|
|
Post by shelly75964 on Nov 13, 2003 14:10:54 GMT -5
My son's school principal called me at work today because my son told him that we have a Dr. appt. tomorrow and the principal wants to give me some advice on medications!!!!!!! He wanted to know what my son had taken in the past, what he was taking now and what he would be taking after the Dr. apt.?!?!?!?!?!? I am a little confused...Isn't this a violation of rights or something?!?!?!?! Please help me..
|
|
1Madison
New Member
Tomorrow is another day..........
Posts: 18
|
Post by 1Madison on Nov 13, 2003 14:18:56 GMT -5
Hi,
That would be a HARD one! I've not gotten into the first interview with my daughters evaluation but it's coming up and I heard they do bring up the topic of meds. I know from pryor experence I'm NOT interested in the meds route. I'm too trying to put my emotions aside and tell them calmly "No, that's not the route we wish to take." They don't know my feeling as of yet. I do believe they want in ALOT of ways a easy way out and WE'LL have to find another route. I think if you EXPRESS your feelings about however you feel and be firm about it they will listen. I think the schools are scared to even suggest medications, etc. THEY don't KNOW the LONG term effects of such medicines and it's effect on every child. What MIGHT work for some children might have damaging effects in the long run for others. I don't even feel like I've got to give them any answers on how I feel but a polite "no, thank you" when it comes to MEDS. I'm NOT against meds but for us it's a NO go. Hope this helps a little and keep us posted on the meeting...Take care.......Madison
|
|
|
|
Post by Allanque on Nov 13, 2003 14:21:14 GMT -5
I'd ask the principal what he got his degree in that he's qualified to give medical advice.
|
|
|
|
Post by shelly75964 on Nov 13, 2003 14:30:13 GMT -5
I have had a lot of issues with this school and this is our first year (we are in an Intermidiate School). We had some issues last year in the Elementary school but this year there are like 3 or 4 principals and then you have an assitant principal. So you have a case of "The Right Hand Doesn't Know What the Left Hand is Doing." Teachers take up their agenda's take points off for the smallest and dumbest things. And the agenda is a grade!!! The Assistant Principal told me that if a student has 2 failing grades then that student will be retained. Well guess what, we just finished the 1st. nine weeks of school, received report cards and my son had two failing grades, one was the agenda grade and the other was his reading (he has dyslexia, it is expected, but not wanted). So I guess we will be repeating the 5th grade. How do you tell you child that??? This is basically the beginning of the school year and already we know that he has to repeat it. UGGGGGGG!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by catseye on Nov 13, 2003 14:31:15 GMT -5
I am kind of torn on the issue... Granted the principal shouldnt be giving medical "advice", but since he already knew you are going to the dr the principal wasnt necessarily pushing drugs... Lets face it some dr's dont know some of the newer stuff out there, and personally I could of used all the suggestions I could get before we went to the dr... Just to make me feel more prepared, and less like an idiot...
What the principal did was NOT right, but it could really benefit you IF you are going the medicine route... I dont think the principal should of assumed just because you are going to the dr, that you have descided to give medication a try...
Either way Good luck at the dr appt tomorrow!!
cat
|
|
|
|
Post by eaccae on Nov 13, 2003 14:59:36 GMT -5
On one hand - the principal seems to care enough to call you up and show interest. On the other hand - as an administrator - and not even a psychologist - he doesn't really have the expertise to give you this information.
Also - I don't like your school's policy!!! DS is known for being a mid-year bloomer. He always just makes it through the first couple of months and then around the end of December - beginning of January - takes off. It is a pattern that even the principal has noticed. He can go up 1 level in the first few months in reading and then 20 levels from January through June. In some cases I can see maybe knowing that it is a possibility or a probabilty depending on the circumstance. But considering that your son has dyslexia so the reading part is going to be a struggle . . . and it IS only about 2.5 months into the school year - I guess I don't get it. Some school policies don't make sense to me. Kind of takes the motivation away too, doesn't it?
|
|
|
|
Post by shelly75964 on Nov 13, 2003 15:06:07 GMT -5
Kind of takes the motivation away too, doesn't it?
***************
It sure does take the motivation out of it. If I wasn't so devoted to my son and his education, I would take him out and say "What's the use, we are gonna have to do it again anyway." I feel that way sometimes, but I would never do it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Honeysmom on Nov 13, 2003 15:10:03 GMT -5
It is possible that the principal is really trying to be helpful. Maybe he has had first hand expeirence with this and feels like he has some good advice to give. It may be worth listening too. That would probably be a good time to bring up his grades with him.
