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I'm at my witts end - I feel as though I have tried everything humanly possible and I'm almost convinced that I'm in the Twilight Zone. HELP!!!
We adopted two children from Ukraine last year. A son (now 11) and a daughter (now age 10) - they both go to the neighborhood public school that I had heard was a very warm, small community and overall good school.
When we first enrolled them when they first came home we didn't want to push all to much because we knew that mostly they would be absorbing english for a while. The start of this school year was different though, over the summer they kids had learned english very well, coul dbe understood by anyone and could communicate with no problem. We really didn't think that our "expectations" were too far out there - by asking the teachers to please send homework with our kids, so that we could know what they were working on etc. Can you imagine, ASKING teachers to actually give kids homework. I mean, wow - what were we thinking?
After meeting after meeting, still no progress. We involved the guidance couselor for first time, then the principle and when no results were gained, we added the district people. Why on earth is it so difficult to know what our kids are being taught? All we're ever been told is that because they are ESOL students (english as second language learners) they are to be given only D's anyway for the first year. They can not be "failed", that would simply be against the law- that is for the first TWO YEARS. Our children are infact absorbing english, therefore they need no real grades.
I say - HOG WASH! My children are capable of only receiving D's. Perhaps not in all subject, but if they have no expectations of them, then how on earth are they do know what they are doing?
I've explained in the many meetings I've been to, that by not giving our kids homework, and just to expect them to "absorb" in the classroom, they are basically having them shoot at a moving target, while blind folded, and in the dark. Still - we are told, that we need to be more patient, etc.
Then on top of it all, since our children came from some pretty sad situations in Ukraine, they both suffer from post traumatic stress disorder - and they have been diagnosed with fetal alcohol sydrome, our daughter has a huge deficit in math (a universal language) they both need testing for learning disablities etc. In stead of sit on it, wait it our for two years and then see how they do. Basically I feel that that path would only be setting them up for huge failure. Why would anyone want to do that to a child?
The schools' told us that there is no funding to have them tested, no IEP can be given at least for a few years - so basically they make accomodations anyway, using the ESOL as a factor.
Ok, now I know Im rambling here - but I literally dont know what to do.
Lately, our kids come home, have horrible nghtmares (they have for a long time anyway) and say they cant sleep because of the movies that they watch in school. Not only can't I understand why there seem to be countless movies during the hours our kids are suppose to be getting an education but it is definately not OK by me for my children to watch Goosebumps, Harry Potter etc if my kids are going to have such horrible nightmares. My daughter came home just the other day and said that they played the game CLUE ( a murder mystery game involving weapons such as guns, candlesticks, KNIVES etc). I was very upset especially since I had previously talked to the teachers about their past. Both kids witnessed their birth mother stab their birth father with a knife, killing him.
When I wrote a letter asking that our daughter not be allowed to play such game or watch any more movies because of the nightmares etc - her teacher got very defensive and then questions our child. Which only makes things worse.
Any advise would be grately appreciated - because right now I really hate sending them to school.
ESOL is not an excuse for not testing. Lack of funds is not an excuse for not testing. Submit a written request for IEP testing (copies to teacher, counselor, principal, and Spec. Ed. coordinator of your system. Do it now, because they have at least 30 (school) days to respond and the year is almost over.
Second, schedule a meeting with the teacher, counselor, and principal regarding the movie problem. Tell the teachers (do not ask) that your children are NOT to see movies that have not been pre-approved by you. If they are seeing movies the movies should be in the written lesson plans - ask for a copy of the lesson plans. Make arrangements for where your children will be sent while their class is watching a movie - the counselor's office, the library, etc.
Tell the teacher that if she has any questions about the childrens' backgrounds she is to ask you -- she is NOT to question the children about the traumatic incidents. Put it all in writing, sign it, and give the teachers copies. Also ask for a copy to go in their permanent records.
Emphasize that you want to work with the school, you know that it is can be overwhelming, but you have seven years to bring them up to speed - educationally and you expect their cooperation.
Then let it ride through the end of this school year. If next year starts off the same, move to step two -- the educational advocate!
