Thursday, November 7, 2013
MORE ON HOW TO PROVE NON-VERBAL KIDS CAN READ!
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Friday, October 18, 2013
IEP Meeting Collaborating as a Team~DS Education & Awareness Day #18
In honor of Down syndrome "Education" & Awareness Month -today is Day 18- I Advocated for a sweet little 6 year old that needs her school to "do the right things" for her to progress academically during this school year.
I surprised the mom, telling her I would attend the IEP this morning with her. In honor of DS Awareness month, I wanted to Help Educate & Advocate for her little Sweetie-Pie. I wanted to help make sure everyone was on board with BELIEVING IN HER ABILITIES!!
I love my Lil Peeps with Down syndrome!!!
Happy Day 18 of Down syndrome month!
Update:
Meeting went well at this school! At first it was edgy....but felt more 'collaborative' as we went along...as it should be. It felt like we were all working as a team for this little funny-silly-always moving little girl. There didn't seem to be that 'rush' to push thru and get this meeting on-n-over with so quickly. Mom said she thought it was only going to be a meeting for just 30 minutes or maybe up to an hour. The meeting moved forward fairly smoothly as we all worked collaboratively for close to 4 HOURS together! Having good discussions updating and doing things a little differently than usual...because this was an IEP meeting that Mom had requested to have, to discuss concerns she has for her daughter's education.
This mommie reached out to me during an ESE Advisory Council Meeting asking "if and can they do" questions she was dealing with at her daughter's school. I met this little "punkin girl" and of course I saw all the wonderful things she was doing and how happy and active she was! ....WOW what a little talker she is too! I was VERY IMPRESSED with how well she talked to me and responded to all my questions I asked her!
Nothing better than reaching out to another parent of a daughter (or son) with Down syndrome too! Another parent that fully understands her very real concerns for her daughter's academic education. Mom was getting discouraged when she noticed her daughter's IEP goals and things written into her IEP document was never changing and always seemed to say the exact same thing year after year.
This was my first meeting attending with this mom and the grandmother at this school. I know they were very appreciative that I 'showed up' to help out!
BTW the front office at this school was decorated so amazing for the Month of October! Two scarecrows, lots of pumpkins, fall leaves, black cats, spiders and lots of orange twinkle lights! This made the school office FUN to come into and felt VERY warm and friendly and absolutely welcoming! This place gets high marks for atmosphere making you feel glad to be there. Made you SMILE when you walked into this school! The fall decorations were a perfect picture opportunity before we left the school. One couldn't resist wanting to take a few quick pictures in that school front office.
Happy Down syndrome Education & Awareness Month!
October 18th, 2013
I love my Lil Peeps with Down syndrome!!!
Happy Day 18 of Down syndrome month!
Update:
Meeting went well at this school! At first it was edgy....but felt more 'collaborative' as we went along...as it should be. It felt like we were all working as a team for this little funny-silly-always moving little girl. There didn't seem to be that 'rush' to push thru and get this meeting on-n-over with so quickly. Mom said she thought it was only going to be a meeting for just 30 minutes or maybe up to an hour. The meeting moved forward fairly smoothly as we all worked collaboratively for close to 4 HOURS together! Having good discussions updating and doing things a little differently than usual...because this was an IEP meeting that Mom had requested to have, to discuss concerns she has for her daughter's education.
This mommie reached out to me during an ESE Advisory Council Meeting asking "if and can they do" questions she was dealing with at her daughter's school. I met this little "punkin girl" and of course I saw all the wonderful things she was doing and how happy and active she was! ....WOW what a little talker she is too! I was VERY IMPRESSED with how well she talked to me and responded to all my questions I asked her!
Nothing better than reaching out to another parent of a daughter (or son) with Down syndrome too! Another parent that fully understands her very real concerns for her daughter's academic education. Mom was getting discouraged when she noticed her daughter's IEP goals and things written into her IEP document was never changing and always seemed to say the exact same thing year after year.
This was my first meeting attending with this mom and the grandmother at this school. I know they were very appreciative that I 'showed up' to help out!
BTW the front office at this school was decorated so amazing for the Month of October! Two scarecrows, lots of pumpkins, fall leaves, black cats, spiders and lots of orange twinkle lights! This made the school office FUN to come into and felt VERY warm and friendly and absolutely welcoming! This place gets high marks for atmosphere making you feel glad to be there. Made you SMILE when you walked into this school! The fall decorations were a perfect picture opportunity before we left the school. One couldn't resist wanting to take a few quick pictures in that school front office.
Happy Down syndrome Education & Awareness Month!
October 18th, 2013
*Should I say the name of the school?
Would the school be OK with it if I did?
*I have permission to post pictures of this sweetie lil punkin face!!
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Discrimination & Retaliation Parent experienced after Advocating for SB 1108
Broward County resident Nancy Linley-Harris and her daughter, sixth-grader Mariah, spoke at the meeting in favor of SB 1108.
Mariah, who is in Parkway Middle School’s S.T.E.M Magnet program, said she loves science and math, and her dream is to go to college with her friends to study to be a veterinarian technician.
Mariah is a student with special educational needs.
“Please, must pass this bill,” she said.
Linley-Harris advocated parents’ rights to sign off on decisions that greatly impact children and their collegiate and professional dreams.
She said the IEP team had made drastic changes in Mariah’s curriculum involving a strategic plan to remove Mariah from a track that would allow her to get a high school diploma. Linley-Harris was not in agreement and filed due process, but “lost miserably.”
“Families are not always in the position to hire lawyers, and districts usually win,” Linley-Harris said at the meeting. “The decision to remove my daughter from being allowed to be taught, learn and earn is shameful.”
Linley-Harris went on to explain the importance of inclusion in IEP. She said her daughter learns by watching, and schools should instill a peer buddy program.
Positive role models “sitting side-by-side with our children with disabilities will help develop friendships and curb bullying with disability awareness,” Linley-Harris said. “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”
Proposed education bill reported favorably out of Fla. Senate committee ~ click to read full article.
The above took place on March 18th, 2013 before the Florida Senate Education Committee in Tallahassee, Florida. A group of 'us moms' (6 adults and 14 year old Mariah) had all traveled by van from Sunny South Florida to our State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida. As a group of very concerned Parents raising children with unique learning challenges needing an IEP to receive ESE Special Ed Supports and Services, we desperately needed our voices to be heard and knew we had to testify before the Senate Education Committee our stories to convince all of the Florida Senators how important this particular New Bill was going to be to all of us in securing a quality public education for our children.
