Advice on how to deal with situation at school? - Homeschool programs?

[Guest guest]

Hey everyone - we have been experiencing issues with school since day 2 this

year - and

this is only kindergarten!!! It has gotten to the point that Ethan cries in the

morning

before we go - fights me to even get in the car - and cries himself to sleep at

night

because he has such anxiety over going to school in the morning.

I have spoken with the teacher, principal (had several meetings with these two

over the

past 2 months!), and special ed coordinator in the past few weeks. Last week I

sent in

someone to observe since it was to hard for him to stay engaged when I tried to.

She

went 2 days. On the first day she observed him he was not in the classroom much

- as it

was a day filled with therapy. The second day she observed, he had a majority

of

classroom time. While the rest of the class did centers he was at a desk with

his aid in

the corner of the room. She told me he had zero interaction with other kids in

the room

- and that the teacher had ZERO interaction with him the entire time he was in

the room!

Plus they had him working on colors, shapes, and tracing his name. He can do

these

things - has been able to for at least 3 months now. We worked our butts off

this

summer to accomplish this - tracing I can see because he needs work. So, I

called our

special ed coordinator and made him aware of the situation yesterday.

The teacher keeps giving me the line that his education is driven by his IEP. I

feel as

though she is using the IEP as a weapon instead of a tool. In the state of

Illinois you do

not technically have to be enrolled in school until the age of 7. Ethan is 6.

I have

thought about taking him out of school. Then I think about therapy - and social

skills. I

wanted him to have interaction with other kids - if he is not getting that then

why is he

there. I wanted him to learn and socialize. I am just rethinking the whole

school thing.

Maybe it is not for every kid - or maybe I need to fight some more. I am just

feeling bad

about sending him some place that causes such anxiety for him. I want him to be

comfortable. I want him to at least tolerate school without a huge fight. Then

I think

about homeschool curriculums - I don't even know where to begin! I feel

confident I

could do it - but first I have to find something that would even work. I just

want a back

up plan - options!

What have been some of your experiences?

Thanks,

Ethan's Mom~

[Guest guest]

I hear your pain and exhaustion. I feel this too with my daughter's

problems at school and you spend so much time fighting them to get

what your son needs, you may as well do it yourself! One thing to

consider would be homeschool part-time so that you can ease the

anxiety your son is having, you could make sure he was being taught

at his level, and yet he could still go to school for the social

aspect/therapy. It is something worth considering, but of course you

have to examine your state requirements and even though kids don't

have to go to school until age 7, in our state once they are " in the

system " , we have to file our plan to homeschool 14 days in advance.

I would be interested to learn what you hear back from the Spec. Ed

Coordinator. It doesn't sound like the least restrictive environment

to me, and the purpose of the aide should be so that she can help him

participate in the centers at his level, not sit in the corner and

color!

Hang in there,

Penny

http://twoplusoneequalsfive.blogspot.com/

>

> Hey everyone - we have been experiencing issues with school since

day 2 this year - and

> this is only kindergarten!!! It has gotten to the point that Ethan

cries in the morning

> before we go - fights me to even get in the car - and cries himself

to sleep at night

> because he has such anxiety over going to school in the morning.

>

> I have spoken with the teacher, principal (had several meetings

with these two over the

> past 2 months!), and special ed coordinator in the past few weeks.

Last week I sent in

> someone to observe since it was to hard for him to stay engaged

when I tried to. She

> went 2 days. On the first day she observed him he was not in the

classroom much - as it

> was a day filled with therapy. The second day she observed, he had

a majority of

> classroom time. While the rest of the class did centers he was at

a desk with his aid in

> the corner of the room. She told me he had zero interaction with

other kids in the room

> - and that the teacher had ZERO interaction with him the entire

time he was in the room!

> Plus they had him working on colors, shapes, and tracing his name.

He can do these

> things - has been able to for at least 3 months now. We worked our

butts off this

> summer to accomplish this - tracing I can see because he needs

work. So, I called our

> special ed coordinator and made him aware of the situation

yesterday.

