School Negligence Continues ....

[vja4Him]

We are still having problems with my son's school. This is his third week of summer school (only one more week to go). Yesterday he got in trouble. He forgot to take his medication. I was very sick with the stomach flu and was not able to help him get ready for school.

Got a call from one of the many summer school principals (they keep changing every few days). She told me that any more trouble from my son and they will expel him from summer school (they have a no tolerance policy).

I asked the principal to try implementing some of the strategies and accommodations to help my son. She asked me what I wanted to do! I told her to just do what my son's 504 Plan says, and what teachers usually do to help the kids. She was not even aware that my son has a 504 Plan!

I told her that I have contacted all of my son's teachers (including his three summer school teachers) several principals and several administrators, and reminded them that my son has a 504 Plan. I had a good talk with one of my son's summer school teachers (1st period). His 2nd period teacher contacted me the second week. They both acknowledged that my son has a 504 Plan and they will implement the strategies and accommodations to help my son. Still have not heard back from the 3rd period summer school teacher ....

Even though I communicate with the teachers and other staff about my son's serious medical problems (ADHD, hypoglycemia, serious emotional trauma, and other medical issues), it seems as if the teachers basically just do whatever they want, like ignore my son's special needs, and ignore my son's 504 Plans, and ignore their duty as a public school teacher to help my son!

I filed another complaint with the California Department of Education. Today I am expecting a call from the Learning Director (another one of the summer school principals). I really believe that this school district is negligent, and not taking my son's condition seriously.

One of my son's summer school teachers would not allow him to use the bathroom. She has a very long list, and my son was on the bottom of the list. My son told the teacher that his 504 Plan allows him to use the bathroom when he needs to, but she insisted that he must wait!

Supervision at this school seems to be very shoddy, and not fair. My son is frequently harassed by other students. When my son reports the problems, he gets into trouble.

There is also a serious lack of communication between the various staff members. This is all very frustrating ....

[SpottedFoxx]

Go Mama Go! I'm sorry you are going through this. {{{hugs}}}

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

Youch -- is it always this bad or does it seem like maybe summer school is worse that usual? I can't believe that they are changing staff that fast -- no wonder no one can keep track of things. Any strategy I would suggest about going in an talking to people seems sort of moot if they change every few days. But still, maybe going in and actually talking to them face-to-face would help.

And good for your child for standing up for himself! Awful that the teacher didn't listen.

[stik]

What is your son's 504 plan for?

The teachers absolutely should be following your son's 504 plan, and it is a problem that they are not doing this consistently. However, depending on exactly what the 504 plan is for and exactly what accommodations are specified, this may make little difference to how the school handles behavior issues. If your son's emotional issues are not severe enough to warrant an IEP for ED, he is probably not entitled to any accommodation in re. school rules other than what is needed for his medical needs. Summer school tends to involve a higher percentage of students with discipline issues than school does during the regular academic year. It is not surprising that the school's policy is very harsh.

The issues with supervision are, of course, also very serious. Are you using the word "negligent" a lot in your communication with the school? I'm concerned that negligent might be too vague. It makes you sound irate, and doesn't give the school any real information about the problems your son is encountering.

Finally, and I say this very gently, please remember your years as an educator. I know teachers love helping - I love to do it, and you've been in the classroom for much longer than me, I imagine you love it too. But it's not our job, and as hard as it is, it's so important that teachers focus on the job. A summer school teacher is probably staring at 20-30 students who need help every second of the work day. It is not a public school teacher's job to help your son. A public school teacher's job is to teach a class. If your son needs help, his guidance counselor should be able to get you information about services available in your community.

[KCMichigan]

Originally Posted by stik

What is your son's 504 plan for?

The teachers absolutely should be following your son's 504 plan, and it is a problem that they are not doing this consistently. However, depending on exactly what the 504 plan is for and exactly what accommodations are specified, this may make little difference to how the school handles behavior issues. If your son's emotional issues are not severe enough to warrant an IEP for ED, he is probably not entitled to any accommodation in re. school rules other than what is needed for his medical needs. Summer school tends to involve a higher percentage of students with discipline issues than school does during the regular academic year. It is not surprising that the school's policy is very harsh.

