I met with the staff at the new Middle school this morning, Kaitlyn is still sick so she was not at her best. I made the decision to have her attend here for a couple reasons. I am not up to "fight" for a three year placement and then what??? We do not have schools doing inclusion here for kids with Down syndrome, it seems overwhelming for me to be doing this paving the way solo. It crushes me although I demand she learn and enjoy her experience at school. I can work on inclusion in Lee County Middle and High schools without sacrificing my children along the way.
When I got to the campus it is a bit misconceiving. it appears small, the from isn't over whelming, the office is modest but campus is big and population is large. The school team was behind closed doors when I arrived. The office asked me to hold on a couple more minutes so that they could finish. We then moved to a conference room.
I liked the fact that the Principle and asst Principle were in my meeting. They heard me say communication with me about my children is key. I must know what is happening at school with my children. I need follow through at home. I need to know my children are happy at their school and if they are not i want notified because something is wrong. Each at the meeting were open to having communication with me and having a point contact. One of the staffing specialists form Kaitlyn's elementary years is on this campus which made me more comfortable although everything I dreaded would happen did happen...her "inclusion" is stripped from here because she has slid so far and school has become more difficult for her. She needs to learn a new campus, a new routine, a new set of friends, new ,new ,new...and so for the remainder of this year they will give her IA classes wrapping services around her so she can be successful and gain her self confidence back. Middle school is tough on the typical child which makes putting Kaitlyn into that mix needs to be strategically planned and we never got that the first of school so we have to pick up the pieces we have and work it best as we can. Kaitlyn will be in the after school program called; SQUASH??? It is the kids who are against smoking and alcohol and drugs- bad choices. The group is solid and a few of the peer supports they have in mind for Kaitlyn go to this group. I was excited to hear them thinking in that direction in our first meeting... so from here it went to some information. They ave paras in place in their life skills classes for any real need (personal) if necessary.
The bigger decision is Steven. He has been in Life Skills and part inclusion so I needed a Middle School for him that would work and I want the two of them together. Kaitlyn and Steven are a team. They support each other and can do great things in life with the positive attitude they have and self esteem. I believe this school will nurture their abilities. I also need the kids in min. number of schools.
Keirsten wants the same but, high School, next door and this might be a good thing too.
Discussion went to when to be read to start school...2/18th. because Mon/Tues is FCAT writes and the schedule is all off which would make for a bad start time..then we have two days off school the following Mon/Tues...
By the end of the meeting I asked what day is the "count" for our kids to be in attendance that DAY so the Principle gets the funding for caring for my ESE student. That would be NEXT FRIDAY...then we decided I would bring Kaitlyn to the school that day as her walk through campus. Kaitlyn will see where the buses come in and how to get to her first period class. She can meet her teachers and classmates with out the pressure of staying all period. Pop in and out as the NEW GIRL.... I will have her in something very "cool" Feb 13th the school will be celebrating Valentine's day... She has Valentines with her photos... hmmmm and phone and email.... yes!
