...the following is what I put in for Julia's IEP.
Parent Concerns:
Our immediate concerns for Julia lie in her gross motor, speech and language, and sensory processes. Specifically, our concerns relate to Julia's overall muscle tone and balance, intelligibility and comprehension when speaking and in a conversation, her social skills and with her sensory motor and planning skills.
Vision:
Our immediate vision is for Julia to improve her overall tone and balance, intelligibility and comprehension, social interactions with her peers, and her sensory motor and planning. We would like to see Julia in a classroom setting so that she may interact with other children and receive the recommended services put forth at her team meeting. Looking to the future, it is our hope that with continued therapies Julia will eventually be at the expected level in all areas of concern as that of her peers.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Thrown Under The Proverbial Bus
Not that this is in any way shocking, but the school budget was voted in last night at $23,299,685 rather than the $24,392,387 that the school committee was recommending. Not only is the voted in amount less than last year, it is less than the previous year and $2,000,000 less than what would be needed to carry over level services from the current year to next. What does that mean? It means that many of the currently in place programs will NOT BE CARRIED OVER in to the coming year. It also means that the additional programs will be cut.
To really sum it up for you?
It means, that once again, the kids are getting screwed.
The $24,392,387 number was the number in place for the current fiscal year. Even if that number had been voted in, cuts would still have been made (just like everything else in the world the cost of doing things at a school increases from year to year).
As someone at last night's meeting said, in this time of cutting back and what is being referred to as "fiscal responsibility" the kids are being the ones asked to "bite the bullet."
Someone else put in to words, quite nicely, exactly how I feel about those who voted this $24,392,387 budget down:
"I don't know how you can look at yourselves in the mirror."
I left the meeting so aggravated that when I got home at midnight and tried to sleep I was tossing and turning to the point that I didn't fall asleep until almost 2am.
I think it is pathetic that the children of this town have to suffer because of the f'ing people in charge just don't give a damn.
To really sum it up for you?
It means, that once again, the kids are getting screwed.
The $24,392,387 number was the number in place for the current fiscal year. Even if that number had been voted in, cuts would still have been made (just like everything else in the world the cost of doing things at a school increases from year to year).
As someone at last night's meeting said, in this time of cutting back and what is being referred to as "fiscal responsibility" the kids are being the ones asked to "bite the bullet."
Someone else put in to words, quite nicely, exactly how I feel about those who voted this $24,392,387 budget down:
"I don't know how you can look at yourselves in the mirror."
I left the meeting so aggravated that when I got home at midnight and tried to sleep I was tossing and turning to the point that I didn't fall asleep until almost 2am.
I think it is pathetic that the children of this town have to suffer because of the f'ing people in charge just don't give a damn.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
IEP Concerns and Vision Statement
Because Julia will officially be on an IEP come September, I was sent home from the meeting today charged with the task of detailing the parent concerns and developing a vision statement for Julia. For someone who is good with this type of thing, I sure am having a tough time with it. I guess I just want to make sure I am fully explain what I feel are my concerns, as well as incorporate a vision statement that clearly and concisely defines the goals I would like set forth and my hopes for Julia's future.
In the meantime, I have been looking online at sample IEP'S. It has been very helpful;looking at how different people have worded their statements. I have also found it useful in helping me determine my own ideas and thoughts as to what I want for Julia.
In the meantime, I have been looking online at sample IEP'S. It has been very helpful;looking at how different people have worded their statements. I have also found it useful in helping me determine my own ideas and thoughts as to what I want for Julia.
Yikes
So, one of the recommendations for Julia via the Physical Therapist that did her school evaluation, as well as her physical therapist from EI was that Julia would benefit greatly from arch and ankle supports to help stabilize her ankle and develop an arch. They recommended I visit Stride Rite and have her fitted for a high top style sneaker, with built in arch supports. The other option would be going through insurance and having specially made arch and ankle supports specifically for Julia. Both PT's thought that we should go the less expensive route first, because while insurance covers a portion of these types of things, in the long run, as she is still growing of course, I would end up spending more money.
