Middle School

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/1/2003 2:43:39 PM Central Standard Time,

Mit@... writes:

> Hi All!!

>

> I am one of the original members of this group, but I have not been active

> in

> it for a while. We moved at the end of the summer last year to Wisconsin

> from IL. Anyway, my son, Colin, age 10 is finishing 4th grade. I am

> starting to think about Middle School and I am wondering if anyone knows of

> good resources to plan a cirriculum for the middle school years. As time

> goes on, Colin is further and further away from the general cirriculum and

> I

> really think I don't want him in a self-contained classroom all day....so I

> need some suggestions for an alternative to that.

>

> Thank you!

>

>

> Mequon, WI

HI

This has been a concern of mine too, in fact the only thing I know to do here

is to bail .................. not sure if this will happen though before

(2004-2005) middle school. A friend of mine who has a daughter in Sara's

sped class is moving on to middle school this fall, she went and looked at

the program and she was very sadden. She told me that we are going to be

taking a step backwards ... from where we are now she said the sped class

was set up like our kids preschool class was, tables and all, no desks.

Sara's sped class now looks more like a Reg Ed classroom, their own desk and

the way the teacher has it laid out. Sara moving to a room that has tables

and other preschool equipment is a step back for us we have 5 kids at

Sara's school and we all have the same placement, pullout to the sped room

for reading and math, everything else is in Reg Ed ....... not so at the

middle school, they don't even eat lunch with the typical population. Also

the makeup of the class is kids mastering self help and life skills not many

if any with academic IEP's.

The year Sara will go to MS 8-10 others will also we going, 4 from our school

and the others are total sped time. Im calling a meeting in the fall to

organize the parents so we can make sure all of our kids receive the proper

placement.

Keep us filled in on what you find out, we can all use this transition info

because MS is only a yr. or so away for many of us.

Kathy mom to Sara 11

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am also in Wisconsin - Appleton. went into a more segregated setting

this year when he entered middle school. This was our choice and met his

needs.

There are two other boys with ds who attended 's elem who are going to

their home middle school and being supported in reg. ed. classes.

The advice I've always been given is to write goals that can only be

supported in the environment you are seeking.

BTW, still eats lunch in the lunch room and spends time in reg. ed.

settings so

In a message dated 5/2/03 2:56:45 AM Central Daylight Time, every program is

required to meet your child's needs not the other way around.

Karyn,

If you need help with goal writing and school advocacy there is an

organization in WI called WI FACETS and they can help you with no charge.

E-mail me pff list if you want their number

writes:

>

>

> > Hi All!!

> >

> > I am one of the original members of this group, but I have not been

> active

> > in

> > it for a while. We moved at the end of the summer last year to Wisconsin

>

> > from IL. Anyway, my son, Colin, age 10 is finishing 4th grade. I am

> > starting to think about Middle School and I am wondering if anyone knows

> of

> > good resources to plan a cirriculum for the middle school years. As time

>

> > goes on, Colin is further and further away from the general cirriculum

> and

> > I

> > really think I don't want him in a self-contained classroom all day....so

> I

> > need some suggestions for an alternative to that.

> >

> > Thank you!

> >

> >

> > Mequon, WI

>

>

> HI

>

> This has been a concern of mine too, in fact the only thing I know to do

> here

> is to bail .................. not sure if this will happen though before

> (2004-2005) middle school. A friend of mine who has a daughter in Sara's

> sped class is moving on to middle school this fall, she went and looked at

> the program and she was very sadden. She told me that we are going to be

> taking a step backwards ... from where we are now she said the sped

> class

> was set up like our kids preschool class was, tables and all, no desks.

> Sara's sped class now looks more like a Reg Ed classroom, their own desk

> and

> the way the teacher has it laid out. Sara moving to a room that has tables

> and other preschool equipment is a step back for us we have 5 kids at

> Sara's school and we all have the same placement, pullout to the sped room

> for reading and math, everything else is in Reg Ed ....... not so at the

> middle school, they don't even eat lunch with the typical population. Also

> the makeup of the class is kids mastering self help and life skills not

> many

> if any with academic IEP's.