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LG_Family
I
The schools' told us that there is no funding to have them tested, no IEP can be given at least for a few years - so basically they make accomodations anyway, using the ESOL as a factor.
ok. i'm a school teacher....i also have 2 kids who have had/have 504s (one for PTSD due to an abusive/neglectful past) and 1 kid on an IEP...so let me talk for a second about what i think is going on here. i don't think a school can say they don't have the funding for testing....because i am pretty sure if a child needs to be tested, they must find a way to do so. however....what they can say is they would like to not test because your child is learning language, and so right now it is hard to tell if your child has a learning disability OR is just a language learner. they really don't want to start doling out IEPs for children who really just need time and support to learn english. however, if you have documentation that your child has PTSD and feel that it is hindering their access to their education (in ADDITION to the language skills hindering their access to education)...then you have a valid argument for needing a 504. it isn't a bad place to start.....my dd really benefited from things like an extra set of books at home so that there was no more forgetting homework, we could help her study and she no longer needed a backpack so it was harder for her to steal.
the 504 also came in really handy with that movie thing. it is 2011 and you'd think schools would be on board with the fact that 8th graders should not be watching rated R movies that graphically show someone dying....but unfortunately our school district just hasn't caught on. bc of her "disability" we were able to keep her from some pretty horrible movies she came home talking about (things they were about to watch but we were never notified of) and they had to giver her alternate assignments. without it....i swear they would have made her watch them...as it was, i was about to sue them for giving the other students a grade for watching the movie, and then making my daughter do a research project with a 12 page report and power point presentation. so putting in the 504 something about all movies being preapproved is an excellent idea.
her teacher got very defensive and then questions our child. Which only makes things worse.
my least favorite part. grrrrr.
seriously. start with a 504. there are lots of things you can control with that. and learning language is not related to having an emotional/mental disability. don't let them tell you they can't have a 504 and being a language learner.
good luck....i know you feel like this. :grr: and i remember feeling that way too. :(
MamaS
ESOL is not an excuse for not testing. Lack of funds is not an excuse for not testing. Submit a written request for IEP testing (copies to teacher, counselor, principal, and Spec. Ed. coordinator of your system. Do it now, because they have at least 30 (school) days to respond and the year is almost over.
Second, schedule a meeting with the teacher, counselor, and principal regarding the movie problem. Tell the teachers (do not ask) that your children are NOT to see movies that have not been pre-approved by you. If they are seeing movies the movies should be in the written lesson plans - ask for a copy of the lesson plans. Make arrangements for where your children will be sent while their class is watching a movie - the counselor's office, the library, etc.
Tell the teacher that if she has any questions about the childrens' backgrounds she is to ask you -- she is NOT to question the children about the traumatic incidents. Put it all in writing, sign it, and give the teachers copies. Also ask for a copy to go in their permanent records.
Emphasize that you want to work with the school, you know that it is can be overwhelming, but you have seven years to bring them up to speed - educationally and you expect their cooperation.
Then let it ride through the end of this school year. If next year starts off the same, move to step two -- the educational advocate!
Thanks for nthe advise. I'll be back up at the school AGAIN tomorrow. This time my husband is going to try talking to them, as if he hasn't already been to countless meetings there himself. They really dont like us there as it is. At one point when I literally was begging for testing and told them that I know that our daughter has a deficit in math as she can't do simple subraction (2000 - 1000 isn't possible for her). And since math is universal no matter what country 2 + 2=4 everywhere you go, she hasn't been able to grasp it. We were even told even by the orphange workers that it was a probem for her. I've even told them how she was in an orphanage for children with nuerological illness. I've even went as far as to show them documentation. At one point the guidance counselor said to me "what makes you think you know whats best for your daughter when you have only been her parent for ten months" This was during a meeting this past October.
My husband attempted to talk to them, or arrange a meeting two weeks ago, the people in the office told him that no one was available but if he left our humber that guidance or principal would definately call us back. We've never heard back. After one week or no return call, I called the head of the ESOL myself, and asked them what should I do. THey said I did everything correctly, that I had sent in a letter, I had went up there to arrange a meeting and now I must wait.
How long does one wait??? So, again tomorrow - we will try again.
Meanwhile, on Friday we got a note from our daughters teacher saying that she was in fact doing very well in math, that she had made an A onthe test. When I asked my daughter if I could see the test, she showed me only a peices of notebook paper, numbers one through ten, and letters - because the math test was given in multiple choice. We have no clue what the test covered etc. When we ask our daughter, she says "Oh, it was EASY - and the lady helped me with numbers 6-10" How about that! So, as you can see,... I MUST I tell you - I MUST be in the twilight zone - right?
