Re: solon schools & choosing a district

[Guest guest]

It seems that there are at least a few families out there who are

struggling with choosing a district (it is nice to know I am not the

only one out there who is obsessing! - , Jill/Mike, and

Pmannymoe). I rececntly contacted someone at the Ohio Coalition for

the Education of Children with Disabilities regarding whether there

is any other data out there for us to use to assess districts (apart

form ODE proficiency data) and unfortunately, she didn't know of any.

She did say I could contact a company called School Match but based

on the info on their website, I really didn't think I would get any

more info from them (using their basic $34 report) than I could on my

own. They did offer a special needs consultation for $600, but I'm

not sure we want to spend that much and I also question how helpful

it would be for our family. However, it does exist out there...

Someone (sorry, I forget who) mentioned meeting as a group at a

library or Panera, etc. I would also be intersted in getting together

to share infomation, tactics, etc. Would anybody like to suggest a

general time or location (weekend, weekday evening, east, west,

south......)? I am located in Shaker but have no problem driving

elsewhere.

I have couple of other ideas of who to contact. I will post info when

I hear back from them...

Janice

>

> We are new to the boards and are very interested in this topic. We

have a

> little one on the spectrum that is receiving his preschool

services through our

> Board of MRDD. (that tells you right there that we were fortunate

enough to

> have something appropriate in place for him THERE, through our

school

> district-but not in the school district; we are very concerned

about what happens

> once he is in elementary school!). We are looking for a school

district on the

> west side or southwest area...and would welcome a chance to get

together

> with other parents like us who are trying to move forward with

gathering

> information and getting to the appropriate people. I think this

would be so helpful

> for many of us who have children of all ages whose needs are not

being met in

> their current placements...perhaps we could find a place to meet,

like a

> room at a rec center or a meeting room at Panera or at a library?

We have a NT

> child who is older in elementary so this is a pain-staking

decision...we do

> not want to uproot him but at the same time want to either make

the best of

> our situation OR find another district that would meet the needs

of both of our

> boys that may be a bit more willing to work with our son who has

ASD. Feel

> free to email us offline.

>

> Jill and Mike

>

>

>

> **************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life

financial

> challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and

information, tips and

> calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?

NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)

>

[Guest guest]

Janice,

I would also be interested. Actually, 's child and mine go to

preschool together now. I observed Billiart (and that is a possibility),

but I still want to observe the following:

1. Solon

2. Chagrin Falls

3. Hudson

4. Revere

I'm also up for any kind of support network we could get created. We could try

to find a " central " meet up place if anyone is interested. Thanks!

Amy

> From: ajaymcp2000 <jaelmck-craigslist@...>

> Subject: [ ] Re: solon schools & choosing a district

>

> Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 8:02 PM

> It seems that there are at least a few families out there

> who are

> struggling with choosing a district (it is nice to know I

> am not the

> only one out there who is obsessing! - ,

> Jill/Mike, and

> Pmannymoe). I rececntly contacted someone at the Ohio

> Coalition for

> the Education of Children with Disabilities regarding

> whether there

> is any other data out there for us to use to assess

> districts (apart

> form ODE proficiency data) and unfortunately, she

> didn't know of any.

> She did say I could contact a company called School Match

> but based

> on the info on their website, I really didn't think I

> would get any

> more info from them (using their basic $34 report) than I

> could on my

> own. They did offer a special needs consultation for $600,

> but I'm

> not sure we want to spend that much and I also question how

> helpful

> it would be for our family. However, it does exist out

> there...

>

> Someone (sorry, I forget who) mentioned meeting as a group

> at a

> library or Panera, etc. I would also be intersted in

> getting together

> to share infomation, tactics, etc. Would anybody like to

> suggest a

> general time or location (weekend, weekday evening, east,

> west,

> south......)? I am located in Shaker but have no problem

> driving

> elsewhere.

>

> I have couple of other ideas of who to contact. I will post

> info when

> I hear back from them...

>

> Janice

>

>

>

> >

> > We are new to the boards and are very interested in

> this topic. We

> have a

> > little one on the spectrum that is receiving his

> preschool

> services through our

> > Board of MRDD. (that tells you right there that we

> were fortunate

> enough to

> > have something appropriate in place for him THERE,

> through our

> school

> > district-but not in the school district; we are very

> concerned

> about what happens

> > once he is in elementary school!). We are looking

> for a school

> district on the

> > west side or southwest area...and would welcome a

> chance to get

> together

> > with other parents like us who are trying to move

> forward with

> gathering

> > information and getting to the appropriate people. I

> think this

> would be so helpful

> > for many of us who have children of all ages whose

> needs are not

> being met in

> > their current placements...perhaps we could find a

> place to meet,

> like a

> > room at a rec center or a meeting room at Panera or

> at a library?