Speaking before the Florida Senate was Mariah's very first Public Speech! She was AmaZing!! She made the News and parts of her speech was heard across the Nation in an NPR Radio Program on Special Education!! *National Public Radio! Not bad for a her first speech! Oh of course YES her Tiger-momma is so very proud of her accomplishment of being able to do that! Mariah was heard!! *She has severe Speech & Language delays!
To hear the NPR talk radio program...click here: http://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/parents-could-get-more-control-over-classes-disabled-students
The saddest part of our experience was that back home in Broward County Public Schools.....Mariah's IEP document had been virtually raped by ESE teachers and the ESE staff, the districts legal department by making sure that all the things SB 1108 stood for, Mariah was never going to be allowed to have!!
This is what my heart knows to be true what took place as my experience that happened to me.
I had 10 IEP meetings within a 7th month period, that averaged out to be an IEP pretty much every 2 1/2 weeks all of Mariah's 6th grade year at Parkway Middle School. All the things that "mom" wanted to see happen with Mariah's Academic Education thru the IEP "Process" was not ever going to happen for my daughter...was it because we both spoke out so publicly in support of SB 1108 and helped change a law to help with Parent Rights and Signing off of to agree or disagree to the things 1108 would now provide Florida ESE Parents?
One can only wonder and guess why Mariah's Individual Education Plan was nothing mom would ever in a million years agree to...and every single one of those drawing a paycheck from Broward County Public Schools that had anything to do or knowledge of her "IEP SITUATION" knew that MOST ALL OF IT was without Friendly Collaboration or Care to work with me. My daughter, Mariah was removed from being allowed to be educated in all general education classes like she had always been since Kindergarten. Mariah was forced off the Standard Diploma Track and no longer was to be allowed to take the Florida State Test again...also called the FCAT. She had always taken all the FCAT's in the past all throughout her Elementary years. Parkway Middle School never took the time to inform or allowed Mariah to take the Alternate to the FCAT even. The ESE Specialist never informed Mariah's mom when the Alternate fcat testing would be done either. Needless to say, Mariah was not allowed to take any of the State tests during her sole year in the STEM MAGNET Program at Parkway Middle School. (2012-2013)
Mariah's IEP "PROCESS" during the 2012-2013 was a HOSTILE TAKE-OVER by the Districts Attorney Barbara Myrick and many "players" of my daughter's IEP and what was written in it....all leading towards Mariah losing out on really being educated academically at her "wonderful" MAGNET Middle School!
*Mariah made a few good friends that one year at Parkway, she's easy to recognize. We run into some of her classmates that say, "hi" to her when we are out and about asking her why she doesn't go to Parkway anymore. It seemed the Students had a much better attitude about treating Mariah with respect than some of the Staff at the school did.
Mariah was being cheated out of a Quality Education in Broward County....why? Because they spoke out and were supportive of what it would mean to so many ESE Parents going through the IEP "PROCESS" throughout the State of Florida.
I don't wish what happened to me as my daughter's Parent, teacher and advocate for life on any family! It is all so shameful what took place and is more than likely still taking place with other parents and whole families are being affected by it all. Parents don't know that they are not the only ones being treated so shamefully..they don't know how to stop the "pure nonsense" that is being allowed to continue to take place because of a handful of Really Bad Apples that draw a paycheck...some are pretty hefty paychecks too! .....it's their job...as they have gotten away with it for so long and many of them just don't care about people as people anymore and certainly show they don't really care about educating our children receiving a quality education.....ESE Education!
What was going on back in Broward County Public Schools because Senate Bill 1108 was 'in the works?' As this bill was being put into motion and moving forward at lightening speed...Mariah's mom, was being fiercely retaliated against for wanting her daughter to continue to be fully included in her general education classes, to continue to have her take the FCAT, to provide Mariah with a Curriculum for Intensive Reading and Math even though all her Reading and Math goals were removed and blamed on..."it must be a GLITCH"...really?? The most important parent concern and issue was the school didn't want to continue to have Mariah going to school to be educated so she could earn a High School Diploma anymroe...not caring about her dream of going onto College, "with her Friends one day." Mariah's mom is a long standing passionate Special Ed Advocate, attending many IEP meetings for other parents in Broward Schools, providing help for many students with Down syndrome mostly!
Mariah's mom was forced to file a Due Process with 14 issues and lost on ALL 14 concerns and then to file an OCR-Discrimination case, she lost on that too.
Eventually Mom made the decision to WITHDRAW Mariah from Parkway Middle School and the STEM MAGNET Program on May 24th, about 5 weeks before SB 1108 was to become the Florida Law on July 1st. PARENTS now with this NEW LAW will now have to SIGN OFF on changes to IEP in regards to: Placement ~ Diploma Option and Curriculum and much more.....all the very things the Broward ESE IEP "teamsters" for Mariah DID NOT WANT TO ALLOW HER TO HAVE ANY MORE!!
As Mariah's mother, first teacher and life-long Advocate it was all "PURE NONSENSE" of what all has been allowed to take place while she attended Middle School in a Broward County Public School. Broward's ESE Department Staff and Legal Department was preventing me from having my PARENT INPUT in many ways and my concerns for her reading and math goals and curriculum. Parent involvement to creating an Individual Education Plan for Mariah just was not being allowed to happen the way the Federal IDEA Law is. It is an anything goes here in Broward when it comes to "doing the right thing" by the student especially or respecting the student, parents and their families. Shameful.....
I felt I was forced to remove my daughter from Public Education in ANY Broward Public School because of the PURE NONSENSE that had taken place at Parkway Middle School of the Performing Arts the entire year she was there.
What has been allowed to take place and has ultimately been taken away from my daughter, should never happen to any student or to any parent that is doing what they are suppose to do....be involved in their child's education!
It was not a positive experience while Mariah was attending Parkway Middle School. For Mariah, Science and her STEM classes were her Favorite classes. I believe that the STEM Program is Awesome for EVERYBODY!!
Mariah's first year attending a Middle school, became an involved parents worst nightmare! Dealing with the ESE Department person at the school, she was probably given permission to do all she could to NOT allow Mariah to take the FCAT, or be on the Standard Diploma Track and all the other retaliatory things that took place the entire school year. It was obvious she was placed or "hired" to do the dirty work of leading the 'teamsters' in tearing down my daughter's IEP document that at one time was an "Individual" plan for my daughter's academic education and future career goals.....the actions of some school staff was shameful!
