Grading Elementary schools

[Guest guest]

Hello:Now that the year is almost over, please share your experience with public and private schools in the area of Broward, Florida.I will really appreciate your feedback because I am looking for a good elementary school for my son who is in the spectrum for next year.I wish you happy and safe holidays!Jeannette

[Guest guest]

Overall, my son has had a great experience at Wilton Manors Elementary. He’s now mainstreamed in 2nd grade. I thought that would lead to more challenges and there have been several regarding socializing but overall I believe the program works for several reasons.

They have good teachers, good cluster/ESE teachers.

The ESE teachers are accepted into the culture of the school. My son’s kindergarten teacher was Teacher of the Year (nominated by the entire school) last school year. To nominate and have an ESE teacher as Teacher of the Year (while obvious to us that this should occur) is a big deal.

It is a magnet program, therefore parents who want their kids to attend, have to apply and are more likely to be involved in their kids’ education experience. I believe that transcends over to feeling more comfortable with inclusion of kids with special needs.

They also have a character program (IB world or something-I never get the name right), which is a nationally recognized program. My interpretation is that schools who have good character programs in place and that are being used by all (kids and staff), then our kids with special needs are more likely to be accepted (not merely tolerated). It’s like a school wide sensitivity program.

The administration is very pro-ESE and is proud of his school. He is always accessible and supports his staff receiving trainings, continued education and experience.

The ESE specialist is kind of a challenge but I believe we are building a better rapport. I’ve just butted her and I think she dislikes that. So, it could be me.

The teachers all know our kids and look out for them; they eyeball my son to ensure he gets to his destination if warranted.

It is a small school, which I believe makes a tremendous difference.

The kids with special needs are automatically included in all specials, lunch, pe, etc. and they work to ensure the kids can go to mainstream classes for whatever period they can handle. Believe it or not, this is not automatic in other counties, even Broward and I believed it was.

In at least 2 incidents, I have not witnessed a restraint for non-compliance or for a tantrum when the staff has addressed our kids with challenges. Not that it doesn’t occur but I have watched them deal with our kids to see what they do and I observed (in these 2 instances) they allowed the kid to go through what he needed to go through and regulate himself.

Silver Lakes has a great coach but I cannot say anything about their teachers. I do know the coach works hard to educate the entire staff.

Hope this helps.

From: jeannette vanoy

Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 1:07 PM

To: deniseslist

Subject: Grading Elementary schools

Hello:Now that the year is almost over, please share your experience with public and private schools in the area of Broward, Florida.I will really appreciate your feedback because I am looking for a good elementary school for my son who is in the spectrum for next year.I wish you happy and safe holidays!Jeannette