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| | Author | Messages | |
HSSpedMom
Posts:7
 | | 10/28/2007 3:44 PM |
 Alert | As a HS Sped Mom I am delighted at the improved life skills services being offered to SPED self-contained students at the MS. However, the HS students, who will transition into the 'real' world, after years of modifications and semi and self-contained environments are not being equally prepared for the life skills they will need - and need much SOONER than their MS counterparts!!!!
These HS students do not have access to kitchens to learn to cook, to washers and dryers to help them learn to do laundry. There is currently no opportunity at the High School for these boys and girls to learn REAL Life-Skills that they will need to accomplish even basic levels of capacity and self-efficacy.
Another big surprise is that local businesses seem non-responsive to the call for employment for some of these students in need.
If you have equipment to donate, or ideas to offer regarding school-day employment, to help this really dire situation, please contact HS SPED Teacher Judy Kenney at jkenney@musd20.org and Bobby Santillan, new Director at bsantillan@musd20.org.
I am sure she and her students would appreciate and equipment or services or ideas you might have to offer!
Concerned Mom!
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| | HSSpedMom
Posts:7
| | 10/29/2007 5:38 PM |
Alert | Another big surprise is that it seems local businesses may be non-responsive to the call for employment for some of these students in need.
If you have ideas to offer regarding school-day employment, please contact HS SPED Teacher Judy Kenney at jkenney@musd20.org and Bobby Santillan, new Director at bsantillan@musd20.org. | | | |
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| | lioness
Posts:61
| | 10/30/2007 5:51 AM |
Alert | | Try a fundraiser. Ask the parents to chip in and help. | | | |
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| | sterlingdreams925
Posts:296
| | 10/30/2007 12:44 PM |
Alert | | This is very disheartening to hear ... the district really needs to step up to the plate & help these students. Shouldn't these programs already be in place? Why is it the MS is preparing them but the HS is not?! Instead of moving forward seems like they are taking a step or two backwards! Is there anyway the HS could "borrow" the middle school's facilities? Would that be a viable option at all? | | | |
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| | Chuck
Posts:60
| | 10/30/2007 4:33 PM |
Alert | Please don't look upon what I'm saying as an attack on these programs but as a supervisor it has been very disheartening to hire former SpEd students {one 21 with a wife and child and our current one 18} who are completely unprepared and virtually nonfunctioning adults. The young man we have now has been here several weeks but can do only the most basic tasks as long as he doesn't have to spell or do any math and both have HS diplomas. We need our employees to be able to do math with fractions and some geometry and to be able to write simple words. It is very difficult and time consuming to try to fit all those past years of schooling into small parts of each day but they are essential for safety because we are a heavy industrial business. Both these young men are self~conscious about their limitations and therefore easily discouraged so encouraging them to be self~confident is also difficult. There really aren't many small businesses like ours that can take the time with these young adults so they often end up working for "Seeds of Hope" or a fast food place with little hope of advancement.
I've gotta run, sorry for being abrupt. | | | |
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| | hastings1066
Posts:0
| | 10/30/2007 5:29 PM |
Alert | I spent 30 years teaching in a HS in NJ (retired last year). We had two sped teachers with the sole job of teaching life skills to sped self contained classes. This was in addition to the sped teachers who worked on academics. This was in a school with 1200 students. If these students are to get the support that is needed, dedicated teachers (in both senses of the word) need to be provided and given the resources they need to do a very hard job. I hope that your concerns have been taken to the school leadership and to the board. Good luck!
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|  | mixter
Posts:1
| | 10/30/2007 6:37 PM |
Alert | | Did you guys see the plans for the the high school upgrade!? The Summit will be a culinary center and food services for regular student meals will be moved. Growing pains are tough, expecially when they involve our kids, but there is so many positive things planned for the coming years! Plans are kept at the High School office | | | |
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| | leroyleroy
Posts:38
| | 10/30/2007 6:43 PM |
Alert | | In the meantime I will watch my child fail to achive their potential. | | | |
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| | HSSpedMom
Posts:7
| | 10/30/2007 7:08 PM |
Alert | Thanks for the fundraiser suggestion, that's one thought, but these are in our kids IEP's which makes it law. But talking to other parents, we don't want to go to litigation.
Sharing the MS services is a REALLY interesting idea. That is very worthy of pursuit.
Mixter - The new school is really nice, but it will not serve some of these kids in time.
Chuck - Sounds like your place of work may not be the best place for 'some' of these wonderful and motivated and able students. But how about shelvers, stockers, baggers, cleaners.
Without public transportation or many options for work here, it's a shame that some opportunities cannot be created to support some of our most needy Maricopa residents!
And if the students need extra support for the community to embrace them , then perhaps the school could provide that support, at least during the school day!
