Wow. I'm not sure how to feel about this.

[6_Time_Momma]

Garrett's class, once a month, goes out into the community to practice social survival skills. Among other things (going shopping for groceries, attending movies, etc.) hey go to lunch at the local Big Boy to learn how to patiently wait in line, table manners, how to use pictures to order, etc.

We got a letter sent home today saying that, after they came out of Big Boy this time, they found notes stuck to the school vans (which had the ISD name on it). They said "Is this offical ISD business?? I think not! SHAME for wasting our money!" The other one essentially said something about wasting the taxpayer money.

The special ed director wrote a letter to the newspaper addressing this. I am upset, but I am not really sure what the author was trying to imply. That he thought the kids were out "just for fun" on taxpayers money or if he thought those kids didn't need to learn social skills or what. By the way, the Big Boy manager gives the kids coupons for their meals and we provide "outing" money for the kids, so the only "taxpayer money" being used is for gas in the van. Not that it really matters if these trips are part of their educational plan. But,

 

[Sandy V.]

Sounds like some self righteous idiot(s) who posted the notes really got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning! Talk about jumping to the wrong conclusion!

I think the social survival skills taught are absolutely essential. Please tell your school to keep up the good work, and don't let the ignoramuses out there get them down!

 

[debster812]

I know how I feel.

People can be so mean and narrow minded. Social Survival Skills are so important. (I am currently watching my profoundly deaf cousin trying to raise her severly autistic son on her own since her good for nothing husband walked out on her, oh wait, that's a different vent altogether!). The skills they are trying to teach him even at age 4 and 5 are going to become so important to him later on.

And, to the note writer: Ya big cowardly weenie!!!!

 

[binny]

Im sorry that happened!

Some people are just too self righteous for their own good.

They probably thought it was a group of people out for a joy ride picking up lunch for the office or something.

you know what happens when we ASSume

 

[Rajah]

Sounds to me like he thinks they're just out for fun.

And I think he should mind his own business. I think the social skills training is very good.

 

[Deb in IA]

The note writer should MYOB.

Yes, learning how to read a menu, order your lunch, and count your change IS education.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

 

[disykat]

Well, they were wrong. The van was definately on school district business! It would have also been on district business if the driver had stopped for his/her lunch while out conducting district business. Makes me wonder where that person would think an acceptable place to park the van was.

 

[Ellester]

There are a lot of idiots in this world. Who knows what the author was trying to imply, but obviously he/she didn't have all the facts. It reminds me of the time my then 85 year old great uncle was sitting on a bench outside in Stone Mountain Village in Georgia while we were shopping. A car of teens drove by and shouted "Get a job!". Well, the truth of it was that at the time he was still employed by the US Postal Service (he was a 60 year veteran!) and was on vacation! He was so mad!!! Ignorance runs rampant everywhere. I think it's great that your son's class gets to do things like that. What a great way to learn! Please just try to let it roll off your back. It's not worth getting upset over the words of some brainless yahoo.

~Ellen

 

[MHopkins2]

6TM, you are indeed a kind and generous soul for not being "sure how to feel about this." My blood boils on your and Garrett's behalf, and whoever wrote that note can See Me In Hell!

 

[Manda1219]

A lot of people tend to react without thinking, unfortunatly. My grandmother has dealt with these types as well. She moved into an apartment complex, where they gave her two parking spaces because her husband is in a wheelchair, and they don't have spaces strictly for handicap access. So they gave her two, so she is supposed to park in between so she has room to access the ramp. Someone actually left a note on her van saying "Learn how to drive and you won't need two spaces!"
People can be idiots...Just ignore them...

 

[bananiem]

Well, maybe you don't know how to feel yet, Kristy so I'll feel it for you- I'm MAD!
Some people just won't ever get it.
My thought is that it was probably somebody thinking it was a bunch of administrators having lunch on the district. Won't they be surprised when the letter shows up in the newspaper? I hope they feel ashamed of themselves.
I also hope Garrett and his friends enjoy their lunches.

 

[Lisa F]

It sounds like whoever left the note had no idea what the bus was doing there and assumed lord knows what about why it was there, but it DOESN'T sound like it was a reaction against that program specifically. The person probably has no idea that such a program exists in the first place. I mean, I had no idea that it did until you just talked about it (and it makes perfect sense that it does). Unfortunately some people stick their foot in their mouth first and find out the facts later, especially when they can do so anonymously, but I wouldn't take it "personally" (if that makes sense).

It does sound like whoever left the note could use a class in "social survival skills" themselves!

 

[cgcw]

I don't understand people who feel that way. It makes me angry.

Years ago, our next door neighbor had a son in special ed within our district. When he first started, I asked her how it felt to let him go (he had severe problems). The response I got was not what I expected. I would have had a hard time allowing my child to go out into the world, but she didn't. Her attitude was "it feels great" (to have the time without him) but then she went on to tell me "how my tax dollars were being spent" with the school taking the kids out into the world. I will never understand how a parent would degrade giving their child (or any child) an opprotunity to experience life skills. They are so very important and something which can't be learned in a classroom.

 

[minniecarousel]

That note-writer is the same type of person who gives dirty looks to the person using a handicapped parking place, when the person may not LOOK handicapped. How do they know if the person has a handicap?!?! ....self righteous idiots...

 

[Talking Hands]

Sorry 6 time Momma. The person was out of line. Survival Skills are a neccessity with these special needs kids and unfortuantely many schools are unable to do as much as is needed.

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

The people who wrote those notes were just showing their ignorance. Chances are they won't even see the letter in the newspaper, but hopefully it will educate others.