The issues with supervision are, of course, also very serious. Are you using the word "negligent" a lot in your communication with the school? I'm concerned that negligent might be too vague. It makes you sound irate, and doesn't give the school any real information about the problems your son is encountering.

Finally, and I say this very gently, please remember your years as an educator. I know teachers love helping - I love to do it, and you've been in the classroom for much longer than me, I imagine you love it too. But it's not our job, and as hard as it is, it's so important that teachers focus on the job. A summer school teacher is probably staring at 20-30 students who need help every second of the work day. It is not a public school teacher's job to help your son. A public school teacher's job is to teach a class. If your son needs help, his guidance counselor should be able to get you information about services available in your community.

I agree with the above.

If things in the 504 plan ARE addressed appropriately (even without communicating with you as the 3rd period teacher may be doing) then 'other' issues fall under the same rules as a General Ed student.

If the 504 needs to be written, meet to do so.

Without knowing more specifics----the 'medical' needs of your son may fall under the care of a school nurse (medical) or other staff.

Unless there are specifics in the 504 Plan that are being blatantly ignored (and are documented by you) than I would ask for a meeting with the staff before anything else so you can sit down as a team and work it out.

If your DS has behavioral issues that are not addressed by the 504 then I would ask for a EI/BD assessment to make sure that he gets what needs or to evaluate if/what kind of services he could benefit from (social work, peer mediation, adapted assignments, preferred seating etc).

In our area 504 students with ADHD/other medical issues can be disciplined the same as other students unless specifics are made in the 504 (but then usually the student qualifies for an IEP). With or without medication the procedures are the same for each student (barring a medical emergency) since the teacher and staff are responsible for the entire CLASS to learn---if a child can not function in that environment or is too disruptive for others to learn than often it may not be the right placement or other accommodations need to be put in place. If he needs to be removed from the classroom over and over (with the accomodations in place) than the situation needs to be adjusted. Accommodations in a 504 are not a fix all (as in they work 100% of the time), but they should improve whatever issues you are dealing with---if they do not help address the students needs they may need to be re-looked/changed/adjusted at or more evaluation may be called for.

The principal/assistant principal most likely has a list of students on IEPs/504, but unless it is a small school- is unlikely to have it memorized (or know what students have what with/our looking it up).

Gently, I would suggest talking with your son (dont know how old he is) and get both points of view. A students perspective is often a different point of view than what may have happened- you dont know until you hear a few variations. Document his response as well in order to show the school how he is interpreting events. They may be able to help clear up any communication errors or make adjustments to his 504 plan based on what he says.

It totally depends on the specifics of what you see as negligent.If he is not able to eat (with hypoglycemia) when he needs to that is an urgent matter since low blood sugar can cause fainting, etc. If you think the staff turnover and communication is lousy (as long as it does not put students in medical/social/physical danger), their may be little you can do about it---esp with a summer school program that may have temporary staff in place.


I would be proactive and advocate for you son, but make sure that you have documentation and also try to work with those in immediate contact with him first (teachers, aides, etc). If this is a school you have to work with for years to come, you want to work with the school and form a 'team' atmosphere as best you can.

I hope things improve for your family soon!

[vja4Him]

Originally Posted by SpottedFoxx

Go Mama Go! I'm sorry you are going through this. {{{hugs}}}

I'm a single dad, raising my two boys all on my own! They have been with me for over 5 1/2 years now. Challenging to say the least!

[vja4Him]

Originally Posted by stik

What is your son's 504 plan for?

My son's 504 Plan mentions ADHD, hypoglycemia and emotional issues. He has had the 504 Plan since October, 2008 (6th grade). He had a psych evaluation in 4th grade, and was in counseling and therapy for three years. I am working on getting my son back into counseling and therapy.

