL students are to be counted (follow the

money), the students receiving highly modified curriculum are going to have to

be designated somehow.

It's hard to think about the " I " in " IEP " in terms of data entry for our kids.

But the hard, cold facts for those trying to get funding from the federal and

state pots have to somehow spin everybody into the equation. And when our kids

with significant disabilities require big bucks, they have to figure out how to

show that those kids require the extra dollars it takes to educate them, and

make sure that they get those dollars.

Of course, it is impossible to apply the same grading scale and class ranking to

students who are not taught or tested the same way for the standard curriculum.

(But the ridiculousness of how the state " testing " was done for the 2% of

students in Ohio who are allowed to take the modified state tests, including the

state graduation test, is not to be believed!! Talk about meaningless.)

The education system is set up for competitiveness. If we are not expecting our

kids to compete, but want them in a competitive environment, they will have to

be accounted for.

In years past I was part of our school district's special education review .

This was a state-mandated, systematic review of every school building's RECORDS

of the IEPs, compliance folders, and list after list, box after box of papers

filed. We compiled a monster notebook after TWO YEARS of meetings. All of it,

PAPER COMPLIANCE. But I learned that data is the thing that drives

determination of state funds; it drives the language for the local school

levies; it can help in some ways, but not at the personal, deeply felt level

that we parents are hoping for with regard to our precious kids.

I think Charlyne could verify what I am suggesting here- that this was the

computer producing the data that it was fed.

But, I would simply call Aubrey's main teacher and ask why you are now receiving

a report card like this, that you never had before, and how is it possible for

her to be ranked? (If this is a new system, now that I am thinking about it,

there might be an " unranked " designation available. Also, if this is brand new,

then they might not have all the bugs worked out. Sometimes there is a way

around this....)

Take a deep breath and tell yourself, " I will not take this personally " . I

would look to the IEP to give you better information about Aubrey's progress

this past year.

Hope this all makes sense. I know exactly how much it hurts, so I hope this

helps a little.

Beth, 20 y/o Pete's Mum

Columbus, OH area

>

> Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like myself

> would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

>

> I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my daughter's

> intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

> My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the list...Aubrey,

> 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is mild

> to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school,

(she

> is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

> loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

receives

> most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of

this

> past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies, Beginning

> Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a lot

of

> improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

> Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her Hawaii

> State Alternative Assessment...

>

> During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I

asked

> if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did in

> their classes...and received nothing.

>

> I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report card

> read:

>

> Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

teacher

> listed as the teacher for each one.

> Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

> Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her typical

> peers do...

> Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

> Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

> school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with so

> many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel this

> is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

life...my

> beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so very

> hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> Your thoughts out there?

>

> Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> Desi

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

>

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

I think you have jsut been hit with the regulations which statae that all

children need dto be assessed - even those with extensive IEp mods. On top

of that, in order to prove to the FED No child left behind, your child was

then ranked. It is the ONLY reason that I can see for doing such a

thing. Fortunately, Aubrey doesn't need to kow about it.

On Sun, Jun 12, 2011 at 6:19 AM, Desi McKenzie wrote:

>

>

> Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like

> myself

> would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

>

> I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

> daughter's

> intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

> My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

> list...Aubrey,

> 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is

> mild

> to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school,

> (she

> is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

> loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

> receives

> most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of

> this

> past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

> Beginning

> Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a

> lot of

> improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

>

> Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her

> Hawaii

> State Alternative Assessment...

>

> During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I

> asked

> if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did

> in

> their classes...and received nothing.

>

> I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report

> card

> read:

>

> Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

> teacher

> listed as the teacher for each one.

> Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

> Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

> typical

> peers do...

> Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

> Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

>

> school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with

> so

> many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel

> this

> is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

> life...my

> beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so

> very

> hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> Your thoughts out there?

>

> Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> Desi

>

> ________________________________

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Hi Desi,

This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness of it and

then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the mail is a

blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh and then

frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and hang it up

somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2 other kids

in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate the absurdity of

this world we've created. For example, my husband's coming back today from

Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says Future Graduate. I love

how people can't really figure out how to respond when he wears stuff like that.

Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of a double take when they read

it and I think it exposes our weird social ranking system which so rarely allows

for the true value of our kids to be acknowledged.

Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

,

Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart surgeries)

, Canada

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Re: Report Card in the Mail....

Aloha Fellow List-mates,

I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like myself

would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my daughter's

intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the list...Aubrey,

13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is mild

to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school, (she

is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she receives

most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of this

past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies, Beginning

Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a lot of

improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her Hawaii

State Alternative Assessment...

During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I asked

if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did in

their classes...and received nothing.

I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report card

read:

Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED teacher

listed as the teacher for each one.

Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her typical

peers do...

Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with so

many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel this

is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young life...my

beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so very

hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

Your thoughts out there?

Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

Desi

________________________________

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Hi Desi,

I am surprised that Aubrey never received a report card. Usually it is an IEP

decision as to how a student would be graded, pass/fail or actual grades based

on goal mastery. All states and districts differ widely. No report in my state

gives class rank. HS may be the only area that actual credits matter in

inclusive placements. The law is clear that an IEP student's report card cannot

mention an IEP modified grade for IEP students. A number or letter grade is

based on the student's performance as any other student. The difference being

that the number or letter grade is based on mastery of IEP goals and not the

actual performance as specified in the course syllabus. It cannot be noted on

the report card. Class rank may be required in your district or state. I would

have to guess that if this was the situation in my district, then my own son

would most likely be in the bottom 10%. It wouldn't matter to me as long as he

was included and offered the same

opportunities as his typical peers. In my opinion the fact that my son will

graduate with his class in the same manner as his typical peers. It's all that

honestly matters. There are many typical students that drop out or flunk out.

What is their class rank? Aubrey at least is counted as a student. She is a

member of her class. The ranking has no significance in regards to experiences

and opportunities. I wouldn't be concerned with a number. Let it go.

Charlyne

Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

To:

Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011, 6:19 AM

 

Aloha Fellow List-mates,

I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like myself

would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my daughter's

intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the list...Aubrey,

13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is mild

to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school, (she

is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she receives

most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of this

past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies, Beginning

Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a lot of

improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her Hawaii

State Alternative Assessment...

During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I asked

if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did in

their classes...and received nothing.

I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report card

read:

Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED teacher

listed as the teacher for each one.

Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her typical

peers do...

Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with so

many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel this

is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young life...my

beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so very

hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

Your thoughts out there?

Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

Desi

________________________________

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

That is so very sad!!! Did you show it to her???

Sent from my iPhone

> Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like myself

> would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

>

> I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my daughter's

> intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

> My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the list...Aubrey,

> 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is mild

> to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school,

(she

> is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

> loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

receives

> most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of

this

> past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies, Beginning

> Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a lot

of

> improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

> Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her Hawaii

> State Alternative Assessment...

>

> During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I

asked

> if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did in

> their classes...and received nothing.

>

> I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report card

> read:

>

> Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

teacher

> listed as the teacher for each one.

> Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

> Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her typical

> peers do...

> Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

> Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

> school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with so

> many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel this

> is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

life...my

> beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so very

> hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> Your thoughts out there?

>

> Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> Desi

>

> ________________________________

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

,

Love your perspective and humor.

Marie

mom to Liam,7, DS,PDD, Celiac and Owen, 4

>

> Hi Desi,

> This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness of it

and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the mail is a

blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh and then

frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and hang it up

somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2 other kids

in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate the absurdity of

this world we've created. For example, my husband's coming back today from

Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says Future Graduate. I love

how people can't really figure out how to respond when he wears stuff like that.

Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of a double take when they read

it and I think it exposes our weird social ranking system which so rarely allows

for the true value of our kids to be acknowledged.

> Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> ,

> Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart surgeries)

> , Canada

> Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Ah , refreshing+funny+healthy! Some things so needed on a more regular

basis, eh?!

Perhaps I am more warped than you think you are. We recently received mail from

the high school. Turned out to be DJ's 10th grade report card.

A bit of backstory here: The state (GA)where we live implemented a brand new

shiny program that coincided with DJ entering high school.

Sigh, that I found out about ACCIDENTLY, when doing research on state level

educational rules to use against his 8th grade teacher. Oops, I mean to

advocate for DJ at the end of his 8th grade surreal experience. (Oh the

drama...)

Anyway, this program- which is in addition to but seperate from the

IEP-basically gives kiddos labelled in the moderate to profound range the

opportunity to take typical high school courses. Credit is received, NO TIME

LIMITS for completion, coursework is to be individually modified. The catch is

that the child must be signed up for the course & stay in the course. Again,

this is seperate from the IEP.

It is a very frakking big deal for this state if implemented as written.

So, like a good little mommy advocate I brought this to the table at the 8th

grade going into high school IEP. To put into the IEP.

No one attending had heard of the program. Except our advocate & me. But that

was ok because I just gave them each a copy of the initiative straight from

state head of education. (Cackle)

So DJ entered high school with an IEP and enrolled in the ACCESS initiative.

I had no illusions that the high school staff actually knew how to implement it.

It was a brand new initiative & I expected trial & error. The major appeal to me

for DJ's sake is that this initiative would allow DJ to continue to receive

actual educational services past the age of 18-up to age 22 if needed.

IMHO, it basically forces the teachers to provide education-now & way past age

18- not just leisure/community/vocational skills training.

Importantly, this allows DJ to have the time he personally needs to actually

learn certain educational components that will serve him in later years.

With this back story in mind, back to the report card we just received.

My suddenly brillant son made a 100% in every core subject including foreign

language. The foreign language we assume is Martian. If this keeps up, we

anticipate DJ being a scholar at some point- after being overwhelmed by

multiple scholarship offers from university around the planet. (or Mars)

Ya just gotta laugh at the extremes at some point or go bonkers.

And it is gonna really crack me up if somehow the high school staff has not

fully figured out the reporting requirements for this program & DJ ends up with

the highest GPA in the school by graduation time....

Told ya I was more warped than you.

Just gets more interesting each passing year.