>

> The teacher keeps giving me the line that his education is driven

by his IEP. I feel as

> though she is using the IEP as a weapon instead of a tool. In the

state of Illinois you do

> not technically have to be enrolled in school until the age of 7.

Ethan is 6. I have

> thought about taking him out of school. Then I think about

therapy - and social skills. I

> wanted him to have interaction with other kids - if he is not

getting that then why is he

> there. I wanted him to learn and socialize. I am just rethinking

the whole school thing.

> Maybe it is not for every kid - or maybe I need to fight some

more. I am just feeling bad

> about sending him some place that causes such anxiety for him. I

want him to be

> comfortable. I want him to at least tolerate school without a huge

fight. Then I think

> about homeschool curriculums - I don't even know where to begin! I

feel confident I

> could do it - but first I have to find something that would even

work. I just want a back

> up plan - options!

>

> What have been some of your experiences?

>

> Thanks,

>

>

> Ethan's Mom~

>

[Guest guest]

,

My heart goes out to you...I couldn't bear to know that my little

one was THAT upset about going somewhere that should be fun - at

least at that age...Kindergarten should not be causing a child

stress!

I am sure if you Googled " Illinois homeschool " , a ton of info should

be available. I am sure there are homeschooling parent

groups...maybe even here on .

God Bless you both!

Heahter in OH

>

> Hey everyone - we have been experiencing issues with school since

day 2 this year - and

> this is only kindergarten!!! It has gotten to the point that

Ethan cries in the morning

> before we go - fights me to even get in the car - and cries

himself to sleep at night

> because he has such anxiety over going to school in the morning.

>

> I have spoken with the teacher, principal (had several meetings

with these two over the

> past 2 months!), and special ed coordinator in the past few

weeks. Last week I sent in

> someone to observe since it was to hard for him to stay engaged

when I tried to. She

> went 2 days. On the first day she observed him he was not in the

classroom much - as it

> was a day filled with therapy. The second day she observed, he

had a majority of

> classroom time. While the rest of the class did centers he was at

a desk with his aid in

> the corner of the room. She told me he had zero interaction with

other kids in the room

> - and that the teacher had ZERO interaction with him the entire

time he was in the room!

> Plus they had him working on colors, shapes, and tracing his

name. He can do these

> things - has been able to for at least 3 months now. We worked

our butts off this

> summer to accomplish this - tracing I can see because he needs

work. So, I called our

> special ed coordinator and made him aware of the situation

yesterday.

>

> The teacher keeps giving me the line that his education is driven

by his IEP. I feel as

> though she is using the IEP as a weapon instead of a tool. In the

state of Illinois you do

> not technically have to be enrolled in school until the age of 7.

Ethan is 6. I have

> thought about taking him out of school. Then I think about

therapy - and social skills. I

> wanted him to have interaction with other kids - if he is not

getting that then why is he

> there. I wanted him to learn and socialize. I am just rethinking

the whole school thing.

> Maybe it is not for every kid - or maybe I need to fight some

more. I am just feeling bad

> about sending him some place that causes such anxiety for him. I

want him to be

> comfortable. I want him to at least tolerate school without a

huge fight. Then I think

> about homeschool curriculums - I don't even know where to begin!

I feel confident I

> could do it - but first I have to find something that would even

work. I just want a back

> up plan - options!

>

> What have been some of your experiences?

>

> Thanks,

>

>

> Ethan's Mom~

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I don't have a lot of experience with IEP's as I've only attended four (in the

past year, for two different children) and they have always been great.  I do

have a lot of experience with homeschooling though.  I run a private Independent

Home School Program, as well as homeschooled and graduated my three grown

children.  I have taught many, many classes to other homeschooled children (with

parents there - sort of like a co-op) as well as being the " party queen " ,

putting together all of the holiday parties.  Homeschooling has opened the door

for MUCH, MUCH more socialization than what you would get in a school

institution, where children only " socialize " with their peers - and they learn a