But there needs to be an open dialog, not generalized sterotypes that really don't fit at all. | | | |
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| | Chuck
Posts:60
| | 11/01/2007 4:03 PM |
Alert | | Shelvers, stockers...etc? Maybe for some but not for my two examples and many others like them. The one young man with us now is learning by doing and though it often takes a little extra time with him we all know he will be worth the effort. This is a male dominated work place {pure happenstance} and each of the guys has done one thing or another to help this young man achieve acceptance and to therefore become a more functioning employee. That is good for him as well as us but the thrust of what I'm trying to say is that we as a business have taken on a task that should have been accomplished during his formative years by the family {mostly}, the community and then the school. Sure, an IEP might be the law but that doesn't mean MUSD or any other school will comply if they absolutely are unable to. No, I'm not really defending MUSD on this issue but saying that it's up to the family to fill in those gaps. Tough job? You betcha but in the end this child will grow up and I'll tell you, I'm holding this young man's parents more responsible than anyone else. If what I say seems harsh it isn't intended to be, only a realistic assessment. | | | |
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| | mrwonderful
Posts:257
| | 11/05/2007 8:39 AM |
Alert | | Question/ What degree of responsibility do the school and families have? I would hope too see a 40/60 spread. I feel the family should bear the responsibilty to advance their children and not expect the taxpayers to offer special treatment. Like the example Chuck stated a young man with a child, and unable to sustain his own basic needs, where were the family guidance and control? | | | |
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| | love@hm
Posts:486
| | 11/05/2007 10:21 AM |
Alert | So instead we tax-payers send out a bunch of money to people too LAZY to try to work and support their families? We pay for those who are able, but think because they grew up poor, they have to remain poor; that gov't assistance is their only out? I know this is not what you are saying, and I understand you probably have strong feeling about that situation too - just like I do (generally in what would be the same way). However, these kids who have disablities should not be lumped into the same catagory. These parents, who trust me, are generally very involved in their children's lives and their children's educations are doing everything they can.
We are talking about kids who struggle in life to LEARN this math and this reading, and these skills, not because they aren't taught, but because they are disabled! - there is a REASON they are special ed students. Life skills, such as getting dressed, loading a washing machine and making a simple sandwich are NOT always easy, and many of the parents are working just as hard at home - even harder, than the teachers. You are right, the parents SHOULD be working with their kids - they are the ones that need to do more than anyone else. Still I wonder if you are aware of these households or if you are simply making judgement calls in an area you know little about.
Parents have to go to court and have their children's rights taken away in order to have any control of them as adults. Even then, would you have them go through surgery to become sterile? Would you deny them the blessings of marriage and family? Would you belittle them for trying to work and provide at their level? That is more than a lot of people - who are capable, but just don't want to bother to get a diploma - or to take out a student loan and apply themselves to their fullest capablities.
Honestly, if we are going to bring "tax-dollars" into this discussion, would you really decide not to spend on people who NEED help? I generally side on it being the families responsiblity too - healthcare, welfare, all of it, but come on, have a little respect. These families are doing all they can.
Before you go saying I am just a mother of another sped student. Understand, my sped student lacks SOCIAL SKILLS. He is capable of dressing, feeding and handling tasks - he is also five yrs old. So I am not talking as a person who wants to take advantage of the system, but more a person who sees the work these families do put in, and the heartache they feel.
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| | HSSpedMom
Posts:7
| | 11/05/2007 9:22 PM |
Alert | Gee, Chuck. Your tenor seems rather hostile. As in every facet of society there are parents who are not or cannot be completely responsible for their children, but once they are 18, often it is out of a parents hands regardless of child ability (not always, but often) There are lots of non-special needs parents out there who have babies and (dare I say) should not. And I suspect there are plenty of special needs people that have babies and are doing just fine. Life is complex.
Clearly you have not spent every waking moment since the birth of your special needs child wondering how you can help make their life as complete and full as it can be. Clearly you do not know what it is like to go to sleep at night, praying you do not die too soon, leaving a special needs child unprepared to care for themselves in this world. I do.
My child will never drive, may never have a life partner, will not raise children, but by God my child can work and be a productive citizen and participate in this American life.
I work hard every day to establish a life for my child, as most parents do. I worry that my child - should I die young - will end up in jail - not because they are a criminal, but rather a victim who cannot explain (or perhaps even understand) what happened to them - homeless or worse. I do not want that dark adn tragic path for my beloved child.
AZ is one of the worst states in the nation for respect and care of its special needs persons and I am sorry to say we have too much time and energy invested here now to leave for services that are far more appropriate and humane elsewhere.
My child is absolutely my responsibility, but my child is society's responsibility - as all children are, and my child is absolutely the responsibility of the school district - as all children are. A child cannot be expected to succeed when they have been in the sheltered environment of the school without adequate preparation for whatever level of self-sufficiency they can accomplish. (Come to think of it - you could apply that statement to every student, sped, regular ed, gifted - of they are not properly prepared they cannot become successful citizens) It IS the job of the school. It IS my job - I take it very seriously and the school needs to meet me equally. Like it or not, this is the law.
