Wish I could clone this woman and share her with all of you!

keista

New Member
I met with one of the Vice Principals today regarding son's placement in science. I emailed her yesterday stating that the current placement was not a "good fit" and I was concerned for his social/emotional well being. Those exact words, that short that simple. We set up a meeting via email tag for this morning.

While I was playing email tag, the ESE Coordinator had called me. She was promoted to call my by the guidance counselor who I first contacted about getting son out of the science class with the B.O.W. (see my other thread). She wasn't even informed that I was looking to transfer son out of that class. I ended up telling her most of the story as diplomatically as I could. I repeatedly told her that I was not fully comfortable divulging the details because I wasn't looking to bash or criticize a teacher, however, she herself indicated that if this teacher needed "education" or "retraining" regarding IEPs that it was OK for me to share the information. I was still on edge dishing out the information but felt a bit more at ease since this teacher truly does not have much experience with IEPs since she's only been with THIS school for 3 years and only teaches advanced classes - Honors and AP.

So, this morning I was prepared to be as diplomatic as possible AGAIN. Turns out I was stressing for no reason. Ms C (the VP) simply restated that son was having difficulty and it's important to get him out of that class so, lets figure out our options for re-placement. :likeit: I wanted to jump across the desk and :hugs:the woman!

So, he's getting placed in the credit retrieval room. Temporarily, he will use that time to finish up his algebra summer school course. (yeah, not done yet) In the meantime, I will register him for virtual school chemistry and then he will work on that course - in school, on campus. :bigsmile:

It was THAT easy. The placement started immediately after our meeting. YAY!

So, back to my thread title. As much as I would want to clone her, because I think she is THAT AWESOME, unfortunately, I think her awesomeness (at least part of it) came a a very high price. While I was waiting for her in her office, I was looking around and saw usual positive affirmation decor. then I noticed the books on her desk - Positive parenting AtoZ, a book about family by Billy Graham, and then an odd title. I don't remember the exact title (maybe I do, but am not sure) but it was along the lines of *How to identify an UNhappy child* Then all the baseball pictures of an attractive young man caught my eye. Hmmmmmmm probably her son. THEN..... the front page newspaper headline "C Touched Many in his Short Life" My heart sank. I didn't dare get up to read it, only because if she came in while I was reading it I'd be in that horribly awkward social situation that I am so not good at handling. When i got home, I did research it, but all I could find was that he did indeed die in 2007 at age 19 - could not find cause. He was a star athlete and there is a scholarship fund now in his name. So, one can only speculate as to what happened.
 
T

TeDo

Guest
Glad things worked out for you and difficult child. I was sad to read the ending paragraph. My guess, based on the titles of the books you saw on her desk, I'm thinking suicide. Don't know why but that's what the puzzle pieces SEEM to add up to. That and the fact that they didn't mention cause of death in the article. Usually, in the case of an accident to fatal disease, they include that detail. Since it was omitted, that's my guess. Poor woman but glad she is using whatever happened to others' advantage. Keep her on your good side. I hope this works out for difficult child.
 

DDD

Well-Known Member
I'm so happy for you and particulary for your son. Every now and then a compassionate administrator can change the course of a life. I think you found one. Congrats. DDD
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
My heart goes out to the administrator, just like yours.

But I can tell you... the story doesn't have to be as tragic to have impact. Our best principal? Had a kid with learning disabilities... and the principal - even being "in" the system - had to fight tooth-and-nail to get what this kid needed. Result... a principal who actually believes that "there is more to the story".

Glad the on-line/virtual class option is available... Hope it works well!
 

keista

New Member
Thanks, but I think I got a bit overjoyed too soon. Now the struggle will be to get son focusing in a "noisy" environment. It just boggles my mind that kids aren't expected to be quiet in school anymore!

So this boy's story was weighing heavy on my heart so I researched until I found the article. Turns out he died after being in a coma for 2 years. He ended up in the coma following a car accident where he was the only vehicle involved - they never were able to determine what happened. So sad and so tragic.
 
L

Liahona

Guest
That is wonderful for you and difficult child.

I'm sorry for the wonderful vice-principal.
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
Thanks, but I think I got a bit overjoyed too soon. Now the struggle will be to get son focusing in a "noisy" environment. It just boggles my mind that kids aren't expected to be quiet in school anymore!

Keista -
Listen very carefully.
You just uttered some very key, very important words. Follow up on them.
Kids who have trouble with "focus" in a "noisy" environment often have a particular Auditory Processing Disorders (APD), in formal language: "auditory processing difficulties in the area of auditory figure ground". In other words - difficulty "homing in" on one particular sound in the midst of others... most often shows up because they can't follow the teacher.

These kids get labelled as having an attitude. Sound familiar?

Process starts with Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) - ask specifically about this background noise stuff. From there, they can recommend further testing by specialists...

What does your kid get out of it? Personal FM system - kid has earphone, teacher has mic. Makes it MUCH easier to "get the message".
 

keista

New Member
Insane, I'm on it (from reading your posts). As much as I can be that is. I've been trying to figure out how to get the formal evaluations for him, but since it's already an identified issue for him, they'll accommodate as needed within reason for this. If the school stops accomodating or gets "annoyed" by it, then I'll push them for the evaluations. I'm more looking for those same evaluations for DD1 and DD2 because they are "normal" but have very obvious auditory sensory issues.

I just keep hitting roadblocks with insurance right now. Not that they won't pay, they're not exactly sure who to send me to.
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
Schools usually have access to Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Tell them if they can't give you a full Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) screen, to get the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) to do the auditory and Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) screenings and minimal on the other stuff... they tell me that in some parts, Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) recommendation of FM system is enough to get it.

Or... if the SD has FM systems kicking around, can your son "try one"?

They are kind of pricy - we've been told its about $2500 to get one... we were prepared to buy it ourselves even if we had to go without food... (don't have to go that way, but... ).

Let us know how it goes.
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
OH, and the other accommodations that help?
1) all verbal instruction is backed by written
2) class outline BEFORE the class begins, so student can follow along
3) note-taking services - to catch what they miss
4) copies of any presentation materials

There's probably more - but those are ones I know about off the top of my head.
 
Top