The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 18

[Tammi67]

She is an evil kitty, but I don't want her to be sick, so if anyone has some pixie dust for her to be well I would appreciate it.

for Aurora, the Evil Cat. Hopefully she just has some dust up her nose.

 

[mommykds]

Hey, we are driving to Disney next trip, you never know whose door we might knock on

Hmm... don't you have to pass NY to get from VT to FL????

 

[Tammi67]

Elin - If I don't talk to you before you leave, safe travels and have a WONDERFUL trip!

Tom - Enjoy the day with your family. Don't worry about the kitty. She will be perfectly fine and Leighanna will love her. The biggest obstacle I think you will face is getting kitty and doggy used to each other.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

for Aurora, the Evil Cat. Hopefully she just has some dust up her nose.

Thanks, Tammi. How is your morning? Are you all set to go this afternoon?

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Tammi-you are leaving today, right?

 

[mommykds]

Anne Marie - Have you done any research on the federal laws about what the public school HAS to provide for your child? Because I would think his high IQ would make him fall under the same guidelines as kids with disabilities, if that makes sense. Can you have a 504 meeting where you have special accommodations documented? That's what we have for DS due to his ADD. Your circumstance is totally different, but it amounts to a diagnosis of a learning "difference" that requires special modifications. The school HAS to provide him with appropriate curriculum, or they have to pay to transport him somewhere that has a curriculum that fits his needs. Public schools don't like for parents to know that, because even if they don't have the funding they HAVE to figure it out. Federal law. The principal at Daniel's school knows it, too. Even as horrible as our public schools are, there are magnet programs for gifted kids.
What sort of scholarships or financial aid does the private school offer? All of the private schools here have some sort of assistance that you can apply for. Of course his asthma is a concern - you would just have to meet with the staff at the private school to be sure they could handle it until you were able to get there. 40 minutes is a bit of a commute. Good luck sorting out the options!

I am so new to this..what is a 504 meeting? & where would I find out what the federal law states he should get? Any help wpuld be appreciated, Thanks!!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Tom - YAY! It's Kitty Homecoming Day! I am sure the kitty will settle right in. Leighanna will be delighted!

 

[Tammi67]

Yes, we are leaving today. I'm picking Nicholas up from school at 12:15, right after lunch. They have early dismissal today but I figure why let him stay for recess and center time when I can get an hour of travelling done.

So far I've gotten the house picked up a bit and the dogs dropped off at the kennel. Now I need to pack and load the van.

 

[mommykds]

I truly don't know if it is a Federal law or state law, but here in our school district every child who requires any kind of extra assistance, be it for speech, reading, learning disabilities, gifted instruction... must have an IEP written up and it must be signed by the parent as well as the person who writes the IEP (often the guidance counselor or instructor in the field needed). You need to check into that!

Ok, another question..what is an IEP? Thanks!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Anne Marie - Becky posted a link for you - you just haven't gotten to that page yet. You might also search the legislation for "No child left behind".
We had DS evaluated by a diagnostician, and she wrote up his diagnosis. Once you have a written diagnosis you can request a 504 meeting which makes modifications and accommodations a permanent part of your child's school records. I think it is valid for 3 years, but you may call a meeting annually, which our diagnostician suggests. At the meeting you, a guidance counselor, the teachers, and sometimes an administrator will go over the guidelines so that everyone is aware of the child's needs, and a copy of the document goes into the file.

You might also search to see if you can find any online support forums for parents of exceptionally bright kids, because you can't be the only one who has faced this issue. Gifted kids have fewer resources than kids on the other end of the spectrum, but I am sure there are resources out there! Good luck!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Ok, another question..what is an IEP? Thanks!!

Individual education plan, maybe?

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Well, i should probably go get some cleaning done before i go out..im starting a new babysitting job today...The family has a 6month old and 4.5 year old...today im just watching the 6 month old for a couple of hours..then i get to come home for a while, but go back out to a friends house tonight-shes making dinner so were doing girls night! im sure ill be in and aout all day though!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Jen - Have fun with the baby! And dinner with a friend sounds like just the ticket for you!

 

[mommykds]

Good Morning!

Not really since I was up most of the night for no apparent reason. But have a good day everyone.

Thank you for the E-Card Heidi.

Elin and Anne Marie-It is federal law that all children be provided with an appropriate education for their situation, this includes gifted and when either learning disabilities and/or giftedness occurs an IEP is written up at a meeting with the parents, counselor and not always though the teacher. The teacher should receive a copy of the IEP each year and they need to be updated, can't recall how often. Here is a link to the guide to IEP on www.ed.gov, I'm not sure if this is the exact link you need for the information that you need however I need to get to work and don't have the time to find it right now.

Thanks Becky,
I am going to check it out right now. Also thank you for the e-card!!!!!

 

[PrincessLeighsDaddy]

Just a quick pop in while the gingerbread cake is cooling and laundry is drying.

Our family get together isn't actually until 6:00 p.m., but my brother, who is hosting this, needs our help to get everything ready. DW works until 11:30 today, so we plan on leaving shortly after. He lives about 1 1/2 hours away, so that should put us there in time to help.
DW plans to go to their local Wal-mart to pick up some kitty supplies. Carrier, litter, litter box, food, treats, and whatever else she thinks we might need. We don't want to spoil Leighanna's surprise, so she will leave her with me, and pretend to slip away to pick up some food items that we forgot.
I do think the biggest obstacle that we will face is getting the cat and dog to know each other. I am afraid that Sophie, our dog, will try to mother it to death. As long as she doesn't pick her up in her mouth, we should be fine.

Jen, good luck with the baby today! Have a fun girls night out!

 

[mommykds]

Yes, we are leaving today. I'm picking Nicholas up from school at 12:15, right after lunch. They have early dismissal today but I figure why let him stay for recess and center time when I can get an hour of travelling done.

So far I've gotten the house picked up a bit and the dogs dropped off at the kennel. Now I need to pack and load the van.

Have a safe & wonderful trip!!!!!!!

 

[mommykds]

Tom,
Have a nice time tonight! The pictures you posted last night are beautiful.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My friend sent this to me and I thought it was funny.

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy.. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all costs. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great holiday season!

 

[mommykds]

Elizabeth,

for your

 

[mommykds]

My friend sent this to me and I thought it was funny.

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!