Hugs from Kris

>

> Hi Desi,

> This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness of it

and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the mail is a

blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh and then

frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and hang it up

somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2 other kids

in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate the absurdity of

this world we've created. For example, my husband's coming back today from

Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says Future Graduate. I love

how people can't really figure out how to respond when he wears stuff like that.

Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of a double take when they read

it and I think it exposes our weird social ranking system which so rarely allows

for the true value of our kids to be acknowledged.

> Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> ,

> Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart surgeries)

> , Canada

> Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

>

> Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like myself

> would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

>

> I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my daughter's

> intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

> My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the list...Aubrey,

> 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is mild

> to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school,

(she

> is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

> loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

receives

> most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of

this

> past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies, Beginning

> Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a lot

of

> improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

> Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her Hawaii

> State Alternative Assessment...

>

> During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I

asked

> if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did in

> their classes...and received nothing.

>

> I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report card

> read:

>

> Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

teacher

> listed as the teacher for each one.

> Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

> Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her typical

> peers do...

> Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

> Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

> school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with so

> many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel this

> is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

life...my

> beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so very

> hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> Your thoughts out there?

>

> Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> Desi

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

>

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Kris, hmmm, high GPA, national honor society and great chance of being selected

for future valedictorian. I have heard that martian is only offered as an AP

course, weighted course ups GPA besides great chance to be selected for foreign

language dept award. Lucky DJ, 100%, you must be so proud.

Each school district submits data to their state dept of ed on IDEA indicators

to substantiate that they are meeting or not meeting their target percentages.

The state uses that data to submit their yearly state report to the feds. The

feds review the state data and issue their report on improving indicators or

meets requirements etc. I believe all districts skew data to some extent9garbage

in and garbage out) but they never know when a state will decide to choose that

district for focus monitoring. They also keep tabs on filed state complaints

issues and compare district data to determine what district may be in need of

monitoring for that year.

Charlyne

Charlyne

Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

To:

Date: Monday, June 13, 2011, 11:26 PM

 

Ah , refreshing+funny+healthy! Some things so needed on a more regular

basis, eh?!

Perhaps I am more warped than you think you are. We recently received mail from

the high school. Turned out to be DJ's 10th grade report card.

A bit of backstory here: The state (GA)where we live implemented a brand new

shiny program that coincided with DJ entering high school.

Sigh, that I found out about ACCIDENTLY, when doing research on state level

educational rules to use against his 8th grade teacher. Oops, I mean to

advocate for DJ at the end of his 8th grade surreal experience. (Oh the

drama...)

Anyway, this program- which is in addition to but seperate from the

IEP-basically gives kiddos labelled in the moderate to profound range the

opportunity to take typical high school courses. Credit is received, NO TIME

LIMITS for completion, coursework is to be individually modified. The catch is

that the child must be signed up for the course & stay in the course. Again,

this is seperate from the IEP.

It is a very frakking big deal for this state if implemented as written.

So, like a good little mommy advocate I brought this to the table at the 8th

grade going into high school IEP. To put into the IEP.

No one attending had heard of the program. Except our advocate & me. But that

was ok because I just gave them each a copy of the initiative straight from

state head of education. (Cackle)

So DJ entered high school with an IEP and enrolled in the ACCESS initiative.

I had no illusions that the high school staff actually knew how to implement it.

It was a brand new initiative & I expected trial & error. The major appeal to me

for DJ's sake is that this initiative would allow DJ to continue to receive

actual educational services past the age of 18-up to age 22 if needed.

IMHO, it basically forces the teachers to provide education-now & way past age

18- not just leisure/community/vocational skills training.

Importantly, this allows DJ to have the time he personally needs to actually

learn certain educational components that will serve him in later years.

With this back story in mind, back to the report card we just received.

My suddenly brillant son made a 100% in every core subject including foreign

language. The foreign language we assume is Martian. If this keeps up, we

anticipate DJ being a scholar at some point- after being overwhelmed by

multiple scholarship offers from university around the planet. (or Mars)

Ya just gotta laugh at the extremes at some point or go bonkers.

And it is gonna really crack me up if somehow the high school staff has not

fully figured out the reporting requirements for this program & DJ ends up with

the highest GPA in the school by graduation time....

Told ya I was more warped than you.

Just gets more interesting each passing year.

Hugs from Kris

>

> Hi Desi,

> This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness of it

and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the mail is a

blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh and then

frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and hang it up

somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2 other kids

in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate the absurdity of

this world we've created. For example, my husband's coming back today from

Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says Future Graduate. I love

how people can't really figure out how to respond when he wears stuff like that.

Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of a double take when they read

it and I think it exposes our weird social ranking system which so rarely allows

for the true value of our kids to be acknowledged.

> Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> ,

> Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart surgeries)

> , Canada

> Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

>

> Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like myself

> would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

>

> I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my daughter's

> intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

> My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the list...Aubrey,

> 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is mild

> to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school,

(she

> is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

> loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

receives

> most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of

this

> past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies, Beginning

> Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a lot

of

> improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

> Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her Hawaii

> State Alternative Assessment...

>

> During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I

asked

> if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did in

> their classes...and received nothing.

>

> I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report card

> read:

>

> Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

teacher

> listed as the teacher for each one.

> Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

> Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her typical

> peers do...

> Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

> Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

> school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with so

> many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel this

> is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

life...my

> beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so very

> hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> Your thoughts out there?

>

> Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> Desi

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

>

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Charlyne-LMAO!

Yep, that report card will probably go into a special folder-maybe the one that

holds all the other deliciously mind boggling specimens of the current state of

education as interpeted by some here in my state. Or the one with the parent

rights handbook we get at every single face to face. Hmm, or the one with the

8th grade teacher's telling notes & goal plans....

You & I know, Charlyne but what really fires me up are the countless parents

that do not. Or in the experience I illustrated, the teachers themselves-the

ones affected-that did not know about the new program! Pretty pathetic when a

parent (me) stumbles across a good thing while searching for ammo to use to

obtain appropriate education for my child!

I really admire your fortitude & unwavering ability to keep up the good fight

for self & others. I still struggle too much with righteous outrage & being

incredulous (as in the open mouth kind)to be the type of advocate model that you

& many on this list exemplify. So I do my advocacy for DJ & others mostly from

behind the scenes & by trying to keep constantly up to date on multiple issues..

I keep hoping that I will mature or become enlightened enough someday to bring

it on again face to face. But sadly, I am not on drugs.

I started getting alarmed & then angry in the 80's about so much that affected

the little beings in my classroom & their parents. In many ways my alarm,

anger, disgust was channeled into positive action for the greater good over the

years. But Charlene, after 25 years of the same BS, I am getting pretty

impatient about the ever so incremental little bitty changes & ongoing mindsets.

My hope now is to become an alternate ego; a righteous, crusty, mean, cane

waving little old lady advocate that truly scares the poo out of some that need

it (and get away with it, cackle)....and make a difference.

Til then, I'll continue to be inspired by warriors such as yourself & quietly

(most of the time) wield my mighty sword & pen in the background. Because I am

not on drugs.

Well, I guess I don't have to worry about grounding DJ about grades like I used

to do with my eldest son....

Hugs & strength.

Kris

>

> >

>

> > Hi Desi,

>

> > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness of it

and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the mail is a

blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh and then

frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and hang it up

somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2 other kids

in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate the absurdity of

this world we've created. For example, my husband's coming back today from

Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says Future Graduate. I love

how people can't really figure out how to respond when he wears stuff like that.

Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of a double take when they read

it and I think it exposes our weird social ranking system which so rarely allows

for the true value of our kids to be acknowledged.

>

> > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

>

> > ,

>

> > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart surgeries)

>

> > , Canada

>

> > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

>

> >

>

> > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> >

>

> > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> >

>

> > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like

myself

>

> > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

>

> >

>

> > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my daughter's

>

> > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

>

> > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> >

>

> > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

list...Aubrey,

>

> > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is

mild

>

> > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school,

(she

>

> > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

>

> > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

receives

>

> > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of

this

>

> > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies, Beginning

>

> > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a

lot of

>

> > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

>

> > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her

Hawaii

>

> > State Alternative Assessment...

>

> >

>

> > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I

asked

>

> > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did in

>

> > their classes...and received nothing.

>

> >

>

> > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report card

>

> > read:

>

> >

>

> > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

teacher

>

> > listed as the teacher for each one.

>

> > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

>

> > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

typical

>

> > peers do...

>

> > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

>

> > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> >

>

> > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> >

>

> > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

>

> > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with

so

>

> > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel

this

>

> > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

life...my

>

> > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so very

>

> > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> >

>

> > Your thoughts out there?

>

> >

>

> > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

>

> > Desi

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > ________________________________

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Hey - if the Valedictorian is picked on GPA, maybe he can give the speech in

Martian! And I would definitely frame that report card.

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like myself

> would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

>

> I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my daughter's

> intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

> My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the list...Aubrey,

> 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is mild

> to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication school,

(she

> is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses a

> loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

receives

> most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all of

this

> past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies, Beginning

> Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a lot

of

> improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the accompanying

> Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her Hawaii

> State Alternative Assessment...

>

> During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher, I

asked

> if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did in

> their classes...and received nothing.

>

> I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report card

> read:

>

> Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

teacher

> listed as the teacher for each one.

> Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

> Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her typical

> peers do...

> Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she took.

> Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would any

> school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document with so

> many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel this

> is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

life...my

> beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so very

> hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> Your thoughts out there?

>

> Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> Desi

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

>

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

I want to be invited Kris to the valedictory speech or salutatorian speech

given by DJ in his first language of Martian. Elie will come and can speak

Sino-chinese - should be a blast.

IF we can't laugh we would be foreced to cry. the resulting salt would

destroy the world as we know it.

>

>

>

> Ah , refreshing+funny+healthy! Some things so needed on a more regular

> basis, eh?!

>

> Perhaps I am more warped than you think you are. We recently received mail

> from the high school. Turned out to be DJ's 10th grade report card.

>

> A bit of backstory here: The state (GA)where we live implemented a brand

> new shiny program that coincided with DJ entering high school.