> We have a NT

> > child who is older in elementary so this is a

> pain-staking

> decision...we do

> > not want to uproot him but at the same time want to

> either make

> the best of

> > our situation OR find another district that would

> meet the needs

> of both of our

> > boys that may be a bit more willing to work with our

> son who has

> ASD. Feel

> > free to email us offline.

> >

> > Jill and Mike

> >

> >

> >

> > **************Looking for simple solutions to your

> real-life

> financial

> > challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news

> and

> information, tips and

> > calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?

> NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)

> >

[Guest guest]

Here is a reply from Eileen Hawkins from the Autism Society of

Greater Cleveland in response to my email question about how to go

about choosing a district. I think she has some very good

suggestions....(Thanks Eileen!)

Janice,

Thank you for contacting the Autism Society of Greater Cleveland. In

addition to being the Administrator to the ASGC, I am also a Licensed

Realtor. I am also the mother of a child with ASD. I get these

questions a lot of times. I am not aware of any other rating of

districts other than those provided by ODE.

The school district issue is a sensitive issue for a lot of parents.

It is very individualistic for each family. What might work best for

one child may not work for another. I would recommend that you visit

whatever district you are planning to move to. You need to ask for

the principal or the Special Education Supervisor.

If you call the school and set an appointment with the principal that

your child might attend, most will allow you to visit while the

school is in session. If possible, bring your child with you. Some

districts will allow your child to shadow with another student for a

day or two. Is your child in school now or in pre-school? I would

ask the district what the student ratio would be. If your child needs

speech, ot, social skills training, I would ask how they handle those

therapies.

The services provided will depend upon your IEP. Does your child have

an IEP? If not, you need to request a Multi Factor Evaluation with

the district.

Every child with ASD is different. Some are non verbal, others are

very verbal. Some children have to be in a special ed class room,

while others are placed in regular ed rooms with aides or others with

special services. I would also find out how many special ed children

they service at each building. I would ask about how much and what

kind of training the staff has in autism.

You need to feel comfortable with the people that you would be

working with to help your child. Sometimes services are different

when a child moves from primary school to middle school to high

school. Some districts have many different buildings. Some have one

for each level. Some have one building designated for special ed.

Depending upon your child's age, I would ask all the same questions

throughout each of the district buildings.

The other consideration to make about where to move is where your

child goes for therapy or medical services. As children get older,

many go for counseling, social skills training, tutoring, medical

visits, etc.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to call or e-mail if you need any

additional information. You may contact us at (216) 556-4937 or

support@.... I would be very happy to talk with you in more

detail if you have any other questions. I wish you the best. Take

care.

Eileen Hawkins

Administrator

Autism Society of Greater Cleveland

> >

> > We are new to the boards and are very interested in this topic.

We

> have a

> > little one on the spectrum that is receiving his preschool

> services through our

> > Board of MRDD. (that tells you right there that we were

fortunate

> enough to

> > have something appropriate in place for him THERE, through our

> school

> > district-but not in the school district; we are very concerned

> about what happens

> > once he is in elementary school!). We are looking for a school

> district on the

> > west side or southwest area...and would welcome a chance to get

> together

> > with other parents like us who are trying to move forward with

> gathering

> > information and getting to the appropriate people. I think this

> would be so helpful

> > for many of us who have children of all ages whose needs are not

> being met in

> > their current placements...perhaps we could find a place to

meet,

> like a

> > room at a rec center or a meeting room at Panera or at a

library?

> We have a NT

> > child who is older in elementary so this is a pain-staking

> decision...we do

> > not want to uproot him but at the same time want to either make

> the best of

> > our situation OR find another district that would meet the needs

> of both of our

> > boys that may be a bit more willing to work with our son who has

> ASD. Feel

> > free to email us offline.

> >

> > Jill and Mike

> >

> >

> >

> > **************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life

> financial

> > challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and

> information, tips and

> > calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?

> NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)

> >

>

[Guest guest]

We moved here specifically for the school district and I haven't been disappointed - especially compared to the services (hardly any) I was getting in California. In a nutshell, I called the school districts, had them send me info (only one district sent me very, very detailed info - it came in a package and it was filled with info about each school, their mission, programs, ranking. etc. They also sent me info on special needs, gifted programs, etc. - they were the school/community I ended up moving to). I researched a lot online, etc. But, I must say, my biggest resource were these online groups (autismNE, autismOhio, and my two hyperlexia ones). I wanted a school that was truly inclusive. Of course, by law, ALL schools are supposed to be but we all know that is not the case. :-)

I have been very happy with my choice.