So the other day, I was at the mall anyway and decided to take a stroll through Stride Rite and see what they had. I found a few pairs that looked liked they would work. I will probably bring Julia in next week to get fitted. The thing of it is? The sneakers were in the range of $40-50! You know whatever I need to do for her is of course what I am going to do but, $40-50 on a pair of sneakers that she will probably outgrow in a relatively short period of time? That hurts, people, that hurts. I don't even spend that much on my own sneakers (hello Walmart).
So the other day, I was at the mall anyway and decided to take a stroll through Stride Rite and see what they had. I found a few pairs that looked liked they would work. I will probably bring Julia in next week to get fitted. The thing of it is? The sneakers were in the range of $40-50! You know whatever I need to do for her is of course what I am going to do but, $40-50 on a pair of sneakers that she will probably outgrow in a relatively short period of time? That hurts, people, that hurts. I don't even spend that much on my own sneakers (hello Walmart).
Julia's Meeting
This morning was Julia's meeting to decide whether or not she would be eligible for services through the public school next year.
Here are the summaries from each evaluator, detailing their concerns and recommendations.
Physical Therapy
"Julia is an adorable 2.10 year old girl who presents with low muscle tone, decreased proximal stability, generalized muscle weakness, gravitational/posture insecurity and joint laxity which impact her ability to acquire gross motor, loco motor and balance skills. Julia presents with delayed gross motor and balance skills. Julia also presents with delayed reflexes.
Julia will benefit from physical therapy services in a small sensory-motor group 2 times a week for 45 minutes. Therapy will focus on improving joint stability, proximal stability, overall strength and endurance, improving balance skills, improving sitting balance, improving postural stability,improving gross motor development, stair climbing ans gait pattern."
Occupational Therapy
"Occupational Therapy testing reveals slightly low postural/proximal tone and stability and weak body awareness is space. Sensory motor skills are developing. Information compiled from the sensory profile indicates weaknesses in modulation related to movement and visual input, sensory processing related to tone and endurance, registration, and oral sensory processing.
Julia is a sweet little girl who presents with a delay in the areas of sensory motor and fine motor development. It is recommended that Julia participates in a sensory motor group for 45 minutes per week. Consultation should be available to parent/teacher on an as needed basis in order to address sensory concerns."
Speech and Language
"Julia is a 2.1o year old child referred for this evaluation by her parents and EI. According to an interview with Julia's mother, she spoke her first words at 18 months and began combining words after 2 years of age. She has reportedly made progress in her speech skills recently, but continues to have difficulty with language and understanding. Based on this assessment, it is recommended that Julia receive direct speech and language therapy targeting speech sound development, improving intelligibility in conversation and listening skill development. Ongoing evaluation is warranted in the area of articulation development. I look forward to working with Julia."
All three mentioned in the meeting that it was apparent that Julia had difficulty, "separating from Mom," and noted that she seems intensely shy. There was also question as to whether or not Julia understood all that was being asked of her or if she just "wasn't paying attention."
So, what does this mean? Basically it means that whether or not it is in a classroom setting, Julia will be receiving speech, PT and OT two time per week starting in September, through the public school. The way we have it set up for now is that she will be in the classroom for an 8 week trial period, after which we will meet again, to see if she will benefit from the social interaction that is part of the classroom, or if she only needs the outside services in the sense of a small speech group and a combined OT/PT group.
Here are the summaries from each evaluator, detailing their concerns and recommendations.
Physical Therapy
"Julia is an adorable 2.10 year old girl who presents with low muscle tone, decreased proximal stability, generalized muscle weakness, gravitational/posture insecurity and joint laxity which impact her ability to acquire gross motor, loco motor and balance skills. Julia presents with delayed gross motor and balance skills. Julia also presents with delayed reflexes.
Julia will benefit from physical therapy services in a small sensory-motor group 2 times a week for 45 minutes. Therapy will focus on improving joint stability, proximal stability, overall strength and endurance, improving balance skills, improving sitting balance, improving postural stability,improving gross motor development, stair climbing ans gait pattern."