> The year Sara will go to MS 8-10 others will also we going, 4 from our

> school

> and the others are total sped time. Im calling a meeting in the fall to

> organize the parents so we can make sure all of our kids receive the proper

>

> placement.

>

> Keep us filled in on what you find out, we can all use this transition info

>

> because MS is only a yr. or so away for many of us.

>

> Kathy mom to Sara 11

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/4/2003 10:45:19 AM US Mountain Standard Time,

sissybsc2@... writes:

> regular ed for computer and PE

Hi,

We are also planning Maverick's entrance into 7th grade. He'll be going to a

Jr. High that his just 7th and 8th grade. We have decided to not allow him

to take PE in the Jr. High. As much as he likes sports, the PE classes are

just too unstructured and he will get over stimulated. Also, there is no

supervision in the locker room. We may put him in an after school sport at

the school, and he does soccer in the fall and baseball in the spring so

he'll be busy. We ARE doing computer and also thinking of having him be a

teacher's aide during lunch time...so he can eat and then run

errands....instead of hanging out in the common area where it is mass chaos.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/6/2003 4:04:16 PM Central Standard Time,

dbonorato4@... writes:

> That's why they are supposed to adapt and modify curricula. 's

> teacher sent home the list of curricular goals for the year for her class

> (science) and the social studies teacher did the same. I checked off some

> things and they checked things that they felt NEEDED to get from

> their course. We got together and figured out some ways he could get those

> things at HIS level while the other kids got it at theirs. They did a lot

> more hands on stuff than usual in 8th grade. learned tremendous

> amounts. Of course, he had and still has a para with him every time he is

> included.

> Elaine

HI Elaine

Here we call it " IEP driven " or " Curriculum driven, " this year we opted for

IEP driven. They tried to make 12 objectives of actual curriculum for Sara to

master and I said no. Now she has 5 objectives basically teaching concepts

and participation. I know she'll pick up the curriculum incidentally and not

be set up for failure.

Kathy mom to Sara 11 ............... did I tell you all I heard wonderful

things about Sara at the IEP meeting, Reg Ed shared so much

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

Too bad they couldn't...DIDN'T...share these things when everyone else was

fussing about Sara.

mom to Bridget 10

Re: Middle School

Kathy mom to Sara 11 ............... did I tell you all I heard wonderful

things about Sara at the IEP meeting, Reg Ed shared so much

[Guest guest]

We have Maverick in a fully included setting in the Jr. High. Our Middle

school works with " Teams " of teachers. There are 4 teams and they have meetings

and can talk to each other about the kids and what they are doing and how to

have the classes working on similiar things. It works out great.

They were hesitant at first to allow Maverick to be in their classes. He is

the only student in our district who is fully included and has been since 1st

grade. It is not without it's challenges. But well worth every battle.

While the teachers didn't want Mav in their classes and certainly didn't know

how to modify the work, we just plugged on and taught them. Right before

Christmas it got really tough to the point where I was thinking of pulling him

out and homeschooling, but all of a sudden, it clicked. They realized that #1.

They had no choice, and #2. It wasn't as hard as they thought to modify. We

work closely, they send home work that is totally inappropriate, and I

rewrite it and send it back. The Science teacher sends me his monthly plan and

we go

over what Mav and and can't do and what we want him to get out of the lesson

and go from there. We have monthly inclusion meetings...(that is written into

his IEP) where we all meet and hash things out. In Elementary it was 2-3

hours. In Jr. High it's 40 minutes. Not enough really, but we do alot of

emailing back and forth.

This is what is working with Maverick at this point. Not saying it is the

only way, just what works for HIM.