Another tool I used was researching IEP percentage rates for all the school districts in NE Ohio - the rate of change, etc. The good, inclusive schools have a very high IEP % - you know people move their for their schools.

I didn't have the luxury of living close so I couldn't visit different schools. But, when I did get here, I could tell it was going to work. I wanted a real team effort - from the entire IEP team to the bus driver. I have not been disappointed. No school is perfect but I am in a great district for my kids' needs.

Becky

----- Original Message -----

From: Amy

Sent: 9/24/2008 9:07:27 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: solon schools & choosing a district

Janice,I would also be interested. Actually, 's child and mine go to preschool together now. I observed Billiart (and that is a possibility), but I still want to observe the following:1. Solon2. Chagrin Falls3. Hudson4. RevereI'm also up for any kind of support network we could get created. We could try to find a "central" meet up place if anyone is interested. Thanks!Amy> From: ajaymcp2000 <jaelmck-craigslist >> Subject: [ ] Re: solon schools & choosing a district> > Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 8:02 PM> It seems that there are at least a few families out there> who are > struggling with choosing a district (it is nice to know I> am not the > only one out there who is obsessing! - ,> Jill/Mike, and > Pmannymoe). I rececntly contacted someone at the Ohio> Coalition for > the Education of Children with Disabilities regarding> whether there > is any other data out there for us to use to assess> districts (apart > form ODE proficiency data) and unfortunately, she> didn't know of any. > She did say I could contact a company called School Match> but based > on the info on their website, I really didn't think I> would get any > more info from them (using their basic $34 report) than I> could on my > own. They did offer a special needs consultation for $600,> but I'm > not sure we want to spend that much and I also question how> helpful > it would be for our family. However, it does exist out> there...> > Someone (sorry, I forget who) mentioned meeting as a group> at a > library or Panera, etc. I would also be intersted in> getting together > to share infomation, tactics, etc. Would anybody like to> suggest a > general time or location (weekend, weekday evening, east,> west, > south......)? I am located in Shaker but have no problem> driving > elsewhere. > > I have couple of other ideas of who to contact. I will post> info when > I hear back from them...> > Janice> > > > >> > We are new to the boards and are very interested in> this topic. We > have a > > little one on the spectrum that is receiving his> preschool > services through our > > Board of MRDD. (that tells you right there that we> were fortunate > enough to > > have something appropriate in place for him THERE,> through our > school > > district-but not in the school district; we are very > concerned > about what happens > > once he is in elementary school!). We are looking> for a school > district on the > > west side or southwest area...and would welcome a> chance to get > together > > with other parents like us who are trying to move> forward with > gathering > > information and getting to the appropriate people. I > think this > would be so helpful > > for many of us who have children of all ages whose> needs are not > being met in > > their current placements...perhaps we could find a> place to meet, > like a > > room at a rec center or a meeting room at Panera or > at a library? > We have a NT > > child who is older in elementary so this is a > pain-staking > decision...we do > > not want to uproot him but at the same time want to> either make > the best of > > our situation OR find another district that would > meet the needs > of both of our > > boys that may be a bit more willing to work with our> son who has > ASD. Feel > > free to email us offline.> > > > Jill and Mike> > > > > > > > **************Looking for simple solutions to your> real-life > financial > > challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news> and > information, tips and > > calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?> NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)> >

[Guest guest]

Becky & Suzanne,

Thanks for your response on how you went about choosing your district

and how trying to get the " best " for your child's is an ongoing

process that will last the entire length of your child's education

(possibly life).

Becky: I never thought to look at the IEP percentage rates and

changes in that number. I will have to start looking at that. I also

didn't think to ask districts for written info in advance of a visit;

I think it can be telling (who really responds and who just gives the

bare minimum..)***ALSO, I did just wanted to clarify your school

district.. you mentioned " here " , did you mean Ohio or Solon? Or some

other district?***

Suzanne: I think what I am looking for when trying to choose

the " right " district is not necessarily a guarantee that all will go

well K-12 (though that would be nice! ha ha) but the hope that the

schools current administration is truly interested and motivated in

helping children on IEPs. I have heard quite a few stories of

districts whose main goal seemed to be to provide the least amount of

support possible. My main goal is to avoid those. Yes, that doesn't

mean that each year will go well, or each teacher or each IEP team

will be helpful, but I am hoping that I am increasing my odds (though

my husband and I are starting to think about throwing a dart at a map

at this point, ha ha!). But of course, you are right... nothing will

substitute for parental monitoring. I thank you for the specific

advice you gave on how to go about that and the specific behaviors to

watch for. With my son just being in Pre-K now, I have a LOT to learn

and I am grateful for everyone who shares the benefit of their

experience with me.