I am over the top glad that SB 1108 was signed into law and is now in affect as of July 1st, 2013.....but still very hurt by how Mariah's Middle school ESE staff & some of her teachers, the Principal and most all of the District ESE, Legal and Due Process Department, all 9 School Board members, now including the Superintendent. Broward Public School District showed me how much they ALL do not do a damn thing to HELP the "pure nonsense" from continuing to happen to a little girl that deserves a quality education like everyone else...is it because she has Down syndrome!!?
......makes you wonder........
Mariah is now attending a Private Christian School using her ESE Funds via the McKay MATRIX Funds....which btw....I had to file a State Complaint because her MATRIX Numbers had been changed out maybe 4 or 5 times in those 7 months and ultimately the District was trying to make it so Mariah's McKay funds were LESS than what they had always been throughout all her grades. It has all been so shameful.
~ Nancy Linley-Harris
September 25th, 2013
Mariah, who is in Parkway Middle School’s S.T.E.M Magnet program, said she loves science and math, and her dream is to go to college with her friends to study to be a veterinarian technician.
Mariah is a student with special educational needs.
“Please, must pass this bill,” she said.
Linley-Harris advocated parents’ rights to sign off on decisions that greatly impact children and their collegiate and professional dreams.
She said the IEP team had made drastic changes in Mariah’s curriculum involving a strategic plan to remove Mariah from a track that would allow her to get a high school diploma. Linley-Harris was not in agreement and filed due process, but “lost miserably.”
“Families are not always in the position to hire lawyers, and districts usually win,” Linley-Harris said at the meeting. “The decision to remove my daughter from being allowed to be taught, learn and earn is shameful.”
Linley-Harris went on to explain the importance of inclusion in IEP. She said her daughter learns by watching, and schools should instill a peer buddy program.
Positive role models “sitting side-by-side with our children with disabilities will help develop friendships and curb bullying with disability awareness,” Linley-Harris said. “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”
Proposed education bill reported favorably out of Fla. Senate committee ~ click to read full article.
The above took place on March 18th, 2013 before the Florida Senate Education Committee in Tallahassee, Florida. A group of 'us moms' (6 adults and 14 year old Mariah) had all traveled by van from Sunny South Florida to our State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida. As a group of very concerned Parents raising children with unique learning challenges needing an IEP to receive ESE Special Ed Supports and Services, we desperately needed our voices to be heard and knew we had to testify before the Senate Education Committee our stories to convince all of the Florida Senators how important this particular New Bill was going to be to all of us in securing a quality public education for our children.
Speaking before the Florida Senate was Mariah's very first Public Speech! She was AmaZing!! She made the News and parts of her speech was heard across the Nation in an NPR Radio Program on Special Education!! *National Public Radio! Not bad for a her first speech! Oh of course YES her Tiger-momma is so very proud of her accomplishment of being able to do that! Mariah was heard!! *She has severe Speech & Language delays!
To hear the NPR talk radio program...click here: http://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/parents-could-get-more-control-over-classes-disabled-students
The saddest part of our experience was that back home in Broward County Public Schools.....Mariah's IEP document had been virtually raped by ESE teachers and the ESE staff, the districts legal department by making sure that all the things SB 1108 stood for, Mariah was never going to be allowed to have!!
This is what my heart knows to be true what took place as my experience that happened to me.
I had 10 IEP meetings within a 7th month period, that averaged out to be an IEP pretty much every 2 1/2 weeks all of Mariah's 6th grade year at Parkway Middle School. All the things that "mom" wanted to see happen with Mariah's Academic Education thru the IEP "Process" was not ever going to happen for my daughter...was it because we both spoke out so publicly in support of SB 1108 and helped change a law to help with Parent Rights and Signing off of to agree or disagree to the things 1108 would now provide Florida ESE Parents?
One can only wonder and guess why Mariah's Individual Education Plan was nothing mom would ever in a million years agree to...and every single one of those drawing a paycheck from Broward County Public Schools that had anything to do or knowledge of her "IEP SITUATION" knew that MOST ALL OF IT was without Friendly Collaboration or Care to work with me. My daughter, Mariah was removed from being allowed to be educated in all general education classes like she had always been since Kindergarten. Mariah was forced off the Standard Diploma Track and no longer was to be allowed to take the Florida State Test again...also called the FCAT. She had always taken all the FCAT's in the past all throughout her Elementary years. Parkway Middle School never took the time to inform or allowed Mariah to take the Alternate to the FCAT even. The ESE Specialist never informed Mariah's mom when the Alternate fcat testing would be done either. Needless to say, Mariah was not allowed to take any of the State tests during her sole year in the STEM MAGNET Program at Parkway Middle School. (2012-2013)
Mariah's IEP "PROCESS" during the 2012-2013 was a HOSTILE TAKE-OVER by the Districts Attorney Barbara Myrick and many "players" of my daughter's IEP and what was written in it....all leading towards Mariah losing out on really being educated academically at her "wonderful" MAGNET Middle School!
*Mariah made a few good friends that one year at Parkway, she's easy to recognize. We run into some of her classmates that say, "hi" to her when we are out and about asking her why she doesn't go to Parkway anymore. It seemed the Students had a much better attitude about treating Mariah with respect than some of the Staff at the school did.
Mariah was being cheated out of a Quality Education in Broward County....why? Because they spoke out and were supportive of what it would mean to so many ESE Parents going through the IEP "PROCESS" throughout the State of Florida.
I don't wish what happened to me as my daughter's Parent, teacher and advocate for life on any family! It is all so shameful what took place and is more than likely still taking place with other parents and whole families are being affected by it all. Parents don't know that they are not the only ones being treated so shamefully..they don't know how to stop the "pure nonsense" that is being allowed to continue to take place because of a handful of Really Bad Apples that draw a paycheck...some are pretty hefty paychecks too! .....it's their job...as they have gotten away with it for so long and many of them just don't care about people as people anymore and certainly show they don't really care about educating our children receiving a quality education.....ESE Education!
What was going on back in Broward County Public Schools because Senate Bill 1108 was 'in the works?' As this bill was being put into motion and moving forward at lightening speed...Mariah's mom, was being fiercely retaliated against for wanting her daughter to continue to be fully included in her general education classes, to continue to have her take the FCAT, to provide Mariah with a Curriculum for Intensive Reading and Math even though all her Reading and Math goals were removed and blamed on..."it must be a GLITCH"...really?? The most important parent concern and issue was the school didn't want to continue to have Mariah going to school to be educated so she could earn a High School Diploma anymroe...not caring about her dream of going onto College, "with her Friends one day." Mariah's mom is a long standing passionate Special Ed Advocate, attending many IEP meetings for other parents in Broward Schools, providing help for many students with Down syndrome mostly!