The teachers absolutely should be following your son's 504 plan, and it is a problem that they are not doing this consistently. However, depending on exactly what the 504 plan is for and exactly what accommodations are specified, this may make little difference to how the school handles behavior issues. If your son's emotional issues are not severe enough to warrant an IEP for ED, he is probably not entitled to any accommodation in re. school rules other than what is needed for his medical needs. Summer school tends to involve a higher percentage of students with discipline issues than school does during the regular academic year. It is not surprising that the school's policy is very harsh.

I spoke with one of the administrators from the District Office this morning several times. He spoke with the acting summer school principal, and assured me that they will do everything they can to ensure that the necessary accommodations are implemented. We will see how things go ....

The issues with supervision are, of course, also very serious. Are you using the word "negligent" a lot in your communication with the school? I'm concerned that negligent might be too vague. It makes you sound irate, and doesn't give the school any real information about the problems your son is encountering.

Trust me, I have stated very clearly, many times, exactly what is wrong! I have pointed out numerous violations of my son's 504 Plan to the teachers, principal, assistant principal, and several administrators. I even brought up some of these issues during our meeting to review my son's 504 Plan, and set a date to meet again so we can start the process of evaluating my son for an IEP.

Finally, and I say this very gently, please remember your years as an educator. I know teachers love helping - I love to do it, and you've been in the classroom for much longer than me, I imagine you love it too. But it's not our job, and as hard as it is, it's so important that teachers focus on the job. A summer school teacher is probably staring at 20-30 students who need help every second of the work day. It is not a public school teacher's job to help your son. A public school teacher's job is to teach a class. If your son needs help, his guidance counselor should be able to get you information about services available in your community.

I would have to disagree with you! Legally, the school has to follow the 504 Plan. Otherwise, all this time meeting, testing, evaluating, many appointments with doctors, lab tests, counseling, etc. is a complete and total waste of my time, and the time of the school staff!!!

Teachers can do a lot more than they are for my son. I don't know the exact reason why teachers do not want to comply ... Maybe they just don't understand, some probably really don't even care .... Others may be too stressed out (perhaps it's the wrong job for them, or they just might need to take some time off from teaching) ....

I've seen some pretty bizarre behavior coming from the classroom, and I'm talking about the bizarre behavior from the teacher(s)!!! I worked as a bilingual paraprofessional for nearly 12 years. I was always assigned to work in the classroom, so I got to observe many teachers over the years, and have seen how various teachers handle their classrooms. Some teachers really have no clue how to handle difficult situations, kids who have issues, etc. ....

One interesting note .... I've had the pleasure of working teachers who know how to handle problem kids (although, some kids are so out of hand, that they need to be in a special classroom). I've seen things that work and things that don't work. I don't have all the answers, but I do have some ideas to share, and I just wish that the school personnel would act more professionally ....

[vja4Him]

Originally Posted by KCMichigan

I agree with the above.

If things in the 504 plan ARE addressed appropriately (even without communicating with you as the 3rd period teacher may be doing) then 'other' issues fall under the same rules as a General Ed student.

If the 504 needs to be written, meet to do so.

Without knowing more specifics----the 'medical' needs of your son may fall under the care of a school nurse (medical) or other staff.

Unless there are specifics in the 504 Plan that are being blatantly ignored (and are documented by you) than I would ask for a meeting with the staff before anything else so you can sit down as a team and work it out.

If your DS has behavioral issues that are not addressed by the 504 then I would ask for a EI/BD assessment to make sure that he gets what needs or to evaluate if/what kind of services he could benefit from (social work, peer mediation, adapted assignments, preferred seating etc).

In our area 504 students with ADHD/other medical issues can be disciplined the same as other students unless specifics are made in the 504 (but then usually the student qualifies for an IEP). With or without medication the procedures are the same for each student (barring a medical emergency) since the teacher and staff are responsible for the entire CLASS to learn---if a child can not function in that environment or is too disruptive for others to learn than often it may not be the right placement or other accommodations need to be put in place. If he needs to be removed from the classroom over and over (with the accomodations in place) than the situation needs to be adjusted. Accommodations in a 504 are not a fix all (as in they work 100% of the time), but they should improve whatever issues you are dealing with---if they do not help address the students needs they may need to be re-looked/changed/adjusted at or more evaluation may be called for.