>

> Sigh, that I found out about ACCIDENTLY, when doing research on state level

> educational rules to use against his 8th grade teacher. Oops, I mean to

> advocate for DJ at the end of his 8th grade surreal experience. (Oh the

> drama...)

>

> Anyway, this program- which is in addition to but seperate from the

> IEP-basically gives kiddos labelled in the moderate to profound range the

> opportunity to take typical high school courses. Credit is received, NO TIME

> LIMITS for completion, coursework is to be individually modified. The catch

> is that the child must be signed up for the course & stay in the course.

> Again, this is seperate from the IEP.

>

> It is a very frakking big deal for this state if implemented as written.

>

> So, like a good little mommy advocate I brought this to the table at the

> 8th grade going into high school IEP. To put into the IEP.

>

> No one attending had heard of the program. Except our advocate & me. But

> that was ok because I just gave them each a copy of the initiative straight

> from state head of education. (Cackle)

>

> So DJ entered high school with an IEP and enrolled in the ACCESS

> initiative.

>

> I had no illusions that the high school staff actually knew how to

> implement it. It was a brand new initiative & I expected trial & error. The

> major appeal to me for DJ's sake is that this initiative would allow DJ to

> continue to receive actual educational services past the age of 18-up to age

> 22 if needed.

>

> IMHO, it basically forces the teachers to provide education-now & way past

> age 18- not just leisure/community/vocational skills training.

>

> Importantly, this allows DJ to have the time he personally needs to

> actually learn certain educational components that will serve him in later

> years.

>

> With this back story in mind, back to the report card we just received.

>

> My suddenly brillant son made a 100% in every core subject including

> foreign language. The foreign language we assume is Martian. If this keeps

> up, we anticipate DJ being a scholar at some point- after being

> overwhelmed by multiple scholarship offers from university around the

> planet. (or Mars)

>

> Ya just gotta laugh at the extremes at some point or go bonkers.

>

> And it is gonna really crack me up if somehow the high school staff has not

> fully figured out the reporting requirements for this program & DJ ends up

> with the highest GPA in the school by graduation time....

>

> Told ya I was more warped than you.

>

> Just gets more interesting each passing year.

> Hugs from Kris

>

>

> >

> > Hi Desi,

> > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness of

> it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the mail is

> a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh and

> then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and hang

> it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

> other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

> the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's coming

> back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says Future

> Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when he

> wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of a

> double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

> ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to be

> acknowledged.

> > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> > ,

> > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart surgeries)

> > , Canada

> > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

> >

> > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> >

> > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

> >

> > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like

> myself

> > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

> >

> > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

> daughter's

> > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

> > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

> >

> > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

> list...Aubrey,

> > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and is

> mild

> > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

> school, (she

> > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses

> a

> > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

> receives

> > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all

> of this

> > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

> Beginning

> > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs a

> lot of

> > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

> accompanying

> > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her

> Hawaii

> > State Alternative Assessment...

> >

> > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher,

> I asked

> > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey did

> in

> > their classes...and received nothing.

> >

> > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report

> card

> > read:

> >

> > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

> teacher

> > listed as the teacher for each one.

> > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

> > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

> typical

> > peers do...

> > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

> took.

> > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

> >

> > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

> >

> > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would

> any

> > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

> with so

> > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I feel

> this

> > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

> life...my

> > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so

> very

> > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

> >

> > Your thoughts out there?

> >

> > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> > Desi

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Just to add our bizarre experience. On the last day of school Tony came

home with the Presidential Achievement Award – or some such thing. I’ve

already boxed it up with other mementos. It was signed by 4 people

including the district superintendant and someone from a federal office. My

husband and I looked at each other and we wondered, why? So we laughed

about it and agreed to keep it. It has an official federal seal on it so we

may frame it someday.

We wondered if this was Tony’s aides way of dealing with the system. Our

Tony isn’t typically recognized for his academic achievement. This is the

kid who goes to school half days and whose current favorite phrase is, “I’m

going to ignore you” which does sound like Martian to anyone who hasn’t

heard it hundreds of times.

So glad we aren’t the only ones dealing with the…..unexplainable.

Lori

Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of kaprisock

Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 1:36 AM

To:

Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

Charlyne-LMAO!

Yep, that report card will probably go into a special folder-maybe the one

that holds all the other deliciously mind boggling specimens of the current

state of education as interpeted by some here in my state. Or the one with

the parent rights handbook we get at every single face to face. Hmm, or the

one with the 8th grade teacher's telling notes & goal plans....

You & I know, Charlyne but what really fires me up are the countless parents

that do not. Or in the experience I illustrated, the teachers themselves-the

ones affected-that did not know about the new program! Pretty pathetic when

a parent (me) stumbles across a good thing while searching for ammo to use

to obtain appropriate education for my child!

I really admire your fortitude & unwavering ability to keep up the good

fight for self & others. I still struggle too much with righteous outrage &

being incredulous (as in the open mouth kind)to be the type of advocate

model that you & many on this list exemplify. So I do my advocacy for DJ &

others mostly from behind the scenes & by trying to keep constantly up to

date on multiple issues..

I keep hoping that I will mature or become enlightened enough someday to

bring it on again face to face. But sadly, I am not on drugs.

I started getting alarmed & then angry in the 80's about so much that

affected the little beings in my classroom & their parents. In many ways my

alarm, anger, disgust was channeled into positive action for the greater

good over the years. But Charlene, after 25 years of the same BS, I am

getting pretty impatient about the ever so incremental little bitty changes

& ongoing mindsets.

My hope now is to become an alternate ego; a righteous, crusty, mean, cane

waving little old lady advocate that truly scares the poo out of some that

need it (and get away with it, cackle)....and make a difference.

Til then, I'll continue to be inspired by warriors such as yourself &

quietly (most of the time) wield my mighty sword & pen in the background.

Because I am not on drugs.

Well, I guess I don't have to worry about grounding DJ about grades like I

used to do with my eldest son....

Hugs & strength.

Kris

>

> >

>

> > Hi Desi,

>

> > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness

of it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the mail

is a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh and

then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and hang

it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's coming

back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says Future

Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when he

wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of a

double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to be

acknowledged.

>

> > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

>

> > ,

>

> > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart

surgeries)

>

> > , Canada

>

> > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

>

> >

>

> > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> >

>

> > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> >

>

> > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like

myself

>

> > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

>

> >

>

> > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

daughter's

>

> > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

>

> > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> >

>

> > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

list...Aubrey,

>

> > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and

is mild

>

> > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

school, (she

>

> > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses

a

>

> > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

receives

>

> > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all

of this

>

> > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

Beginning

>

> > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs

a lot of

>

> > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

accompanying

>

> > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her

Hawaii

>

> > State Alternative Assessment...

>

> >

>

> > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher,

I asked

>

> > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey

did in

>

> > their classes...and received nothing.

>

> >

>

> > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report

card

>

> > read:

>

> >

>

> > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

teacher

>

> > listed as the teacher for each one.

>

> > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

>

> > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

typical

>

> > peers do...

>

> > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

took.

>

> > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> >

>

> > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> >

>

> > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would

any

>

> > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

with so

>

> > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I

feel this

>

> > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

life...my

>

> > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so

very

>

> > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> >

>

> > Your thoughts out there?

>

> >

>

> > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

>

> > Desi

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > ________________________________

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Lori, I dunno...there are actual times when a child does earn an award such as

the one your Tony brought home. His is one that should make him feel good since

it says " achievement " & is connected to a presidential initiative. Far more

significant than straight 100's on a report card (given the knowledge that they

do not know how the program works yet)

Perhaps I am being cynical & silly about DJ's report card. I have two adult

sons. Son #1 was the type of student that makes teachers take drugs. He was

not motivated in high school & it showed. He could bring an F to an A in 6

weeks, thanks to my judicial use of groundation, as he is a very social person.

Son#1 did not enjoy reading & was the type from a young age that could take

apart something to either fix it or see how it worked & then correctly

re-assemble it. Lectures & reading was not how he learned best. Today he excels

at everything he does. (and enjoys reading, hurrah)

Son #2 effortlessly made 100's through his entire school life (including

university). He actually was/is material & was in gifted classes & AP.

He was also the type that drove some teachers to want to do drugs because when I

say effortlessly, I mean he NEVER cracked a book or appeared like other's in AP

or appeared to come to class prepared. Math teachers initially would be annoyed

that he had no calculator & others assumed he was not paying attention.

He did not bring a calculator because he did not need one-which stunned

teachers once they bothered to make the discovery. Same with him being quiet

which does not equate inattentive. He is just wired to somehow absorp lectures &

glancing thru books/materials to assimilate a complete understanding or

knowledge.

Both my adult sons together could design & make the perfect & safest plane known

to man. But you would want a specific son to fly it & a specific son to

assemble it.

They were fortunate in the timing of their public school. I shudder to imagine

either of them in school now with all the teach to the test & testing that's

currently happening.

I know it seems I am rambling but I did have a point (somewhere). Maybe my point

is that some awards (and grades) are very very meaningful. My son #1's grades

that went from F to A were far more meaningful than DJ's 100s. Son#2 awards

for community service & his academic scholarship from his football coach was

more meaningful to him than any awards he ever received. DJ's awards in grade

school in reading or most improved trumps any others he received.

Because these were of the real.

I'd frame your Tony's & hang it in his room.

Hugs from Kris

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Hi Desi,

> >

> > > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness

> of it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the mail

> is a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh and

> then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and hang

> it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

> other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

> the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's coming

> back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says Future

> Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when he

> wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of a

> double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

> ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to be

> acknowledged.

> >

> > > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> >

> > > ,

> >

> > > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart

> surgeries)

> >

> > > , Canada

> >

> > > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like

> myself

> >

> > > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

> daughter's

> >

> > > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

> >

> > > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

> list...Aubrey,

> >

> > > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and

> is mild

> >

> > > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

> school, (she

> >

> > > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses

> a

> >

> > > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

> receives

> >

> > > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all

> of this

> >

> > > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

> Beginning

> >

> > > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs

> a lot of

> >

> > > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

> accompanying

> >

> > > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her

> Hawaii

> >

> > > State Alternative Assessment...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher,

> I asked

> >

> > > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey

> did in

> >

> > > their classes...and received nothing.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report

> card

> >

> > > read:

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

> teacher

> >

> > > listed as the teacher for each one.