Mariah's mom was forced to file a Due Process with 14 issues and lost on ALL 14 concerns and then to file an OCR-Discrimination case, she lost on that too.
Eventually Mom made the decision to WITHDRAW Mariah from Parkway Middle School and the STEM MAGNET Program on May 24th, about 5 weeks before SB 1108 was to become the Florida Law on July 1st. PARENTS now with this NEW LAW will now have to SIGN OFF on changes to IEP in regards to: Placement ~ Diploma Option and Curriculum and much more.....all the very things the Broward ESE IEP "teamsters" for Mariah DID NOT WANT TO ALLOW HER TO HAVE ANY MORE!!
As Mariah's mother, first teacher and life-long Advocate it was all "PURE NONSENSE" of what all has been allowed to take place while she attended Middle School in a Broward County Public School. Broward's ESE Department Staff and Legal Department was preventing me from having my PARENT INPUT in many ways and my concerns for her reading and math goals and curriculum. Parent involvement to creating an Individual Education Plan for Mariah just was not being allowed to happen the way the Federal IDEA Law is. It is an anything goes here in Broward when it comes to "doing the right thing" by the student especially or respecting the student, parents and their families. Shameful.....
I felt I was forced to remove my daughter from Public Education in ANY Broward Public School because of the PURE NONSENSE that had taken place at Parkway Middle School of the Performing Arts the entire year she was there.
What has been allowed to take place and has ultimately been taken away from my daughter, should never happen to any student or to any parent that is doing what they are suppose to do....be involved in their child's education!
It was not a positive experience while Mariah was attending Parkway Middle School. For Mariah, Science and her STEM classes were her Favorite classes. I believe that the STEM Program is Awesome for EVERYBODY!!
Mariah's first year attending a Middle school, became an involved parents worst nightmare! Dealing with the ESE Department person at the school, she was probably given permission to do all she could to NOT allow Mariah to take the FCAT, or be on the Standard Diploma Track and all the other retaliatory things that took place the entire school year. It was obvious she was placed or "hired" to do the dirty work of leading the 'teamsters' in tearing down my daughter's IEP document that at one time was an "Individual" plan for my daughter's academic education and future career goals.....the actions of some school staff was shameful!
I am over the top glad that SB 1108 was signed into law and is now in affect as of July 1st, 2013.....but still very hurt by how Mariah's Middle school ESE staff & some of her teachers, the Principal and most all of the District ESE, Legal and Due Process Department, all 9 School Board members, now including the Superintendent. Broward Public School District showed me how much they ALL do not do a damn thing to HELP the "pure nonsense" from continuing to happen to a little girl that deserves a quality education like everyone else...is it because she has Down syndrome!!?
......makes you wonder........
Mariah is now attending a Private Christian School using her ESE Funds via the McKay MATRIX Funds....which btw....I had to file a State Complaint because her MATRIX Numbers had been changed out maybe 4 or 5 times in those 7 months and ultimately the District was trying to make it so Mariah's McKay funds were LESS than what they had always been throughout all her grades. It has all been so shameful.
~ Nancy Linley-Harris
September 25th, 2013
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Believe in and have Expectations for my Child to Succeed!
"Having no expectations shows pity, which shows sadness, sorrow & regret. A child with a disability needs support. Stand behind him, champion and back him! Believe in him and have expectations! They inspire hope, excitement, eagerness and success! Which would you want others to give you?"
- Joan Scanlon-Dise
- Joan Scanlon-Dise
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Friday, September 6, 2013
READING “M&M”s, PART 1 by Natalie Hale
READING “M&M”s, PART 1 by Natalie Hale Click above to read more from Natalie Hale and her wonderful tips on Learning to Read!! Great Resource!!
Click here to read her BLOG ~ SPECIAL READS http://specialreads.com/blog/
Click here to read her BLOG ~ SPECIAL READS http://specialreads.com/blog/
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Look mom!! My new school planner ~ I Love it!
Good News 2013-2014 Student Planner
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-Control
My Fruit-full Prayer
Love so I may love.
Joy to share a smile.
Peace to calm my fear.
Patience to last a while.
Kindness for all I meet.
Goodness in all I do.
Gentleness, and Self-Control,
And Faithfulness to you.
Spirit, may these gifts
Grow ripe each day in me
So I can be a fruit-full branch
For Christ, the Living Tree.
*I couldn't get my pictures to rotate ~ sorry
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Mariah Elizabeth's 1st week at her New School ~ Is this a dream?
"I'm so excited mom!"
"....now what?"
"Mom, that's nuff pictures!"
First Day at her New School ~ I was buzzed in at the security gate with the door ringer and I stepped in at the front office to say hello to the school secretary. She said, "it's OK to go ahead and take her to her classroom." I snapped a few pictures of Mariah, as she was rushing me saying, "come on mom that's nuff pictures!" Mariah was so excited and happy to finally be starting at her New school this morning! I opened the door to her classroom and saw a few students already sitting in desks. Her new teacher greeted her "by saying her name" and asked her to come in and take a particular desk.
Mariah Elizabeth was so excited and eager to meet her new classmates and go to school today! I am excited for her to make new friends and capture new academic growth here at this school that she desperately needs. (Back to the basics of learning and including her in a 'regular' classroom without any hassles about it.
Inclusion should be Natural!
Mariah has a ton of confidence and a strong desire to learn. With just enough support, I know she'll be showing off her independence at this new school. She'll blossom here I'm sure of it!
I gently closed her new classroom door behind her and was glad things went so smoothly this first morning drop off. As I was walking away and going out the security gate, I felt very much at ease at how welcoming it all felt dropping her off there on her first day of school without having to WAIT or wonder would she be safe today. This school operates how schools used to be ~ FRIENDLY & WELCOMING....I call this our LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE SCHOOL. They join 2 different grades together and they all eat at the same time together, so everyone gets to know everyone in the entire school. There is a FAMILY FEEL at this school for sure! After dropping her off her first day of school it took me less than 4 minutes to drive back home. Drive time there in the AM even in the busy AM traffic is 12 minutes at the most.
This is where she is getting to know all of her new school & classmates! Yes they have SWINGS and the "big kids" still like swinging! It's like going to the Park everyday...in fact they DO GO TO THE PARK for some of their PE classes down the street!
The first thing she said when I picked her up after her first day of school was..."Mom!!!!! Guess What!!" " I PLAYED BASKETBALL! I LLLLLLLOVE SPORTS!!!" She was bout jumping out of her skin with excitement that she gets to do SPORTS at school!!! Basketball being her favorite "sport" right now!! Her homeroom teacher is also the PE Coach!