Also, when he was in 1st grade we came back to this district and insisted

that he had the right to be fully included. It is. We ended up filing a due

process. It got very tense for a while, but in the end, two days before the

hearing, the district called us and said, " OK, you can have everything you

asked

for. What do you want? "

We had no attny, they had a very aggressive one. We think they just found

out that we knew what we were talking about and knew they had no choice.

Whatever the reason, it worked for us.

Also, if she has friends in both the 4th and 5th grades and is comfortable

with them, I would consider keeping her back with the 4th grade again. Every

little bit helps. We have always made sure that a core group of kids move with

Mav each year. Middle school got a bit tricky, but he still has many friends

from his elementary school with him in each class.

Good luck whatever you choose.

     ¸...¸ __/ /\____ ____

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     As for me and my house,

      we will serve the Lord.

             24:15

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/26/2004 10:51:49 AM Central Standard Time,

Michdock@... writes:

> Also, when he was in 1st grade we came back to this district and insisted

> that he had the right to be fully included. It is. We ended up filing a

> due

> process. It got very tense for a while, but in the end, two days before the

>

> hearing, the district called us and said, " OK, you can have everything you

> asked

> for. What do you want? "

Boy, does this sound familiar. Although we were going from ECP to

kindergarten. And it was in a mediation meeting just before the Due Process

that they

asked us " What do you want? " We did not have a lawyer either, but a law

student. Their lawyers were also aggressive. I think it was the fact that they

were beginning to see the wave of families coming after us, and that we were not

going to just go away or give up.

Zack starts Middle school next year. The classes their are all lecture

halls. I know Zack won't make it. I'm not sure I could. 36 kids in a class,

with

the teacher just droning on and on and on. They have the " self contained "

which is also not an option, and they have the classes, which really have no

name. They are for the kids that need help. " IEP kids " and " regular ed " kids

both can go to them, if they need the help. So, Zack will still see some of his

friends. The kids change classes and move around the halls together, so I

think it won't be a " big deal " that Zack is going to a different class. Most of

his friends won't even realize, they will just think that Zack has math or

science during a different period than they do. They also have a special Middle

school for the academically gifted and the artistically gifted. I have been

approached about putting Zack into the artistically gifted program. He is

very artistic (Didn't get that from me!), and loves to act and sing. The

children get the " core " academic subjects, and the extra " arts " classes. We

have not

met to write the IEP, but this is the program everyone seems to think will

" fit " Zack best. He got his " socialization " in elementary school and has a good

group of friends. Now it is time to really hit the academics, Not that he

didn't learn anything in elementary school, but I think he is capable of much

more. We are having a referendum vote next month. Three in a row, have been

voted down. This one may cause the Academic and Arts Academy to close, but the

program will go on at the other Middle school. In a way, even that could be a

win situation for Zack. If the kids are split into two schools, he will

probably lose at least half of his friend base. If they are all together, he

will

have the opportunity to see them all.

I don't like stepping away from total Inclusion, but I have seen the classes

in Middle school and they are completely dull. In the program we are looking

at, he will get to dig for dinosaur bones (he loves dinosaurs), hatch baby

chicks, work on real computers (instead of being lectured about them), and

still

be able to be included with his friends in any of the arts classes, PE, lunch

and any classes that his friends need special help in. And I have seen many

of Zack's classmates being pulled out for special help in certain subjects.

This has gotten longer than I meant it to be. What I am saying is that all

our districts have different programs available. You need to look at

everything you have available to you and choose what best fits your child's

needs. I

don't think there is any one right or wrong way to raise our kids. I know that

I've probably made some mistakes. But, I've always followed my heart and

kept in very close contact with the school. Zack is learning, acts very much

like his NDA peers, and is having a great time with his friends. I also think

he is teaching his teachers a thing or two! For now, that is all I can ask.

