First day!

[Kiki_3173]

Teddy001... I am SO glad to hear that your first days of homeschooling are going well! I know you were nervous, but it all worked out so well. I am sorry that you and your daughter had such difficult times with both schools. From a teacher's point of view, I am appalled at some of the decisions made by them both! Your daughters best interest (and all children's) best interest should always be at the forefront of every decision made!!! However, you have done what your daughter needs to successfully learn and I am glad to hear that she's thriving and seems healthier these last few days. Here's to many more days like your first one

[Teddy001]

Thanks so much, Kiki.. I know not all schools and teachers are like what we've experienced.. She's a trooper, dispite her constant illness's she worked hard, with keeping up with her studies, and maintained honor roll A's & B's, but continuing on there, would have been torturous..
One subject, "cursive writing" was not taught at her
school, and she is going to be tested on it, 3rd quarter. I sat
with her yesterday and started with the vowels- She had a meltdown
" afraid" she'd never learn all the alphabets.. In the A Beka
they start teaching cursive penmanship very early, K5- I'm sure
she will do just fine. It's the fear of the unknown, I think.
So, tonight I purchased teacher help aids, visual for cursive
and math aids- come to find out, she was just starting division
before I withdrew her, and she really doesn't have a few
sets of multipications memorized by sight, and she
really does need to know 1-12 by sight to keep up
with A Beka math. A Beka is an quarter advanced than
where she was, in public school. I'm glad I started her
at 2nd quarter A Beka, seems math is the only subject
she is a little behind, at this point.
Today (Friday) will be refresher, flash cards, and cursive
writing practice, then I'm giving her a short school
day due to target date on completing the 3rd grade
A Beka curriculum is Nov. lol. I'm sure she will finish
by mid June, at the latest. I'm not sure that I'll start
4th grade in June, may let her have a few months off for
Summer vacation, then start in the Fall.

[Teddy001]

Originally Posted by HollyHamster

I've seen commercials on TV for a homeschooling program that is free, and is mostly done online, but there are standard materials, like books and such, that are used. Its called K-12 or something, and is part of the public school system. Its also self paced.

I know that its only one of many home school options, though.

Thanks, Holly.. I saw K-12 homeschool program, but don't think it's the same one your referring to- this one wants $5,000 per year, ( not including books!) Eeeeks! It did sound interesting, they said it was considered an " private" homeschool, which when explained to me, each student was assigned an actual teacher, that could be " skyped" at anytime ( durning the day) if a child has any questions, or parents. The one I elected to go with has been around for over 40 years, and you can chose accredited or non accredited- I went with accredited, due to they generate the report cards, and transcripts are accepted by colleges. Just looking further down the line,in case I decide to continue homeschooling throughout high years. It's not the cheapest program, although, if you have the time and patience to shop for bargins with the books needed, gently used books, and teaching materials, then you can buy the self led teaching program. That wouldn't include DVD's or computer streaming, access. I was pressed for time so, had to splurge and buy an (kit) which includes the online streaming, ( awesome BTW) and all the books and teachers manuals for 3rd grade. It was about $1,000 or so. Which is much cheaper than paying Private school tuition where I'm at. The public school, Theres only 1 school that is in my district, sorry to say, is awful.. They passed a law to teach common core, which omits, spelling, and cursive handwriting..just this year.. And has over crowded classrooms, overworked teachers, that just appear " burned out" and non caring.
Maybe I'll look into that program you saw on TV.. Free is good! .

[Teddy001]

Originally Posted by Zoopism

I am glad to hear your daughter is not unwell x She sounds like a sweetheart an doesn't deserve that.
I hope whatever happens that you are both happy and hammy infested

Thank you-- happy and hammie infested, indeed!! Lol

[Kiki_3173]

Teddy001...you mentioned that the principal "rejected" the 504 plan for your daughter. To be honest, that didn't sit very well with me and it has been bugging me for days!!! I asked around my school to a couple of the Special Education teachers AND our Title 1 facilitator, who also has a background in Special Ed. Not that you want to take your daughter back to that public school, but EVERY ONE of those teachers I asked said that if the issue your daughter was having (specified in the 504) was impeding in her learning and making growth/gains, than legally, that principal CAN NOT reject the 504 plan!! First of all, there should be a 504 Committee that meets to discuss & determine eligibility...not just a principal. And regardless of the committee's decision, the principal does not have the authority to veto it based on Section 504 and IDEA laws!!! I DO know that 504 plans mainly protect children with LD's or attention disorders, so I'm not sure of the fine print about other health disorders, but for future reference...there is always the diagnosis of OHI (other health impairment), given by a doctor. The info below is from a website that breaks down some specifics about OHI & what qualifies:

"IDEA states that:
Other health impairment means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that—

(i) Is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome; and

(ii) Adversely affects a child’s educational performance.