lot of behaviors that you'd probably rather them not learn (or have to live

through and become victims and have victim mentality for the rest of their

lives.)  We homeschoolers get together weekly and teach classes and we have park

(and beach) days.  We divide

up organizers for the monthly (often even more as well) fieldtrips.  My

children had a wonderful education and life.  Oh, by the way, the socialization

is done with other home educated children - of whom typically are taught how to

be nice because their parents are around all the time and actual training occurs

- not just a free for all.  I know a lot about curriculum as well.  Email me

privately and let me know more about your circumstances and I might be able to

help you.  There is even a homeschool legal defense organization that will help

you  if you come up against the school board.  I'd love to help, as

homeschooling is my passion.  Feel free to call me too (or leave me your number

when you email me) because I have unlimited long distance, so I could call you

back.  831-475-8327.

 

loveisfosteringhere@...

 

Blessings to You,

 

********************************************************************************\

***********************************************************************

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth give

I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

14:27

 

[ ] Advice on how to deal with situation at school? -

Homeschool programs?

Hey everyone - we have been experiencing issues with school since day 2 this

year - and

this is only kindergarten! !! It has gotten to the point that Ethan cries in the

morning

before we go - fights me to even get in the car - and cries himself to sleep at

night

because he has such anxiety over going to school in the morning.

I have spoken with the teacher, principal (had several meetings with these two

over the

past 2 months!), and special ed coordinator in the past few weeks. Last week I

sent in

someone to observe since it was to hard for him to stay engaged when I tried to.

She

went 2 days. On the first day she observed him he was not in the classroom much

- as it

was a day filled with therapy. The second day she observed, he had a majority of

classroom time. While the rest of the class did centers he was at a desk with

his aid in

the corner of the room. She told me he had zero interaction with other kids in

the room

- and that the teacher had ZERO interaction with him the entire time he was in

the room!

Plus they had him working on colors, shapes, and tracing his name. He can do

these

things - has been able to for at least 3 months now. We worked our butts off

this

summer to accomplish this - tracing I can see because he needs work. So, I

called our

special ed coordinator and made him aware of the situation yesterday.

The teacher keeps giving me the line that his education is driven by his IEP. I

feel as

though she is using the IEP as a weapon instead of a tool. In the state of

Illinois you do

not technically have to be enrolled in school until the age of 7. Ethan is 6. I

have

thought about taking him out of school. Then I think about therapy - and social

skills. I

wanted him to have interaction with other kids - if he is not getting that then

why is he

there. I wanted him to learn and socialize. I am just rethinking the whole

school thing.

Maybe it is not for every kid - or maybe I need to fight some more. I am just

feeling bad

about sending him some place that causes such anxiety for him. I want him to be

comfortable. I want him to at least tolerate school without a huge fight. Then I

think

about homeschool curriculums - I don't even know where to begin! I feel

confident I

could do it - but first I have to find something that would even work. I just

want a back

up plan - options!

What have been some of your experiences?

Thanks,

Ethan's Mom~

[Guest guest]

,

Mark's early school days were a nightmare and looking back, I so wish that I had

homeschooled him. I didn't realize that I could do it effectively. I thought

that I would screw it up! Now that I do NACD with him, I realize that I am the

best teacher he has ever had!

The problem with sending Ethan to a place that he hates and feels badly about

himself is that eventually he may become depressed or disheartened with school

and education. Later on, the bullies start in on the severely dyspraxic

children and the child becomes really hurt by this. I know that the worst

issues that I need to help Mark with now are his lack of self-belief and esteem.

Even though he is currently sporting straight A's in school; he still doesn't

believe in himself and doesn't have good self-confidence. I recognize that this

is stigma that is left over from his early experiences. While his body and his

mind are almost healed, his broken heart is still wounded by his early

educational experiences and he will probably carry those wounds around with

him..... forever. I hope that one day, maybe, he'll forget.....

Please look into the programs at www.nacd.org because they have helped Mark and

others so, so much! If you choose to homeschool they will help you

design/choose a package for Ethan.

