***Warning this post may be all over the place as I have alot processing in my brain today***
I'm not sure where to even begin today. First lets start off with Jadons intern report was less then stellar. He has been struggling for weeks, months even and its been a constant fight to get him help. At this point I'm not sure if it is the age, the ADHD, or if he is just lazy in school. I have begged for years for a 504 and they say that his diagnosis isn't enough to get him help. They started another one last year and then the school year ended.
I started this year off with the same request as last year, asking for a 504 before he falls through the cracks ineven more our school system here. Again the same thing. Today we finally had a parent teacher conference. I addressed that I had emailed teachers with no response, I started a planner to help communicate with teachers about homework, upcoming test/projects. Then I emailed teachers about the planner and no one has even acknowledge it but his math teacher. The bullying in P.E. They said they didn't see anything about the 504 but if I wanted to they could START the process. The process that I knew last year was already started. For month I asked why he had been put in advance placement math when he struggled so much. At the end of the meeting the math coach was walking down the hall and the 6th grade principal asked if she would meet with me. I was told he was placed in the advanced math classes because of his testing score and teacher recommendations from last year. Come to find out that those scores were from 4th grade BEFORE common core took place. And Yes those score were very HIGH. When she couldn't find the recommendations from his previous math teacher she took us to the front office to find his files from his elementary school. I sat in the lobby and waited for her to find his file. The look on her face when she came out said it all. All the information that I had been telling them was there, all in his file. He should have never been put in Advance placement math (per his teacher from last years statements), all the PST and 504 evaluations were there. Everything I had been saying from day one at this school was there. They set him up for failure especially in math this year. I am beyond upset, stressed, angry, and I don't even know what other emotion to play into my feelings. I'm mad that the 6th grade house principal said she didn't have the information yet clearly she NEVER bothered to look. Then lied about looking. I angry that it took me going down there in tears, finally demanding help when these kids should be helped without tears and threats. I'm hurt that I had to look at his coach and say "if Nathan puts his hand on my kid one more time I will call the police and I will call the school board". I should have to make threats to help my kid.
At the end of it all the Math Coach I think realized the mistakes that were made and promised to get to the bottom of this. She also offered some more one on one tutoring for Jadon to help catch him up in math so he knows the concepts for next year. Possibly moving him into a less advanced class. The PE class may be moved so that he doesn't have to deal with Nathan anymore. The teachers agreed to work with me and use the planned I have made to help keep Jadon on track. I have a list of things he is missing (he was out sick for a week and even though I asked for makeup work never received it) to help get everything on track. I'm not sure if I have much faith in this school at this point however I think the math coach really saw the problems and is going to make an effort to help him. I feel like she finally saw what I was saying, The look on her face to me was the look that they had failed him and it is time to fix it. I hope with all my heart that we are on the right track. I hope!
Also the Math Coach mentioned having him tested for gifted. She says by what she has heard from the teachers and how high his 4th grade testing scores were that I should have him tested. It could be he is bored and that if he is gifted that the teachers are trained to teach kids like Jadon who may learn a little differently then other kids. I'm not sure how I feel about that or if its something I ready to approach as I feel like that may add more stress to an already overloaded kiddo.
Ohh and again I love the line "his grades are not a reflection to how smart he is. He is very smart, however, he doesn't do the work" Yes but GRADES are what get him to the next grade, and grades will determine collage. I think the last few weeks I have struggled with the fact I doubt Jadon will go to college. Not because he isn't smart enough just because he doesn't want to do the work. I know its a long ways away, I know 6th grade transition is tough, however watching him struggle is breaking my heart.
I am so sorry you're dealing with a less-than cooperative school system. I hate it when the people in charge of our kids for so many hours a day don't take the time and effort to actually know the kids they're involved with. Yes, there are many great teachers and administrators out there but there are also people just going through the motions and it sucks when your kids is the one who suffers from having a teacher/administrator like that.
I hope this is the turning point for both the school and for Jadon. He deserves better. You deserve better.
Much love to you,
Tommie
I am sorry that you are having to deal with his school in this way. No fun. Okay, so per the 504, was that something that the team was going to put in place? Does he have MET scores? I am thinking definitely a communication log that you tried to start. I mean, if a parent emails or calls the school usually the rule is contact within 24 hours or sooner. You trust these people with your child to do right by him and be professional. I hope things will improve soon on all fronts. It sounds like that Math coach is in your corner. You can always test him for Gifted too and decide how to proceed after results. Please don't worry about college. I know everyone says it's never to early blah, blah, blah. One day at a time, okay? College degrees don't buy happiness and don't necessarily guarantee a person a job. But I understand:)
Sending love and hugs,
Lindsay
Oh Sam I am so sorry you are dealing with this sort of thing! I completely understand where you're coming from- you don't want to watch your kid struggle. I think its amazing that you put so many measures in place to help him, but really, the teachers are suppose to organize those communicators for homework and projects. Its crazy to me that you had to do it yourself, but I commend you for it!
I hope that with the help of the teachers who are taking responsibility you can Jadon in a place where he wants to do his work, just a little bit anyways. He deserves to be motivated as opposed to simply penalized.
Hang in there mamma!
Love and Hugs
Brandi