Check!

*Papers filed - check!
*copy mailed - check!
*Tyler registered into HeadStart? - check!
*Robert accepted into VoTech Hotel & Hospitality - CHECK!! Gotta go Monday to get his registration finalized and he starts on Thursday!
*Harley's still not getting into the transition class BUT we are meeting with his primary provider today at 1:00 and Monday and Wednesday and his first day is Thursday!
Harley's transportation is still a mess but following up and working on it!!

So at least I feel like I got some stuff accomplisshed today!

Now I'm gonna give you a FlashBack Friday picture beause it's such a sweet pic!

Harley in May 1999 - he's so sweet!

Been Swamped!!

Things have been so busy since my last post. Trying to get the house cleaned, the household chores caught up before this crazy week of school registrations start.

Kelly got her haircut yesterday and it's super cute...as soon as she unloads the pic from her camera phone I'll get it put up here....

The "new" middle school for Harley is already starting off on the wrong foot. First off they didn't do the forms they were supposed to do for his special bus transportation so I had to contact the directors again. Finally got it fixed and he's got an aide on the bus but they FAILED to give him door to door transportation...so back to Arc, back to the director and now still waiting for the schedule to come.

Today was his school registration. I tried to get him into the "Club" they have for 7th graders transitioning...it gives them 3 days, 2 hours a day to meet peers, get used to the schedule, use their locker, do mock schedules...over two weeks ago when I started on the back to school paperwork I asked to register him and was told that he would need to register during registration. I get there to register him today and was told that it's already full...I asked how that could be and they tell me they've been registering students since APRIL?! Liars!! I tried to register him two weeks ago and they said I couldn't!! I'm pissed!! They put him in a waiting list and then said since he's special ed they would just have his counselor take him on a school tour...NO THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!! He should be able to and given priority to particpate with peers to get the full effect with noises and all!! So I said fine, let me talk to his counselor and get it straightened out...umm...sorry, she's not in till Thursday or Friday of this week....GRRRRHHH!!!

They are making this transition harder and it's really really frustrating!!

School Registrations...Already?!

I spent Wednesday morning on the phone. It sucks let me tell ya..the frustration builds more and more with each phone call...

Robert's decided he doesn't wanna do culinary arts program at votech..well he's on a waitlist to start it in SEPT!! He wants to switch to hospitality (which was his 2nd choice). So I call his counselor for spec ed at school...nope, he's not in til the 13th (school starts on the 24th!)..Ok, so I called votech direct....the person I need to talk to doesn't return til Monday. GRH!! These are spec ed people/counselors so I thought...well guess not!!

So I call Harley's school...Harley's more specialized spec ed right? He's transitioning into a new school (middle from elementary)...when we had his transition meeting in May...his primary provider told us she would be in all summer long. I call to talk to her about getting ready for transition and she's not in till the 14th!! UGH! Double UGH! There's a transition class that starts on the 17th I wanted to get him enrolled in but I can't enroll him til registration on the 10th. I have to make arrangements for a private aide to be with him since this is an 'extra' bonus class they are holding for all 7th graders...that won't give me much time...

This is the first time since he started school in preK that he is going to a 'neighborhood school'...he's always been what they consider an out of area placement. He's considered special needs transportation and gets an aide on the bus as well as door to door pickup. I called transportation and was told "nope this year he is riding with the regular kids and he is being picked up where everyone else is picked up"....IF he has to ride the regular bus, I have to have him there *gulp* 6:45 AM ... with two little ones and trying to get the teens motivated to catch their bus as well...PLUS it takes over an hour to get him ready to go in the AM...His IEP DOES outline that he is supposed to get "special transportation"--due to his behaviors and flight risk...he still needs help simply walking in a parking lot!!

So I called ARC...I wasn't sure if the special transportation was cut because of the budget cuts, if it was an oversight or if it was because he's now in middle school? Patricia tells me that since it is marked on his IEP that he is specialized transportation then the incoming school was supposed to have submitted a form at the end of last year to notify transportation. Obviously it was not done and there is no one at the school to get this straightened out. So once again, I get to contact the Area Spec Ed Director...Ok, sure I have her number (and her supervisors' number as well)...Ends up everything was restructured over the summer and now I have a different person to deal with GRH!! I left her a voice mail since she's out til Monday while the ARC advocate also contacted her via email and a voice mail.