> >

> > > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

> >

> > > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

> typical

> >

> > > peers do...

> >

> > > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

> took.

> >

> > > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would

> any

> >

> > > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

> with so

> >

> > > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I

> feel this

> >

> > > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

> life...my

> >

> > > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so

> very

> >

> > > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Your thoughts out there?

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> >

> > > Desi

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > ________________________________

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Lori, what a great honor for Tony. Frame it and let him enjoy it. All to often

our kids are not valued as students and are regarded in numbers, goals and

objectives. For whatever reason and I would like to think that it has merit, he

deserved this award.

Charlyne

Subject: RE: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

To:

Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 8:14 PM

 

Just to add our bizarre experience. On the last day of school Tony came

home with the Presidential Achievement Award – or some such thing. I’ve

already boxed it up with other mementos. It was signed by 4 people

including the district superintendant and someone from a federal office. My

husband and I looked at each other and we wondered, why? So we laughed

about it and agreed to keep it. It has an official federal seal on it so we

may frame it someday.

We wondered if this was Tony’s aides way of dealing with the system. Our

Tony isn’t typically recognized for his academic achievement. This is the

kid who goes to school half days and whose current favorite phrase is, “I’m

going to ignore you†which does sound like Martian to anyone who hasn’t

heard it hundreds of times.

So glad we aren’t the only ones dealing with the…..unexplainable.

Lori

Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of kaprisock

Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 1:36 AM

To:

Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

Charlyne-LMAO!

Yep, that report card will probably go into a special folder-maybe the one

that holds all the other deliciously mind boggling specimens of the current

state of education as interpeted by some here in my state. Or the one with

the parent rights handbook we get at every single face to face. Hmm, or the

one with the 8th grade teacher's telling notes & goal plans....

You & I know, Charlyne but what really fires me up are the countless parents

that do not. Or in the experience I illustrated, the teachers themselves-the

ones affected-that did not know about the new program! Pretty pathetic when

a parent (me) stumbles across a good thing while searching for ammo to use

to obtain appropriate education for my child!

I really admire your fortitude & unwavering ability to keep up the good

fight for self & others. I still struggle too much with righteous outrage &

being incredulous (as in the open mouth kind)to be the type of advocate

model that you & many on this list exemplify. So I do my advocacy for DJ &

others mostly from behind the scenes & by trying to keep constantly up to

date on multiple issues..

I keep hoping that I will mature or become enlightened enough someday to

bring it on again face to face. But sadly, I am not on drugs.

I started getting alarmed & then angry in the 80's about so much that

affected the little beings in my classroom & their parents. In many ways my

alarm, anger, disgust was channeled into positive action for the greater

good over the years. But Charlene, after 25 years of the same BS, I am

getting pretty impatient about the ever so incremental little bitty changes

& ongoing mindsets.

My hope now is to become an alternate ego; a righteous, crusty, mean, cane

waving little old lady advocate that truly scares the poo out of some that

need it (and get away with it, cackle)....and make a difference.

Til then, I'll continue to be inspired by warriors such as yourself &

quietly (most of the time) wield my mighty sword & pen in the background.

Because I am not on drugs.

Well, I guess I don't have to worry about grounding DJ about grades like I

used to do with my eldest son....

Hugs & strength.

Kris

>

> >

>

> > Hi Desi,

>

> > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness

of it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the mail

is a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh and

then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and hang

it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's coming

back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says Future

Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when he

wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of a

double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to be

acknowledged.

>

> > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

>

> > ,

>

> > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart

surgeries)

>

> > , Canada

>

> > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

>

> >

>

> > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> >

>

> > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> >

>

> > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like

myself

>

> > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past weekend...

>

> >

>

> > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

daughter's

>

> > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report card.

>

> > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> >

>

> > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

list...Aubrey,

>

> > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and

is mild

>

> > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

school, (she

>

> > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently uses

a

>

> > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where she

receives

>

> > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me all

of this

>

> > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

Beginning

>

> > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school needs

a lot of

>

> > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

accompanying

>

> > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her

Hawaii

>

> > State Alternative Assessment...

>

> >

>

> > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED teacher,

I asked

>

> > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey

did in

>

> > their classes...and received nothing.

>

> >

>

> > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's report

card

>

> > read:

>

> >

>

> > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her SPED

teacher

>

> > listed as the teacher for each one.

>

> > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies etc...

>

> > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

typical

>

> > peers do...

>

> > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

took.

>

> > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> >

>

> > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> >

>

> > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why would

any

>

> > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

with so

>

> > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I

feel this

>

> > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

life...my

>

> > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works so

very

>

> > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> >

>

> > Your thoughts out there?

>

> >

>

> > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

>

> > Desi

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > ________________________________

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Kris,

You are too funny. I think your point was that maybe Tony earned this award

in some way. I’m telling you – there is no way. I’ll admit that back in

November it seemed as if his first grade readings skills (beginning first

grade) were going to take off. A teacher actually worked with him for about

six weeks but then the progress stopped, he was shifted back to an aide and

he was back to being a blank slate when we worked with him. Those six weeks

were truly the extent of his academic achievement this school year. His

attendance was only a 92 per cent – not at all award worthy.

I think there are all sorts of federal initiatives to promote the

achievement of struggling learners – even in this category – Tony struggles.

Isaac loves to play Where in the World is Carmen San Diego – he knows all

the geography. He knew which country the Nile started in (different then

the country it divides) he knows all kinds of history, he can read anything

and yet he still has a modified curriculum. Tony is in a whole other ball

park. He’s funny and adorable but he did not win an award for academic

excellence.

I forgot to mention that the award came with a copy of a letter than had

been signed by the President. It explained a little bit about the award but

not enough that made sense to us in any way. I truly think someone (with

our mindset) decided Tony deserved the award even if he didn’t really

deserve the award. We just wish we knew who we could off our blessing to.

I’m glad you have interesting boys. Imagine how boring parenthood would be

without them.

Lori

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of kaprisock

Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 9:34 PM

To:

Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

Lori, I dunno...there are actual times when a child does earn an award such

as the one your Tony brought home. His is one that should make him feel good

since it says " achievement " & is connected to a presidential initiative. Far

more significant than straight 100's on a report card (given the knowledge

that they do not know how the program works yet)

Perhaps I am being cynical & silly about DJ's report card. I have two adult

sons. Son #1 was the type of student that makes teachers take drugs. He was

not motivated in high school & it showed. He could bring an F to an A in 6

weeks, thanks to my judicial use of groundation, as he is a very social

person. Son#1 did not enjoy reading & was the type from a young age that

could take apart something to either fix it or see how it worked & then

correctly re-assemble it. Lectures & reading was not how he learned best.

Today he excels at everything he does. (and enjoys reading, hurrah)

Son #2 effortlessly made 100's through his entire school life (including

university). He actually was/is material & was in gifted classes &

AP. He was also the type that drove some teachers to want to do drugs

because when I say effortlessly, I mean he NEVER cracked a book or appeared

like other's in AP or appeared to come to class prepared. Math teachers

initially would be annoyed that he had no calculator & others assumed he was

not paying attention.

He did not bring a calculator because he did not need one-which stunned

teachers once they bothered to make the discovery. Same with him being quiet

which does not equate inattentive. He is just wired to somehow absorp

lectures & glancing thru books/materials to assimilate a complete

understanding or knowledge.

Both my adult sons together could design & make the perfect & safest plane

known to man. But you would want a specific son to fly it & a specific son

to assemble it.

They were fortunate in the timing of their public school. I shudder to

imagine either of them in school now with all the teach to the test &

testing that's currently happening.

I know it seems I am rambling but I did have a point (somewhere). Maybe my

point is that some awards (and grades) are very very meaningful. My son #1's

grades that went from F to A were far more meaningful than DJ's 100s. Son#2

awards for community service & his academic scholarship from his football

coach was more meaningful to him than any awards he ever received. DJ's

awards in grade school in reading or most improved trumps any others he

received.

Because these were of the real.

I'd frame your Tony's & hang it in his room.

Hugs from Kris

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Hi Desi,

> >

> > > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness

> of it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the

mail

> is a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh

and

> then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and

hang

> it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

> other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

> the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's

coming

> back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says

Future

> Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when he

> wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of

a

> double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

> ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to be

> acknowledged.

> >

> > > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> >

> > > ,

> >

> > > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart

> surgeries)

> >

> > > , Canada

> >

> > > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like

> myself

> >

> > > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past

weekend...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

> daughter's

> >

> > > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report

card.

> >

> > > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

> list...Aubrey,

> >

> > > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and

> is mild

> >

> > > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

> school, (she

> >

> > > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently

uses

> a

> >

> > > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where

she

> receives

> >

> > > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me

all

> of this

> >

> > > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

> Beginning

> >

> > > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school

needs

> a lot of

> >

> > > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

> accompanying

> >

> > > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her

> Hawaii

> >

> > > State Alternative Assessment...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED

teacher,

> I asked

> >

> > > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey

> did in

> >

> > > their classes...and received nothing.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's

report

> card

> >

> > > read:

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her

SPED

> teacher

> >

> > > listed as the teacher for each one.

> >

> > > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies

etc...

> >

> > > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

> typical

> >

> > > peers do...

> >

> > > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

> took.

> >

> > > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why

would

> any

> >

> > > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

> with so

> >

> > > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I

> feel this

> >

> > > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

> life...my

> >

> > > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works

so

> very

> >

> > > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Your thoughts out there?

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> >

> > > Desi

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > ________________________________

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Charlyne, I agree.

