Tuesday, April 19, 2011

A response and more

Heard from the Principal of our school today.

The placement meeting is to talk about transportation costs for taking him to the hospitalization program. Not one word was said about our privacy concerns. Interesting that I had an explanation of why they scheduled it for when we couldn't be there. We also were told that we can invite anyone that we would like, but since they don't have addresses for the people involved, we are responsible for inviting them. So now we are meeting not this week, but next week before he starts the program.

They scheduled the meeting so that they could invite the head of the local Special Services group and because they feel a sense of urgency regarding M, because he attacked his teacher. I have not seen any incident reports, sheriff reports or other statements regarding the incident last week that resulted in his suspension. The deputy said that she would get me copies of their stuff when she comes back on shift.

toll on family and health

I find myself thinking more and more about what our district is doing to M.  I can't fathom the level of failure that they are exhibiting.  Failure isn't even the right word.  I don't know what is.

Health problems are beginning to crop up in my life.  My other kids are feeling the toll of this on their lives.  They know that M is mentally ill.  They also know that there little brother is being treated in a manner that isn't right.  If a 12 year old boy with autism can see this, surely the school can see this.

We are meeting with the psychiatrist tomorrow.  Hopefully Thursday will begin the process of reentry into the classroom.  He really only has two days of school left before he starts the alternative placement and partial hospitalization recommended by his doctor. Then he will be out of the district until fall.  I can't stop correcting the wrong just because he is in an alternative placement.  If I do, what happens next year?  Do we just pick up where we left off?  I find it unconscionable that the principal and teacher can call themselves educators or professionals.

I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder.  There was a period when the disorder was in "remission" or at least not active.  That has ceased to be the case.  Since the school has started this school year, I have had heart trouble, mini strokes and dizzy spells to name a few issues.  All caused in part by stress. 

We are going to file a complaint with DPI and ask for a due process hearing. I really don't need to do both.  Depending on the outcome of that process, we will proceed with litigation.  I am not sure how I am going to pay for that, but will find a way.  The psychiatrist recommended contacting the state law school to see if they would take it as a teaching case.  I am starting that process now.  Not sure how I would go about it, but it all starts with a phone call or letter.

Friday, April 15, 2011

PWN - Prior Written Notice

Received the PWN for M's Manifestation Determination.  The PWN was taped to a classroom door.  What happened to confidentiality?  They scheduled the meeting for a time when I specifically told them I could not be there.  The PWN also states that they want to discuss placement.  How do they jump from suspension to manifestation determination to placement without meeting and without discussion?


What happened to following the law?  I am sending copies of the PWN to our advocate and care coordinators.  I am also going to include it and the method of delivery in our complaint to DPI.

So frustrating.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Going public again.

I took down public access to my blog in the hopes that the district would do their jobs. Initially they did everything we asked of them. They have stopped doing their jobs in reference to M, so I am making the blog publicly accessible again.

They say my blog intimidates them and that they feel threatened. I have never made threats on this blog. In fact I don't mention the district by name or the names of any of the teachers.

No employees of the district have access to my facebook. No members of the school board have access to my facebook. It is just a blog that is being written about a father's desire to ensure that his son gets the services and education that he is entitled to given the mental illness that he is afflicted with. I even removed my son's picture from the blog so that they can't use that against him and us.

Suspension

M has been suspended from school again for assault. This will put him at 10 days suspension and force the manifestation determination. Manifestation Determination is the schools responsibility to determine if M's behavior is a result of his diagnosis. Our psychiatrist recommends that we get an attorney as the school is discriminating against M.

We have sent letters to the Southern Poverty Law Center and the NAACP. I explained to the superintendent that we are filing complaints with the appropriate state and federal agencies. The district is violating M's access to a FAPE. Free and Appropriate Public Education.

The school wanted us to hospitalize M after this latest incident for his safety. In talking with the psychiatrist, since M doesn't have the violent outbursts at home, there is no need to hospitalize him for safety. Very frustrated with our district.

M starts partial hospitalization the week after next, so really only has four days of school left for this school year. We are concerned for my wife's job because of the school propensity to call every 20 minutes and complain about M. We have 4 other kids in our family. They have appointments that take us into the city, as a result of me being out of town they call my wife. It wouldn't be so bad, but the school only calls five times before they tell us to come and get M.

Friday, April 8, 2011

another call

I got another call from the school today. It seems M got a hold of a pair of scissors.

The school principal called and told me that M had two pairs of scissors and a rock and was in a room all by himself threatening to hurt someone. I raced to the school and when I got there, M was sitting calmly in a chair. The Principal told me that she "may have misread things". I could not believe it.

Evidently M found a pair of scissors in a desk, and said "I should use these". That necessitated the need for them to call me.

I asked for incident reports. The principal sent one back which again included my words. I don't understand that. No where in the incident report does it say that she told me that he was locked in a room and threatening people.

I put in a call to Protection and Advocacy. I also sent an email to the Superintendent asking about filing a complaint.

I have to protect my son from them now.

A bad day...

I could tell right away that M's day was shot. He hadn't even entered the school yet. What happened? He left his back pack in the van, and his sister grabbed him to try to get him to stop. This is the wrong thing to do with M. I told her that I would be getting a call from the school before noon.

Sure enough the call came. M tore apart the resource room at the school. Then at recess started threatening his classmates. So he got in school suspension for the remainder of the day. M is a very active child and can't sit still for more than a few seconds, and they took away his recess.

I understand consequences, but wouldn't it be better to burn off the energy that builds up rather than keep it in?

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Communication

My wife and I have been talking to the other kids about M's diagnosis and possible long term placement in a residential facility. They are sad, but taking it well. M doesn't seem to care either way.

Long term, we are concerned about him hurting someone. The doctor describes M as an antisocial personality disorder diagnosis waiting to happen. I asked why waiting. Evidently, they can't be diagnosed with that disorder until adulthood. I don't know why. At any rate. We are upset. I would like to have a long talk with his birth mother. M doesn't deserve this.