Mariah's at a great place! She is welcomed and valued as the individual she is! Her being a person with Down syndrome is not an issue here at this school!!!
2nd Day of School for Mariah Elizabeth ~ I asked for a home set of class books this morning. Her teacher said, "That will be fine, I'll have them for you. A set will be ready when you pick her up this afternoon." .....and that was that!!! Now THAT'S Customer Service!!! "The way it should be", someone said to me on my FB page. I have to agree, yes the way it should be! No big deal!
Today is Tuesday, the day I pick her up early to take her to her OT-PT-SPEECH Therapies every week. I arranged with the school that I would be picking her up on Tuesdays 15-30 minutes before school lets out. This way she is able to continue attending her Private OT/PT/ST Therapies and won't be missing from her Academic class time at school anymore. No more therapies when she's in school anymore, she receives the best therapies where she has been going for the past 7 years now!
School Day #3 for Mariah Elizabeth
~ FAMILY FEEL!!!! With absolutely NO HASSLES thus far!!!
*Mariah's mommie oh so needs this from a school!!!
Takes me no more than 10 minutes or less to go pick her up after school!!
Mariah keeps telling me how much she LOVES her New School!!
Her very first homework is to memorize a little prayer. Now that can be any more PERFECT for her first homework assignment!!!
Below is her MEMORY Homework due on Friday 8/23/13. She wrote it out a few times, in a little notebook and also on 2 index cards. Today she typed it into an email to her teacher. At home I am teaching her how to use an email program and will eventually have it set up to send 'homework' over to her teacher this way. This is to continue to help Mariah with her computer and keyboarding skills she will need to be successful in life.
Here is what her Memory homework is ~
Dear Father in heaven above,
Fill our minds and hearts with your love,
Watch over us as we work and play
and be with us throughout the day.
Amen
*She typed this herself with a little help from me, to make sure she was using Capitals and punctuation correctly. I copied and pasted it from the email she sent to my email first. My goal is to help her learn how to independently use an email program this school year. Something her past schools were not interested in. Emailing is a skill she has to be taught and without a reason for using it via sending in homework once in a while, she will not gain that important "life skill" that I think is important for her to lean now. I will keep you posted on how the idea goes over when I ask her teacher about this idea.
Reading and practicing her Memory work on the drive to school each day this week.
Picked her up a tad early today to take her to her 1st day back Horse Riding at the Ranch!
Thursday is her HORSE Riding Day! This was 1st day back at the ranch with Katie is the new Riding Instructor for the group lessons. New this year, each rider will now be receiving some 1:1 independent riding lessons on a rotating schedule! This place is our favorite place to be each week! Glad to be back "in session" again!!
Mariah's at a great place! She is welcomed and valued as the individual she is! Her being a person with Down syndrome is not an issue here at this school!!!
2nd Day of School for Mariah Elizabeth ~ I asked for a home set of class books this morning. Her teacher said, "That will be fine, I'll have them for you. A set will be ready when you pick her up this afternoon." .....and that was that!!! Now THAT'S Customer Service!!! "The way it should be", someone said to me on my FB page. I have to agree, yes the way it should be! No big deal!
Today is Tuesday, the day I pick her up early to take her to her OT-PT-SPEECH Therapies every week. I arranged with the school that I would be picking her up on Tuesdays 15-30 minutes before school lets out. This way she is able to continue attending her Private OT/PT/ST Therapies and won't be missing from her Academic class time at school anymore. No more therapies when she's in school anymore, she receives the best therapies where she has been going for the past 7 years now!
School Day #3 for Mariah Elizabeth
~ FAMILY FEEL!!!! With absolutely NO HASSLES thus far!!!
*Mariah's mommie oh so needs this from a school!!!
Takes me no more than 10 minutes or less to go pick her up after school!!
Mariah keeps telling me how much she LOVES her New School!!
Her very first homework is to memorize a little prayer. Now that can be any more PERFECT for her first homework assignment!!!
Below is her MEMORY Homework due on Friday 8/23/13. She wrote it out a few times, in a little notebook and also on 2 index cards. Today she typed it into an email to her teacher. At home I am teaching her how to use an email program and will eventually have it set up to send 'homework' over to her teacher this way. This is to continue to help Mariah with her computer and keyboarding skills she will need to be successful in life.
Here is what her Memory homework is ~
Dear Father in heaven above,
Fill our minds and hearts with your love,
Watch over us as we work and play
and be with us throughout the day.
Amen
*She typed this herself with a little help from me, to make sure she was using Capitals and punctuation correctly. I copied and pasted it from the email she sent to my email first. My goal is to help her learn how to independently use an email program this school year. Something her past schools were not interested in. Emailing is a skill she has to be taught and without a reason for using it via sending in homework once in a while, she will not gain that important "life skill" that I think is important for her to lean now. I will keep you posted on how the idea goes over when I ask her teacher about this idea.
Day #3 ~ On Wednesday's they go Chapel and have to wear their white uniform shirts on that day. They have several colors to choose from for their UNIFORM shirts, white, light blue, navy blue, green, red. Their shirts have to have the school logo...and their logo is so gosh darn cute!!! Mariah Elizabeth is used to wearing a uniform to school, so it's no big deal. She was actually impressed and happy when she took a good look at her New School LOGO on her shirt. On the car ride home her 2nd day she looked at it so proudly and said, "I LOVE THIS SCHOOL MOM!" ....with the cutest smile when she said it!
The school office has a box full of "pre-owned" uniforms in their front office. I was able to purchase a few items really cheap. For me it was like going shopping at a thrift store, which Mariah and I love to do anyway! Picking up a weeks worth of shirts really helped alot! That gurl of mine, she is hhharrd to find clothes that fit her right. We have learned to get creative on where we shop for her clothes. Woman's Capri's fit her legs like long leg pants. We are grateful for Capri's!!
The school office has a box full of "pre-owned" uniforms in their front office. I was able to purchase a few items really cheap. For me it was like going shopping at a thrift store, which Mariah and I love to do anyway! Picking up a weeks worth of shirts really helped alot! That gurl of mine, she is hhharrd to find clothes that fit her right. We have learned to get creative on where we shop for her clothes. Woman's Capri's fit her legs like long leg pants. We are grateful for Capri's!!
This is a page from her Social Studies book that was sent home. I do believe my daughter, Mariah has had the best first hand experience in CIVIC these last few months. Mariah's very first public speech at the State Capitol in front of the Florida Senate Education Committee March 18th, 2013 on Senate Bill 1108 was an experience in Civics that could never be learned in any classroom.