We’d also like to point out that IDEA’s definition uses the phrase “such as…” That’s significant. It means that the disabilities listed are not the only ones that may be considered when a child’s eligibility for special services under IDEA is decided. A child with another health impairment (one not listed in IDEA’s definition) may be found eligible for special services and assistance. What’s central to all the disabilities falling under “Other Health Impairment” is that the child must have:

-limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic health problems; and
-an educational performance that is negatively affected as a result."

Sorry about the crazy rant & lots of info, but it really rubs me the wrong way when some of us in the school systems, work SO VERY HARD to give every student the best education they deserve, and then hear about these boneheads that won't lift a finger. It give the whole profession such a bad reputation

I thought it sounded fishy the moment I read what you wrote! How absurd this school must be!?!?!

[Teddy001]

I did not know that..! What was explained to us, by the therapist, whom highly suggested to submit the 504, is that the school principle could reject the 504. Also, we were told, the school has 60 days from the time the 504 is submitted, to even reply, And the school superintendent could be contacted, if the school did not reply to the 504, because the therapist had called 3-4 times, trying to connect with the school counselor and principle. She never did get a return call from the school counselor, and after 2 weeks, was able to speak to the principle. The 504 was submitted, and the school did not acknowledge it, for 2 weeks after it was submitted. That left 6 weeks until the end of the year, by then my daughter would have suffered medically and the risk of her declining even further medically, and mentally, so we withdrew her, after I got feedback from the therapist, that the principle had rejected the 504 terms. I was told, the reason for the rejection, was the time
limit, ( not enough time) to implement the needs of the school. I don't want to speculate why the school handled us, like so, but perhaps they assumed we'd withdraw her, or they would
fail her, due to she had missed the max amount of days
allowed per their school policy, even though every absence
was excused by a medical doctor- I hate to even think this, but after research
I found that if in that school/district, they withhold 1 student, they receive $1,500 from the state.. They'd make an profit failing my daughter. This
practice is unethical, but I can't think of any other reasons why they would not
accommodate to help with my daughter other than her medical is an inconvenience for the school/teacher to deal with. Kiki, we are in the " backsticks" of Alabama- very rural area. To give you an idea, there's 1 Elem school, (K5-6 grade) for my area, which was built in 1930's, with little to no renovations- they are operating on very min staff, and parents are asked to help.(volunteer) they keep things as is, not open to " change" - the school has 4 computers that's used, on a student rotation . The school has missed state funding, for years! Seems like the " richer" schools get the funding, and the " poor" schools get very little from what my daughters teacher once said. I'm not sure how all that works, but one thing I'm glad about, we are no longer needing to deal with that school .. Lol

No, she'll never go back to that school..
Thank you so much for the information..
I'm going to pass this on to the therapist, as
God forbid another child may need help with an 504 in that school.

[Teddy001]

Kiki, Kindergarden, 1st, 2nd, and part of 3rd grade, the teachers my daughter had we're Excellent!! They were all a parent could ever wish for.! The teachers taught at the Private Catholic School, and my daughter strived, loved school, loved her teachers, and had no stress, anxiety, stomach pains. She just fell too far behind due to getting pneumonia, otherwise we would have kept her at that school.
These are the diagnosis supported by doctors, that was impending in her ability interrupting her school studies.
asthma
Chronic pain syndrome
Anxiety
Depression
FAP
IBS
Acid reflex
Vomiting
Two medical doctors diagnosed and recommended the school comply with the 504 plan written specifically to help her stay in school and be as comfortable as can be expected.
Maybe they did not feel she qualifying?( the school) since she was able to maintain good grades.. Idk?
I did not speak to the principle, because, I'm not sure I'd be able to contain myself, and would most likely end badly.