Sue

[Guest guest]

I'll be honest with you. If I were you I'd check out where the job is moving

to. It sounds like you have a VERY out of compliance school system. Everything

they have told you is definitely against the law. People can get at least a $95

ticket for going 10 miles over the speed limit on the interstate, but you deny a

child LRE or educational opportunities simply because they have a disability,

and nothing happens to you. has lost years of education time because of

this. Just MHO.

Elaine

Middle School

We have our annual review next month. Ariana is in 5th grade. We

can't decide whether we should send her to middle school or have her

stay in 5th grade. She has friends in 4th and 5th grade. She was in

a 2nd/3rd grade split class in 3rd grade and she her sister,

who is now in 4th grade. doesn't mind if Ariana is in the

same grade as she is (of course, I would not put them in the same

class).

I have gone to the middle school, but not while it has been in

session. They are trying to steer us into the community based

class. I don't think I want this for Ariana. They had a boy with DS

in the self-contained class, but they said it took to much time to

modify the work for him and now he is in the community base. They

said there are 106 students with 4 para-educators. They said no one-

on-one aids.

I know I will have to get a lawyer to fight if I want her with

her " typical peers. " I just know what to expect. My husband's job

is moving to another state so he is looking for another job. Do I

want to spend all that money now? Has anyone ever had a great

experience in middle school or high school when they modify all the

class work for your child to be in a regular classroom?

Ariana has her own spelling words every week and her own math book.

She works on science and social study projects in small groups every

semester, but other than that I don't see them modifying any of her

work. There is an aide in the class who works with Ariana. She has

no teaching experience and she doesn't modify anything for Ariana.

Her teacher this year is straight from college. She gets pulled out

for speech, some OT and to work on reading with a special education

teacher. Is this " as good as it gets " ?

Help:)

Minti

Ariana 11 DS

9

Alaina 6

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messages to go to the sender of the message.

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You might ask for an aide to escort him to classes, at least at the

beginning... those hallways get sooooo crowded and it's easy to get slammed into

if he

isn't seen. Our school provided stools for each classroom for under Camille's

feet, as well. At her IEP this year, they suggested a permanent 5 minute

pass for classes. That way she can get out a little early if she wants to buy

lunch, and if she has the need to hang back, she can. She just finished 7th

grade, I can't believe it!!

[Guest guest]

I know some schools have purchased specialized chairs (in this case it was

the Ergo chairs made for Little People) for each class and then each year,

including high school the chairs went with the child. To me that is the

best suggestion I have ever heard. When I was in the 1st grade a desk was

fitted to my height and a chair was fitted to give me back support as well

as a stool for my feet. Everyone thought it was a great solution but to me

it was terrible because those followed me all through school and really

stood out! I hated it! I also think the 2 (or more) sets of books is a

good idea. In Jr High and High school I had a scooter which had a basket so

heavy books weren't a major problem although it always took me forever to

load and unload them. I became very organized and planned as I would really

think about where I was going and what I was going to need for each class so

I could minimize as much hauling as possible. Even for someone who is able

to walk really well I think a scooter of some sort is a good idea as it will

gave them an easy way to carry things as well as a quicker way to get from

class to class. Books aren't always the only thing to be heavy especially

when you are involved in extra curricular activities. A scooter might be

something that stands out but at least in my case it was a good way to stand

out.

Danette Baker

Spokane, WA

scraps-of-joy@...

Scrapbook pages completed in 2004: 10

April 2004 pages: 2

March 2004 pages: 6

http://www.geocities.com/hotsprings/villa/9405

My disability is not a handicap

@ @\

@ @ @ ---\------

@ @ / /

I'll be standing in the gap for you

Just remember someone, somewhere

Is praying for you

Calling out your name

Praying for your strength

I'll be standing in the gap for you

~ Babbie Mason ~

-- Re: Middle School

Hi ,

You might ask for an aide to escort him to classes, at least at the

beginning... those hallways get sooooo crowded and it's easy to get slammed

into if he

isn't seen. Our school provided stools for each classroom for under Camille

s

feet, as well. At her IEP this year, they suggested a permanent 5 minute

pass for classes. That way she can get out a little early if she wants to

buy

lunch, and if she has the need to hang back, she can. She just finished 7th

grade, I can't believe it!!