Mariah knows about..."meetings" and "public speaking" and doing things to help change laws already. She has told me she wants to do more Public Speaking because of that experience. She has spoken before the School Board too! Want to see Mariah speaking before the Senate Education Committee 3.18.13 ~ Go to 21:07 - 22:57 on the video. http://thefloridachannel.org/video/program-201311/
Listen to Mariah & her Mom speaking on NPR-National Public Radio
"Mom, I couldn't get into the swing, I need help." "The swings are for big kids, I'm a big kid."
Mariah and I both are looking forward to a wonderful school year ahead!
GO TIGERS! *Great MASCOT!!
.....Does that make me a TIGER MOMMA???
Day #4 ~ Thursday
She was asked to be part of the after school Jewelry Making classes!! Yes yes yes she will be there!!
This is the beautiful bulletin board by the front office! Isn't it pretty? Read what it says!!
Singing and talking on our weekly car ride to the ranch 18 miles away! She is so glad to be back to school and starting back with her weekly horse riding lessons!
This is Katie her new riding instructor this season.
Back sitting on FIRE!! She has been riding FIRE now for a few years!
Mariah is so HaPpY here at the Ranch!
Day 5 ~ 1st Week of School
Friday is PIZZA DAY for Lunch! The lunches are homemade and cost $4 daily. Mariah being on a restricted diet to keep her weight down, she will be taking her own fresh salads and low calorie lunches 3 times a week. She will get to eat Pizza on Friday's with everyone. Mariah likes making her own lunches and deciding what to put in her lunch container. Making her own lunches teaches her responsibility and how to make healthy choices on her own and how to COUNT HER CALORIES that she will have to do for the rest of her life if she wants to be in control of her 'healthy weight'!! She loves salads and eating healthy.
BIG big difference the first week in a Private school compared to Public school first week! There is a calm and trust that she is respected and not babied or denied access to regular classes. Mariah is fully included in all regular general education classes and not segregated into an all special needs only classroom. She no longer has a 1:1 adult aide sitting so close and on top of her. Mariah is proud to be herself here at this school. I think this school is the place where Mariah is going to blossom on so many levels academically and in so many ways as a typical teenager! Mariah has had an absolutely awesome first week at her new school!
Mariah is HaPpY at her New School!!!
......so is her "Tiger Momma!"
"If a child can't learn the way we teach, ...maybe we should teach the way they learn." - Ignacio Estrada
VIEW & SHARE this NEW Video about Down syndrome!
Just Like You! http://youtu.be/5M--xOyGUX4
Down syndrome good practice guidelines for education
To read more about Mariah go to her personal blog at:
321 FUN ~ Mariah's Life Blog
DS Advocate Blog
Down Syndrome Inclusive Education
POD Angels ~ Down syndrome Family Support
Do you have a student with Down syndrome in your classroom? Great Resource out of Michigan! Supporting the Student with Down Syndrome in your Classroom. To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily” 20 U.S.C § 1412(a)(5)(A).
The Florida Channel ~ Mariah Speaking before the Florida Senate Education Committee 3/18/13
The National Center on Inclusive Education (NCIE) at the Institute on Disability/UCED at the University of New Hampshire advances the view that disability is a natural part of the human experience and promotes the inclusion of all students within general education classrooms and school communities.
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
FLDOE Inclusion guidelines & Florida Inclusion Network (FIN) does what for our schools?
Good stuff on "How to Build an Inclusive Campus" at your Child's school.
~ Parenting and Educating a child with Down syndrome...do you believe in INCLUSION? Having our students with Down syndrome included in regular gen ed classes, is so important for them to gain many skills; academic as well as social, behavioral, speech and language skills and basic life skills. I know my daughter, learns by watching others way more than she learns by reading or listening.
Inclusion is Natural and is the Right Thing to Do for many students!
In this blog post I have added a nice Power Point Presentation I found online. Inclusion will happen only if the school you enroll your child in also WANTS to have an INCLUSIVE Campus. If our Public School Districts in Florida and the schools "site based management" aka the Principals want Inclusion too then half the battle is won. But if the Principal believes in SEGREGATION and keeping all the Special Needs students in classrooms together and doesn't want to change the way they have always done it, then this wonderful FIN Power Point Presentation is totally useless and was created as a SHOW! I hope not....share this PPP with your school and see what response they give you when you request to have a FIN rep come in and do a training on Inclusion.
Hats off to all of us as we start the new 2013-2014 school year wanting and hoping for better INCLUSION of ESE Students into Gen Ed Academic Education and especially with our children with Down syndrome!!
Look around and see....ASK: Where ARE THE STUDENTS with Down syndrome? Are they ALL attending the same school somewhere else far away from their neighborhood schools? Are there several students with Down syndrome all grouped together upstairs or are they all in a Separated ESE Classroom on the school campus away from the 'regular students?' Our students with Down syndrome generally are not being included into regular gen ed classrooms as an unspoken rule. *Discrimination!! Find out for yourself...ask around and ask your friends that have a child with Down syndrome what kind of classroom are they being educated in everyday. Some parents want this, and that's ok for them and their child. Placement is not suppose to be cookie-cutter by whole groups of students with certain traits. Some of us parents don't want that!
We should be allowed to have our child INCLUDED in regular gen ed classes if that is what we believe to be best for our children's academic education.
Florida Inclusion Network aka FIN ~ Exactly what does this organization actually do for school districts in the way of helping build more inclusive schools? Just asking...
HOW MUCH $MONEY DOES FIN GET each year?For doing what?? Is there information available showing the progress pertaining to our schools being more Inclusive because of what FIN provides?
I have asked for years, even added FIN support to my PARENT INPUT to my daughter's IEP, especially pertaining to PEER SUPPORT. Still NOTHING is provided to the school my Child ever attended.
I don't see how any of our Public Schools can be what we need them to be for our students that need INCLUSION if the school districts and schools are not working with the very organization that is suppose to be providing the training to school staff and teachers on Inclusion. How can things change when things stay the same and nothing different is tried?
Please take the time to open the link provided below. SHARE IT with your favorite school and the Principals. Ask to have FIN come out to your school and do a staff training on Inclusion. Just see what they 'say & do'......n o t h i n g!!!
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/ese/videos/FIN%20Building%20Inclusive%20Schools%20E-learning%20Module%202011/player.html
Here's another amazing PDF I came across online in the Florida Department of Education website! This can't be anymore PERFECT!
WHAT THE HECK HAS EVERYONE BEEN WAITING FOR??
This PDF is a MUST READ FOR EVERYONE IN THE EDUCATION BUSINESS!!!!
