Starting School

[Guest guest]

,

I wish we could see more teachers like you in the

school system!

We have some others here that don't teach, but should

be teaching!

I have my pot and burner ready. HeHeHe!

mary from La.

KARENH512@... wrote:

> From: KARENH512@...

>

> Hi & Theresa, It is true I think sometime we are just tired of being the

> zealous one for everyone, the husbands, the teachers etc. And yes, there is

> always that one teacher who is so rigid they can't deviate from their

> routine. With accountability becoming so important however, we should see

> less and less of the rigidity. If the child is not succeeding neither is the

> teacher. Thanks for the great reading recommendation, Teaching The Tiger. I

> am in Slidell, perhaps when things calm down for all of us, we can plan to

> get together for a seafood boil or something. About the student who failed

> tests. I worked with the parent to do some retesting and some of the grades

> were based on oral exams and observations by me. I just made a note about it

> and put this with his graded tests so I had a record of what I did. The

> school administration and board have no problem with this. Since they see you

> as individualizing your method of evaluation. In fact they really like to see

> this type of thing. I look forward to hearing from you'll again. karenh

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

thanx for the kind words. We really will have to try and plan a get

together. Perhaps in the fall when things cool off. karenh

[Guest guest]

,

I would love it!

Take care of yourself!

mary from La.

KARENH512@... wrote:

> From: KARENH512@...

>

> thanx for the kind words. We really will have to try and plan a get

> together. Perhaps in the fall when things cool off. karenh

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Shellie:

My ocder just started middle school, too. He has adjusted pretty well, except

for the bus ride.I guess for him it was a chance to start over. We'll see if

the rose colored glasses come off any time soon.

The chat tonight is at 7 PM west cost time.

Jule

[Guest guest]

I am new to this group, and I have been reading some of your

post...Really Great Advice.

I have a daughter who is 4. She has Poly JRA. She is on Enbrel and

MTX. She had to have the Steroid injections into most of her joints

with GREAT inprovement except her fingers. She is seeing an

Occupational Therapist for them now. She will be starting school soon

and I am terribly concerned I understand that she will have some

problems, but I would like to know if anyone else has this issue and

How do you handle your younger children going to school. Any advice

you have, even with dealing with the teachers, to make this pleasent as

possible for her would be great.

Thanks

Diane and Kylie

[Guest guest]

Hello Diane and Kylie

Welcome to the group.

I am new here as well and have found this group to be awesome. There

are wonderful people here and it's good knowing there are other people

that know what we are going through.

My daughter is 14, but I think we all have the same concerns when it

comes to them going to school. The first thing you will want to do is

talk to the school and let them know that your child has a chronic

illness. Tell them you want a 504 meeting. This will protect your child

and they will have to accomodate her if she needs accomodations. For

instance, my daughter has a 504 and they allow her to carry a water

bottle, go to the nurse whenever she needs, use a pillow if her back is

hurting, and extra time between classes, just to name a few. I also had

a standing doctors excuse for days that she was ill. So even though she

missed more days that is allowed by the state, they aren't going to

require her to make up those days. I also keep in touch with the school

nurse and the counselor to let them know what is going on with .

Any time there is a change in her meds or her condition, I let them

know.

Here is the description of section 504.......

What is a 504 Plan?

It is a plan designed to accommodate the unique needs of an individual

with a disability, as required by the American with Disabilities Act

(ADA).

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the first civil rights

law guaranteeing equal opportunity for more than 35 million Americans

with disabilities.

Children who have disabilities, but whose disabilities do not interfere

with their ability to progress in general education are not eligible

for special education services, may be entitled to a 504 Accommodation

Plan.

School districts must ensure that students with disabilities have

meaning full opportunities to participate in all aspects of school on

an equal basis with students without disabilities.

Depending upon the student's individual needs, a school district may be

required to provide the following: specialized instruction,

modifications to the curriculum, accommodations in non-academic and

extra curricular activities, adaptive equipment or assistive technology

devices, an aide, assistance with health related needs, school

transportation, or other related services and accommodations.

I hope this helps you. Good luck and welcome.

, mom to 14 Poly JRA

>

> I am new to this group, and I have been reading some of your

> post...Really Great Advice.

>

> I have a daughter who is 4. She has Poly JRA. She is on Enbrel and

> MTX. She had to have the Steroid injections into most of her joints

> with GREAT inprovement except her fingers. She is seeing an

> Occupational Therapist for them now. She will be starting school soon

> and I am terribly concerned I understand that she will have some

> problems, but I would like to know if anyone else has this issue and

> How do you handle your younger children going to school. Any advice

> you have, even with dealing with the teachers, to make this pleasent

as

> possible for her would be great.