LG_Family
At one point the guidance counselor said to me "what makes you think you know whats best for your daughter when you have only been her parent for ten months" This was during a meeting this past October.
no. that is unacceptable. if this were me....i'd be calling the district office about that part. that is just ridiculous. :grr:
mommytoEli
no. that is unacceptable. if this were me....i'd be calling the district office about that part. that is just ridiculous. :grr:
Wow that is beyond rude and disrespectful!!
Agree on PP..if you request testing they HAVE to provide it. I'd start doing some research on special needs laws. They are obligated to provide services for your child, whether they want to or not! However, their favorite thing is a parent who is uninformed of their rights and laws......saw it happen too many times as a teacher. They don't want to pour money into your child, so they will put you off as long as possible. However a parent who is well educated on their rights and the law, get what their child/children need b/c they know they could get sued.
So sorry you are dealing with all this!
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LG_Family
I'm at my witts end - I feel as though I have tried everything humanly possible and I'm almost convinced that I'm in the Twilight Zone. HELP!!!
We adopted two children from Ukraine last year. A son (now 11) and a daughter (now age 10) - they both go to the neighborhood public school that I had heard was a very warm, small community and overall good school.
When we first enrolled them when they first came home we didn't want to push all to much because we knew that mostly they would be absorbing english for a while. The start of this school year was different though, over the summer they kids had learned english very well, coul dbe understood by anyone and could communicate with no problem. We really didn't think that our "expectations" were too far out there - by asking the teachers to please send homework with our kids, so that we could know what they were working on etc. Can you imagine, ASKING teachers to actually give kids homework. I mean, wow - what were we thinking?
After meeting after meeting, still no progress. We involved the guidance couselor for first time, then the principle and when no results were gained, we added the district people. Why on earth is it so difficult to know what our kids are being taught? All we're ever been told is that because they are ESOL students (english as second language learners) they are to be given only D's anyway for the first year. They can not be "failed", that would simply be against the law- that is for the first TWO YEARS. Our children are infact absorbing english, therefore they need no real grades.
I say - HOG WASH! My children are capable of only receiving D's. Perhaps not in all subject, but if they have no expectations of them, then how on earth are they do know what they are doing?
I've explained in the many meetings I've been to, that by not giving our kids homework, and just to expect them to "absorb" in the classroom, they are basically having them shoot at a moving target, while blind folded, and in the dark. Still - we are told, that we need to be more patient, etc.
Then on top of it all, since our children came from some pretty sad situations in Ukraine, they both suffer from post traumatic stress disorder - and they have been diagnosed with fetal alcohol sydrome, our daughter has a huge deficit in math (a universal language) they both need testing for learning disablities etc. In stead of sit on it, wait it our for two years and then see how they do. Basically I feel that that path would only be setting them up for huge failure. Why would anyone want to do that to a child?
The schools' told us that there is no funding to have them tested, no IEP can be given at least for a few years - so basically they make accomodations anyway, using the ESOL as a factor.
Ok, now I know Im rambling here - but I literally dont know what to do.
Lately, our kids come home, have horrible nghtmares (they have for a long time anyway) and say they cant sleep because of the movies that they watch in school. Not only can't I understand why there seem to be countless movies during the hours our kids are suppose to be getting an education but it is definately not OK by me for my children to watch Goosebumps, Harry Potter etc if my kids are going to have such horrible nightmares. My daughter came home just the other day and said that they played the game CLUE ( a murder mystery game involving weapons such as guns, candlesticks, KNIVES etc). I was very upset especially since I had previously talked to the teachers about their past. Both kids witnessed their birth mother stab their birth father with a knife, killing him.
When I wrote a letter asking that our daughter not be allowed to play such game or watch any more movies because of the nightmares etc - her teacher got very defensive and then questions our child. Which only makes things worse.
Any advise would be grately appreciated - because right now I really hate sending them to school.
Why not just get an English tutor for your kid and the same time schooling. I know you have financial issue but tutoring a child is not all the time you pay for it. Or else you send him in to [URL="http://www.teen-boarding-school.com/teen-boarding-schools/"]teen boarding school[/URL]. But its up to you whether you take or it. That's my own suggestion. Good luck.