*I am not sorry for shouting!!
http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/Newrole.pdf
Here is the link that Broward Public Schools website has for what FIN does in Broward Schools ~
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/ese/html/fin.htm
Florida Inclusion Network www.FloridaInclusionNetwork.com
Inclusion and the Other Kids pdf document worth reading, (2005 doc.)
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/ese/PDF/InclusionandtheOtherKids.pdf
~ Parenting and Educating a child with Down syndrome...do you believe in INCLUSION? Having our students with Down syndrome included in regular gen ed classes, is so important for them to gain many skills; academic as well as social, behavioral, speech and language skills and basic life skills. I know my daughter, learns by watching others way more than she learns by reading or listening.
Inclusion is Natural and is the Right Thing to Do for many students!
In this blog post I have added a nice Power Point Presentation I found online. Inclusion will happen only if the school you enroll your child in also WANTS to have an INCLUSIVE Campus. If our Public School Districts in Florida and the schools "site based management" aka the Principals want Inclusion too then half the battle is won. But if the Principal believes in SEGREGATION and keeping all the Special Needs students in classrooms together and doesn't want to change the way they have always done it, then this wonderful FIN Power Point Presentation is totally useless and was created as a SHOW! I hope not....share this PPP with your school and see what response they give you when you request to have a FIN rep come in and do a training on Inclusion.
Hats off to all of us as we start the new 2013-2014 school year wanting and hoping for better INCLUSION of ESE Students into Gen Ed Academic Education and especially with our children with Down syndrome!!
Look around and see....ASK: Where ARE THE STUDENTS with Down syndrome? Are they ALL attending the same school somewhere else far away from their neighborhood schools? Are there several students with Down syndrome all grouped together upstairs or are they all in a Separated ESE Classroom on the school campus away from the 'regular students?' Our students with Down syndrome generally are not being included into regular gen ed classrooms as an unspoken rule. *Discrimination!! Find out for yourself...ask around and ask your friends that have a child with Down syndrome what kind of classroom are they being educated in everyday. Some parents want this, and that's ok for them and their child. Placement is not suppose to be cookie-cutter by whole groups of students with certain traits. Some of us parents don't want that!
We should be allowed to have our child INCLUDED in regular gen ed classes if that is what we believe to be best for our children's academic education.
Florida Inclusion Network aka FIN ~ Exactly what does this organization actually do for school districts in the way of helping build more inclusive schools? Just asking...
HOW MUCH $MONEY DOES FIN GET each year?For doing what?? Is there information available showing the progress pertaining to our schools being more Inclusive because of what FIN provides?
I have asked for years, even added FIN support to my PARENT INPUT to my daughter's IEP, especially pertaining to PEER SUPPORT. Still NOTHING is provided to the school my Child ever attended.
I don't see how any of our Public Schools can be what we need them to be for our students that need INCLUSION if the school districts and schools are not working with the very organization that is suppose to be providing the training to school staff and teachers on Inclusion. How can things change when things stay the same and nothing different is tried?
Please take the time to open the link provided below. SHARE IT with your favorite school and the Principals. Ask to have FIN come out to your school and do a staff training on Inclusion. Just see what they 'say & do'......n o t h i n g!!!
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/ese/videos/FIN%20Building%20Inclusive%20Schools%20E-learning%20Module%202011/player.html
Here's another amazing PDF I came across online in the Florida Department of Education website! This can't be anymore PERFECT!
WHAT THE HECK HAS EVERYONE BEEN WAITING FOR??
This PDF is a MUST READ FOR EVERYONE IN THE EDUCATION BUSINESS!!!!
*I am not sorry for shouting!!
http://www.fldoe.org/ese/pdf/Newrole.pdf
Here is the link that Broward Public Schools website has for what FIN does in Broward Schools ~
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/ese/html/fin.htm
Florida Inclusion Network www.FloridaInclusionNetwork.com
Inclusion and the Other Kids pdf document worth reading, (2005 doc.)
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/ese/PDF/InclusionandtheOtherKids.pdf
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Mariah Harris (14DS) Speaking before Broward Public School Board on July 23rd, 2013 - FLORIDA
M_07_23_2013 <---Click that live link to go to the Becon-TV recording of Broward County Public School Board Meeting held on July 23rd, 2013 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Go to the PUBLIC SPEAKERS portion of this School Board Meeting. Mariah is the first Public speaker called. Fast forward to 144:15 on the Video. I speak after her at 149:35 on the Video.
A copy of Mariah's speech was handed out to each of the School Board members so if some of the words that were difficult for her to pronounce weren't clearly understood by all, then the board members and the school superintendent were still able to know what she was saying to them publically.
Mariah presented herself with such style, grace and professionalism! For being so brand new to public speaking she is only going to get better at it and have a heck of a lot more confidence the more she does it! Gosh darn it I am so proud of her and her ability to stand at that podium all by herself and do her best.
By allowing Mariah to do things like this, it is paving the way for her to be a more confident SELF-ADVOCATE for the rest of her life! It is also very much showing the Public how CAPABLE she is! How ABLE our students are if provided a way!
Here is her speech:
Go to the PUBLIC SPEAKERS portion of this School Board Meeting. Mariah is the first Public speaker called. Fast forward to 144:15 on the Video. I speak after her at 149:35 on the Video.
A copy of Mariah's speech was handed out to each of the School Board members so if some of the words that were difficult for her to pronounce weren't clearly understood by all, then the board members and the school superintendent were still able to know what she was saying to them publically.
Mariah presented herself with such style, grace and professionalism! For being so brand new to public speaking she is only going to get better at it and have a heck of a lot more confidence the more she does it! Gosh darn it I am so proud of her and her ability to stand at that podium all by herself and do her best.
By allowing Mariah to do things like this, it is paving the way for her to be a more confident SELF-ADVOCATE for the rest of her life! It is also very much showing the Public how CAPABLE she is! How ABLE our students are if provided a way!
Here is her speech:
Hi !!
*Pause & SMILE
My name is Mariah
Harris, I am 14 years old and in the 6th Grade.
I am in the Nova U-Na-Ver-ciTy
School of the ARTS Drama Camp.
I am a dancer, singer,
actress and will be in the Disney MULAN show August second.
I have teachers and
helpers that support and BELIEVE IN ME!
Want to come see me on
the stage at the EP-STEEN Center?
I went to Horse Camp
for 2 weeks and had a lot of FUN!
FIRE is the name of my
horse.
I met new friends that
liked me and BELIEVED IN ME at the Ranch!
I am on the SWIM TEAM
at River Land Pool.
