Team Focker Watch - Version 8: When V's Away.. The "Katt" will Play

[HomeschoolMama]

I think she's just a bit scared about the alternative!!!!

I don't blame her. But with all of Baylie's dancing and swimming all summer, there wasn't really a choice, you know?

 

[DisneyJo]

I don't blame her. But with all of Baylie's dancing and swimming all summer, there wasn't really a choice, you know?

Oh definitely and less chance of "mess" I think once she gets it sorted she'll be fine and OMG will kill me if she reads this

 

[Goofyluver]

Please give me your thoughts:

Mrs. xxxxx,

I wanted to give you a few things that I want to address in our conference just in case there needs to be some research.

1. An IEP for xxxxxxx. Since he was diagnosed with ADHD, I haven't seen any type of IEP put in place for him. He is entitled to have his needs and learning style accomodated, yet all I hear from Mrs. xxxx and teachers prior is that he just seems to be a problem because he can't act like a soldier like the other kids. I do understand all the pressure that is put on schools to perform, but a lot of kids are getting lost. What is the point of No Child Left Behind if kids who need other learning choices are not helped? I am very frustrated and I have sided with the system for too long. It is time for me to speak for my child. I feel that there is mold and those who don't fit that mold are said to need medication. I've heard the same argument for three years that "I have 20 other kids to worry about, I can't spend this much time on your child." I have come to feel that it is all about numbers and meeting quotas just to get bonuses.

2. Another concern is the grading system. I just don't understand it as I am a very concrete facts person. On a recent math test, xxxxx had 25 of 26 correct. That is 96% which is an A and that says he is extending beyond grade level, which should be a 4. Yet, he received a 3 meaning meeting grade level, in other words, "average." So this is saying that he did good, but not great and to be great you have to be perfect. Wow, talk about pressure. As a result, I have become numb, for lack of a better word, to this whole grading system. I'm to the point that I don't put too much stock in the report cards because they aren't a true measure of the performace as it is really up to the teacher. Two children can have the same test results, but get different grades because of the teacher's perspective.

3. I am very concerned with Mrs. xxxx's approach to xxxxxxx. He is a child who needs positive reinforcement, which I shared with her in September. But what I am hearing is that she criticizes him openly and often questions him about his medication in front of other students. Why is she even discussing this topic with him? What if we chose not to medicate? She is so quick to call home if we miss his meds or she will send him to Mr. xxxxxx. Which reinforces the message that if you don't take your meds you can't focus, and if you can't focus you are bad, and you go see Mr. xxxxxxx and all the kids know that you only go see Mr. xxxxxxx if you are bad. He was in tears last Tuesday because he would be a day without his meds and he was afraid of what Mrs. xxxx was going to say to him. This is completely unacceptable and why I want xxxxxxxx removed from her class.

4. My last concern is the fact that Mrs. xxxx did not even read xxxxxxxx file before our last conference. She was complaining about him having all 3's on his report card. If she had bothered to read his file, she would have found this to be a 300% improvement and would have shared in our elation for him to have come this far. Instead her comments were, well, he could do better, and she made him aware of this. She should have been praising his accomplishments. She went on to suggest that xxxxxxxx wasn't happy and since my responses didn't satisfy her, she pushed the issue. She had him see the nurse, counselor, and psychologist; all things we have already done. Why was she wasting time going over all this again? Is she had just read his file.... Since it was suggested by the school nurse that he was depressed and his meds were making things worse, we had no choice but to stop meds and seek further help. Since we could not snap our fingers with an immediate result, Mrs. xxxx took it upon herself to call a social worker on us. In the meantime, our pediatrician said that if depression was brought into the picture, they could no longer give xxxxxxxx meds and we needed a psychiatrist. Since that day, we had to find one who we were comfortable with, accepts our insurance, is taking new patients, and has openings. Our appointment is Feb. 9; the soonest available. In the meantime, Mrs. xxxx has been very frustrated and would give xxxxxxxx a hard time about his meds. We did have one more refill, so I did so for the testing. But what if he is truly depressed and his meds make it worse? What if he hurts himself?


What do you think oh wise ones?

Good letter lady. How mean do you want to be? Because Jen can get a bit...perturbed.

I would add that as DS's parent, it is not your job to worry about any other children in the classroom. Your worries are for him alone. And he is entitled to the same education and support as all other children in the classroom.

Also, mentioning DS's meds/ADHD in the classroom is a clear violation of confidentiality laws. If we need to make this MORE of an issue, we can. As I'm sure there are many who would appreciate the fact that this school has chosen to not only NOT support all of its' student population, but has also broken the law in singling out a child in front of his peers.

In addition, it is the school's responsibility in conjunction with the parent to develop an individual plan for DS in order to guarantee his success in his educational career. If this is too large of a job for this school, what are they recommending and offering to make this a possibility?

While tinkering with DS's meds, certain accommodations will need to be made. ADHD and its' corresponding variables are indeed, a medical issue. And under educational law, ADHD students are entitled to the same allowances as any other student who has any medical diagnosis.

Errrrmmmm...sorry...tangent. But, I think ya' get the point.

