DL> Yes, it is sad. Don't you think that coming into the year 2000 that
 DL> the school system needs to (finally) adapt to ALL special needs
 RF> There is a rise of parents homeschooling now and I feel that the
 RF> school system is now starting to feel threatened.  Not just because
 RF> parents are starting to pull their kids out of school, but because we
 RF> have choice education here (in Michigan at least).  You can put your
 RF> children in another school district.  This is making some of the
Unfortunately, here in Burnaby, a parent has no choice... unless of course
they want to move to another school district. :(
 RF> school districts start to wake up.  When I pulled my kids out, I
 RF> didn't even get a reply to my letter I had sent them.  Zippo.  No
 RF> concern, no questions, nada.  But I found out that 3 or 4 more parents
 RF> did the same thing.  Their money is based on how many kids are there.
I don't think that is the way it is here. The district is allotted so much
money for the year. If one school doesn't need so much it can't be given to
another school. So one school my son went to did tons of fund raising. The
parents were nickle and dimed to death... the second school which is only
7 blocks away gave us a choice of a one time (yearly) tax deductible donation
of $15... guess what the parents went for! This year has been minimal for
expendatures with the school... I think I sent Cory with a total of $5 since
September. The other school didn't want to give my son the aide he needed,
(there was also a change in Principals at the beginning of the year) and the
second school hasn't a problem with this. There was no questions going into
grade 2.
We have been thinking now about private schooling. At my son's last review
meeting it became evident that the public school system couldn't feed him
academically fast enough. I fear that if he is continued to slow down in
this way he will get bored and lose interest. So far he *loves* school and
actually has a fit if he has to stay home sick!
 RF> And if they haven't woken up by now they will in a year or so.  I am
 RF> not saying that everyone should pull their kids out of school, but I
 RF> am saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease".
Not neccessarily so here. There is another parent who is labelled a B@@ch
because she won't take *any* crap as far as her son is concerned. Why should
she??? I'm sure I have been labelled this also. (Like it breaks my heart!!!)
My children are my first priority... if the school board officials can't
understand this then THEY are the ones with the problem. And if other parents
benefit by my assertiveness then all the much better. At least their children
won't have the same institution-child hassles.
 DL> children? And then what about the other kids (not many of them) who
 DL> just enjoy causing problems but have no signs of ADHD/ADD or anything
 DL> else. They just like rocking the boat because  it is fun.  They tear
 DL> apart routines too but seem to be forgotten when it comes to an ADHD
 DL> child and the staff reacts like they have never had behavior like this
 DL> before!  (yeah, right... there's that selective memory again!)  What
 RF> Most kids who's behavior is questionable are considered "bad kids".
Here, I have noticed a subtle difference. Bad behavior is one thing, children
with disabilities is another... and more likely to get the negative attention
and are quicker at being forced out of school. Cory has been labelled as 
eing
a danger to himself... this is the furthest from the truth. He is an 
overactive
little boy who takes (some) risks... but in general is very gentle and kind.
Breaking an arm is not being a danger to himself...
 RF> They do not consider there is a disorder.  I have found that a child
 RF> who behaves unappropriate and the parents do nothing or say nothing
 RF> are problems, those of us who care and squeak the wheel generally have
 RF> kids with disorders. You would think they could tell the difference.
Not unless someone hit them with it!
 RF> But because we insist on them seeing that they fight tooth and nail.
 RF> The year 2000 is only 3 years away.  I don't think you are going to
 RF> see massive improvements, but I will say I do see some changes taken
 RF> place.  I think it is going to take another 10 years until that
 RF> generation of educational bureaucrats are replaced by the more
 RF> knowledgable and aware educators.
I'm hoping it doesn't take that long... but by then our children will be
conditioned by the present school system. I have decided I will do all I
can through and with CHADD to change the school system, sooner rather than
later.
 DL> drives me absolutely batty is here in Burnaby it says on the jacket of
 DL> the report card... "The purpose of BC's School System is to
 DL> enable all learners to develop their individual potential and
 DL> to acquire the know- ledge, skills, and attitudes needed to
 DL> contribute to a healthy, democratic and pluralistic society and
 DL> a prosperous and sustain- able economy."
 RF> Yes, I have seen many of the so called statements educators give.  I
 RF> truly believe for the most part they mean it, unfortunately we still
 RF> have dis- crimination based on handicaps here.  Hopefully it will
 RF> change.
With alot of work by parents is the only way it can change.
Desiree
 RF> ... "Transporter chief Louvre, beam the landing party to the bridge"
Actually  I'd like to beam the whole lot of them out into space!
Take care.
... Never attack a dragon with a pointy stick.
___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30 [NR]
--- Maximus/2 2.01wb
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