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| | Author | Messages | |
twinmom
Posts:60
 | | 10/18/2007 1:21 PM |
 Alert | We recently moved here from Seattle and I have twin boys who were in speech therapy at their old school. They are delayed in most developmental stuff because of being born so early.
Well, yesterday we were told that they didn't have one at the school and that there were no plans for one either. The teacher was also frustraited because there are many kids in her class that need to see someone.
Hello MUSD! Our kids have needs and we are paying taxes for these needs! Let's get someone out to Santa Cruz to help these children.
I'd go privately but there's nothing like that in this area. Let's get someone in these schools! | | | |
| | pfunk
Posts:73
| | 10/18/2007 1:39 PM |
Alert | Have you emailed/contacted the School Board, District Superintendent and Special Needs Director?
If you have, you need to take it to Pinal County Superintendent, Orlenda Roberts. oroberts@pinalcso.k12.az.us
If that gets you nowhere, then take it to Arizona Schools Superintendent, Tom Horne.
You have to keep MUSD in constant check, otherwise, you will be ignored. | |
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| | Sp.ed.Tchr
Posts:142
| | 10/18/2007 1:51 PM |
Alert | Here is the contact information that is a part of the Arizona Parent Rights. (If you want a full copy, I can email them to you):
Raising Special Kids
2400 N. Central Avenue, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Tel 602-242-4366; Fax 602-242-4306
Toll Free 800-237-3007
E-mail info@raisingspecialkids.org
www.raisingspecialkids.org
Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona
2600 N. Wyatt Drive
Tucson, AZ 85712
Tel 520-324-3150; Fax 520-324-3152
Toll Free 877-365-7220
E-mail ppsa@pilotparents.org
www.pilotparents.org
Parent Information Network
Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services
1535 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Tel 602-542-3852; 800-352-4558
Fax 602-542-5404
E-mail cvalenz@ade.az.gov
www.ade.az.gov/ess/pinspals
Arizona Center for Disability Law
Special Education Hotline
3839 N. Third Street, Suite 209
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Tel/TDD 602-274-6287; Fax 602-274-6779
Toll Free 800-927-2260
E-mail center@acdl.com
www.acdl.com
Arizona Center for Disability Law
100 Stone Avenue, Suite 305
Tucson, AZ 85701
Tel 520-327-9547; Fax 520-884-0992
Toll Free 800-927-2260
E-mail center@acdl.com
www.acdl.com
Good Luck! You are not the only parent at that school with students needing speech therapy. The district is REQUIRED to provide services. Maybe you could request to switch to another Maricopa Elementary school....but I think they should pay for the transportation! | | | |
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| | pfunk
Posts:73
| | 10/18/2007 2:03 PM |
Alert | | Do they have an IEP? I believe there are legal ramifications for MUSD if they do. | |
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| | love@hm
Posts:486
| | 10/18/2007 4:17 PM |
Alert | In an effort to find truth for myself, I contacted my DS's case manager/resource teacher and was told they are HIRING 2 FT speech T, and a possible PT as well. Just for Santa Cruz. When all the time that has been missed is made up - it will drop back down to only one FT teacher.
I'm not certain who it is that told you otherwise, but my source tells me she expected them to start this week.
If you want more detailed information it would be a good idea to contact Boby Santillan at: rsantillan@musd20.org He is the SPED director for the district. I will e-mail as well.
As stated previously, by law the district is required to provide. I have been told the children on IEP's will receive all the time they are supposed to - anything missed will be made up. It is unfortunate that it has taken this long.
My DS has a moderate pragmatics delay only (in terms of speech), so my concern is not as great as some people's would be.
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| | joyintheroses
Posts:89
| | 10/18/2007 4:28 PM |
Alert | Dear twin,
the only way you will get the services is by being an active advocate for your children, which I am sure you are. You will have to call the Dept. of Ed. Special Ed. dept. and make your concerns known. Asking politely unfortunately gets you no where with this district. Best of luck with your twins. | | | |
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|  | love@hm
Posts:486
| | 10/18/2007 4:40 PM |
Alert | While I agree you have to be on top of your childrens education. This district has been very good at meeting the needs of my sped children. I have one at Santa Cruz and one in the Santa Rosa Preschool. I admit I have had to make certain they stay in their alotted time-frame for testing at the preschool, however, EVERYTHING I have encountered at Santa Cruz has been handled extremely well. I have had a very good experience getting my ds needs met.
