No Specials?

[Guest guest]

Hi listmates,

I have been hearing again and again that with the budget cuts specials in

elementary school will have to be cut down. That basically one teacher for Art,

one teacher for PE and one teacher for Music will have to be shared amongst many

schools and at the end, our kids may end up having each class maybe 4 times a

year. That sounds crazy. Every year our children face greater weight problems,

yet PE is the first to go? Most students with autism benefit greatly from

exposure to music and art. It helps them regulate and organize their nervous

system. And this is the one classtime where students in the cluster get to spend

time with typical kids (unless they are being mainstreamed further). So now

because of budget cuts our children will be further deprived from inclusion

time? I am looking forward to asking that question on Monday's ESE meeting. What

do you all think? Ida

[Guest guest]

After speaking to a parent at my school who teaches gen ed at another school she

made it seem like she would be the one teaching the art, PE, etc. I would hope

if this is the case " our " kids would be included. I guess the question is if

these classes are removed how is the percentage of time in gen ed going to be

met? Many times it is met with these specials. Please update us on the meeting.

Jenn

>

> Hi listmates,

>

> I have been hearing again and again that with the budget cuts specials in

elementary school will have to be cut down. That basically one teacher for Art,

one teacher for PE and one teacher for Music will have to be shared amongst many

schools and at the end, our kids may end up having each class maybe 4 times a

year. That sounds crazy. Every year our children face greater weight problems,

yet PE is the first to go? Most students with autism benefit greatly from

exposure to music and art. It helps them regulate and organize their nervous

system. And this is the one classtime where students in the cluster get to spend

time with typical kids (unless they are being mainstreamed further). So now

because of budget cuts our children will be further deprived from inclusion

time? I am looking forward to asking that question on Monday's ESE meeting. What

do you all think? Ida

>

[Guest guest]

This is not a new development. It has been quietly (by design) been removed, modified, and limited over the past few years without even so much as a memo to parents to let them know.The slashing of the arts is a national movement; not just here in FL. If the arts are as valuable to you as they are to me, I'd suggest that you continue to voice your concerns both in school, but also with county administration, and local legislators. Several of us, including myself my husband have been talking with school board members and others about this for months. With the budget cuts to come, the cuts are expected to be deep and broad. Don't buy the line that the teachers are incoporating the arts into their daily curriculums. There are Sunshine State standards for art and music for every grade level. Start asking for accountability in measuring your child's lack of exposure to arts concepts, ask them to quantify, and be persistent. Teachers are often wonderful and give far beyond the limits they have imposed on them. It is not reasonable to expect them to effectively do arts education as well! Sent via BlackBerry from T-MobileDate: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:21:56 -0000To: <sList >Subject: No Specials? Hi listmates,I have been hearing again and again that with the budget cuts specials in elementary school will have to be cut down. That basically one teacher for Art, one teacher for PE and one teacher for Music will have to be shared amongst many schools and at the end, our kids may end up having each class maybe 4 times a year. That sounds crazy. Every year our children face greater weight problems, yet PE is the first to go? Most students with autism benefit greatly from exposure to music and art. It helps them regulate and organize their nervous system. And this is the one classtime where students in the cluster get to spend time with typical kids (unless they are being mainstreamed further). So now because of budget cuts our children will be further deprived from inclusion time? I am looking forward to asking that question on Monday's ESE meeting. What do you all think? Ida

[Guest guest]

This is not a new development. It has been quietly (by design) been removed, modified, and limited over the past few years without even so much as a memo to parents to let them know.The slashing of the arts is a national movement; not just here in FL. If the arts are as valuable to you as they are to me, I'd suggest that you continue to voice your concerns both in school, but also with county administration, and local legislators. Several of us, including myself my husband have been talking with school board members and others about this for months. With the budget cuts to come, the cuts are expected to be deep and broad. Don't buy the line that the teachers are incoporating the arts into their daily curriculums. There are Sunshine State standards for art and music for every grade level. Start asking for accountability in measuring your child's lack of exposure to arts concepts, ask them to quantify, and be persistent. Teachers are often wonderful and give far beyond the limits they have imposed on them. It is not reasonable to expect them to effectively do arts education as well! Sent via BlackBerry from T-MobileDate: Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:21:56 -0000To: <sList >Subject: No Specials? Hi listmates,I have been hearing again and again that with the budget cuts specials in elementary school will have to be cut down. That basically one teacher for Art, one teacher for PE and one teacher for Music will have to be shared amongst many schools and at the end, our kids may end up having each class maybe 4 times a year. That sounds crazy. Every year our children face greater weight problems, yet PE is the first to go? Most students with autism benefit greatly from exposure to music and art. It helps them regulate and organize their nervous system. And this is the one classtime where students in the cluster get to spend time with typical kids (unless they are being mainstreamed further). So now because of budget cuts our children will be further deprived from inclusion time? I am looking forward to asking that question on Monday's ESE meeting. What do you all think? Ida

[Guest guest]

I think it also has to do with the parent's expectations. Whether they are aware of their child's rights under federal laws and state laws may have a lot to do with their expectations. Subject: RE: No Specials?To: sList Date: Friday, April 16, 2010, 9:49 PM

Ask the question. My bet is you won't get a specific answer. It's

like asking the IEP Committee to be specific about goals. It might be difficult

to change inclusion if you already have it. Even more important you might worry

about the size of each cluster increasing in number, leaving your child further

from what he needs. Expect Special Needs taking a big hit in funding. It would

be a violation of federal law to blame cuts as a budget reduction. They are

constantly playing this game of "hide and seek": You ask the

questions and they hide the answers. In previous a previous email someone want school recommendations

for a cluster program. I think it is extremely important that a parent does not

start comparing apples with oranges. Comparing apples to apples means that you are

comparing your child's position on the spectrum with other children in a

similar position. In a sense stating that your child is autistic isn't really

saying anything because there are so many differences within the group and you

are interested in knowing what the services will be for your unique child. Don't

forget the parent in the equation. I cringe every time a hear that a parent is

happy about their child's placement. I cringe because there are so many

shortcomings in how the District administers these programs. Then I think

perhaps the child s "mildly" autistic and is getting good services.