[Guest guest]

I don't know about an aide...

When I was in Jr. High, I would have died with embarrassment to have an aide

" walk me to class. "

My advice is this: Arrange with the principal to do a " walk-through " with your

son before school starts. Go to each of his classes, and let HIM (your son)

take the lead on any potential ergonomic issues.

At his age, it is time to start thinking independently and learning how to be

self-sufficient.

Just my opinion.

Bill

[Guest guest]

I totally agree. My son, , would die NOW at the age of 9 with an aide to

walk with him. He would not allow that at all. Of course, others have

different situations, but he is fully capable of MOST things, except reaching

things, carrying books, etc. I would see what HE suggests, after all, who,

better than him knows that he CAN or CAN'T do?

tslug@... on 06/18/2004 02:49:36 PM

jjp13@...

cc: sah@..., dwarfism (bcc: Hookey/M & M)

Subject: Re: Middle School

I don't know about an aide...

When I was in Jr. High, I would have died with embarrassment to have an aide

" walk me to class. "

My advice is this: Arrange with the principal to do a " walk-through " with your

son before school starts. Go to each of his classes, and let HIM (your son)

take the lead on any potential ergonomic issues.

At his age, it is time to start thinking independently and learning how to be

self-sufficient.

Just my opinion.

Bill

[Guest guest]

My mother a school teacher, and her advice has been reinforced by the

several organizations I work with, both educational and concerning

disabilities. The main person you want to recruit to help your son is

the maintenance department of the school. Yes, you have to work with

the Principal and yes, you have to work with the counselors, however the

members of the maintenance department can do things for your son that

the others can not.

1. They see more and hear more than the facility and staff. Remember

they are part of the fabric of the school. Students know they are

adults, but they are not the police. Thus, they may be able to step in

and assist your son in times of trouble.

2. They will be the ones who will be fabricating any items your son may

need for his ergonomic issues. Getting them involved early will allow

them to take ownership of any solutions, which would be much better than

being given an order to make something that they don't understand, nor

see the reason.

3. Being adults, but not part of the system - If your son builds a

relationship with them it may solve an age old problem. That is - If I

complain to the teacher or my parents it will just make the bullies

madder. Most maintenance men are very kind hearted, but they look big

and scary, plus they are always around, thus the bullies are more likely

to be intimidated by them, before they ever would be of the teachers.

No one has ever been called janitors pet. No one can call him a tattle

tail, just because the janitor stepped in to help your son.

<http://www.cshco.com/index.lasso> <http://www.cshco.com/>

_____

From: tslug@... [mailto:tslug@...]

Sent: Friday, June 18, 2004 2:50 PM

jjp13@...

Cc: sah@...; dwarfism

Subject: Re: Middle School

I don't know about an aide...

When I was in Jr. High, I would have died with embarrassment to have an

aide " walk me to class. "

My advice is this: Arrange with the principal to do a " walk-through "

with your son before school starts. Go to each of his classes, and let

HIM (your son) take the lead on any potential ergonomic issues.

At his age, it is time to start thinking independently and learning how

to be self-sufficient.

Just my opinion.

Bill

[Guest guest]

I, too, had a permanent hall pass when I was in high school and it was

wonderful! It especially came in handy for classes in which the teacher

lectured right up until the last minute! I would highly recommend it for

any student who is on a large campus.

Osborn

jaimeosborn@... <mailto:jaimeosborn@...>

Re: Middle School

Hi ,

You might ask for an aide to escort him to classes, at least at the

beginning... those hallways get sooooo crowded and it's easy to get slammed

into if he

isn't seen. Our school provided stools for each classroom for under

Camille's

feet, as well. At her IEP this year, they suggested a permanent 5 minute

pass for classes. That way she can get out a little early if she wants to

buy

lunch, and if she has the need to hang back, she can. She just finished 7th

grade, I can't believe it!!