I have dealt with Mesa School district before coming here and was brushed aside, told there was nothing wrong and basically called crazy. Here my child gets what he needs and I am listened to. I have always felt the school to be willing to listen to me and to have my child's best interest at heart.
It isn't right that the kids have to make up this time, BUT at least it is being made up, and they are able to receive it. I much rather be a part of a district where I am listened to and things run a little slower than they should, than a part of a district where the needs of my child are brushed aside because they don't have the right test - which BTW, this district TRACKED DOWN for me, W/O me having to pull teeth - I only requested it.
I am an active part of my children's education, and if you are nice, yet firm, you will find you have many educators on your side, and only a few that fight - actually, I haven't run into the fighting ones in this district yet.
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| | twinmom
Posts:60
| | 10/18/2007 5:59 PM |
Alert | I called the school district this morning because the teacher asked me to. She was almost suggesting that the teachers have been having problems and that if the parents started getting involved then changes would be made.
I left a voice mail for that Bobby (sp) person and didn't hear anything back.
Believe me, I'm involved! We've only lived here for 3 weeks and I'm not going to let my kids fall behind. If I have to drive them to another school district every single day I will. If a speech teacher is not in the school by the end of the month I will be making more contacts to put my kids in other schools within the area so that they can get the help that they need.
School has been in session since mid August and there's no Speech?! Unbelievable.
Bravo to all the parents who are concerned and do take time to make sure that our children are being taken care of. I didn't call the school district this morning just for my kids. I called for all the other kids who's parents don't know what to do or don't even care. The kids are our main concern.. all of them.
I'm glad to hear that someone is on top of this and hopefully the rumor about having some in the school this week was true, but look it's Friday! Maybe next week? | | | |
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| | twinmom
Posts:60
| | 10/18/2007 6:01 PM |
Alert | Oh yes, while I'm at it. Bravo to the Kindergarten teacher that told me to call the school district. At least she just didn't push the whole thing to the side and shrug her shoulders.
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| | love@hm
Posts:486
| | 10/18/2007 6:30 PM |
Alert | I'm sorry if you felt I was saying you are not being involved. That was not my intention.
A suggestion, instead of pulling your kids out and letting the district have their way, why not report them to the Board of Education /State, and threaten them with due process. . . these are all within your rights and holds the school accountable versus letting them completely off the hook because another parent decides to go somewhere else.
Believe me, I'm all for the fight (as I said my ds speech delay is a minor concern vs all my other concerns) but I think it important that we actually hold the district accountable - not go off to another district letting them say, "Oh, let them go, we are better off w/o them."
My DS will see every minute of his therapy - w/o missing his necessary class time, I will see to that. But still, I am grateful to be in a district that recognizes my child has needs - because like I said, there are plenty who don't!
BTW, I e-mailed the SPED director, if I do not hear from him by tomorrow mid-day I will begin calling daily as well, you are right - they have had plenty of time.
Which class is your DS in? Mine is in Mrs. Nonnamaker's.
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| | love@hm
Posts:486
| | 10/18/2007 6:35 PM |
Alert | Oh, and the teachers will always suggest a parent call. The teachers don't have a say in anything with the hiring. They know it and if they start making too many requests the district considers them a trouble-maker. This is true in ANY district. I've had several teachers in both districts we have been in suggest I make phone calls. I have family that work in the Peoria School District - who regularly say the same thing:
It is the parent who makes noise that gets what they need, and that parents have to speak-up or they will get nothing.
This is not something that happens only in Maricopa - it happens everywhere.
What I do know is w/o involved parents the district will never get better and a lot of people will have gas bills higher than their mtgs! | | | |
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| | twinmom
Posts:60
| | 10/19/2007 7:12 AM |
Alert | I have no problem being the trouble maker! Well, as long as it's not taken out on my boys. When it comes to my children I tend to voice things a little easier.
I have one boy in Mrs. Miller's class and the other in Mrs. Gregory's. I haven't met much with Mrs. Miller but I love Mrs. Gregory and I appreciate how when the kids are picked up from school they both seem excited about their day and are now walking around spelling their names out loud.
We only moved here 3 weeks ago and I'm seeing progress already. It's just hard when you move from a big city like Seattle to this small town and even on the 1st day of school the person showing you around the school even admits that the school is very laid back. Sorta made me cringe. | | | |
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| | hendersona
Posts:396
| | 10/19/2007 12:11 PM |
Alert | | I talked to the princable last night they have a speech person starting on Monday. | | | |
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| | twinmom
Posts:60
| | 10/19/2007 8:09 PM |
Alert | | Good! Thanks for the info! | | | |
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