Whatever decision you make always carry this tenet; the child 'tells' you by

their behaviour when it is not working. When it is not working you must change

it and try something different. Don't waste your time or Ethan's on an

impossible situation.

Take care and give Ethan big hugs and kisses from us! Poor little guy; I really

feel his pain.

Janice

Mother of Mark, 13

[sPAM][ ] Re: Advice on how to deal with situation

at school? - Homeschool programs?

,

My heart goes out to you...I couldn't bear to know that my little

one was THAT upset about going somewhere that should be fun - at

least at that age...Kindergarten should not be causing a child

stress!

I am sure if you Googled " Illinois homeschool " , a ton of info should

be available. I am sure there are homeschooling parent

groups...maybe even here on .

God Bless you both!

Heahter in OH

>

> Hey everyone - we have been experiencing issues with school since

day 2 this year - and

> this is only kindergarten!!! It has gotten to the point that

Ethan cries in the morning

> before we go - fights me to even get in the car - and cries

himself to sleep at night

> because he has such anxiety over going to school in the morning.

>

> I have spoken with the teacher, principal (had several meetings

with these two over the

> past 2 months!), and special ed coordinator in the past few

weeks. Last week I sent in

> someone to observe since it was to hard for him to stay engaged

when I tried to. She

> went 2 days. On the first day she observed him he was not in the

classroom much - as it

> was a day filled with therapy. The second day she observed, he

had a majority of

> classroom time. While the rest of the class did centers he was at

a desk with his aid in

> the corner of the room. She told me he had zero interaction with

other kids in the room

> - and that the teacher had ZERO interaction with him the entire

time he was in the room!

> Plus they had him working on colors, shapes, and tracing his

name. He can do these

> things - has been able to for at least 3 months now. We worked

our butts off this

> summer to accomplish this - tracing I can see because he needs

work. So, I called our

> special ed coordinator and made him aware of the situation

yesterday.

>

> The teacher keeps giving me the line that his education is driven

by his IEP. I feel as

> though she is using the IEP as a weapon instead of a tool. In the

state of Illinois you do

> not technically have to be enrolled in school until the age of 7.

Ethan is 6. I have

> thought about taking him out of school. Then I think about

therapy - and social skills. I

> wanted him to have interaction with other kids - if he is not

getting that then why is he

> there. I wanted him to learn and socialize. I am just rethinking

the whole school thing.

> Maybe it is not for every kid - or maybe I need to fight some

more. I am just feeling bad

> about sending him some place that causes such anxiety for him. I

want him to be

> comfortable. I want him to at least tolerate school without a

huge fight. Then I think

> about homeschool curriculums - I don't even know where to begin!

I feel confident I

> could do it - but first I have to find something that would even

work. I just want a back

> up plan - options!

>

> What have been some of your experiences?

>

> Thanks,

>

>

> Ethan's Mom~

>

[Guest guest]

Something needs to be done. No matter what a child's abilities or

disabilities, none should be unhappy at school. If a small child

feels so anxious about going to school, something is wrong. Maybe you

can fix it, but something needs to change- as soon as possible.

good luck.

> >

> > Hey everyone - we have been experiencing issues with school since

> day 2 this year - and

> > this is only kindergarten!!! It has gotten to the point that Ethan

> cries in the morning

> > before we go - fights me to even get in the car - and cries himself

> to sleep at night

> > because he has such anxiety over going to school in the morning.

> >

> > I have spoken with the teacher, principal (had several meetings

> with these two over the

> > past 2 months!), and special ed coordinator in the past few weeks.

> Last week I sent in

> > someone to observe since it was to hard for him to stay engaged

> when I tried to. She

> > went 2 days. On the first day she observed him he was not in the

> classroom much - as it

> > was a day filled with therapy. The second day she observed, he had

> a majority of

> > classroom time. While the rest of the class did centers he was at

> a desk with his aid in

> > the corner of the room. She told me he had zero interaction with

> other kids in the room

> > - and that the teacher had ZERO interaction with him the entire

> time he was in the room!