Or perhaps the parent is happy with the services not realizing the parent's happiness

is not the real issue. Parent's have to be vigilant. The schools/district

blindsides parents whenever possible.

From:

sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf

Of Ida

Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 5:22 PM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: No Specials?

Hi listmates,

I have been hearing again and again that with the budget cuts specials in

elementary school will have to be cut down. That basically one teacher for Art,

one teacher for PE and one teacher for Music will have to be shared amongst

many schools and at the end, our kids may end up having each class maybe 4

times a year. That sounds crazy. Every year our children face greater weight

problems, yet PE is the first to go? Most students with autism benefit greatly

from exposure to music and art. It helps them regulate and organize their

nervous system. And this is the one classtime where students in the cluster get

to spend time with typical kids (unless they are being mainstreamed further).

So now because of budget cuts our children will be further deprived from inclusion

time? I am looking forward to asking that question on Monday's ESE meeting.

What do you all think? Ida

[Guest guest]

Ida, there are a couple things. . . P.E. is now federally mandated that every child gets 30 mins. of movement a day. Not just Playground, but actual P.e. type activities. The principals of each school makes their own choice of what to cut from where in their budget and how. The district may tell them to cut similar things in each school, but the principal has all the power. If things are being cut that shouldn't talk to that person. Look up the federal laws and mandates both locally and nationally. Things will be done wrong or backwards if those in charge think you the parent is too ignorant to know what really should go on. Please don't make that mistake. You are the parent and you have every right to know EXACTLY what our child is taught, by whom, and for how long. Be sure the IEP that you have is EXACTLY what your child is getting. THere are laws in place to

protect you and your children. USe them.Subject: No Specials?To: sList Date: Friday, April 16, 2010, 9:21 PM

Hi listmates,

I have been hearing again and again that with the budget cuts specials in elementary school will have to be cut down. That basically one teacher for Art, one teacher for PE and one teacher for Music will have to be shared amongst many schools and at the end, our kids may end up having each class maybe 4 times a year. That sounds crazy. Every year our children face greater weight problems, yet PE is the first to go? Most students with autism benefit greatly from exposure to music and art. It helps them regulate and organize their nervous system. And this is the one classtime where students in the cluster get to spend time with typical kids (unless they are being mainstreamed further). So now because of budget cuts our children will be further deprived from inclusion time? I am looking forward to asking that question on Monday's ESE meeting. What do you all think? Ida

[Guest guest]

Ida, there are a couple things. . . P.E. is now federally mandated that every child gets 30 mins. of movement a day. Not just Playground, but actual P.e. type activities. The principals of each school makes their own choice of what to cut from where in their budget and how. The district may tell them to cut similar things in each school, but the principal has all the power. If things are being cut that shouldn't talk to that person. Look up the federal laws and mandates both locally and nationally. Things will be done wrong or backwards if those in charge think you the parent is too ignorant to know what really should go on. Please don't make that mistake. You are the parent and you have every right to know EXACTLY what our child is taught, by whom, and for how long. Be sure the IEP that you have is EXACTLY what your child is getting. THere are laws in place to

protect you and your children. USe them.Subject: No Specials?To: sList Date: Friday, April 16, 2010, 9:21 PM

Hi listmates,

I have been hearing again and again that with the budget cuts specials in elementary school will have to be cut down. That basically one teacher for Art, one teacher for PE and one teacher for Music will have to be shared amongst many schools and at the end, our kids may end up having each class maybe 4 times a year. That sounds crazy. Every year our children face greater weight problems, yet PE is the first to go? Most students with autism benefit greatly from exposure to music and art. It helps them regulate and organize their nervous system. And this is the one classtime where students in the cluster get to spend time with typical kids (unless they are being mainstreamed further). So now because of budget cuts our children will be further deprived from inclusion time? I am looking forward to asking that question on Monday's ESE meeting. What do you all think? Ida

[Guest guest]

Ida, there are a couple things. . . P.E. is now federally mandated that every child gets 30 mins. of movement a day. Not just Playground, but actual P.e. type activities. The principals of each school makes their own choice of what to cut from where in their budget and how. The district may tell them to cut similar things in each school, but the principal has all the power. If things are being cut that shouldn't talk to that person. Look up the federal laws and mandates both locally and nationally. Things will be done wrong or backwards if those in charge think you the parent is too ignorant to know what really should go on. Please don't make that mistake. You are the parent and you have every right to know EXACTLY what our child is taught, by whom, and for how long. Be sure the IEP that you have is EXACTLY what your child is getting. THere are laws in place to

protect you and your children. USe them.Subject: No Specials?To: sList Date: Friday, April 16, 2010, 9:21 PM

Hi listmates,

I have been hearing again and again that with the budget cuts specials in elementary school will have to be cut down. That basically one teacher for Art, one teacher for PE and one teacher for Music will have to be shared amongst many schools and at the end, our kids may end up having each class maybe 4 times a year. That sounds crazy. Every year our children face greater weight problems, yet PE is the first to go? Most students with autism benefit greatly from exposure to music and art. It helps them regulate and organize their nervous system. And this is the one classtime where students in the cluster get to spend time with typical kids (unless they are being mainstreamed further). So now because of budget cuts our children will be further deprived from inclusion time? I am looking forward to asking that question on Monday's ESE meeting. What do you all think? Ida