Castle Queen
Warrior in training
I met with the principal yesterday morning. I brought DF as a backup but not sure he helped at all. Mr. S clearly was out for bear...didn't shake hands or exchange a single pleasantry. It was like we were wasting his time. The superintendent of schools Mr. L and Ipad Special Assignment Administrator Mrs. I were there as well.
Mr. S produced 4 or 5 affadavits from other students detailing how difficult child had been abusing his ipad before first hour class in the mornings. Basically tossing it across the room to prove how indestructible the military-style case was. Supposedly he did not care if he broke it because "my mom paid for insurance." At the time the ipad actually cracked he was NOT doing this, but because of the proven instances of abuse he has violated the agreement signed and is subject to criminal prosecurity, suspension, or expulsion. He is getting a 3 day OSS suspension. I asked for an appointment to talk about getting an IEP/504 and Mr S told me he would have their Special Education person contact me to set something up.
I asked if there were any teacher corroborations. Mrs. I looked at me and scathingly said "He isn't going to do it in front of a teacher." We are liable for the cost of the ipad. I explained DF is out of work since Feb. and was told we could arrange a payment plan. I then asked about him not getting another ipad and Mr L told me it was not possible for him to proceed through the curriculum without one, although students that have temporarily lost theirs (due to rules violations or forgetting it at home) are able to print out their work in the library. I said I wanted him supervised with one then and they basically all rolled their eyes at me and said it wasn't possible to carry the ipad from classroom to classroom for him.
All in all, the meeting gave me chills. There was not one hint of compassion in the room even when I explained difficult child's special needs. Mrs I is the mother of one of difficult child's classmates, so I hope she keeps this confidential. And to top it all off, I feel so guilty. I should have pursued the IEP/504 sooner...I just wanted difficult child to have a new start and something resembling a normal life at school. I think I have to come to terms with the fact that he won't.
I haven't heard from the Special Education person yet, either.
Mr. S produced 4 or 5 affadavits from other students detailing how difficult child had been abusing his ipad before first hour class in the mornings. Basically tossing it across the room to prove how indestructible the military-style case was. Supposedly he did not care if he broke it because "my mom paid for insurance." At the time the ipad actually cracked he was NOT doing this, but because of the proven instances of abuse he has violated the agreement signed and is subject to criminal prosecurity, suspension, or expulsion. He is getting a 3 day OSS suspension. I asked for an appointment to talk about getting an IEP/504 and Mr S told me he would have their Special Education person contact me to set something up.
I asked if there were any teacher corroborations. Mrs. I looked at me and scathingly said "He isn't going to do it in front of a teacher." We are liable for the cost of the ipad. I explained DF is out of work since Feb. and was told we could arrange a payment plan. I then asked about him not getting another ipad and Mr L told me it was not possible for him to proceed through the curriculum without one, although students that have temporarily lost theirs (due to rules violations or forgetting it at home) are able to print out their work in the library. I said I wanted him supervised with one then and they basically all rolled their eyes at me and said it wasn't possible to carry the ipad from classroom to classroom for him.
All in all, the meeting gave me chills. There was not one hint of compassion in the room even when I explained difficult child's special needs. Mrs I is the mother of one of difficult child's classmates, so I hope she keeps this confidential. And to top it all off, I feel so guilty. I should have pursued the IEP/504 sooner...I just wanted difficult child to have a new start and something resembling a normal life at school. I think I have to come to terms with the fact that he won't.
I haven't heard from the Special Education person yet, either.