[Kiki_3173]

Originally Posted by Teddy001

I did not know that..! What was explained to us, by the therapist, whom highly suggested to submit the 504, is that the school principle could reject the 504. Also, we were told, the school has 60 days from the time the 504 is submitted, to even reply, And the school superintendent could be contacted, if the school did not reply to the 504, because the therapist had called 3-4 times, trying to connect with the school counselor and principle. She never did get a return call from the school counselor, and after 2 weeks, was able to speak to the principle. The 504 was submitted, and the school did not acknowledge it, for 2 weeks after it was submitted. That left 6 weeks until the end of the year, by then my daughter would have suffered medically and the risk of her declining even further medically, and mentally, so we withdrew her, after I got feedback from the therapist, that the principle had rejected the 504 terms. I was told, the reason for the rejection, was the time
limit, ( not enough time) to implement the needs of the school. I don't want to speculate why the school handled us, like so, but perhaps they assumed we'd withdraw her, or they would
fail her, due to she had missed the max amount of days
allowed per their school policy, even though every absence
was excused by a medical doctor- I hate to even think this, but after research I found that if in that school/district, they withhold 1 student, they receive $1,500 from the state.. They'd make an profit failing my daughter. This practice is unethical, but I can't think of any other reasons why they would not accommodate to help with my daughter other than her medical is an inconvenience for the school/teacher to deal with. Kiki, we are in the " backsticks" of Alabama- very rural area. To give you an idea, there's 1 Elem school, (K5-6 grade) for my area, which was built in 1930's, with little to no renovations- they are operating on very min staff, and parents are asked to help.(volunteer) they keep things as is, not open to " change" - the school has 4 computers that's used, on a student rotation . The school has missed state funding, for years! Seems like the " richer" schools get the funding, and the " poor" schools get very little from what my daughters teacher once said. I'm not sure how all that works, but one thing I'm glad about, we are no longer needing to deal with that school .. Lol

No, she'll never go back to that school..
Thank you so much for the information..
I'm going to pass this on to the therapist, as
God forbid another child may need help with an 504 in that school.

Regardless of backsticks of Alabama...the law, is the law! The 504 submitted should have been decided on by a committee...it is not a principal decision. She may not have qualified for a 504, but again, that's up to a committee to decided and someone at that school (in the best interest of your daughter) should have recommended OHI. Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm surprised your therapist didn't mention it. As for the $$ for retaining your daughter...I'm not sure because every state is different, but it sounds "rotten" to me! I know that Alabama is divided between city and county schools and the city schools get $$ from taxes, where as county schools do not. It's very much like where I came from in NC...that is until someone got smart & thought it was a good idea just to have all of the schools in one county (including the ones in the city) as a school system. The tax revenue was split between the schools equally!

Anywhoo...if the case arises where you need to put her back into public (or private) schools in the future (middle or high), in her best interest, I'd look into getting her diagnosed as OHI.

Again...I am SO sorry you and your daughter had to deal with crap school system employees. Sadly enough, not everyone has the best interest of the child at heart and not everyone is built to be an advocate for each & every child at their school or in their classroom. Those kind of people tear away little bits each day, from the good (in schools) that some of us work our whole lives to accomplish! Either way...your daughter is in much better hands now

[Teddy001]

Kiki- no I've never heard of OHI- there was another term she used, but she said, that was typically used for children that are physically handicapped.
Now thinking back, the therapist, said the principle did not approve the 504, and gave numerous " excuses" - there was something that I' just remembered- she did say, the school could hold a meeting? And invited the therapist? Maybe that was the " committee" you mentioned, that would have been the deciding factor of the 504- I was not going to wait for a meeting, after I was told no go for the 504..
I will revisit this 504 and the conclusion with the therapist- just for my peace of mind, I'd like very clear and precise explanation of the process and if I misunderstood her. Alexis ( my daughter) was caught up, with the class assignments, had good grades, and 6 weeks she may have been able to finish 3rd grade there. Oh, well.. Shes relaxed and comfortable, and doing very well with her studies. Thanks so much, Kiki- I appreciate you asking the teachers and letting me know how the 504 works..and advice on getting my daughter diag for OHI. You've been a great help, and I know how hard and committed most teachers/schools are.. teachers are a very very very important position. I remember the teachers I've had, that where an big impact on who I am today.
Enjoy your Summer, relax and have a ton of FUN, you deserve it!

[Teddy001]

The school is a county school. No funds from taxes given.