Hugs from

Kris the wacked one

>

>

> Subject: RE: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> To:

> Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 8:14 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>  

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Just to add our bizarre experience. On the last day of school Tony came

>

> home with the Presidential Achievement Award †" or some such thing. I’ve

>

> already boxed it up with other mementos. It was signed by 4 people

>

> including the district superintendant and someone from a federal office. My

>

> husband and I looked at each other and we wondered, why? So we laughed

>

> about it and agreed to keep it. It has an official federal seal on it so we

>

> may frame it someday.

>

>

>

> We wondered if this was Tony’s aides way of dealing with the system. Our

>

> Tony isn’t typically recognized for his academic achievement. This is the

>

> kid who goes to school half days and whose current favorite phrase is,

“I’m

>

> going to ignore you†which does sound like Martian to anyone who hasn’t

>

> heard it hundreds of times.

>

>

>

> So glad we aren’t the only ones dealing with the…..unexplainable.

>

>

>

> Lori

>

>

>

> Mom to Isaac 14 and Tony 12

>

>

>

> _____

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Lori, Kris & Group,

I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime example. A

few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior award/scholarship

evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving. Both my older kids never

were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the best of the best scholars at

the HS and only those select few receive an invitation. I could not imagine Zeb

seated on this stage with the brightest HS students. It certainly was a first

and I needed to witness this front and center. As I suspected Zeb was seated

with his peers that had all excelled in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was

an honor for Zeb to be included in this small group. I would bet his life that

it was the first time a student with an intellectual disability has shared that

stage. Each student is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from

the department chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class

valedictorian on one side

and another student that had received an excellence award by the science dept

for physics.  Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding accomplishment

and performance in vocal development. We are talking about a kid that sings like

a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each other and had to muffle our

explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to think of this award. I do know

that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and masterfly includes him. He also writes

that Zeb has no pitch. Last year at the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the

Phantom of the Opera and was also included with three other boys in an

accappello redition of My Guy with a little Motown dance number. The boys got a

standing ovation.  Zeb only sang the my guy, with his deep voice but had

perfect timing. Like many teenagers, Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I

have done my best to redirect his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly

chorus concert is Thursday

evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me what he is

doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does not value

disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said to this teacher

for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event. Overall I think it was great

that he was included and seated on that stage. I was proud of him regardless if

he deserved that award. 

Charlyne   

Subject: RE: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

To:

Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 11:15 PM

 

Kris,

You are too funny. I think your point was that maybe Tony earned this award

in some way. I’m telling you – there is no way. I’ll admit that back in

November it seemed as if his first grade readings skills (beginning first

grade) were going to take off. A teacher actually worked with him for about

six weeks but then the progress stopped, he was shifted back to an aide and

he was back to being a blank slate when we worked with him. Those six weeks

were truly the extent of his academic achievement this school year. His

attendance was only a 92 per cent – not at all award worthy.

I think there are all sorts of federal initiatives to promote the

achievement of struggling learners – even in this category – Tony struggles.

Isaac loves to play Where in the World is Carmen San Diego – he knows all

the geography. He knew which country the Nile started in (different then

the country it divides) he knows all kinds of history, he can read anything

and yet he still has a modified curriculum. Tony is in a whole other ball

park. He’s funny and adorable but he did not win an award for academic

excellence.

I forgot to mention that the award came with a copy of a letter than had

been signed by the President. It explained a little bit about the award but

not enough that made sense to us in any way. I truly think someone (with

our mindset) decided Tony deserved the award even if he didn’t really

deserve the award. We just wish we knew who we could off our blessing to.

I’m glad you have interesting boys. Imagine how boring parenthood would be

without them.

Lori

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of kaprisock

Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 9:34 PM

To:

Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

Lori, I dunno...there are actual times when a child does earn an award such

as the one your Tony brought home. His is one that should make him feel good

since it says " achievement " & is connected to a presidential initiative. Far

more significant than straight 100's on a report card (given the knowledge

that they do not know how the program works yet)

Perhaps I am being cynical & silly about DJ's report card. I have two adult

sons. Son #1 was the type of student that makes teachers take drugs. He was

not motivated in high school & it showed. He could bring an F to an A in 6

weeks, thanks to my judicial use of groundation, as he is a very social

person. Son#1 did not enjoy reading & was the type from a young age that

could take apart something to either fix it or see how it worked & then

correctly re-assemble it. Lectures & reading was not how he learned best.

Today he excels at everything he does. (and enjoys reading, hurrah)

Son #2 effortlessly made 100's through his entire school life (including

university). He actually was/is material & was in gifted classes &

AP. He was also the type that drove some teachers to want to do drugs

because when I say effortlessly, I mean he NEVER cracked a book or appeared

like other's in AP or appeared to come to class prepared. Math teachers

initially would be annoyed that he had no calculator & others assumed he was

not paying attention.

He did not bring a calculator because he did not need one-which stunned

teachers once they bothered to make the discovery. Same with him being quiet

which does not equate inattentive. He is just wired to somehow absorp

lectures & glancing thru books/materials to assimilate a complete

understanding or knowledge.

Both my adult sons together could design & make the perfect & safest plane

known to man. But you would want a specific son to fly it & a specific son

to assemble it.

They were fortunate in the timing of their public school. I shudder to

imagine either of them in school now with all the teach to the test &

testing that's currently happening.

I know it seems I am rambling but I did have a point (somewhere). Maybe my

point is that some awards (and grades) are very very meaningful. My son #1's

grades that went from F to A were far more meaningful than DJ's 100s. Son#2

awards for community service & his academic scholarship from his football

coach was more meaningful to him than any awards he ever received. DJ's

awards in grade school in reading or most improved trumps any others he

received.

Because these were of the real.

I'd frame your Tony's & hang it in his room.

Hugs from Kris

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Hi Desi,

> >

> > > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness

> of it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the

mail

> is a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh

and

> then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and

hang

> it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

> other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

> the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's

coming

> back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says

Future

> Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when he

> wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of

a

> double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

> ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to be

> acknowledged.

> >

> > > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> >

> > > ,

> >

> > > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart

> surgeries)

> >

> > > , Canada

> >

> > > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like

> myself

> >

> > > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past

weekend...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

> daughter's

> >

> > > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report

card.

> >

> > > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

> list...Aubrey,

> >

> > > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and

> is mild

> >

> > > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

> school, (she

> >

> > > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently

uses

> a

> >

> > > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where

she

> receives

> >

> > > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me

all

> of this

> >

> > > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

> Beginning

> >

> > > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school

needs

> a lot of

> >

> > > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

> accompanying

> >

> > > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her

> Hawaii

> >

> > > State Alternative Assessment...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED

teacher,

> I asked

> >

> > > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey

> did in

> >

> > > their classes...and received nothing.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's

report

> card

> >

> > > read:

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her

SPED

> teacher

> >

> > > listed as the teacher for each one.

> >

> > > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies

etc...

> >

> > > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

> typical

> >

> > > peers do...

> >

> > > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

> took.

> >

> > > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why

would

> any

> >

> > > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

> with so

> >

> > > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I

> feel this

> >

> > > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

> life...my

> >

> > > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works

so

> very

> >

> > > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Your thoughts out there?

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> >

> > > Desi

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > ________________________________

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Oh Charlyne! How wonderful & how proud Zeb must have been!!!!!!!!

The teacher felt Zeb deserved this-it would have been VERY easy to NOT give this

award to honor him. (Same with Lori's son, methinks)

With no one the wiser. Such is my perspective-both teachers found a desire to

honor a student's hard work.

Please always brag. Everyone brag ( & vent) because in actuality it helps us all

in some way. I know that it gladdens my heart, provides hope that things are

indeed changing & just makes my soul give a little dance whenever I read of any

of the kiddos being honored or achieving skills or being brave...so brave facing

this world AND without the filters much of the humans sadly possess.

Kris whose heart is dancing a jig

>

> Lori, Kris & Group,

> I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime example. A

few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior award/scholarship

evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving. Both my older kids never

were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the best of the best scholars at

the HS and only those select few receive an invitation. I could not imagine Zeb

seated on this stage with the brightest HS students. It certainly was a first

and I needed to witness this front and center. As I suspected Zeb was seated

with his peers that had all excelled in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was

an honor for Zeb to be included in this small group. I would bet his life that

it was the first time a student with an intellectual disability has shared that

stage. Each student is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from

the department chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class

valedictorian on one side

> and another student that had received an excellence award by the science dept

for physics.  Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding accomplishment

and performance in vocal development. We are talking about a kid that sings like

a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each other and had to muffle our

explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to think of this award. I do know

that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and masterfly includes him. He also writes

that Zeb has no pitch. Last year at the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the

Phantom of the Opera and was also included with three other boys in an

accappello redition of My Guy with a little Motown dance number. The boys got a

standing ovation.  Zeb only sang the my guy, with his deep voice but had

perfect timing. Like many teenagers, Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I

have done my best to redirect his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly

chorus concert is Thursday

> evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me what he

is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does not value

disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said to this teacher

for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event. Overall I think it was great

that he was included and seated on that stage. I was proud of him regardless if

he deserved that award. 

> Charlyne   

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Charlyne:

That is so great!! I didn’t realize Isaac could sing until his choral

teacher said he could. Maybe Zeb saves the good stuff for at school. Or

maybe he can sing sometimes and he sang when it mattered. Maybe there are

teachers who support Zeb even when the administration does not and maybe you

all are changing your corner of the world. Good for all of you!

Lori

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of charlyne1121@...

Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 10:45 AM

To:

Subject: RE: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

Lori, Kris & Group,

I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime example.