Occupational Therapy
"Occupational Therapy testing reveals slightly low postural/proximal tone and stability and weak body awareness is space. Sensory motor skills are developing. Information compiled from the sensory profile indicates weaknesses in modulation related to movement and visual input, sensory processing related to tone and endurance, registration, and oral sensory processing.
Julia is a sweet little girl who presents with a delay in the areas of sensory motor and fine motor development. It is recommended that Julia participates in a sensory motor group for 45 minutes per week. Consultation should be available to parent/teacher on an as needed basis in order to address sensory concerns."
Speech and Language
"Julia is a 2.1o year old child referred for this evaluation by her parents and EI. According to an interview with Julia's mother, she spoke her first words at 18 months and began combining words after 2 years of age. She has reportedly made progress in her speech skills recently, but continues to have difficulty with language and understanding. Based on this assessment, it is recommended that Julia receive direct speech and language therapy targeting speech sound development, improving intelligibility in conversation and listening skill development. Ongoing evaluation is warranted in the area of articulation development. I look forward to working with Julia."
All three mentioned in the meeting that it was apparent that Julia had difficulty, "separating from Mom," and noted that she seems intensely shy. There was also question as to whether or not Julia understood all that was being asked of her or if she just "wasn't paying attention."
So, what does this mean? Basically it means that whether or not it is in a classroom setting, Julia will be receiving speech, PT and OT two time per week starting in September, through the public school. The way we have it set up for now is that she will be in the classroom for an 8 week trial period, after which we will meet again, to see if she will benefit from the social interaction that is part of the classroom, or if she only needs the outside services in the sense of a small speech group and a combined OT/PT group.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Override
Not that this is a surprise, but the override didn't pass (not just the school portion but all five of the menu options). I think I remember hearing somewhere that Middleboro has something like 13,000 registered voters. If I am right about that, we had a 25 % turn out (or so) which is probably considered to be high. If you ask me though, it's still pathetic. I was saying to one of my fellow sign holders this type of election isn't one that generally people would have no feeling on. It's not like it was a town election in which you could say, "Oh I don't like anyone that is running so I am not going to vote." This election has a direct effect on your finances. Every registered voter should have taken part. That's just my humble opinion.
Anyway, it's depressing. It's also scary to imagine how different things are going to be at the school next year. There is one thing that I know for sure though. No matter what happens at tomorrow night's continuation of the town meeting regarding the budget, Middleboro kids shouldn't suffer as a result of the mistakes of the adults that are supposed to be protecting and making positive decisions for them. It's just not right.
I was talking to another mom who was working on the override at the PTA meeting last month, as well as the principal at the kindergarten. We were all horrified by what could happen next year. The principal pointed out something though that again, and despite all that seems to be going on in town right now, made me realize how much I love Middleboro. This is what she said.
"We are lucky to have such a core group of parents who will step up and do the best they can to fill in the gaps."
She's right. Maybe we can't replace that math teacher who is now out of a job but we can set up a rotating schedule of parent volunteers to go in to staff the library. We can donate supplies to the classroom and the school. There's a lot we can do. It won't be enough, but, it will be something.
Anyway, it's depressing. It's also scary to imagine how different things are going to be at the school next year. There is one thing that I know for sure though. No matter what happens at tomorrow night's continuation of the town meeting regarding the budget, Middleboro kids shouldn't suffer as a result of the mistakes of the adults that are supposed to be protecting and making positive decisions for them. It's just not right.
I was talking to another mom who was working on the override at the PTA meeting last month, as well as the principal at the kindergarten. We were all horrified by what could happen next year. The principal pointed out something though that again, and despite all that seems to be going on in town right now, made me realize how much I love Middleboro. This is what she said.
"We are lucky to have such a core group of parents who will step up and do the best they can to fill in the gaps."
She's right. Maybe we can't replace that math teacher who is now out of a job but we can set up a rotating schedule of parent volunteers to go in to staff the library. We can donate supplies to the classroom and the school. There's a lot we can do. It won't be enough, but, it will be something.
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