More Articles
Peanut Allergy
You already know that if you or your child has a peanut allergy you need to avoid peanut butter. Some...
Food Allergies
There are many reasons why you may want to substitute almond flour for wheat flour in recipes. Of course, if you have a...
Food
Are you looking for peanut-free candies as a special treat for a child with...
Food
Do you have a child with peanut allergies and an upcoming birthday? Perhaps you'd like to bake a...
Food
Most nut butters provide all the same benefits: an easy sandwich spread, a great dip for veggies, a fun addition to a smoothie. But not...
Quote:Originally posted by The #l Mouser!:
[b]
After that incident, I really started investing some strategy into writing the food allergy accommodations with [i]goals[/i] included. Like "(Student name) will safely participate in an environment as outlined in his physician letter with peers for all celebrations, birthdays, holidays, rewards, class or extracurricular activities. He will not be excluded due to his disability of a Life Threatening Food Allergy or Asthma." (paraphrased from memory)
Just in case people aren't good at interpreting what the "accommodation" should translate too. Goals are very powerful. Equally as powerful, if not more powerful than the accommodation itself. Then you can say: "Hey, does this picture (ie: celebration) look like that picture (goal)?" if not....you can say:
"Make it so. Do what you gotta do, but make it so." It removes the onus of you having to anticipate every snake-like movement.
Sure, goals are part of the normal IEP process (and I'd expect them to be for a 504 as well), but I was accustomed to them long before I ever heard the expressions IEP or 504. It's what I do. Measuring [i]outcomes[/i] is part of the Nursing Process. the "As Evidenced by" part. I chart on them every shift. It leaves one with a sense of accountability. Goals....
[/b]
Just wanted to say thank you for this post & also the earlier link to Cupcake Incident. (I recall reading that thread when it all first happened, but it is hard to really grasp the situation and details until you have kids in B&M school yourself & are dealing with similar situations.)
Your strategy (goal & "picture" oriented, measuring outcomes) has been very helpful as I compile our info & formulate our strategy for working with school. Just [i]getting[/i] the school (& assorted other "players") to even visualize that we are [i]on the same team[/i] can be very frustrating and difficult when the personality of the principal/dean is one of [i]gatekeeper[/i] who in fact fancies him/herself as the "manager" of even the parents, not just of the employees of the school.
When the principal stiff-arms or dismisses the parents from the get-go, even if the initial requests for 504 &/or accomodations are made graciously but firmly, then the adversarial atmosphere can be very difficult to overcome. I dare say, in some cases, impossible. In all honesty, I find having the door flat slammed in my face preferable to being patted on the head & condescendingly told that I'm simply a "worrying mommy who needs to get a grip" & that only the school knows what's best for my child.
But maybe that's just me.
~Elizabeth
[b]When the principal stiff-arms or dismisses the parents from the get-go, even if the initial requests for 504 &/or accomodations are made graciously but firmly, then the adversarial atmosphere can be very difficult to overcome. I dare say, in some cases, impossible. In all honesty, I find having the door flat slammed in my face preferable to being patted on the head & condescendingly told that I'm simply a "worrying mommy who needs to get a grip" & that only the school knows what's best for my child.
But maybe that's just me.[/b]
I have suggestions for this. But am still swamped. School starts tomorrow. It looks like my boys will be at least going for the time up until lunch. Can't really get into details. But it isn't because people weren't cooperating.
Lots to update, but it'll have to wait. I am incredibly guarded. Skeptically optimistic. If things go like they are supposed to as a result of our meeting with the district on Friday, things will be better having actually gotten a new principal and involved the district. Getting the district there though, and I mean just even physically, was like moving a mountain. Lots about getting that to happen too.
Learning a lot. Very practical things coming up too.
Again, though. One thing is said. What actually happens is another.
But, I just can't get together a good post about it all right now. Too many documents, letters and school things to get done just for tomorrow! My baby is headed off to K too, and I am nearly heartbroken. I've wanted some time to me, after 7 years, and now that it is here the prospect of not hearing shuffling legos, or little stompy feet, throughout the day is making me on the verge of tears all the time! Both boys in school all day.... I'm really not ready yet.
OH, BTW, still NO SAFE SNACK BOX. It hasn't even been brought up by either teacher. Wasn't even suggested, floated by, or whatever, in any way, shape or form by anyone. Entertaining the idea of sanctioned exclusion, with anything, did not even cross the table.
I can say, off the top of my head, good emails to find out, make a cc list including all on, are the following:
Principal
504Compliance Officer
District Nurse
--the Principals boss-- ours has an odd title -- special to the district
Special Ed Director
Superintendant
OH, and if you get replies, and people like, say, a city attorney, are added on to the CC list by anyone, make sure they stay on your CC list too.
Now, gotta run. Lots to do, little time. Will try to get back and give you all something more substantial. But I have to get through tomorrow.
Have suggestions about 504 format too. Might be helpful.
NO SAFE SNACK BOX.
GET A 504 NO MATTER WHAT YOUR RELATIONSHIP IS WITH THE SCHOOL. THINGS CAN CHANGE IN A NEW YORK MINUTE WHILE YOU ARE COUNTING YOUR LUCKY STARS.
gvmom, I'm hoping your day goes well tomorrow. Hang in there.
gvmom, I hope your day goes well tomorrow too. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Up-date us if and when you get the chance. You do have a lot on your plate right now.
{{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}}
Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
------------------
There but for the Grace of God, go I.
Good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you and the kiddos.
gvmom, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. (And keeping my fingers crossed. Maybe I should do toes too... [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img] )
[i]Always HOPE for the best, but prepare for the worst, right?[/i]
Quote:Originally posted by ajas_folks:
[b] Just wanted to say thank you for this post & also the earlier link to Cupcake Incident. (I recall reading that thread when it all first happened, but it is hard to really grasp the situation and details until you have kids in B&M school yourself & are dealing with similar situations.)[/b]
verily. I find verbal descriptions/directions the most difficult, nearly impossible. I just smile and nod. Then written language.
But [i]show[/i] me, and I'm a scholar. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
to quote myself [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img] from "The Cupcake Incident" (starts down on page one a bit) and to help gvmom gird her loins [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] to face the challenge ahead:
[b]"THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR AN ALTERNATE TREAT. THERE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN AN *NEED* FOR IT."[/b]
Quote:Originally posted by ajas_folks:
[b]When the principal stiff-arms or dismisses the parents from the get-go, even if the initial requests for 504 &/or accomodations are made graciously but firmly, then the adversarial atmosphere can be very difficult to overcome. I dare say, in some cases, impossible. In all honesty, I find having the door flat slammed in my face preferable to being patted on the head & condescendingly told that I'm simply a "worrying mommy who needs to get a grip" & that only the school knows what's best for my child.
But maybe that's just me.
~Elizabeth
[/b]
until I got to the bottom and read your name, I half expected to see it was a quote from me. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by The #l Mouser! (edited August 26, 2007).]
GVmom, how are things going there?
(Just worrying not to have seen anything in a few days-- and wondering how you're holding up.)
[img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
i've been peeking in here too, hoping to read something positive from gvmom. . .
awaiting your return here as well...
Pages