Janice

> > >

> > > We are new to the boards and are very interested in

> > this topic. We

> > have a

> > > little one on the spectrum that is receiving his

> > preschool

> > services through our

> > > Board of MRDD. (that tells you right there that we

> > were fortunate

> > enough to

> > > have something appropriate in place for him THERE,

> > through our

> > school

> > > district-but not in the school district; we are very

> > concerned

> > about what happens

> > > once he is in elementary school!). We are looking

> > for a school

> > district on the

> > > west side or southwest area...and would welcome a

> > chance to get

> > together

> > > with other parents like us who are trying to move

> > forward with

> > gathering

> > > information and getting to the appropriate people. I

> > think this

> > would be so helpful

> > > for many of us who have children of all ages whose

> > needs are not

> > being met in

> > > their current placements...perhaps we could find a

> > place to meet,

> > like a

> > > room at a rec center or a meeting room at Panera or

> > at a library?

> > We have a NT

> > > child who is older in elementary so this is a

> > pain-staking

> > decision...we do

> > > not want to uproot him but at the same time want to

> > either make

> > the best of

> > > our situation OR find another district that would

> > meet the needs

> > of both of our

> > > boys that may be a bit more willing to work with our

> > son who has

> > ASD. Feel

> > > free to email us offline.

> > >

> > > Jill and Mike

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > **************Looking for simple solutions to your

> > real-life

> > financial

> > > challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news

> > and

> > information, tips and

> > > calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?

> > NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)

> > >

>

[Guest guest]

I am in Hudson, Ohio.

Becky

----- Original Message -----

From: ajaymcp2000

Sent: 9/26/2008 9:25:16 AM

Subject: [ ] Re: solon schools & choosing a district

Becky & Suzanne,Thanks for your response on how you went about choosing your district and how trying to get the "best" for your child's is an ongoing process that will last the entire length of your child's education (possibly life). Becky: I never thought to look at the IEP percentage rates and changes in that number. I will have to start looking at that. I also didn't think to ask districts for written info in advance of a visit; I think it can be telling (who really responds and who just gives the bare minimum..)***ALSO, I did just wanted to clarify your school district.. you mentioned "here", did you mean Ohio or Solon? Or some other district?***Suzanne: I think what I am looking for when trying to choose the "right" district is not necessarily a guarantee that all will go well K-12 (though that would be nice! ha ha) but the hope that the schools current administration is truly interested and motivated in helping children on IEPs. I have heard quite a few stories of districts whose main goal seemed to be to provide the least amount of support possible. My main goal is to avoid those. Yes, that doesn't mean that each year will go well, or each teacher or each IEP team will be helpful, but I am hoping that I am increasing my odds (though my husband and I are starting to think about throwing a dart at a map at this point, ha ha!). But of course, you are right... nothing will substitute for parental monitoring. I thank you for the specific advice you gave on how to go about that and the specific behaviors to watch for. With my son just being in Pre-K now, I have a LOT to learn and I am grateful for everyone who shares the benefit of their experience with me.Janice> > >> > > We are new to the boards and are very interested in> > this topic. We > > have a > > > little one on the spectrum that is receiving his> > preschool > > services through our > > > Board of MRDD. (that tells you right there that we> > were fortunate > > enough to > > > have something appropriate in place for him THERE,> > through our > > school > > > district-but not in the school district; we are very > > concerned > > about what happens > > > once he is in elementary school!). We are looking> > for a school > > district on the > > > west side or southwest area...and would welcome a> > chance to get > > together > > > with other parents like us who are trying to move> > forward with > > gathering > > > information and getting to the appropriate people. I > > think this > > would be so helpful > > > for many of us who have children of all ages whose> > needs are not > > being met in > > > their current placements...perhaps we could find a> > place to meet, > > like a > > > room at a rec center or a meeting room at Panera or > > at a library? > > We have a NT > > > child who is older in elementary so this is a > > pain-staking > > decision...we do > > > not want to uproot him but at the same time want to> > either make > > the best of > > > our situation OR find another district that would > > meet the needs > > of both of our > > > boys that may be a bit more willing to work with our> > son who has > > ASD. Feel > > > free to email us offline.> > > > > > Jill and Mike> > > > > > > > > > > > **************Looking for simple solutions to your> > real-life > > financial > > > challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news> > and > > information, tips and > > > calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?> > NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)> > >>