In light of the budget cuts, I have agreed to *try* this year without a bus aide (but still with door to door transportation--his school aide will meet him at the bus to ensure he crosses the parking lot safely). I agreed under the auspices that IF he receives an infarction that would put his school bus transportation at risk then we will request an aide...but until we have proven that he can't do it without an aide I'm willing to try it without one.

I am just so frustrated....What is with these people? I mean I plan all this stuff well ahead of time and try to get him prepared for the transition but I can't without their help...School starts for Harley in just over 3 weeks and all I know at this point is what school he's going to!!

I started on Tyler's headstart paperwork too...gotta get his dentist and his ped to fill out the other forms before I can complete the registration...GRH!! At least I'll go to that dentist on the 4th with Kelly so I can get them to do it then, but the ped's office says to drop the form off two weeks before you actually need it!! UGH!! More waiting for other people to finish my paperwork!! Of course we have to go back to the ped tomorrow in follow up to Tyler's ER visit on Thursday of this week....I'll come back to update about that too!

The Programs

ETA: I'm moving this post down to below the last one...:) Clear as mud?

I found a generalized description of the programs on the website...My comments are in red below. These are pretty much the only programs that they will consider his placement in.

Significant Support Needs (Challenge Programs)—Grades K-12
These programs offer special education and related services for students with severe developmental delays in multiple areas, such as cognitive, speech/language, motor delays. Instruction focuses on the individual educational needs of the student guided by Expanded Benchmarks and Access skills as a foundation to the students’ IEP goals and objectives. These programs are geographically located within neighborhood schools throughout the district.

Significant Emotional Disorders (SIED) (Harley doesn't qualify for this one because his mental health diagnosis is currently psychosis NOS)
This programming is for students who may have a significant identifiable emotional disorder that affects their ability to function within a general school environment or access the general curriculum and whose academic achievement is hindered by pervasive behavioral or emotional problems. Social/emotional services are offered in a continuum of environments ranging from full access to the general education classroom to a self contained class; placement is based upon individual student need as determined by the student’s IEP.

Autism (this is the program he attended from age 19months through the end of 4th grade when they decided he didn't need that much support and moved him to the current setting -- and now he's backslid (just as I told them he would!!) -- Not only that but they ended up firing the whole teaching team at that school because many of the parents were complaining that they weren't teaching our children anything and allowing them to sit and veg!)
Programs designed to meet the educational needs of children with autism provide a structured teaching approach to learning. As with any student qualifying for special education services, the Individual Education Plan (IEP) will direct the program. Special attention is paid to skills in the following domains: communication, social, academic, daily living, independence, sensory motor, and vocational. Services to students with autism are offered in a continuum of environments ranging from full access to the general education classroom to a self-contained class; placement is based upon individual student need. Intensive early intervention is a priority.

What they are saying to me is that they are creating a program that is a combination of the Autism Program (ASD classrooms) and the Challenge Program. I would like to see it in action before I decide if it is the right placement for Harley. Do you blame me?

Ok, maybe today?

OK, I didn't get the call yesterday...so hopefully I'll get a call first thing this morning. If I don't she gave me her cell phone number and I will call her just before noon!

I hope it's today!

Today is the first day back to school after the 4 day weekend! Today is the day that Harley's placement goes to committee! I can't wait to find out and get started on the transition process at my end. The area director told me that if possible she would let me know today...otherwise it would be first thing in the morning. I sure hope it's today!!

Only problem is that she calls the home number...I will be gone with dentist's appointments, errands and picking up Harley from 3 to 6:30 tonight, so I'll probably miss the darned call!!

Doesn't matter, as long as he's placed where I think is most appropriate for him I will be estastic!!