[Guest guest]

A permanent hall pass is definitely the ticket. When I was in 7th grade it took

me up to ten minutes to walk from one end of the building to the other because

of stairs....no elevator....back in the seventies before ADA.

I left class five minutes early and ended up five minutes late to my next one

trying to go up those darn stairs.

Karin

[Guest guest]

When I was in Middle School, unfortunately, there were stair, but I

couldn't climb them. The school board actually bought a " stair climber "

for me to use... And the only person who could run it was an aide...

However, all the guys called it my " tank " , so that was cool. I was blessed

with growing up in my school district, so the friends I made, I had until

graduation. But hey, I'm getting off track here. When I moved up to the

high school, it was all one level, so what the school allowed me to do was

have one of my friends be my " aide " . We both got a permanent 5 minute

pass to leave class and she would carry my books and help me with whatever

I needed. That might be an idea for your child.

Angie Kuhn

> Message: 9

> Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2004 20:39:57 -0700 (PDT)

> From: <irish_p_butter@...>

> Subject: Re: Middle School

>

> I totally agree Middle School is all about fitting in

> (whether its a good thing or not) and having an aid

> would have embarrased the living heck out of me, why

> set him more aside when there really isn't that need.

> I was able to leave 5 to 10 min early from each class,

> had two sets of books, and that was about it. Not much

> more needed than that. I agree with the statement

> also that if the child is 12 or 13 then its time that

> they need to speak up with what they need instead of

> mom and dad always doing it.

> -

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would have to agree with ..Having an aide would have made me more

different then I already was. I didn't have the same kids in my middle

school that I grew up with and it was hard, but having to be on my own more

made me more independant, and I wouldn't be who I am today if I did have to

adjust to my surroundings. Just my 2 cents.

Take Care

Re: Middle School

> >

> > I totally agree Middle School is all about fitting in

> > (whether its a good thing or not) and having an aid

> > would have embarrased the living heck out of me, why

> > set him more aside when there really isn't that need.

> > I was able to leave 5 to 10 min early from each class,

> > had two sets of books, and that was about it. Not much

> > more needed than that. I agree with the statement

> > also that if the child is 12 or 13 then its time that

> > they need to speak up with what they need instead of

> > mom and dad always doing it.

> > -

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ===

>

[Guest guest]

Well, the aide Camille had would just show up and walk with her, she didn't

shadow her or anything, but she didn't feel self conscious or dislike it, or

want to get rid of her, and we discussed it over the years... There were classes

last year that she was fine to get to on her own, but I'm not surprised she

doesn't mind the aide because I've been almost mowed over a few times when I've

been there... those Middle Schoolers are big!! *L* The school has talked

now of making it a " peer " who could walk with her, which would be fun for them

because as you say, they would get the 5 minutes off also...

When I moved up to the

high school, it was all one level, so what the school allowed me to do was

have one of my friends be my " aide " . We both got a permanent 5 minute

pass to leave class and she would carry my books and help me with whatever

[Guest guest]

Sad but true no special Ed teachers are our school meeting either. I did ask

to make sure that when my son takes after school programs that he would have

a special Ed bus to take him home and the school reluctantly told me yes

because it was a law. Sigh. They also supplied his support for the after school

run programs.

Jean

[Guest guest]

Sad but true no special Ed teachers are our school meeting either. I did ask

to make sure that when my son takes after school programs that he would have

a special Ed bus to take him home and the school reluctantly told me yes

because it was a law. Sigh. They also supplied his support for the after school

run programs.

Jean

[Guest guest]

Don't you just love it...We have the same experiences. Go to back to school

night and every one else gets their schedules and their supplies list..meets the

teachers etc. But for he just feels more isolated because none of it

pertains to him.