S'latie...you're strong. Don't let them step on your toes. Go git 'em.

 

[askelton]

Feel better, Mel.

Jodi, great news about Max!

V, I guess that's a good reason to go. Have fun!

S'late,

Jo, to jess.

Kate, I so have to meet your kids!

T, I'll take your weather. It's freezing here! Ok, not freezing, almost freezing.

 

[sorul82?]

Good letter lady. How mean do you want to be? Because Jen can get a bit...perturbed.

I would add that as DS's parent, it is not your job to worry about any other children in the classroom. Your worries are for him alone. And he is entitled to the same education and support as all other children in the classroom.

Also, mentioning DS's meds/ADHD in the classroom is a clear violation of confidentiality laws. If we need to make this MORE of an issue, we can. As I'm sure there are many who would appreciate the fact that this school has chosen to not only NOT support all of its' student population, but has also broken the law in singling out a child in front of his peers.

In addition, it is the school's responsibility in conjunction with the parent to develop an individual plan for DS in order to guarantee his success in his educational career. If this is too large of a job for this school, what are they recommending and offering to make this a possibility?

While tinkering with DS's meds, certain accommodations will need to be made. ADHD and its' corresponding variables are indeed, a medical issue. And under educational law, ADHD students are entitled to the same allowances as any other student who has any medical diagnosis.

Errrrmmmm...sorry...tangent. But, I think ya' get the point.

S'latie...you're strong. Don't let them step on your toes. Go git 'em.

Good points Jen! I'm trying to stay a little subdued because I really got into it with his 1st 1st grade teacher. I questioned her on something, she got defensive and said she had a masters degree in educ, and I asked if they were just giving them away.

 

[Goofyluver]

Good points Jen! I'm trying to stay a little subdued because I really got into it with his 1st 1st grade teacher. I questioned her on something, she got defensive and said she had a masters degree in educ, and I asked if they were just giving them away.

 

[Mrs. The King]

What kind of toys?

Wonderful selection at my Target

I saw Smart Cycle down from $100 to $25

Leapster games

Lots of Barbie

Lots of Baby toys

All the blue box Target toys they have special for Christmas.

Plastic Food

Metal play cook wear

Polly pocket Mall for $12

Magnetix roller coaster for $22


I love to pop in there, my kids' birthdays are in Feb. And I fill up the gift closet so when we get birthday invites we can just pull one out and wrap it up!

Happy Shopping!

 

[carrieannie]

Good Morning Girls and boy!
I tried to do a drive by hello last night, but the DIS was slow loading. so I just went to bed.

Kids are home today. its snowing, its a pretty snow. but the kids have dentist appts at 3 today.

I tried to catch up last night . I did see that Gus won the Geography Bee!!!! Way to go GUS!!!!
o.k going back to read up...

 

[jcc0621]

Great points Jen. I'm printing them out in case I ever need them with Jimmy.

Slate - Maybe she got it from Cracker Jack

 

[DisneyJo]

she got defensive and said she had a masters degree in educ, and I asked if they were just giving them away.

OMG

 

[carrieannie]

Magnetix roller coaster for $22

DANG!!! I bought that at BJs for $84!!

 

[sorul82?]

Great points Jen. I'm printing them out in case I ever need them with Jimmy.

Slate - Maybe she got it from Cracker Jack

OMG she had my blood boiling. We were actually yelling at each other. She said she tried different strategies and I said well maybe if you weren't absent 3 out of every 4 weeks then he might have some stability and something may work and I went on to suggest that she was only there "teaching" because she needed the medical insurance because she was pregnant and that she really wasn't there for the right reasons.

 

[princessjv]

Does anyone here live in Indiana??? My photo ouside the castle in my bathrobe is going to be in some paper there

Jodi does! I'd send her an email Jo!

 

[Mrs. The King]

DANG!!! I bought that at BJs for $84!!

Did you like it?

 

[carrieannie]

Did you like it?

Ben loves it! he likes creating tracks experimenting with tracks. you can also create music beats with the marbles going through sensors and hook up the ipod,, its alot of peices though...and its in a few piles upstairs right now.

I just started reading S`lATES letter..I think I might need another cup of coffee for this one..

 

[KatGarcia]

Sorry Kat I did it's just there wasn't much going on Great photos and I have to say I think you go out more in a week than I do in a year

LOL It's ben a weird month with lots of Broadway shows, but we're gonna go broke soon if we don't stop!

Okay, I had to quote this because you craked me up... dude, NYC's like 8 hours away from Buff.! That's one of my 3 days there, so I won't be able to make it. Thanks for teh invite, though!

I know. Buffalo is like another universe from here...it couldn't have hurt to try...lol. Have a great trip- DRESS WARM!

Just had to share that I got a call from the Vet today. Max's bloodwork from Monday came back perfectly normal!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't know if this made the national news or not. The parents SWEAR they aren't racist, yet they name their children this AND he has swatiska tattoos, etc. Some people scare me

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090115_N_J__children_with_Nazi_names_taken_from.html

I saw this last week...freakin' nutso!

to those who need it.

Did a Focker see the Little Mermaid on broadway? Kat, did you?