And Even More School News

On Thursday I got a call from the school saying that they weren't dropping the ball and that they had turned over Harley's transition to the director of special ed services for our area. Brenda went on to explain that it will go to a committee on Tuesday (with Monday being a holiday) and we should have an answer by Wednesday morning as to Harley's placement for next year.

About 5:00 I got a call from the director of special ed services to interview me and get more information about Harley. As we talked she said he most definitely qualifies for placement in this school...even the fact that he is eligible for SSI would qualify him...however when she was discussing it with the school officials, they felt that Harley was too high functioning to attend Fletcher Miller. She had heard about the gravel eating incident but the school hadn't told her about how he pushed a kid on the playground for asking him to play...The school failed to tell her that when he talks to someone he stands far too close (we are still teaching personal space) and touches the person's chest (could you imagine him doing this while talking to a female peer?)...they didn't tell her about how he hallucinates and has to be sent out of the classroom because he's disturbing other students...

It was such a weight lifted off me for her to say that she was glad to take the extra time to speak with me because with the information the school had provided she would've had a hard time justifying his placement at this school when she goes to the committee on Tuesday.

I told her I need to know as soon as possible so that I could start the transition process, writing social stories with pictures, driving past the school, stopping to play in the playground...discussing the transition to middle school in general. She was "impressed" that I even knew what a social story was and was even "more impressed" that I know how to write my own. She tells me she struggles with the schools and spends a lot of time trying to teach them how to write a social story and they never follow through and that many parents have no idea how much a social story can help in various situations.

After talking with her for over an hour she ended the call stating that it was such a pleasure to talk to me and that I seem very knowledgeable in what is available and what to do for my child. It's always nice to hear an outsider say something like that, it was just the boost I needed at the time.

I too am glad she took the time to speak with me about the transition and I am feeling confident that Flecther Miller is the right placement for him through the rest of his educational career.

Permission to test

The form came home for me to sign to give the school permission to test Harley for his triennial IEP. I don't agree that they have decided they will NOT be doing congnitive functioning testing....They are only doing communication, fine/gross motor and educational functioning...not even doing any life skills testing...I think he's the right age to do all this and with this being a triennial, I think it would be advised to do so BUT -- I don't want this school doing that testing...I just have a real lack of trust of their abilities to NOT give him the answers and then the test results would come out all messed up...after all it's not supposed to be about what the aide knows, but what he knows...so I will just ask for that when he gets transferred to the school with a very good reputation for doing the best they can for the special needs population.

Oh and then a note comes home to tell me that they reinstated his behavior plan that was attached as part of his IEP...This was discussed at his last IEP and I did NOT agree to them removing the behavior plan...I told them I felt it still needed to be there...I thought they agreed...so how can they "reinstate it"? when there were never supposed to "disinstate it?"...GRH!! I can't wait till May when I don't have to deal with this school....

It sucks that they put on such a great dog & pony show when we enrolled him there at the beginning of last year...This school placement has been even worse than the ASD Program he was in!!

Gosh, I sure hope we get him transferred (and the spec ed director said it won't be a problem and that it's already "in the works")...to the most appropriate placement.

Other issues...

Man, what a day...anyways, I got an updated pic of the spots at the bottom of the spots post...

I woke up to no AF today...this is really early for her to leave and it really just didn't set my day off right--it just depressed me all the more to know that I get to look forward to nothing but her arrival in another 27-29 days (or less, depends on if I'm gonna do the progesterone).

Tyler woke up LOUD and has been ALL DAY long!! It's been far too windy outside to let him out and play and he's just been wild and mischevious (hitting Zachary in the head with his boots, screaming instead of talking...*sigh*)

Zachary's been in a "I am not feeling bad anymore, but still want momma to hold me and cuddle me, and if she doesn't I'm gonna cry and scream all day"...mode *another sigh*

Then I get a call from Kelly's school...seems she called herself in sick to her last two classes today, posing as me...and come to find out this is not the first time she's done this--and I didn't get to talk to her today (or see her) and won't tomorrow either because she's got detention and it's a dad's custody day today and tomorrow.