> > Plus they had him working on colors, shapes, and tracing his name.

> He can do these

> > things - has been able to for at least 3 months now. We worked our

> butts off this

> > summer to accomplish this - tracing I can see because he needs

> work. So, I called our

> > special ed coordinator and made him aware of the situation

> yesterday.

> >

> > The teacher keeps giving me the line that his education is driven

> by his IEP. I feel as

> > though she is using the IEP as a weapon instead of a tool. In the

> state of Illinois you do

> > not technically have to be enrolled in school until the age of 7.

> Ethan is 6. I have

> > thought about taking him out of school. Then I think about

> therapy - and social skills. I

> > wanted him to have interaction with other kids - if he is not

> getting that then why is he

> > there. I wanted him to learn and socialize. I am just rethinking

> the whole school thing.

> > Maybe it is not for every kid - or maybe I need to fight some

> more. I am just feeling bad

> > about sending him some place that causes such anxiety for him. I

> want him to be

> > comfortable. I want him to at least tolerate school without a huge

> fight. Then I think

> > about homeschool curriculums - I don't even know where to begin! I

> feel confident I

> > could do it - but first I have to find something that would even

> work. I just want a back

> > up plan - options!

> >

> > What have been some of your experiences?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

> > Ethan's Mom~

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi -

 

We had similar issues

 

I have some questions.

 

1-  Does he have a BIP?

2-  Have you called another IEP

3-  What social goals are written in his IEP for interaction with typical peers.

4-  Do you have an advocate yet.

5-  What academic goals are in the IEP

6-  Does he have any psych /neuropsych testing done than can substantiate his

abilities and knowlege of colors and shapes. Do you have a private ot eval who

can document he can trace his name.

 

What I hear is the teacher telling you to get a better IEP....  more difficult

goals for him..

 

 

 

Personally, I would fight the battle now and not take him out unless you plan to

home school or go private .  You will have to fight this battle sometime and I

think it is better when they are younger.

 

I have a good speical needs coach,if you want her name.  She does

everythingremotely and can help you with the process. She is a retired

neuropsych and our school was very receptive to her ideas. In fact, she

recommended PLAYATTENTION for our duaghter at school and we areworking at

gettingit in the IEP--- this  is neurofeedback   www.playattention.com--  and it

helps with focusing.

 

Good luck.

 

 

sl 

 

 

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Sharon Lang

From: <lulusmom98@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Advice on how to deal with situation at

school? - Homeschool programs?

Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 7:43 PM

Something needs to be done. No matter what a child's abilities or

disabilities, none should be unhappy at school. If a small child

feels so anxious about going to school, something is wrong. Maybe you

can fix it, but something needs to change- as soon as possible.

good luck.

> >

> > Hey everyone - we have been experiencing issues with school since

> day 2 this year - and

> > this is only kindergarten! !! It has gotten to the point that Ethan

> cries in the morning

> > before we go - fights me to even get in the car - and cries himself

> to sleep at night

> > because he has such anxiety over going to school in the morning.

> >

> > I have spoken with the teacher, principal (had several meetings

> with these two over the

> > past 2 months!), and special ed coordinator in the past few weeks.

> Last week I sent in

> > someone to observe since it was to hard for him to stay engaged

> when I tried to. She

> > went 2 days. On the first day she observed him he was not in the

> classroom much - as it

> > was a day filled with therapy. The second day she observed, he had

> a majority of

> > classroom time. While the rest of the class did centers he was at

> a desk with his aid in

> > the corner of the room. She told me he had zero interaction with

> other kids in the room

> > - and that the teacher had ZERO interaction with him the entire

> time he was in the room!

> > Plus they had him working on colors, shapes, and tracing his name.

> He can do these

> > things - has been able to for at least 3 months now. We worked our

> butts off this

> > summer to accomplish this - tracing I can see because he needs

> work. So, I called our

> > special ed coordinator and made him aware of the situation

> yesterday.

