| Author | Message | ||
     marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 672 Registered: 6-2001 |
Does anyone know when the first Special Education PTA Meeting is scheduled to meet? Dave, Would it be possible to have a Special Education sub-heading under the Education Heading? | ||
| huetz Citizen Username: Huetz Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2002 |
Marie, my daughter is in the pre-school class at Marshall. After the June meeting at the administration building, I realized that a web site for the Special Education PTA would be useful. I've since set something up, with message board functionality similar to here (though the board function isn't fully on yet). http://www.somsepta.org Email for more information ... info@somsepta.org -John Huetz | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 673 Registered: 6-2001 |
Thanks for the info John! | ||
| suzanneng Citizen Username: Suzanneng Post Number: 54 Registered: 3-2002 |
Huetz, is the site linked from the district home page? If not, and you would like it to be, Private line me, and I'll pass along the contact info of who to email to get it linked. | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 679 Registered: 6-2001 |
I've heard that Resource Room classes have been cut from 40 to under 10 this year at Columbia - Are there any parents out there of High School aged kids who are currently in Special Ed this year? | ||
| jacman Citizen Username: Jacman Post Number: 120 Registered: 6-2002 |
Many more kids, no new teachers... so, can't have six per class (what's legally allowable in resource room). This district's solution? Eliminate the resource rooms! The kids need them in order to achieve? It's in their IEPs? Too bad, we can't afford the teachers, we have to have a new assistant superintendent and give all the central office administrators merit pay. Oh, and by the way, even with eliminating one period for every CHS student, there are just as many, if not more, students who have study halls this year. | ||
| Dad23 Citizen Username: Dad23 Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2003 |
Jacman, Well said. Sad truth. | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 680 Registered: 6-2001 |
Dear Jacman ahd Dad 23, I had heard the Resource Room had been eliminated and that Resource Room teachers were teaching Remedial classes. I had also heard about the numbers in the Resource Classes. It is definately ILLEGAL and I strongly suggest you file a complaint with the state. It is a very easy thing to do and can be done anonymously. If you care to privateline me I would be more than happy to help you in this regard. I have two kids in Special Ed and am certain there won't be a program left when my kids get to CHS, which I understand at one point had one of the best Special Ed programs around. As a Special Ed community, it is essential that we organize and fight what is going on in this district - the Superintendent and BOE will find it cheaper to keep Special Education functioning as it should , than the lawsuits that will ensue by their non-compliance. | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 225 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hello -- I am looking for a referral to a lawyer to get info and advocacy help with the Child Study Team/BOE. The situation is pretty serious, and the best intentions have failed to produce a safe (physically safe) environment for my child. Please respond here and/or PM me. Thank you Pete | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 227 Registered: 8-2002 |
any comments on lawyers Staci Greenwald and Ted Sussan? thx Pete | ||
| C Bataille Citizen Username: Nakaille Post Number: 1551 Registered: 5-2001 |
The Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) is designed specifically to address these kinds of questions. Special Ed is their specialty. The director (Diana Autin) is an attorney. They have offices around the state but I think their main office is in Newark. http://www.spannj.org/ There's a lot of good info on their website. Cathy | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 681 Registered: 6-2001 |
This, from LDOnline: "A good start in any state is to contact the local Parent Training and Information Center or parent advocacy group (www.taalliance.org/PTIs.htm) , the State Protection and Advocacy Service (www.napas.org/other%20pages/contact%20P&As%20link20page.htm), and any disability support groups that are relevant to your child's disability (such as www.lda.org or www.chadd.org). The local chapters of these groups will likely know of attorneys and advocates in your area who concentrate in representing parents in securing appropriate services for children with disabilities. Also, the state department of education and your local school district are required to provide a list of low cost or no cost legal services. Even if you don't qualify for the services of one of these agencies, they are often a good source of referrals to other attorneys. | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 230 Registered: 8-2002 |
Thanks for the help and advice. My daughter is in the hospital tonight. Unfortunately she was not safe at school. My ex wife and I are contacting a lawyer tomorrow. With the right environment (probably in another school out of the district) -- I am convinced this would not have happened. thanks again Pete | ||
| John Huetz Citizen Username: Huetz Post Number: 5 Registered: 5-2002 |
Just got word from Barry Berg that the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 23 ... I'm awaiting information regarding location and time, which will be posted on the site as soon as possible: http://www.somsepta.org | ||
| jacman Citizen Username: Jacman Post Number: 121 Registered: 6-2002 |
ALL parents, but especially special ed parents, should go to Back to School Night. CHS's is on September 24th. I'm sure your child's special ed teacher will have plenty to tell you about this year's changes. | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 684 Registered: 6-2001 |
Jacman, You mean like how the number of Resource Classes has been cut from 40 to approximately 12 or, How the actual Resource Room no longer exists or, How Special Ed teachers are teaching remedial classes with no special training or, How the choice for Special Ed students has become either remedial classes or in class support or, How the number of aids at the High School is questionable at best or, How the number of case managers have caseloads that are impossible to maintain or, How IEP Content Area teachers are often not present at IEP meetings or, Well, there's just too much too list here, but you should take a few minutes to speak with Special Ed teachers at CHS even if you DONT have kids in Special Education. The lawsuits that are likely to proceed against the district for their blatant violations will cost everyone, all taxpayers alike, a whole lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$! | ||
| Cedar Citizen Username: Cedar Post Number: 80 Registered: 10-2002 |
peteglider- how awful.....please let us (or me) know how it all works out. | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 234 Registered: 8-2002 |
My daughter will likely be in the hospital through the end of the week. I wanted to believe the administration had good intentions and was acting in good faith. I trusted my child to the school -- and I will not be doing that again. Thanks for the kind words. | ||
| marie Citizen Username: Marie Post Number: 704 Registered: 6-2001 |
Does anyone have the numbers for how much the state picks up on Out of District placements? 80% seems to ring a bell, but can't remember. | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 244 Registered: 8-2002 |
I'm looking for a list of private special ed day schools, preferably in Essex/north Jersey. Anyone know of an online list? Is there a book/directory that's available? High school level, for a child with emotional issues. Also -- any comments on the Shepard school (Morristown), Milton school (Millburn), and Westlake (Summit)? thx Pete |