>

> Thanks

> Diane and Kylie

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for your advice. I will follow up with this. She doesn't start school til the fall but I want to make sure that I am ready. I have talked with a couple of other parents who are just " fighting " there way through year to year and I will pass this information on to them as well. You all have been a great help with this. I would like to read the information that you have . It would help me to know what I am looking for and get me familiar with stuff so that I at least seem like I know what I am talking about. I may have more questions on this later as I get further into the process. Thanks again for this.

On Fri, May 9, 2008 at 11:28 AM, nancy slauson <nancyslauson@...> wrote:

Hi Diane:

My daughter has JRA also, but J-Me is 15 now, not nearly so young as your daughter.

My best advice I can give you concerning school is this: Know your child's rights. That may sound strange, but your child qualifies for many special services that will make school a great experience for her. The schools do not volunteer the information you need – you must advocate for your daughter and be forceful, persistent, and informed.

Begin by requesting to talk to the district nurse and district director of special education. All serious health issues should be evaluated and do fall under the category of "special education." Don't be afraid of this category. Your daughter does not need to be placed in "special" classes, only managed through that department and that is how serious health issues are handled. She can remain in a standard classroom since we all know that arthritis does not affect the brain!

You will need what is called an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) not a 504 Plan, which does not provide a legal document that protects your daughter's rights. The IEP holds the school and teachers accountable to accommodate your daughter in many ways. The 504 is not a legal document and you are at the mercy of "begging" the teachers to "please" help your daughter. The IEP forces the school to do everything she needs. Please research this and provide it for your daughter.

The school may fight you on this, but if you give up, your daughter will be the one who pays the price.

Look for educational advocates in your local area who can advise you. They will know your school district and steer you through the process.

I can send you the material I put together for my daughter's school, but it is geared for a high-school student. Let me know if you want to read through it – you might find good information you can use.

Best to you,

Slauson (J-Me, JRA 15yrs)

" J. Cassady " <j_cassady25@...> wrote:

Hello Diane and KylieWelcome to the group.I am new here as well and have found this group to be awesome. There are wonderful people here and it's good knowing there are other people that know what we are going through.

My daughter is 14, but I think we all have the same concerns when it comes to them going to school. The first thing you will want to do is talk to the school and let them know that your child has a chronic

illness. Tell them you want a 504 meeting. This will protect your child and they will have to accomodate her if she needs accomodations. For instance, my daughter has a 504 and they allow her to carry a water

bottle, go to the nurse whenever she needs, use a pillow if her back is hurting, and extra time between classes, just to name a few. I also had a standing doctors excuse for days that she was ill. So even though she

missed more days that is allowed by the state, they aren't going to require her to make up those days. I also keep in touch with the school nurse and the counselor to let them know what is going on with .

Any time there is a change in her meds or her condition, I let them know. Here is the description of section 504.......What is a 504 Plan? It is a plan designed to accommodate the unique needs of an individual

with a disability, as required by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the first civil rights law guaranteeing equal opportunity for more than 35 million Americans

with disabilities. Children who have disabilities, but whose disabilities do not interfere with their ability to progress in general education are not eligible for special education services, may be entitled to a 504 Accommodation

Plan. School districts must ensure that students with disabilities have meaning full opportunities to participate in all aspects of school on an equal basis with students without disabilities. Depending upon the student's individual needs, a school district may be

required to provide the following: specialized instruction, modifications to the curriculum, accommodations in non-academic and extra curricular activities, adaptive equipment or assistive technology devices, an aide, assistance with health related needs, school

transportation, or other related services and accommodations. I hope this helps you. Good luck and welcome., mom to 14 Poly JRA

>> I am new to this group, and I have been reading some of your > post...Really Great Advice. > > I have a daughter who is 4. She has Poly JRA. She is on Enbrel and > MTX. She had to have the Steroid injections into most of her joints

> with GREAT inprovement except her fingers. She is seeing an > Occupational Therapist for them now. She will be starting school soon > and I am terribly concerned I understand that she will have some

> problems, but I would like to know if anyone else has this issue and > How do you handle your younger children going to school. Any advice > you have, even with dealing with the teachers, to make this pleasent

as > possible for her would be great.> > Thanks> Diane and Kylie>

-- Diane Gentzke