Back Stroke is my best
stroke. I Like doing Free Style and I'm learning the Butterfly.
I love going to Swim practice every day!
I love going to Swim practice every day!
My Coaches BELIEVE IN
ME!
I love going to the
Movies and Cooking.
I am having a Great
Summer.
I need people to
BELIEVE IN ME and see that I CAN do it!
Do not JUDGE me
because I have Down syndrome!
I am Mariah Harris, I
love school and I'm a good student!
I have always been
fully IN-CLUDed with an adult to help me.
BELIEVE IN and
IN-CLUDE more students with Down syndrome in all of our schools!!
Have a good day!
Thank you very much.
SMILE
Mariah Harris
321funlife@gmail.com
(954) 205-0016
321 FUN ~ Mariah’s
Life Blog
Mariah's Speech to
Broward School Board Meeting on July 22, 2013
Mariah needs a Speech COACH to help her with doing public reading & speaking, to help her with her 'speech skills', articulation and her reading fluency. This is what she needs help with now if she wants to become a more polished public speaker. Who wants to help?
To see Mariah's mom (Nancy Linley-Harris) speaking after her daughter, go to 149:35 on the Video. Here is my written speech that was handed out to all the school board members:
July 23rd, 2013
Nancy Linley-Harris to School Board Meeting at Broward
County Public Schools.
Good Afternoon Superintendent Runcie and School board
members of Broward Public Schools,
Today, I will be speaking on behalf of students with Down
syndrome and ALL Special Ed Students that are being forced to be WAREHOUSED at
certain schools in ESE classrooms in Broward County Public Schools.
My name is Nancy Linley-Harris and I live in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. On May 24th I removed my daughter with Down
syndrome from Broward County Public School District because I was being
retaliated against for being an outspoken Advocate for the rights of my
daughter to be ACADEMICALLY EDUCATED to learn and earn a real High School
Diploma. My daughter was being forced out of all regular classes and was
prevented from taking the State exams any longer. The ESE Department & the
Due Process department for Broward County Public Schools did all they could to
prevent my daughter and others like her from being treated with respect and
educated with their classmates without special needs in the least restrictive
classrooms, which is a regular classroom.
*How many students are being forced out of their
neighborhood schools because of having a disability? This seems to be a Civil
Rights concern here in Broward County Public Schools.
A mom of a 5 year old with Down syndrome recently contacted
me and let me know that she had filed for a Due Process Hearing, because
Broward Schools is refusing to allow her son to go to Kindergarten at the
school that is just a few blocks from her house, which is HAWKE’S BLUFF Elem. She
told me that Broward Schools is forcing him to have to attend a school that is
almost 6 miles away to be in a segregated special ed classroom at PEMBROKE
LAKES.
The parents are not agreeing to this and have let the school know they
would like to have him be included in a regular Kindergarten classroom with his
neighborhood friends that he knows. This little guy has already been attending
HAWKE’S BLUFF ELEMENTARY School for 2 years already because of the 3-5 year old
Early Intervention classes that used to be called the PLACE Classrooms for
students with disabilities. I am asking;
“Why HAWKE’S BLUFF is even allowed to say, “NO” to this particular student?”
Is this school and this district
DISCRIMINATING AGAINST Students with Down syndrome from even being allowed to
attend their neighborhood schools anymore? I THINK SO!
Please School board
members, there needs to be an investigation into the INCLUSION Practices that
this District is doing, because it is the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) that provides the FEDERAL FUNDS to help educate our
students with Disabilities.
From what I am seeing as happening in Broward
County Public Schools is; our students with Disabilities MATRIX FUNDS are being
used to WAREHOUSE our Children into schools and classrooms that not all parents
of these children agreed to and ultimately parents are forced into filing a Due
Process.
How much money is the district spending on the Due Process for
families like this one? Parent just wanting there child to attend the school
down the street and to go to a regular kindergarten class with the neighborhood
friends.
School Board members of Broward County Public Schools, for
the record, I would like to know how much is this District spending from our student’s
special education funds by NOT ALLOWING our students with disabilities into the
regular classrooms, from being educated academically so they can learn and earn
a high school diploma.
As an Advocate for the Disability Community, I am asking; “HOW
MUCH DOES THIS DISTRICT RECEIVE IN Special Ed Matrix FUNDS federally and thru
the State Special Ed Funds from FDOE?” “What is the amount for the entire
district and how is that being spent?”
“HOW IS BROWARD SCHOOLS SPENDING our children’s ESE funding
that’s there to help educate our Special needs children?”
This school district does not BELIEVE IN
students…….especially the students needing the most support that comes with
extra funding to help educate them, students with disabilities!
Stop forcing
parents to file Due Process Hearings, because we want our children to attend
their neighborhood school and be included in regular classes.
We want our Teachers
to BELIEVE IN our children and to TEACH our children. Where is the training for
the teachers and staff? Stop the Discrimination & Segregation of our
students with Disabilities!
How are you spending our Special Education Funds in Broward
Schools?
I want to know if my daughter’s ESE Matrix Funds were
actually spent on educating her instead of allowing Parkway Middle’s ESE
teachers and staff to attend 10-IEP meetings to go against my wanting her to
continue to be fully included and to be educated academically so she too could
learn to earn a real high school diploma.
Nancy Linley-Harris
(954) 612-2997
DS Advocate BLOG
My Message to the Down syndrome Community:
If more parents of DS go before school boards with the same message - it would speak volumes across the Nation & the World. What I have found here where I live is that parents are afraid to speak out - Knowing that makes me feel more obligated to be that voice for many of them!
My daughter "learning to speak publically" is amazing to be part of with her! She has no fear of Public Speaking! I see it as her Self-Advocacy "training" as well for Mariah and showing our Community that she IS CAPABLE of so much more than our schools want to believe. She is gaining more confidence each time she speaks!
I would encourage more parents to help our children show your community that our children and young adults with Down syndrome have so much to give!! The Public needs to SEE our children being successful, if that means giving a simple message before your school board and learning how to give a speech with a real microphone than so be it! I'm pretty sure many of our kiddos love the "stage" and will do anything to have an opportunity to speak into a microphone.....without it being taken away from them. My daughter like many with Down syndrome loves "the stage!!"
I am a Special Education Advocate and Parent Trainer. A very proud parent to Mark and Mariah. Aunt Nana to many wonderful "Kiddo's" I hold close under my wing! Helping Parents Partner with Teachers. Helping with quality collaboration & communication so our Children with Unique Learning challenges are provided a Solid Education for their Future Success to Live Life Independently.
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