A few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior

award/scholarship evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving. Both

my older kids never were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the best

of the best scholars at the HS and only those select few receive an

invitation. I could not imagine Zeb seated on this stage with the brightest

HS students. It certainly was a first and I needed to witness this front and

center. As I suspected Zeb was seated with his peers that had all excelled

in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was an honor for Zeb to be included

in this small group. I would bet his life that it was the first time a

student with an intellectual disability has shared that stage. Each student

is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from the department

chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class valedictorian on one

side

and another student that had received an excellence award by the science

dept for physics. Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking about a

kid that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each other

and had to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to

think of this award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and

masterfly includes him. He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last year at

the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the Phantom of the Opera and was also

included with three other boys in an accappello redition of My Guy with a

little Motown dance number. The boys got a standing ovation. Zeb only sang

the my guy, with his deep voice but had perfect timing. Like many teenagers,

Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I have done my best to redirect

his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly chorus concert is Thursday

evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me what he

is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does not value

disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said to this

teacher for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event. Overall I think

it was great that he was included and seated on that stage. I was proud of

him regardless if he deserved that award.

Charlyne

From: Lori <uccpowell@... <mailto:uccpowell%40tds.net> >

Subject: RE: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

To: <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com>

Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 11:15 PM

Kris,

You are too funny. I think your point was that maybe Tony earned this award

in some way. I’m telling you – there is no way. I’ll admit that back in

November it seemed as if his first grade readings skills (beginning first

grade) were going to take off. A teacher actually worked with him for about

six weeks but then the progress stopped, he was shifted back to an aide and

he was back to being a blank slate when we worked with him. Those six weeks

were truly the extent of his academic achievement this school year. His

attendance was only a 92 per cent – not at all award worthy.

I think there are all sorts of federal initiatives to promote the

achievement of struggling learners – even in this category – Tony struggles.

Isaac loves to play Where in the World is Carmen San Diego – he knows all

the geography. He knew which country the Nile started in (different then

the country it divides) he knows all kinds of history, he can read anything

and yet he still has a modified curriculum. Tony is in a whole other ball

park. He’s funny and adorable but he did not win an award for academic

excellence.

I forgot to mention that the award came with a copy of a letter than had

been signed by the President. It explained a little bit about the award but

not enough that made sense to us in any way. I truly think someone (with

our mindset) decided Tony deserved the award even if he didn’t really

deserve the award. We just wish we knew who we could off our blessing to.

I’m glad you have interesting boys. Imagine how boring parenthood would be

without them.

Lori

_____

From: <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto: <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com> ] On

Behalf

Of kaprisock

Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 9:34 PM

To: <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com>

Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

Lori, I dunno...there are actual times when a child does earn an award such

as the one your Tony brought home. His is one that should make him feel good

since it says " achievement " & is connected to a presidential initiative. Far

more significant than straight 100's on a report card (given the knowledge

that they do not know how the program works yet)

Perhaps I am being cynical & silly about DJ's report card. I have two adult

sons. Son #1 was the type of student that makes teachers take drugs. He was

not motivated in high school & it showed. He could bring an F to an A in 6

weeks, thanks to my judicial use of groundation, as he is a very social

person. Son#1 did not enjoy reading & was the type from a young age that

could take apart something to either fix it or see how it worked & then

correctly re-assemble it. Lectures & reading was not how he learned best.

Today he excels at everything he does. (and enjoys reading, hurrah)

Son #2 effortlessly made 100's through his entire school life (including

university). He actually was/is material & was in gifted classes &

AP. He was also the type that drove some teachers to want to do drugs

because when I say effortlessly, I mean he NEVER cracked a book or appeared

like other's in AP or appeared to come to class prepared. Math teachers

initially would be annoyed that he had no calculator & others assumed he was

not paying attention.

He did not bring a calculator because he did not need one-which stunned

teachers once they bothered to make the discovery. Same with him being quiet

which does not equate inattentive. He is just wired to somehow absorp

lectures & glancing thru books/materials to assimilate a complete

understanding or knowledge.

Both my adult sons together could design & make the perfect & safest plane

known to man. But you would want a specific son to fly it & a specific son

to assemble it.

They were fortunate in the timing of their public school. I shudder to

imagine either of them in school now with all the teach to the test &

testing that's currently happening.

I know it seems I am rambling but I did have a point (somewhere). Maybe my

point is that some awards (and grades) are very very meaningful. My son #1's

grades that went from F to A were far more meaningful than DJ's 100s. Son#2

awards for community service & his academic scholarship from his football

coach was more meaningful to him than any awards he ever received. DJ's

awards in grade school in reading or most improved trumps any others he

received.

Because these were of the real.

I'd frame your Tony's & hang it in his room.

Hugs from Kris

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Hi Desi,

> >

> > > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the ridiculousness

> of it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the

mail

> is a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh

and

> then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and

hang

> it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

> other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

> the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's

coming

> back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says

Future

> Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when he

> wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of

a

> double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

> ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to be

> acknowledged.

> >

> > > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> >

> > > ,

> >

> > > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart

> surgeries)

> >

> > > , Canada

> >

> > > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents like

> myself

> >

> > > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past

weekend...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

> daughter's

> >

> > > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report

card.

> >

> > > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

> list...Aubrey,

> >

> > > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9, and

> is mild

> >

> > > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

> school, (she

> >

> > > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently

uses

> a

> >

> > > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where

she

> receives

> >

> > > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me

all

> of this

> >

> > > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

> Beginning

> >

> > > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school

needs

> a lot of

> >

> > > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

> accompanying

> >

> > > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of her

> Hawaii

> >

> > > State Alternative Assessment...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED

teacher,

> I asked

> >

> > > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey

> did in

> >

> > > their classes...and received nothing.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's

report

> card

> >

> > > read:

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her

SPED

> teacher

> >

> > > listed as the teacher for each one.

> >

> > > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies

etc...

> >

> > > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

> typical

> >

> > > peers do...

> >

> > > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

> took.

> >

> > > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

> >

> > >

> >

> > > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

> >

> > >

> >

> > > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why

would

> any

> >

> > > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

> with so

> >

> > > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I

> feel this

> >

> > > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

> life...my

> >

> > > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works

so

> very

> >

> > > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Your thoughts out there?

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> >

> > > Desi

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > > ________________________________

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

> >

> > >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

PLease please please brag on your kids! Achievements, hard won or given by

grace are one of the gifts we get for parenting our children.

>

>

> Charlyne:

>

> That is so great!! I didn’t realize Isaac could sing until his choral

> teacher said he could. Maybe Zeb saves the good stuff for at school. Or

> maybe he can sing sometimes and he sang when it mattered. Maybe there are

> teachers who support Zeb even when the administration does not and maybe

> you

> all are changing your corner of the world. Good for all of you!

>

> Lori

>

> _____

>

> From: [mailto: ] On

> Behalf

> Of charlyne1121@...

> Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 10:45 AM

> To:

> Subject: RE: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

>

> Lori, Kris & Group,

> I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime

> example.

> A few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior

> award/scholarship evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving.

> Both

> my older kids never were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the

> best

> of the best scholars at the HS and only those select few receive an

> invitation. I could not imagine Zeb seated on this stage with the brightest

> HS students. It certainly was a first and I needed to witness this front

> and

> center. As I suspected Zeb was seated with his peers that had all excelled

> in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was an honor for Zeb to be included

> in this small group. I would bet his life that it was the first time a

> student with an intellectual disability has shared that stage. Each student

> is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from the department

> chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class valedictorian on one

> side

> and another student that had received an excellence award by the science

> dept for physics. Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

>

> accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking about a

> kid that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each

> other

> and had to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to

> think of this award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and

> masterfly includes him. He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last year at

> the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the Phantom of the Opera and was also

> included with three other boys in an accappello redition of My Guy with a

> little Motown dance number. The boys got a standing ovation. Zeb only sang

>

> the my guy, with his deep voice but had perfect timing. Like many

> teenagers,

> Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I have done my best to redirect

> his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly chorus concert is Thursday

> evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me what he

> is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does not value

> disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said to this

> teacher for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event. Overall I think

> it was great that he was included and seated on that stage. I was proud of

> him regardless if he deserved that award.

> Charlyne

>

>

>

> From: Lori <uccpowell@... <mailto:uccpowell%40tds.net> >

> Subject: RE: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> To: <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com>

> Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 11:15 PM

>

> Kris,

>

> You are too funny. I think your point was that maybe Tony earned this award

>

> in some way. I’m telling you – there is no way. I’ll admit that back in

>

> November it seemed as if his first grade readings skills (beginning first

>

> grade) were going to take off. A teacher actually worked with him for about

>

> six weeks but then the progress stopped, he was shifted back to an aide and

>

> he was back to being a blank slate when we worked with him. Those six weeks

>

> were truly the extent of his academic achievement this school year. His

>

> attendance was only a 92 per cent – not at all award worthy.

>

> I think there are all sorts of federal initiatives to promote the

>

> achievement of struggling learners – even in this category – Tony

> struggles.

>

> Isaac loves to play Where in the World is Carmen San Diego – he knows all

>

> the geography. He knew which country the Nile started in (different then

>

> the country it divides) he knows all kinds of history, he can read anything

>

> and yet he still has a modified curriculum. Tony is in a whole other ball

>

> park. He’s funny and adorable but he did not win an award for academic

>

> excellence.

>

> I forgot to mention that the award came with a copy of a letter than had

>

> been signed by the President. It explained a little bit about the award but

>

> not enough that made sense to us in any way. I truly think someone (with

>

> our mindset) decided Tony deserved the award even if he didn’t really

>

> deserve the award. We just wish we knew who we could off our blessing to.

>

> I’m glad you have interesting boys. Imagine how boring parenthood would be

>

> without them.

>

> Lori

>

> _____

>

> From: <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com>

> [mailto: <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com> ]

> On

> Behalf

>

> Of kaprisock

>

> Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 9:34 PM

>

> To: <mailto:%40yahoogroups.com>

>

> Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> Lori, I dunno...there are actual times when a child does earn an award such

>

> as the one your Tony brought home. His is one that should make him feel

> good

>

> since it says " achievement " & is connected to a presidential initiative.

