Public school advice needed

[Trishy]

My ds1 is 6 and has Asperger's and ODD. He is supposed to be starting first grade on Aug 6. He does not currently have an IEP because he was diagnosed over the summer. However, the school principal is very familiar with ds and I and knows of the diagnosis. I went in to talk to him last week and told him that I would be having outpatient surgery next week and would not be able to meet with ds' new teacher on back to school night. It is important to both my son and I that we meet the teacher and see the room that he will be going to school in before classes start. The principal told me that he understood my concerns and would be sure to set something up between the teacher and I before my surgery. He asked that I call him last Friday afternoon. When I called, not long after lunchtime, he had already gone for the day. I called on Monday and he was out. Tuesday I left a message. Thursday I called again and let the secretary know that I had been calling since Friday. He called back Thursday afternoon and apologized for not getting back to me sooner and assured me that he would have the teacher call me that day or today. Obviously she didn't call and I am seriously doubting that we will be able to set up a meeting on Monday.

I will need at least a week to recover after my surgery. My children are going to my mother in laws and will return next Friday. At this point, I do not feel comfortable sending my son to school without first meeting with the teacher to discuss his needs and I dol not plan to send him on the first day unless this occurs. Has anyone been in a similar situation? In my state attendance is compulsory at 6 years old. Is there anything that I need to do to cover myself legally? Should I send the principal a letter informing him that I will not be sending him and why?

[Finch]

Oy. That's a tough one, loaded with legal questions that I can't answer. I would *think* that contacting the principal in writing, maybe cc the school board and/or the EC department would be sufficient. Hopefully.

I totally understand and agree with your reasoning, btw. Will you be able to get him an IEP any time soon?

[mom3b1?]

I'd ask the Principle about it. How it works at our school is that they can't miss more than so many days per year. I forget what the number is. If they are late or absent with a Doctor's Note it's excused and doesn't count. I'd ask your principal if you can either come in before your surgery to meet the teacher and see the room. They may be at school all next week, decorating, and setting things up. In our school system teachers are required to be there. It may be no big deal at all for you to stop by.

If that's not possible, see if you can get the absense excused. There are laws about what's excusable and what's not. Your principle will know. If you can't get ahold of him, call the Board of Education. They will definitely be in all next week! It's one of their busiest weeks!

Kiley

[LynnS6]

All school districts that I know of have teacher in-service in the week or so before school starts. That means the teacher WILL be there, and it's just a matter of finding them. I'd call the principal back on Monday, and if that doesn't work, I'd go over and stand in front of the principal/secretary until you have an appointment set up.

You could bring him on the first day and stay with him, if need be.

[Trishy]

Thanks for the advice. I have been thinking about this a lot over the weekend as well as talking to some friends and family members about it. I have decided that it is not very fair to ds1 to have to miss all of the excitement from the first day of school. The teachers will be working tomorrow and I plan to go down to the school with both ds' and wait until she can see me, even if that means waiting quite a while. And, while I am super pissed at the principal, I don't think causing trouble for him with the school board would be a very wise choice for me right now. I do plan to create and keep a running log of all of my contact with the school so that if this becomes a pattern I will be well prepared to prove that.

[pb_and_j]

Can you just call and ask to speak w/ the teacher? That's what I usually do. I totally understand not wanting to send your ds in there blind! Also, make SURE you get your IEP asap.