we taught the teachers!

[lauries]

Four years ago, we began our fight with ds' school for a 504 plan. It took us 2 years to get it & his was the first one in the that school. We fought with the principal, school psychologist, teachers & reading specialists. One day, the reading specialist even told my husband & me, " Well, I don't know what your going to do for him." Unbelievable! But we got a plan for him & it was the FIRST 504 plan in the history of this school.

Anyway, my son is now in the middle school & we have a great team effort with the new school. He has a friend still in the elementary school & his mother just told me that her son was "OFFERED A 504 PLAN". Can you believe that. So I figured that we have opened a few teachers eyes, cuz Lord knows the principal was too dense.

I was so mad at first that I had to fight so hard & then it was just offered to her. Then, my husband said that because of our fight, other children & their families don't have to fight.

So now, I am very proud. I wanted to share this with everyone because I know how frustrating the fights are that you are going throgh. But this shows that a better good comes from it also for the next family that needs help.

Keep strong & don't let those school officials bully you around. You know what's right for your own child...keep fighting for it. It does pay off for all of us.

Thanks for everything here,
Laurie

[rosyred45]

Thank you Laurie for fighting for all of our kids.
The super in our school told me last year that the school doesn't do 504's

Then the principal told me she was thinking about a 504 for Mikey. WHooHoo She was in my boat about 15 years ago.

Thank you Thank you Thankyou from the bottom of the hearts that can't express it here.
Kaiti

[Linda]

Laurie...you did a great job of advocating for your son..it is hard but well worth it

[finnmom]

Laurie
Great! You really can be proud of youselfs!

Think this by this way; If you wouldn´t had the strenght to fight, there could be many familie´s that dont have the strenght/cabability to fight at the first place. Great road opener, you did!!!

Marja

[lauries]

Isn't it sad that we have to fight so hard for our kids?
I kept asking our "team" if we were all there for the same reasons-to help educate the children! I still get so mad about how they try to bully us.

My accomplishment is very small but if we all keep at, then most of the fights will be unnecessary.

Rosyred, grab that 504 & don't let it go! You know how hard they are to get:)

You are the best,
Laurie

[rosyred45]

Thanks for that support. By the way, feel free to give me any suggestions for it.

I'm all ears, and eyes
Kaiti

[lauries]

Rosyred,

I have heard all the school's excuses, well, maybe not all!!

From the school psychologist:
"Do you want your child labeled"
" Well, if you don't want your child labeled, then don't have him tested."
"Haven't had time to get in to observe him."
"Well, if we do the testing now, then we can't do it for another 5 years." LIAR

From the principal:
" Well, he did so well in Kindergarten & 1st grade." He's a kinetic learner. How stupid is she to ask me that!
"Well, Mrs. Sunyog, any good teacher would make the adjustments for your child." I had the distinct pleasure to let her know that all teachers are not created equal.

They even planned a bat meeting with his speech teachers knowledge. She has the only IEP on him for speech only.

I was educating myself during all of this because I just couldn't believe what was happening. I used the forum & books & my contacts in the education field to help me know what to ask for.

Each child has different needs & thos needs change from year to year. Both the 504 & IEP are liquid enough to modify as your child grows.

Good Luck & if you need any help, please feel free to cantact me at [e-mail]

Don't let them know you are flustered!

[lauries]

I meant to say without the speech teacher's knowledge.
Sorry, now you all know that I didn't preview it pefore posting