> Far

>

> more significant than straight 100's on a report card (given the knowledge

>

> that they do not know how the program works yet)

>

> Perhaps I am being cynical & silly about DJ's report card. I have two adult

>

> sons. Son #1 was the type of student that makes teachers take drugs. He was

>

> not motivated in high school & it showed. He could bring an F to an A in 6

>

> weeks, thanks to my judicial use of groundation, as he is a very social

>

> person. Son#1 did not enjoy reading & was the type from a young age that

>

> could take apart something to either fix it or see how it worked & then

>

> correctly re-assemble it. Lectures & reading was not how he learned best.

>

> Today he excels at everything he does. (and enjoys reading, hurrah)

>

> Son #2 effortlessly made 100's through his entire school life (including

>

> university). He actually was/is material & was in gifted classes &

>

> AP. He was also the type that drove some teachers to want to do drugs

>

> because when I say effortlessly, I mean he NEVER cracked a book or appeared

>

> like other's in AP or appeared to come to class prepared. Math teachers

>

> initially would be annoyed that he had no calculator & others assumed he

> was

>

> not paying attention.

>

> He did not bring a calculator because he did not need one-which stunned

>

> teachers once they bothered to make the discovery. Same with him being

> quiet

>

> which does not equate inattentive. He is just wired to somehow absorp

>

> lectures & glancing thru books/materials to assimilate a complete

>

> understanding or knowledge.

>

> Both my adult sons together could design & make the perfect & safest plane

>

> known to man. But you would want a specific son to fly it & a specific son

>

> to assemble it.

>

> They were fortunate in the timing of their public school. I shudder to

>

> imagine either of them in school now with all the teach to the test &

>

> testing that's currently happening.

>

> I know it seems I am rambling but I did have a point (somewhere). Maybe my

>

> point is that some awards (and grades) are very very meaningful. My son

> #1's

>

> grades that went from F to A were far more meaningful than DJ's 100s. Son#2

>

> awards for community service & his academic scholarship from his football

>

> coach was more meaningful to him than any awards he ever received. DJ's

>

> awards in grade school in reading or most improved trumps any others he

>

> received.

>

> Because these were of the real.

>

> I'd frame your Tony's & hang it in his room.

>

> Hugs from Kris

>

>

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > Hi Desi,

>

> > >

>

> > > > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the

> ridiculousness

>

> > of it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the

>

> mail

>

> > is a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh

>

> and

>

> > then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and

>

> hang

>

> > it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

>

> > other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

>

> > the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's

>

> coming

>

> > back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says

>

> Future

>

> > Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when

> he

>

> > wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of

>

> a

>

> > double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

>

> > ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to

> be

>

> > acknowledged.

>

> > >

>

> > > > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

>

> > >

>

> > > > ,

>

> > >

>

> > > > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart

>

> > surgeries)

>

> > >

>

> > > > , Canada

>

> > >

>

> > > > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents

> like

>

> > myself

>

> > >

>

> > > > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past

>

> weekend...

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

>

> > daughter's

>

> > >

>

> > > > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report

>

> card.

>

> > >

>

> > > > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

>

> > list...Aubrey,

>

> > >

>

> > > > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9,

> and

>

> > is mild

>

> > >

>

> > > > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

>

> > school, (she

>

> > >

>

> > > > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently

>

> uses

>

> > a

>

> > >

>

> > > > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where

>

> she

>

> > receives

>

> > >

>

> > > > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me

>

> all

>

> > of this

>

> > >

>

> > > > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

>

> > Beginning

>

> > >

>

> > > > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school

>

> needs

>

> > a lot of

>

> > >

>

> > > > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

>

> > accompanying

>

> > >

>

> > > > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of

> her

>

> > Hawaii

>

> > >

>

> > > > State Alternative Assessment...

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED

>

> teacher,

>

> > I asked

>

> > >

>

> > > > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey

>

> > did in

>

> > >

>

> > > > their classes...and received nothing.

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's

>

> report

>

> > card

>

> > >

>

> > > > read:

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her

>

> SPED

>

> > teacher

>

> > >

>

> > > > listed as the teacher for each one.

>

> > >

>

> > > > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies

>

> etc...

>

> > >

>

> > > > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

>

> > typical

>

> > >

>

> > > > peers do...

>

> > >

>

> > > > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

>

> > took.

>

> > >

>

> > > > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why

>

> would

>

> > any

>

> > >

>

> > > > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

>

> > with so

>

> > >

>

> > > > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I

>

> > feel this

>

> > >

>

> > > > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

>

> > life...my

>

> > >

>

> > > > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works

>

> so

>

> > very

>

> > >

>

> > > > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > Your thoughts out there?

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

>

> > >

>

> > > > Desi

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > > ________________________________

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > >

>

> > >

>

> > > >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

I second what Sara says!

Aha! (as DJ says instead of eureka) Maybe everyone can brag one about thing (or

more) a day or a week here about their kiddo(s) or grandkiddo(s)???!! Mega or

teeny brags-just brag.

After all, there can never be enough bragging...or heart smiles/jigs!

:)

Hugs,

Kris

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Hi Desi,

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the

> > ridiculousness

> >

> > > of it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the

> >

> > mail

> >

> > > is a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh

> >

> > and

> >

> > > then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and

> >

> > hang

> >

> > > it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

> >

> > > other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

> >

> > > the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's

> >

> > coming

> >

> > > back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says

> >

> > Future

> >

> > > Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when

> > he

> >

> > > wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of

> >

> > a

> >

> > > double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

> >

> > > ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to

> > be

> >

> > > acknowledged.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > ,

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart

> >

> > > surgeries)

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > , Canada

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents

> > like

> >

> > > myself

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past

> >

> > weekend...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

> >

> > > daughter's

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report

> >

> > card.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

> >

> > > list...Aubrey,

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9,

> > and

> >

> > > is mild

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

> >

> > > school, (she

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently

> >

> > uses

> >

> > > a

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where

> >

> > she

> >

> > > receives

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me

> >

> > all

> >

> > > of this

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

> >

> > > Beginning

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school

> >

> > needs

> >

> > > a lot of

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

> >

> > > accompanying

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of

> > her

> >

> > > Hawaii

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > State Alternative Assessment...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED

> >

> > teacher,

> >

> > > I asked

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey

> >

> > > did in

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > their classes...and received nothing.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's

> >

> > report

> >

> > > card

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > read:

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her

> >

> > SPED

> >

> > > teacher

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > listed as the teacher for each one.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies

> >

> > etc...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

> >

> > > typical

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > peers do...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

> >

> > > took.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why

> >

> > would

> >

> > > any

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

> >

> > > with so

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I

> >

> > > feel this

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

> >

> > > life...my

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works

> >

> > so

> >

> > > very

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Your thoughts out there?

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Desi

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > ________________________________

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Lori,Kris,Sara & Group,

Zeb truly can't sing. Unfortunately he took after his mother in that area. I do

believe that the music teacher supported him because when it comes to singing

he's got heart. I think the teacher felt that connection and stuck his neck out

nominating Zeb. I may never know and the fact that he sat on that stage with the

best of the best was more than I could have ever expected. The school's

administration are probably suffering from migraines or vision issues as a

result of the extreme eye rolling that evening.

Zeb had his IEP meeting this past Friday and it was not kind. The administration

insisted on having their board attorney come to this meeting. She is a very

nasty woman even when she is trying to be nice. I had no alternative but to hire

an attorney to come to this meeting for Zeb. It was part of their plan to make

me pay. I can't go into detail on the list, however, I was MOST proud of Zeb

that day. After the board attorney told him he couldn't go to college, other not

too kind statements etc Zeb told her it was his meeting and his life etc. He did

an amazing job of advocating for himself. He just blew us away, me, ed

consultant and his attorney. I can't speak for the school team but my gut sensed

that they were taken aback. Zeb finds it very difficult to understand that

school staff are not truthful. He has continually thought that I make them mad.

It was something that I just couldn't get him to understand that it was nothing

I did. I go the extra

mile to be oh so appropriate. Zeb attended a Pete training a few months

ago. It was a sell out with approximately 200 people. I had never met this man

and had always wanted to. Zeb was fortunate to meet with him and have an

extended conversation. I got to wave and say hi. Attorney was the first

person that Zeb understood and believed that some school staff may not be

honorable. He also told him that needed to listen to me and advocate for

himself. I credit Pete for Zeb's actions on Friday, truly life changing.

Charlyne

Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

To:

Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 12:20 PM

 

Oh Charlyne! How wonderful & how proud Zeb must have been!!!!!!!!

The teacher felt Zeb deserved this-it would have been VERY easy to NOT give this

award to honor him. (Same with Lori's son, methinks)

With no one the wiser. Such is my perspective-both teachers found a desire to

honor a student's hard work.

Please always brag. Everyone brag ( & vent) because in actuality it helps us all

in some way. I know that it gladdens my heart, provides hope that things are

indeed changing & just makes my soul give a little dance whenever I read of any

of the kiddos being honored or achieving skills or being brave...so brave facing

this world AND without the filters much of the humans sadly possess.

Kris whose heart is dancing a jig

>

> Lori, Kris & Group,

> I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime example. A

few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior award/scholarship

evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving. Both my older kids never

were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the best of the best scholars at

the HS and only those select few receive an invitation. I could not imagine Zeb

seated on this stage with the brightest HS students. It certainly was a first

and I needed to witness this front and center. As I suspected Zeb was seated

with his peers that had all excelled in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was

an honor for Zeb to be included in this small group. I would bet his life that

it was the first time a student with an intellectual disability has shared that

stage. Each student is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from

the department chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class

valedictorian on one side

> and another student that had received an excellence award by the science dept

for physics.  Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking about a kid

that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each other and had

to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to think of this

award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and masterfly includes him.

He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last year at the yearly chorus concert Zeb

was the Phantom of the Opera and was also included with three other boys in an

accappello redition of My Guy with a little Motown dance number. The boys got a

standing ovation.  Zeb only sang the my guy, with his deep voice but had

perfect timing. Like many teenagers, Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I

have done my best to redirect his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly

chorus concert is Thursday

> evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me what he

is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does not value

disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said to this teacher

for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event. Overall I think it was great

that he was included and seated on that stage. I was proud of him regardless if

he deserved that award. 