We have had times where there is a school dance or program after school and they

say that he won't be supervised so they think he shouldn't go..oh that is unless

I get off work to come watch him.

(really what 13 year old wants his mom there)

They have never provided transportation. There have even been times when they

tried to keep him from a field trip because they didn't feel there was adequate

supervision for him. And he has a 1:1 aide. However anything after school she

wouldn't get paid for.

Nicol

angel2cook@... wrote:

Sad but true no special Ed teachers are our school meeting either. I did ask

to make sure that when my son takes after school programs that he would have

a special Ed bus to take him home and the school reluctantly told me yes

because it was a law. Sigh. They also supplied his support for the after school

run programs.

Jean

[Guest guest]

Don't you just love it...We have the same experiences. Go to back to school

night and every one else gets their schedules and their supplies list..meets the

teachers etc. But for he just feels more isolated because none of it

pertains to him.

We have had times where there is a school dance or program after school and they

say that he won't be supervised so they think he shouldn't go..oh that is unless

I get off work to come watch him.

(really what 13 year old wants his mom there)

They have never provided transportation. There have even been times when they

tried to keep him from a field trip because they didn't feel there was adequate

supervision for him. And he has a 1:1 aide. However anything after school she

wouldn't get paid for.

Nicol

angel2cook@... wrote:

Sad but true no special Ed teachers are our school meeting either. I did ask

to make sure that when my son takes after school programs that he would have

a special Ed bus to take him home and the school reluctantly told me yes

because it was a law. Sigh. They also supplied his support for the after school

run programs.

Jean

[Guest guest]

They have to cover the field trips it is a free and appropriate education

and your child gets the filed trip with supports or you sue them. Geesh what is

with these schools.

Jean

[Guest guest]

They have to cover the field trips it is a free and appropriate education

and your child gets the filed trip with supports or you sue them. Geesh what is

with these schools.

Jean

[Guest guest]

,

Just venting here myself. I have yet to ask about OT and ST -- will do that

this week. brought home copies of the letter A the first week to

color and then letter B the second. Another parent addressed that and I

hope I don't see a C this week! Egads, that is kindergarten stuff!

My gripe at this moment is transportation. The bus driver asked if she

could pick up early-I said I'd make her a deal if she kept

on the bus and make him a late drop off. I may have been laughing when I

said that, but I was serious. Turns out she is dropping off at

school 30 minutes before school starts - so the teacher is sending

home 30 minutes early. Hummmm -- again, the school never asked my

permission (they think they have parental rights or something!). Tim made

calls on Friday and hopefully it will be ironed out by today. Tim has been

taking 30 minutes off work each day to come home for . The school

should compensate Tim and !

I was also told by another parent that I will not like what I will see in

the classroom when I visit. I'm trying to peg down lunch times (noon one

day and 12:45 the next) - I need to know when A day is and when B day is - I

asked on Friday and didn't get a response.

I may go ahead and file the OCR complaint regarding DARE from last year, any

missed field trips and then this transportation and early dismissal crap

this year.

My homework this week will be to review the process for OCR..............

Middle School

> I have a questions for all of you middle school parents out there. Ben

has been in school for one month now and I have communicated with the

homeroom teacher through e-mail and things have gone well as far as

communication.

> I am not happy though with homework. He only gets two papers a week for

homework and they are ridiculous compared to last year. I don't think that

he's getting the academic challenge that he got in elementary and he

certainly got more homework at elementary. Isn't it supposed to be more

when you get in to middle school. He doesn't even have one paper a night!

> He has art and gym 3X a week and music 2x. That seems like a lot of

special time to me. They also get some free time too and I don't ever

remember getting any free time in school.

> He has always been in the special ed area and I have been happy with that

until now because he's not getting the intensity in training and such

academically like he did in elementary school. He also got some

mainstreaming in elementary that the teachers did on their own to prepare

them for middle school.

> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

> Thanks so much,

> M.

>

>