I did...DON"T DO IT! It was lame and I wanted it to be good. It seemed unfinished and really sparse. See Mary Poppins or Lion King, or any of a number of toher shows, just don't waste $ on Mermaid.

****************************
It's COLD! It's like 10 degrees now. SO much for going out and putting in applications today, I am staying in and hiding under the blankets with KC. Well KC is still in the blankets, sleeping, but you get my drift. He didn't get home until after 3am, so I'm being nice and letting him sleep.

I have some yummy gevalia coffee to make and i plan to relax with him today. Some light cleaning but not much more.

man you know its cold when in my house I am actually wearing a sweatshirt and socks, when all winter we've had the window open. I really need to move.

Happy Thursday!

 

[askelton]

said she had a masters degree in educ, and I asked if they were just giving them away.

I really need to move.

Any prospects?

 

[Mrs. The King]

Ben loves it! he likes creating tracks experimenting with tracks. you can also create music beats with the marbles going through sensors and hook up the ipod,, its alot of peices though...and its in a few piles upstairs right now.

I just started reading S`lATES letter..I think I might need another cup of coffee for this one..

Sounds like fun! Thanks for the review

 

[Muffinygood]

For the first time ever I'm first on the Moms Panel site

Yay Jo!

I'm interested and what is the great golf site???

http://www.wdwgolf.com/ (it's the UNoffical site but it's got great info!)

I had to go pick Jess up, she kinda made a mess IYKWIM, we then came home and tried alternative solutions and she cried, oh I'm so pleased I'm not 12

I was completely confused about this until I read the three pages of quotes back and forth between you guys! OK!!! I have it now. Please, I didn't use an "alternative" for the first time until last year in WDW! (I'm serious)

What kind of toys?

Poor thing. Baylie prefers the "alternate solution" all the time. The doctor said it's safe, so why not?
I'm glad I'm done completely with all that personally.

Hi Dawn! How's stuff?

Got nothing planned today, really. Just about to head over to the Fit, whilst the kids are at school. I volunteer in Maddie's class today for an hour, so I'll be heading there later.

Hope everyone has a great day! Stay warm!

Easy for you to say, it's 86 there! LOL!
How are you feeling?

Aww, poor Jess! FWIW, I first went "alternative" for an 8th grade batmitzvah and never went back!

Our school nurse in middle school would say (when asked for "emergency supplies") "Cork or Mattress?" LOL

Does anyone here live in Indiana??? My photo ouside the castle in my bathrobe is going to be in some paper there

Kristel and Jodi

Oh definitely and less chance of "mess" I think once she gets it sorted she'll be fine and OMG will kill me if she reads this

I guess so, but I have to tell you that I was completely intimidated by the whole thing.

Good points Jen! I'm trying to stay a little subdued because I really got into it with his 1st 1st grade teacher. I questioned her on something, she got defensive and said she had a masters degree in educ, and I asked if they were just giving them away.

Good Morning Girls and boy!
I tried to do a drive by hello last night, but the DIS was slow loading. so I just went to bed.

Kids are home today. its snowing, its a pretty snow. but the kids have dentist appts at 3 today.

I tried to catch up last night . I did see that Gus won the Geography Bee!!!! Way to go GUS!!!!
o.k going back to read up...

Thanks Carrie! Glad it's a pretty snow! It's SOOOOOOO cold here!

I have some yummy gevalia coffee to make and i plan to relax with him today. Some light cleaning but not much more.

man you know its cold when in my house I am actually wearing a sweatshirt and socks, when all winter we've had the window open. I really need to move.

Happy Thursday![/COLOR]

Ha! Bust out the long sleeves, Kat! LOL
Glad you're having a good, relaxing Thurs!

*****************
Alright, we sucessfully completed Gus' dental appt, and returned him to school. The principal told me NOT to expect to have school tomorrow! The kids will be sooooo pleased! Especially SD who has to wait OUTSIDE in the cold for a bus!

Bob's still not home. I have no idea what time he's arriving either, we've barely spoken all week. Last night he called me at 10:20 and I was just about to go to bed. He was driving from O'Hare to somewhere in WI and wasn't going to arrive until midnight.

The next few weeks are going to be hard like this though. He's gone all week next week, then we meet in Orlando, then we go home for 1 day and he's off to Boston for the week. Oh, well. I suppose in this economy I should be glad he's got a job!

Hope you guys are staying warm. I'm leaving soon to get SD from school! Brrr. Then home and pancakes for dinner.

MEL

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

*****************
Alright, we sucessfully completed Gus' dental appt, and returned him to school. The principal told me NOT to expect to have school tomorrow! The kids will be sooooo pleased! Especially SD who has to wait OUTSIDE in the cold for a bus!

Closed due to the cold? I just got curious and checked the noaa website...our low tomorrow is 13! THIRTEEN! Now, I know many of you and 13 below and colder, but this is SOUTH CAROLINA!

The next few weeks are going to be hard like this though. He's gone all week next week, then we meet in Orlando, then we go home for 1 day and he's off to Boston for the week. Oh, well. I suppose in this economy I should be glad he's got a job!

Hang in there, Mel