Guest guest Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 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 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 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 [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Ida Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 5:22 PM To: 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 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 [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Ida Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 5:22 PM To: 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2010 Report Share Posted April 16, 2010 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 [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Ida Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 5:22 PM To: 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2010 Report Share Posted April 17, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 H Ida As far as I know there is a law for PE that states the children should receive PE everyday. In my daughters school the teachers now have to structure there recess to accomidate this. And if they have PE that day they get no recess. We are in Palm Beach County. They also reduced our specials from 40 to 30 mins. At the end of the day when the Fine Arts teachers have no classes they become reading coaches for kids who need help. My son who I have pulled from public school was in the same school as my daughter in a cluster class......was not mainstreamed for Fine Arts and becuase of this new schedule I found out was not getting all of his fine arts time. He would get PE because the PE coach saw them on her break in the morning but his other specials were in the afternoon and I know he did not get them all as when I would pull up they were on the playground when they should have been in specials. I am sure they will be cutting so much more over the years. That is another reason I pulled my son out and put him in a charter school. This school year started off with 10 to 12 students in the classes with 1 teacher and 1 para. After the 11 day count they gave us another teacher but some of the classes still had 10+ kids in them. I am sure it will be as bad or worse next year. To: sList Sent: Fri, April 16, 2010 5:21:56 PMSubject: 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 H Ida As far as I know there is a law for PE that states the children should receive PE everyday. In my daughters school the teachers now have to structure there recess to accomidate this. And if they have PE that day they get no recess. We are in Palm Beach County. They also reduced our specials from 40 to 30 mins. At the end of the day when the Fine Arts teachers have no classes they become reading coaches for kids who need help. My son who I have pulled from public school was in the same school as my daughter in a cluster class......was not mainstreamed for Fine Arts and becuase of this new schedule I found out was not getting all of his fine arts time. He would get PE because the PE coach saw them on her break in the morning but his other specials were in the afternoon and I know he did not get them all as when I would pull up they were on the playground when they should have been in specials. I am sure they will be cutting so much more over the years. That is another reason I pulled my son out and put him in a charter school. This school year started off with 10 to 12 students in the classes with 1 teacher and 1 para. After the 11 day count they gave us another teacher but some of the classes still had 10+ kids in them. I am sure it will be as bad or worse next year. To: sList Sent: Fri, April 16, 2010 5:21:56 PMSubject: 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 H Ida As far as I know there is a law for PE that states the children should receive PE everyday. In my daughters school the teachers now have to structure there recess to accomidate this. And if they have PE that day they get no recess. We are in Palm Beach County. They also reduced our specials from 40 to 30 mins. At the end of the day when the Fine Arts teachers have no classes they become reading coaches for kids who need help. My son who I have pulled from public school was in the same school as my daughter in a cluster class......was not mainstreamed for Fine Arts and becuase of this new schedule I found out was not getting all of his fine arts time. He would get PE because the PE coach saw them on her break in the morning but his other specials were in the afternoon and I know he did not get them all as when I would pull up they were on the playground when they should have been in specials. I am sure they will be cutting so much more over the years. That is another reason I pulled my son out and put him in a charter school. This school year started off with 10 to 12 students in the classes with 1 teacher and 1 para. After the 11 day count they gave us another teacher but some of the classes still had 10+ kids in them. I am sure it will be as bad or worse next year. To: sList Sent: Fri, April 16, 2010 5:21:56 PMSubject: 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2010 Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 What I have been told from some teachers it that the "teachers" will have to do gym within their classroom. In other words if your child is in a cluster and does specials with mainstream they will loose out on that because the will do it within the cluster room, and the cluster teacher will be teaching it. We have to very clear in our IEP's regarding these "social" areas where our children need the most,and will be cut do to budget cuts. We must specify the amount of minutes and specific areas......... From: Ida <idajkessler@ yahoo.com>Subject: No Specials?To: sList@ yahoogroups. comDate: 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2010 Report Share Posted April 20, 2010 What I have been told from some teachers it that the "teachers" will have to do gym within their classroom. In other words if your child is in a cluster and does specials with mainstream they will loose out on that because the will do it within the cluster room, and the cluster teacher will be teaching it. We have to very clear in our IEP's regarding these "social" areas where our children need the most,and will be cut do to budget cuts. We must specify the amount of minutes and specific areas......... From: Ida <idajkessler@ yahoo.com>Subject: No Specials?To: sList@ yahoogroups. comDate: 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 I spoke today to 2 different people at the ESE Broward Dept and asked for their off the record opinion on whether this would happen or not and how it would work and they both said that they think that the cuts will probably be made in other areas and not specials because too many people are against it. (In my opinion, not that that has stopped them before from making unpopular decisions...) Anyhow, there is hope that it may not happen at all this year... Ida > > > From: Ida <idajkessler@ yahoo.com> > Subject: No Specials? > To: sList@ yahoogroups. com > Date: Friday, April 16, 2010, 9:21 PM > > > Â > > 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 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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