starting pre k

[Guest guest]

Hey all,

Thanks for the answers about the gh shots. Now a bigger reality

check. Maddison will be starting pre k soon, I guess. Up until a

couple of months ago I never thought once about it. Mostly because

she doesn't eat by herself. I just blocked it out of my head i

guess. Then my grandmother that keeps Maddison while I work, says

she will be starting pre k soon and it was like a slap in the face.

I felt so stupid, I had not even considered it. Well my questions

now are what steps do I take to get her the ability to have snacks

all day etc. She has a lady with our county school system that took

over her when she turned 3 and left Babies Can't Wait. I have left

her two messages and she still has not called me back. My

grandmother thought there was some kind of forms I need to be

filling out etc?????????? I know you are supposed to start this

process months before they start and I am probably a little behind.

What is that bill or law we can use in order to get our children

everything they need???? I just need major help, education. Where

do I start??????? I want to learn everything and sound like I know

what I am talking about before I have to talk to a teacher,

counselor, etc.

I feel so stupid.

We have been to the convention in 2002 and 2003 but she was a baby

then and those school lectures then didn't seem to be what we needed

to know. We were worried about getting her to eat, at that time she

wasn't even on periactin.

Thanks

and Maddison Tolbert, Georgia

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am going to assume that Madison is in the Early Intervention

program. Not that that really matters.

Ideally, the Early Intervention program should notify your school

district that Maddison will be transitioning out of Early

Intervention and that she will need assistance once she turns 3.

However, as far as I know that rarely happens. It is usually left up

to you to do this.

You will probably want to contact your school district and ask to

speak with the Special Education director. Let her know about

Maddison. If they are good, they will want a meeting to discuss her

diagnosis and her needs. They will also want copies of her medical

records, and Early Intervention records. They have a form to fill out

so they can request copies rather than you bring them.

In most school districts, regardless of the services provided by

Early Intervention, the school district will want to do their own

evaluation. You might need to bring Madison to see the schools

Special Ed Coordinator, or speech therapist or physical therapist or

all three. Maybe more depending on how the school operates it

program. Sometimes, a school will say a child does not need services

even if they were getting them in Early Intervention. A lot depends

on the quality of the people and school district you are dealing

with.

The school district should have some information booklets about

Special Education and how they implement the program.

Special Education falls under the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act ( " IDEA " ). There are many books and links to IDEA. Also,

your state should have a complete copy on line along with any state

modifications to the IDEA law.

If Madison does not need services, then the Section 504 of the

American with Disabilities Act could be useful to you. This is

commonly referred to in education circles as a 504 plan. However,

Madison will get the most benefit if she is covered by IDEA.

Please keep in mind that with any Federal program, policy or

regulation, IDEA is the minimum standard a state must follow. Some

states exceed the federal minimum, but many, because of tight budgets

barely meet the requirements of IDEA. You could be in for a small

battle for Madison. I sincerely hope not, just want to let you know

of the possibilities.

Food for thought, the FAR's -- Federal Aviation Regulations, are the

minimum standard for pilots, and aviation equipment. Many airlines

and pilots barley meet the minimums set out in the FAR's. Most

airlines have programs that meet or far exceed the minimums for

equipment and pilots, but some do not but they are still legal and

able to operate. School districts are the same when it comes to

meeting the Federal minimus of IDEA.

As for my situation, lets just say, nothing gets me hot under the

collar faster than health insurance companies or our local school

district and its Special Ed. dept.

Anyway, I have rambled on enough.

I hope this helps.

Ken M

>

> Hey all,

>

> Thanks for the answers about the gh shots. Now a bigger reality

> check. Maddison will be starting pre k soon, I guess. Up until a

> couple of months ago I never thought once about it. Mostly because

> she doesn't eat by herself. I just blocked it out of my head i

> guess. Then my grandmother that keeps Maddison while I work, says

> she will be starting pre k soon and it was like a slap in the

face.

> I felt so stupid, I had not even considered it. Well my questions

> now are what steps do I take to get her the ability to have snacks

> all day etc. She has a lady with our county school system that

took

> over her when she turned 3 and left Babies Can't Wait. I have left

> her two messages and she still has not called me back. My

> grandmother thought there was some kind of forms I need to be

> filling out etc?????????? I know you are supposed to start this

> process months before they start and I am probably a little

behind.

> What is that bill or law we can use in order to get our children

> everything they need???? I just need major help, education. Where

> do I start??????? I want to learn everything and sound like I know

> what I am talking about before I have to talk to a teacher,

> counselor, etc.

> I feel so stupid.

> We have been to the convention in 2002 and 2003 but she was a baby

> then and those school lectures then didn't seem to be what we

needed

> to know. We were worried about getting her to eat, at that time

she

> wasn't even on periactin.

>

> Thanks

> and Maddison Tolbert, Georgia