> Charlyne   

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

I met Pete when Elie was a mere 13 yo. I have to say that Pete

changed my way of thinking about my son and school - and changed what we

thereafter did with our lives - including quitting our jobs and moving

closer to better educational resources for Elie. It was definitely life

changing . ( have had many of his tapes over the years and found them

great car listening to fortify my spirit before a 'calm and resasoned'

meeting with people who were neither.

>

>

> Lori,Kris,Sara & Group,

> Zeb truly can't sing. Unfortunately he took after his mother in that area.

> I do believe that the music teacher supported him because when it comes to

> singing he's got heart. I think the teacher felt that connection and stuck

> his neck out nominating Zeb. I may never know and the fact that he sat on

> that stage with the best of the best was more than I could have ever

> expected. The school's administration are probably suffering from migraines

> or vision issues as a result of the extreme eye rolling that evening.

>

> Zeb had his IEP meeting this past Friday and it was not kind. The

> administration insisted on having their board attorney come to this meeting.

> She is a very nasty woman even when she is trying to be nice. I had no

> alternative but to hire an attorney to come to this meeting for Zeb. It was

> part of their plan to make me pay. I can't go into detail on the list,

> however, I was MOST proud of Zeb that day. After the board attorney told him

> he couldn't go to college, other not too kind statements etc Zeb told her it

> was his meeting and his life etc. He did an amazing job of advocating for

> himself. He just blew us away, me, ed consultant and his attorney. I can't

> speak for the school team but my gut sensed that they were taken aback. Zeb

> finds it very difficult to understand that school staff are not truthful. He

> has continually thought that I make them mad. It was something that I just

> couldn't get him to understand that it was nothing I did. I go the extra

> mile to be oh so appropriate. Zeb attended a Pete training a few

> months ago. It was a sell out with approximately 200 people. I had never met

> this man and had always wanted to. Zeb was fortunate to meet with him and

> have an extended conversation. I got to wave and say hi. Attorney was

> the first person that Zeb understood and believed that some school staff may

> not be honorable. He also told him that needed to listen to me and advocate

> for himself. I credit Pete for Zeb's actions on Friday, truly life

> changing.

> Charlyne

>

>

>

>

> Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> To:

> Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 12:20 PM

>

>

>

> Oh Charlyne! How wonderful & how proud Zeb must have been!!!!!!!!

>

> The teacher felt Zeb deserved this-it would have been VERY easy to NOT give

> this award to honor him. (Same with Lori's son, methinks)

>

> With no one the wiser. Such is my perspective-both teachers found a desire

> to honor a student's hard work.

>

> Please always brag. Everyone brag ( & vent) because in actuality it helps us

> all in some way. I know that it gladdens my heart, provides hope that things

> are indeed changing & just makes my soul give a little dance whenever I read

> of any of the kiddos being honored or achieving skills or being brave...so

> brave facing this world AND without the filters much of the humans sadly

> possess.

>

> Kris whose heart is dancing a jig

>

>

>

> >

>

> > Lori, Kris & Group,

>

> > I do not normally post about Zeb's achievements but this is a prime

> example. A few weeks ago Zeb came home with an invitation to the senior

> award/scholarship evening. I couldn't imagine what he may be receiving. Both

> my older kids never were invited. I know this event is exclusive to the best

> of the best scholars at the HS and only those select few receive an

> invitation. I could not imagine Zeb seated on this stage with the brightest

> HS students. It certainly was a first and I needed to witness this front and

> center. As I suspected Zeb was seated with his peers that had all excelled

> in physics, chemistry, English etc. It was an honor for Zeb to be included

> in this small group. I would bet his life that it was the first time a

> student with an intellectual disability has shared that stage. Each student

> is usually selected according to GPA or recommendation from the department

> chair of that subject. Zeb was seated with the class valedictorian on one

> side

>

> > and another student that had received an excellence award by the science

> dept for physics. Surprisingly Zeb received an award for outstanding

> accomplishment and performance in vocal development. We are talking about a

> kid that sings like a sick whale. My husband and I just looked at each other

> and had to muffle our explosive fit of laughter. We do not know what to

> think of this award. I do know that the chorus teacher likes Zeb and

> masterfly includes him. He also writes that Zeb has no pitch. Last year at

> the yearly chorus concert Zeb was the Phantom of the Opera and was also

> included with three other boys in an accappello redition of My Guy with a

> little Motown dance number. The boys got a standing ovation. Zeb only sang

> the my guy, with his deep voice but had perfect timing. Like many teenagers,

> Zeb thinks he is going to be a rock star. I have done my best to redirect

> his efforts. I am still stunned. Zeb's yearly chorus concert is Thursday

>

> > evening. I am wondering if I will hear a miracle. Zeb won't tell me what

> he is doing. He says it's a surprise. The school administration does not

> value disabled students and I can only wonder what they may have said to

> this teacher for including Zeb in their award/scholarship event. Overall I

> think it was great that he was included and seated on that stage. I was

> proud of him regardless if he deserved that award.Â

>

> > Charlyne Â

>

> >

>

> >

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest guest

Guest guest

Posted
Posted

Sara, Kris & Group,

I love to hear brags from the group. Many times it makes my day. I am mindful to

not brag or only on occasion because my son does not have autism. I truly would

not want any parent to feel uncomfortable. I enjoy this group, have learned so

much and found great support. I try to pay it forward when I can.

Charlyne

Subject: Re: Report Card in the Mail....

To:

Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011, 1:46 PM

 

I second what Sara says!

Aha! (as DJ says instead of eureka) Maybe everyone can brag one about thing (or

more) a day or a week here about their kiddo(s) or grandkiddo(s)???!! Mega or

teeny brags-just brag.

After all, there can never be enough bragging...or heart smiles/jigs!

:)

Hugs,

Kris

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Hi Desi,

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > This may be a bit warped, but I'd probably laugh at the

> > ridiculousness

> >

> > > of it and then cry a little bit (because unexpected stupid stuff in the

> >

> > mail

> >

> > > is a blindside reminder of how the system sees our kids) and then laugh

> >

> > and

> >

> > > then frame the thing (or laminate it - framings a little expensive) and

> >

> > hang

> >

> > > it up somewhere. Then I'd call my parents and tell them Darwyn beat out 2

> >

> > > other kids in the school rankings! Sometimes I feel the need to celebrate

> >

> > > the absurdity of this world we've created. For example, my husband's

> >

> > coming

> >

> > > back today from Boston with a Harvard sweatshirt for Darwyn that says

> >

> > Future

> >

> > > Graduate. I love how people can't really figure out how to respond when

> > he

> >

> > > wears stuff like that. Makes me laugh to see how other people do a bit of

> >

> > a

> >

> > > double take when they read it and I think it exposes our weird social

> >

> > > ranking system which so rarely allows for the true value of our kids to

> > be

> >

> > > acknowledged.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Take care (and please ignore this " advice? " if its not helpful).

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > ,

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Mom to (age 11) and Darwyn ( age 7 DS ASD and a few heart

> >

> > > surgeries)

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > , Canada

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Re: Report Card in the Mail....

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Aloha Fellow List-mates,

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > I'm still up here across he ocean and wondering how other parents

> > like

> >

> > > myself

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > would feel if they received what I did in the mail this past

> >

> > weekend...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > I opened a piece of mail (the first I have ever received) from my

> >

> > > daughter's

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > intermediate school here in Hawai'i. It was a " mainstream " report

> >

> > card.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > My daughter has not received a mainstream report card all year...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Let me clarify Aubrey's placement for those of you newer to the

> >

> > > list...Aubrey,

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > 13, Ds Trisomy 21, was also diagnosed with late onset PDDNOS at 9,

> > and

> >

> > > is mild

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > to moderately hearing impaired. Aubrey is in a total communication

> >

> > > school, (she

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > is somewhat verbal but primarily signs to communicate and currently

> >

> > uses

> >

> > > a

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > loaner AC device for now) is based in a FSC SPED HI classroom where

> >

> > she

> >

> > > receives

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > most of her academics and is mainstreamed for Homeroom (that took me

> >

> > all

> >

> > > of this

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > past 7th grade year to get to finally happen), PE, Social Studies,

> >

> > > Beginning

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Band, Science, etc with " modifications " and " adaptations " (school

> >

> > needs

> >

> > > a lot of

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > improvement here!) and of course, has an extensive IEP and the

> >

> > > accompanying

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Quarterly Progress Reports...we are also waiting on the results of

> > her

> >

> > > Hawaii

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > State Alternative Assessment...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > During a recent IEP, outside of Progress Report written by SPED

> >

> > teacher,

> >

> > > I asked

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > if mainstream teachers could write a brief statement about how Aubrey

> >

> > > did in

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > their classes...and received nothing.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > I digress...back to Aubrey's report card....this is how Aubrey's

> >

> > report

> >

> > > card

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > read:

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Her report card showed the listing of each of her classes with her

> >

> > SPED

> >

> > > teacher

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > listed as the teacher for each one.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Her report card showed her record of attendance-absences, tardies

> >

> > etc...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Aubrey received an S for each class rather than a letter grade as her

> >

> > > typical

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > peers do...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Then her report card showed her being given credit for each class she

> >

> > > took.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Her report card showed her GPA as 0.0 for each quarter...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > And THEN, her CLASS RANK was listed?!?!?!----475/477.

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > I was, and still am-massively confused but most of all-livid. Why

> >

> > would

> >

> > > any

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > school think a special needs child's family should be sent a document

> >

> > > with so

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > many " modifications " and then include their child's class ranking? I

> >

> > > feel this

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > is the most disrespectful gesture ever shown to my child in her young

> >

> > > life...my

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > beautiful child who struggles so hard to learn but nonetheless works

> >

> > so

> >

> > > very

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > hard to be the best SHE can be. What a slap in her face!!!

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Your thoughts out there?

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Shocked, deeply hurt and baffled out here in Hawai'i...

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > Desi

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > > ________________________________

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

> >

> > > >

> >

> > > > >

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...