> >

> > The teacher keeps giving me the line that his education is driven

> by his IEP. I feel as

> > though she is using the IEP as a weapon instead of a tool. In the

> state of Illinois you do

> > not technically have to be enrolled in school until the age of 7.

> Ethan is 6. I have

> > thought about taking him out of school. Then I think about

> therapy - and social skills. I

> > wanted him to have interaction with other kids - if he is not

> getting that then why is he

> > there. I wanted him to learn and socialize. I am just rethinking

> the whole school thing.

> > Maybe it is not for every kid - or maybe I need to fight some

> more. I am just feeling bad

> > about sending him some place that causes such anxiety for him. I

> want him to be

> > comfortable. I want him to at least tolerate school without a huge

> fight. Then I think

> > about homeschool curriculums - I don't even know where to begin! I

> feel confident I

> > could do it - but first I have to find something that would even

> work. I just want a back

> > up plan - options!

> >

> > What have been some of your experiences?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

> > Ethan's Mom~

> >

>

[Guest guest]

My now 5yr 4 mo ds had an IEP when he was 4 1/2 and was in our local

public school Pre-Kindergarten Diasbility class. He was with 5 other

boys whom the Aide told me were Emotionally Disturbed. I now realize

this placement wasn't the best for my son who cannot speak clearly.

His teacher never used his PECS communication book. I later learned

she had no experience with it.

For us homeschooling is a better option. My children have friends

and now that I am in my 7th year homeschooling my children no one in

the family thinks they'll be weird or anything like that! LOL!

There *is* a lot of material out there for you to choose from! My

advise is not to buy a prepackaged curriculum since it may not be a

perfect fit for your child. I have done that twice thinking it would

be easier and inevitably parts of it my child already knows and parts

of it my child is not ready for! You are smarter than a

kindergartener! Homeschooling is easy and you learn along with your

child so you both get smarter.

Best wishes!

Sincerely,

Debra, homeschooling mom of 4

>

> Hey everyone - we have been experiencing issues with school since

day 2 this year - and

> this is only kindergarten!!! It has gotten to the point that Ethan

cries in the morning

> before we go - fights me to even get in the car - and cries himself

to sleep at night

> because he has such anxiety over going to school in the morning.

>

> I have spoken with the teacher, principal (had several meetings

with these two over the

> past 2 months!), and special ed coordinator in the past few weeks.

Last week I sent in

> someone to observe since it was to hard for him to stay engaged

when I tried to. She

> went 2 days. On the first day she observed him he was not in the

classroom much - as it

> was a day filled with therapy. The second day she observed, he had

a majority of

> classroom time. While the rest of the class did centers he was at

a desk with his aid in

> the corner of the room. She told me he had zero interaction with

other kids in the room

> - and that the teacher had ZERO interaction with him the entire

time he was in the room!

> Plus they had him working on colors, shapes, and tracing his name.

He can do these

> things - has been able to for at least 3 months now. We worked our

butts off this

> summer to accomplish this - tracing I can see because he needs

work. So, I called our

> special ed coordinator and made him aware of the situation

yesterday.

>

> The teacher keeps giving me the line that his education is driven

by his IEP. I feel as

> though she is using the IEP as a weapon instead of a tool. In the

state of Illinois you do

> not technically have to be enrolled in school until the age of 7.

Ethan is 6. I have

> thought about taking him out of school. Then I think about

therapy - and social skills. I

> wanted him to have interaction with other kids - if he is not

getting that then why is he

> there. I wanted him to learn and socialize. I am just rethinking

the whole school thing.

> Maybe it is not for every kid - or maybe I need to fight some

more. I am just feeling bad

> about sending him some place that causes such anxiety for him. I

want him to be

> comfortable. I want him to at least tolerate school without a huge

fight. Then I think

> about homeschool curriculums - I don't even know where to begin! I

feel confident I

> could do it - but first I have to find something that would even

work. I just want a back

> up plan - options!

>

> What have been some of your experiences?

>

> Thanks,

>

>

> Ethan's Mom~

>