I have a very strong opinion that once kids are past the 2nd, maybe 3rd, grades they should no longer be held back. If a child is that far behind at that age the school has some work to do. I think it is embaressing at that age for kids. Last year in our old school district they held an 8th grader back and the parents pulled him out and sent him to the neighboring district. That is just too hard on a kid that age. Just personal opinion, I am sure some people disagree with me.
|
|
|
|
Post by catseye on Nov 13, 2003 15:22:37 GMT -5
I DO agree, but on the other other hand (didnt know I had 3 hands LMAO) WE technically dont really have the expertise to give this information or advice either (unless there are psychologists on the board anyway)... Yet its human nature to want to share information you have learned either by experience, or friend of a friend even information can help sometimes...
we can get all the either solicitated or unsolicitated advice and information, in order to make the most informed descision for our kids... JMHO (just my honest opinion)...
cat
|
|
|
|
Post by Allanque on Nov 13, 2003 15:28:10 GMT -5
I realize that, but I'd argue that the fact that he's in a position of authority could make it seem like he has more expertise to some people. I DO agree, but on the other other hand (didnt know I had 3 hands LMAO) WE technically dont really have the expertise to give this information or advice either (unless there are psychologists on the board anyway)... Yet its human nature to want to share information you have learned either by experience, or friend of a friend even information can help sometimes... we can get all the either solicitated or unsolicitated advice and information, in order to make the most informed descision for our kids... JMHO (just my honest opinion)... cat |
|
|
|
Post by Dad2Brooke on Nov 13, 2003 15:37:33 GMT -5
The Assistant Principal told me that if a student has 2 failing grades then that student will be retained. Well guess what, we just finished the 1st. nine weeks of school, received report cards and my son had two failing grades, one was the agenda grade and the other was his reading (he has dyslexia, it is expected, but not wanted). So I guess we will be repeating the 5th grade. How do you tell you child that??? This is basically the beginning of the school year and already we know that he has to repeat it. UGGGGGGG!!!! Maybe I am naive, but I thought that the failing grades had to be at the end of the year. I find it hard to believe that if a child is failing two subjects in the beginning of the year it is all over for them.  Brooke is in this same situation. She is in the 1st grade and has "failed" math and writing for the first semester. I specifically asked her teacher what that meant, and was told that as long as she pulled them up by year end she would pass. Not to second guess you, but I would ask for a clarification on this issue. It is a huge burden to bear for the rest of the year and is a definite morale killer.  Good luck ;D |
|
|
|
Post by catseye on Nov 13, 2003 15:38:28 GMT -5
True, I can see how hearing it from someone like that could feel almost intimidating even... I didnt think of that till after I read your post...  cat |
|
|
|
Post by Angelia on Nov 13, 2003 23:31:16 GMT -5
I want to jump back a bit, and go back to the issue of the principal calling about your childs meds. and doctors appointment. I am a little suprised about how most people posted on this topic. I would have figured more people would have been outragged, because I am totally outragged! I would have not been a happy camper with the principal calling me at my job, and asking me about things that are really none of his buisiness. I believe that the medication that the doctor and I have placed my child on is our buisiness and our buisiness alone! I believe that a medical doctor is much more qualified in giving me advice on medication for my child than a school principal is. I know that at the school my child goes to that it is not allowed for the teacher to even say that they think that a child may have adhd let alone ask when he goes to the doctor, and what type of medication he is on. I would think that with the new hepa laws in order that this would be totally illegal for him to ask about your childs medical doctor or what types of medication he was on. Now to me it is a completely different story if I choose to share this information with you, but unless I choose to do so I would expect the school to keep thier nose out of mine and my childs personal buisiness.
|
|
|
|
Post by TexasMom on Nov 14, 2003 0:13:23 GMT -5
Right on Angelia, it's none of his business!! The only thing I have told the school is that Steven is on medication for the iep. It helps qualify him for services.
|
|
|
|
Post by dansmommy on Nov 14, 2003 0:27:00 GMT -5
I am really surprised that the principal decided to get into it about meds. They're so individual in how a kid reacts to them, not to mention how parents feel about them, not to mention that your doctor is the one who spends his time giving out these meds and really knows about them. I guess I'd probably listen to what the principal said and then say, "Well I feel very confident in Dr. L's ability to manage my son's meds." If I was in a good mood. Anyway. Also if it really is true that he can't pass fifth grade, would it be possible for you to take him out and homeschool him for the rest of the year? I would clarify that because it seems like he could do summer school if nothing else, but if it were my child, I wouldn't leave him in school knowing he wouldn't pass. You could explore other ways for him to learn as well, like having him pursue his interests and helping him get his education around what he's passionate about. Christie
|
|