The principal/assistant principal most likely has a list of students on IEPs/504, but unless it is a small school- is unlikely to have it memorized (or know what students have what with/our looking it up).

Gently, I would suggest talking with your son (dont know how old he is) and get both points of view. A students perspective is often a different point of view than what may have happened- you dont know until you hear a few variations. Document his response as well in order to show the school how he is interpreting events. They may be able to help clear up any communication errors or make adjustments to his 504 plan based on what he says.

It totally depends on the specifics of what you see as negligent.If he is not able to eat (with hypoglycemia) when he needs to that is an urgent matter since low blood sugar can cause fainting, etc. If you think the staff turnover and communication is lousy (as long as it does not put students in medical/social/physical danger), their may be little you can do about it---esp with a summer school program that may have temporary staff in place.


I would be proactive and advocate for you son, but make sure that you have documentation and also try to work with those in immediate contact with him first (teachers, aides, etc). If this is a school you have to work with for years to come, you want to work with the school and form a 'team' atmosphere as best you can.

I hope things improve for your family soon!

I put a copy of my son's 504 Plan (inside of plastic sleeves) in his binder, so he can show to his teachers or other staff if necessary.

I think we might be making some progress with the school, although it's very slow, and very frustrating ... Some of the staff seem to not want to make any accommodations. My advocate, who has many years experience dealing with these situations, also believes that the school is negligent.

At our next meeting, supposedly, my son's teachers will be present. Also, my son will be present. My son should have been at the previous meeting, but I was not informed that he should be present. My son was very upset when he saw how many items were removed from his previous 504 Plan. I have requested that several items be put back on his 504 Plan for the summer. Supposedly, somebody took care of that ....

[stik]

Originally Posted by vja4Him

I would have to disagree with you! Legally, the school has to follow the 504 Plan. Otherwise, all this time meeting, testing, evaluating, many appointments with doctors, lab tests, counseling, etc. is a complete and total waste of my time, and the time of the school staff!!!

Yes, they do have to follow the 504 Plan. Typically, a 504 plan lists things that a student will be permitted to do - snack as needed, for example. Allowing a student to use their accommodations is not the same as providing 1-on-1 assistance, which honestly might be impossible in the summer school environment. It's sounding a lot like your son may need an IEP rather than a 504. When is he up for re-evaluation?

[vja4Him]

Originally Posted by stik

Yes, they do have to follow the 504 Plan. Typically, a 504 plan lists things that a student will be permitted to do - snack as needed, for example. Allowing a student to use their accommodations is not the same as providing 1-on-1 assistance, which honestly might be impossible in the summer school environment. It's sounding a lot like your son may need an IEP rather than a 504. When is he up for re-evaluation?

August 19th, we meet to start the evaluation process.

[SpottedFoxx]

Originally Posted by vja4Him

I'm a single dad, raising my two boys all on my own! They have been with me for over 5 1/2 years now. Challenging to say the least!

oops - sorry about that!

[vja4Him]

Originally Posted by SpottedFoxx

oops - sorry about that!

I don't know very many single fathers like myself who are raising their children all on their own. In fact, I can only think of one single father raising his kids, but only the son lives with the dad. The girl comes to visit her father most weekends. He has some support from the mother, and she takes care of the daughter during the week.

I don't have any relatives nearby, and no friends to help out. So I've been wingin' it all alone for 5 1/2 years now, against all odds .....

[SpottedFoxx]

My Dad raised us on his own for many years. I have a special place in my heart for single father's. I have a dear friend who, after years of searching never met Mrs. Right. He always wanted to be a father so he found an egg donor and surrogate and now is the single father to an amazing little boy.

[DaughterOfKali]

You've just made up my mind not to send ds to the schools summer program.