A note comes home, well not a note, but a discipline form from Harley's school - he didn't want to go to math class today and when he walked into the class he got mad at another student and started to scratch and claw at the other student...Then when the teacher tried to intervene he did the same to her (well in their directions, didn't actually touch them)...and then started to scream at them what FOOLS they are and that they should be shot! OMG!!!

To top it off his triennal IEP / Transition to middle school IEP is due by the 3rd of next month. I called the school to ask about when it is and they want to postpone it till MAY???? What law do they think they are NOT breaking here? Not only that but they are taking this transition lightly...and I would've started the transition process already if it weren't for what school he'll be attending wasn't so up in the air...AND it depends on the school (that he currently attends) to enroll him in the other school we want him to attend...GRH!! I ended up calling the district special ed director and getting her involved. She will be attending each and every meeting AND will make sure that the meeting is done within the time frame REQUIRED BY LAW!

Robert, I haven't seen or heard from all day...so there's no stress there...but Andrew and I...well...He's a little upset over this whole I'm not taking an active role in ttc anymore that we're not really on the greatest of terms right now...*another sigh* well at least I'm getting my deep breathing in today...:)

Now, I'll end this post with this comment...to those who say "reduce the stress in your life and you'll be successful in ttc"....Or "take a break and don't even think about ttc this time"...If I don't think things don't get done...and how the hell am I supposed to cut this stress (of my daily life) out?

I can't believe it's still NOT over?! WTH?!

A note comes home from Harley's school last night:
"since he is going to outdoor lab during the day for a couple of days, please complete the medical information form" ....GRRH...I am so ready to march to the school in person and ask why they can't understand and why they haven't talked to the principal!? Andrew talked to the principal TWICE last week confirming that Harley would NOT be going to outdoor lab even during the day...If Harley has a hallucination and attacks a classmate (like he does to us here at home) we do NOT want to be sued (in this high ligitatious society, I'm sure it would happen). We went on to say we think he would be better served staying in the special education classroom for the week and getting some one-on-one attention from the special ed team (since they have told us that they let the aide do most of the work with him).

So ANOTHER WRITTEN note is going to school today stating to the teacher that we spoke to the principal last week and that Harley will not attend at all for outdoor lab...I'm guessing we'll get a call today saying that there's "no way" he could come to school all of next week then, because they just don't want to give me the education they PROMISED he would recieve when we transferred him to this school. As soon as they are back from this outdoor lab thing I will be calling a meeting and we will discuss his transition. I have decided that he will not attend the middle school we originally planned on placing him in...It's obvious this school is lying to us about Harley and what he is able to do -- They say he knows the 1x tables...but when you ask him what is 1x1 he falls on the floor screaming and crying saying it is too hard...now last time they sent his IEP home (as a report card--every 9 weeks) they stated that he had "mastered" this...well I'm sorry but if he's mastered it I would expect him to know it outside of the school's 4 walls!!

I'm sorry I am so angry I am rambling...I am so frustrated with this!!

Going to a new school

This year I am going to be in 5th grade! I will be going to my new school. Here’s a picture of the door I will be going into to go to school each day.

The school symbol is a roadrunner.

Going to a new school will be fun!! There are lots of new kids to be my friend!

There is a nice library with lots of books.


There is also a computer lab with LOTS of computers in it. I LOVE to play and work on the computer!


In the cafeteria, there is a cool traffic light. The light tells us when there is too much noise.


I already met some of my teachers. They were nice and let me play with some of their toys.

I met Ms. Duncan, the talking lady. Here’s a picture of me with Ms. Duncan.


I met Ms. Thomas. She will be my teacher when I am not in the 5th grade classroom. Here’s a picture I took of her at the meeting!!


I also met Ms. Grimes. She will help me when I go to the 5th grade classes. She is a speech therapist like Jackie and Danielle.


The principal is a nice guy. His name is Mr. Linton. Here’s a picture I took of him with Tyler, mom and dad.


I can’t wait to start school on Wednesday August 22, 2007 so I can make new friends and play on the playground at recess time!!