Re: Re: school absences - Jodi Z

[Guest guest]

Jodi,

What should I do? Do you think I need something in writing from any of 's

doctors? Last year she did pretty well with not getting sick. Not sure if the

flu shot helped for the fact that her preschool was every other day and there

were only 8 kids in the class. Also, since I am so----o clueless, you know

and the school system, should I have something in lined up? Do I need an

IEP. I know school for her is 8-10:45 and I know they get a snack during that

time frame, but what other things would I want (listen to me I need someone to

tell me what I want HA). Seriously though, I never had a kid in school so I

don't know what to expect until it happens that I need them to do something for

her. What do I need to let the nurse know as well?

HELP!!!!!

B

Jodi Zwain wrote:

Oh, I can answer that one easily. We've been down this road and I

know all the turns! Max has an IEP. He is classified as

communication impaired, but he also qualifies for other health

impaired. When we had his IEP written, and after explaining about

RSS and all of the illnesses he has, the hospitalizations he tends

to have, etc., they wrote in that he is excused from the maximum

allowable number of days absent. In high school they are really

strict about this and if there are too many absences, then the

person has to go before an absence review board. He does not have to

ever worry about this procedure. Whew!

For the school that I work in, our kids with chronic illnesses just

need a note from a doctor saying that the child will most likely be

absent frequently and that usually stands as a blanket for the

entire year. If the nurse is particularly cranky, as she tends to

be, and she challenges someone on this, the parents just get the

doctor to fax over a note.

It's really not a problem if you know the way around it. All they

want is the stupid piece of paper. It's not the school's fault,

however. It's the whole accountability issue with No Child Left

Behind. That act is a real thorn in the sides of us educators. We

spend more time trying to meet those requirements when we could

actually be TEACHING.

Jodi Z

[Guest guest]

Thank you Jodi.

Jodi Zwain wrote:

,

Sit down with Mrs. Lorber and tell her about and her medical

issues. Approach it as if she has RSS, as you've been told by the

geneticist. Bring her the blue MAGIC pamphlet. She has already

seen it because I once gave her one about Max, but I'm sure she does

not have it anymore and she should have it in 's file.

At this point, you don't need an IEP. If is sick a lot, then

you can get a dr.'s note and that will be fine. You already know

there is snack in the morning, so she will have a chance to eat.

You may want to explain to Mrs. Lorber that she must be monitored,

however, and if she is sluggish or won't eat, she must have access

to snacks to at least pick at during the session.

Once school gets started and IF there are other issues, I will guide

you through. You can remind Mrs. Lorber that I know and her

needs, so if there is a problem, she can check with me. In fact,

you may want to put me down as an emergency contact.

will be fine. The teacher she has is good and will look out

for her. Oh - you should try to make an appt. with Mrs. Viruet to

talk to her about , too. Tell her the same things you tell

Diane (Mrs. L.). You can even try to do it together if you want.

Jodi Z