Today's the day...

[LurkNoMore]

We have C's IEP meeting this afternoon at 1:45. We have decided to take the plunge and put him in the self-contained classroom next year (he will be in 5th grade). We are hoping that in the smaller class size (just 8 kids) with teachers who are accustomed to teaching special ed. kids will give him the skills he will need in middle school the following year. He will be mainstreamed for whatever part of the day he can handle (I guess I'll find out more later and next fall) into one of the 2 reg. ed. classes. There is a man teacher in one of the reg. ed. classes, so we are going to ask if C can be placed with him (figure it doesn't hurt to ask and he does seem to respond better to men). I'm prepared for major tears later this afternoon (hopefully, I can contain myself during the meeting...even now, I'm tearing up as I write this), but I think it will be the best place for C next year!

I'll keep you all posted (and thanks for all of your care and concern)!

[d]

Luck!

(Those IEP's can bring on sudden tears for me under any circumstance, so you aren't alone there.)

[willoweezie]

Good luck Lurk! I'll be thinking about you! Sage's school has requested an IEP for next Tuesday to get a decision out of me, and I still don't know what decision to make. I wish I didn't have to make this decision!! I really feel like I need to take someone with me but I really don't know who to take. Sage's therapist agrees with the school that she needs more support than the regular classroom can give her. I really know how hard it is for you to be where you are, I hope they work with you to get him in the best situation for him, not just what works best for them!!

[LurkNoMore]

Thanks d and Willow!

I'll try to post again later today to let you know how the meeting went...

I know what you are going through and it is definitely NOT an easy decision. We are looking at it as him getting more help (in an understanding and caring environment...instead of being under the microscope that he is currently under) to better prepare him for middle school. My daughter is currently in 6th grade and we see how much work and independence she needs to have.

1 hour to go...

[Dakotah]

Good luck Lurk!!!

[vickilyn32]

I hope your meeting went well yesterday. I look at puting the kids where they need to be as the best for them. In our school, the kids that are in resource classes are not looked down on by the other kids, because they go subject by subject. Dan goes to resource for reading, but nothing else. I am trying to get him in for language arts next year. If this helps your DS to do better in middle school, then I think you are doing the right thing.

[LurkNoMore]

Thanks for everyone's kind words...the meeting went surprisingly well yesterday. I really LOVE our Director of Pupil Services (or whatever his title is). He is very professional and thorough (in a VERY non-intimidating way). We hadn't officially told anyone in the school of our decision b-4 the meeting, so it started off with the normal reports of his lack of independence and the different things they have tried. The director then brought up the possibility of alternative placement and specifically the self-contained (re-iterating that the everyone in the room - Director, School Psych, teacher, resource rm teacher, OT and hubby and me - are all equal members of the team and that they could not make any change in placement unless the parents agree). He looked over the IEP and from the way they stated his test scores/academic achievements he told them that by reading this, he wouldn't think that C is having difficulty (they had forgotten to mention - in that section- his distractibility etc. being a hinderance to him). He also said that we have the right to call a meeting at any time and that he wants to schedule one before the first marking period is over so we can determine how C is doing and see if we need to make any changes. The IEP will not include any of the subjects he should/will be mainstreamed for but they will determine that once he is in school next fall. He will definitely be with a regular class for the specials (and probably Science and Social studies...at least according to the School Psych). He will continue to get OT once a week (and, hopefully, his current one will not be the one giving it...this year she is only at our school), and do a group session - individual, if needed - session with the social worker. So far we are feeling good about the decision and, hopefully, it will give him the skills he needs. The school psych brought up again his abilities and made the comment that his test scores are good (average to high average) WITH the lack of independence and distractibilty so imagine how well he will do when we get the other things under control.

so far so good! I'll keep you posted!

(Feeling MUCH better today)!

[Mayleng]

Lurk, glad to hear it all went well and that you are feeling better. Just remember if you don't agree with anything you are an equal member, and you can call an IEP meeting anytime. I hope it all works out and that your ds gets the help he needs to develop his skills.

[LurkNoMore]

Thanks Mayleng...

[jwm]

HI Lurknomore,
A positive step!! ;D
Glad today went well. What a burden off your shoulders for today!! Your husband and you are doing a fabulous job! You are covering all the bases! Keep up the good work! Now make sure you take some time for you !!!

[LurkNoMore]

Thanks JWM

Just wanted to add this...last night when I was cuddling with C before bed (the best time for him to open up and REALLY talk to me about what he is feeling) he asked me if Mrs. L (his aide since 2nd grade) will lose her job if he goes to N (the other school) next year. I assured him that she would NOT and that she would probably help another child or children that need extra help. I suggested that if he is concerned about it, he should ask one of the teachers about it.

It always amazes me what things (so far) have concerned him about moving to the other school. His other concerns were...would he be able to go to the same middle school as his friends and sister (YES), would he be able to take the drums (YES...same band teacher teaches drums at all 4 schools) and would the other kids laugh at him because he is short (NO...and the odd thing is he is not that short)!

One of his best qualities is his caring nature!

[angel]

Lurk,

I started crying when reading your posts. I am so glad that you came to a decision that you feel good about. The relief for you must be enormous!! It sounds like you have a good support system in your school. It sounds like you made the right decision to me! I am wishing you the best. Now, sit back and enjoy the summer together!!

angel

[LurkNoMore]

Thanks Angel...it is a relief to have the decision over (now the hard part is telling other people)! I was thinking about you the other day...how are things going? I have noticed that you haven't been around as much and I've missed your posts. I hope that means that things are going well for your family!

We still have almost a full month of school (end 6/23), but are planning on enjoying the summer. When we go to the pdoc tomorrow night, we are going to ask her about a med-free (at least part of) summer for C...so we can get a baseline of where and how he is without meds AND give him a chance to eat and sleep normally!

[angel]

Hey girlie,

We finish school in May around here. Yuck on June 23. But, we go back in mid-August. lol Good luck on the telling people part. Remember not to worry to much about what everyone else thinks. Easier said than done. lol Things are going well for us. The RitalinLa and Focalin seem to be a very good combo for her. I am noticing that the la seems to be wearing off sooner. Seems like we are going from 8hr down to around 6ish. Good luck with a med free summer. That could NOT happen around here. In fact, last summer is what finally threw me over the edge to go for medicine. lol But, you don't have all of the impulse issues do you? Let me know how it goes. I am still around, just not alot to post about. We are going to counseling now too. That is kind of interesting. lol

angel