When my child goes home in the afternoon, on Friday's, over breaks, when my child graduates - the school bears no more responsibility - every day that I live, I will remain responsible - do not judge the parents of special needs children. My child does not participate in sports or dances, or o ride a bike to a friends house, will not go to the prom and may never marry.
My child and I have to confront each of those harsh and very sad realities when the time for understanding comes - and for every day of our lives.
Chuck, you have taken this discussion in a hostile direction, and I find it rather insulting, and you are doing yourself a disservice. My original comment was that the district needs to step up and provide appropriate services (equal if not superior to) those being provided at the Middle School, where the need is less critical and imminent. I mean to take nothing from the MS (they too are a population in need) but the HS need is critical and time AND OPPORTUNITY is flying by these wonderful and able kids.
Do Not judge me - this is not a hand out, this is not welfare. This is people taking care of those less able than themselves. This is providing people the skills and opportunity to develop into he most independent person they are capable of becoming. That is the true measure of humanity in a person. | | | |
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| | HSSpedMom
Posts:7
| | 11/05/2007 9:38 PM |
Alert | | love@hm - maybe so, please pm me again | | | |
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| | alwaysamytoo
Posts:0
| | 11/06/2007 7:57 AM |
Alert | | HSSpedMom did you get my PM? | | | |
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| | love@hm
Posts:486
| | 11/06/2007 8:23 AM |
Alert | alwaysamytoo, I'm going to take a chance on guessing you are asking if I got your PM about the fundraisers. . . I did. We will talk after I get district approval - I think it is GREAT that you are offering to help - thank you!!!!! Consider this your THANKS PM!!!!!!! 
K
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| | Chuck
Posts:60
| | 11/06/2007 4:11 PM |
Alert | Posted By HSSpedMom on 11/05/2007 9:22 PM
"Gee, Chuck. Your tenor seems rather hostile..."
My realistic assessment is anything but hostile no matter how harsh that realistic assessment is. My purpose for commenting is to let those on this forum know what we, the employers are facing and trying to do about it. By making these posts I am hoping that you, the parents will have some idea how to better prepare your children as they get older.
Just this past weekend I read an Internet item about the SpEd program on a national scale that seemed to confirm my own feelings, that the rates of diagnosis is outpacing the ability to provide classrooms and teachers. I only took a quick glance but I noticed the article used another district far outside MUSD as an example, somewhere back east I believe so it may seem the problem is more than local.
I'm well past my child rearing days so my own sleep patterns are much different now. That doesn't mean I don't want to do my part to help nor will I refuse to do so when necessary, such as now. I'm not hostile toward our young employee despite the extra supervision he requires but since he has come to us I have seen that much of what he CAN'T do is a direct result of parental...uhm...neglect is a harsh word but one that comes immediately to mind. I don't mean the parents "warehoused" him but that they have abdicated much of the decision making to the school first and now the social agencies.
I will tell you what HAS made me hostile about school based programs. A few years ago when I was at MUSD one family had their very young child diagnosed as being learning disabled just so they wouldn't have to pay for the Pre~K program. Every district has people like this and what they do is take away services from those families with a legitimate need.
I could go on but let tell you where I am with all this. On a recent job application I was asked to list three major accomplishments. Behind "husband & father" I listed "working with SpEd students". Anyone I have ever heard make a comment about these gifted young men and women has been reminded by me that these kids are to be admired. Why? Because they have to work a little harder than the rest of us just to have a normal day. | | | |
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| | fuego
Posts:54
| | 11/07/2007 10:51 AM |
Alert | HSSpedMom
It sounds to me like Chuck is one of those rare beings that has actually not talked the talk but is walking the walk in terms of working with SpEd students. As I could not even fathom what the challenges you face in having a SpEd child, it sounds like he is just being a realist and stating that more can and should be done in the rearing process to better equip these kids. I agree with that across the board special needs or not. People that actually take the extra time to work with these individuals should be commended and there should be more like him. | | | |
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| | alanf
Posts:1473
| | 11/08/2007 2:40 PM |
Alert | | Yup, Chuck is doing the duties. Good job chuck. | | | |
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| | Chuck
Posts:60
| | 11/09/2007 12:27 PM |
Alert | Thanks for all that but I prefer to think that this is a segment of the forum where we can kick around ideas to be helpful to the students NOW so they can have an idea what they face as adults. School is a somewhat artificial environment for a lot of the life skills training though I understand it is far better than nothing. The only field trips I have ever seen for these kids is to the grocery store and other places of similar, simple employment and I honestly believe there is a hidden spark of brilliance in each of us, including these kids that only has to be brought to the surface. Of course this all takes extra money but if we can bus them to the grocery or out here to the airport then I feel they can be exposed to something more substantive. I'm not the guy to solve ALL the problems but I don't mind doing my part when I can and I know there are so many more businesses that would like to help. Let me be clear that having made the preceding statement I'm not really in a position to do more than I am right now.
BTW: The young man we have here had a particularly tough day yesterday. He has several rote tasks to accomplish daily and weekly and most of the ones he was supposed to do yesterday were done sloppily. One of them took several repetitions and almost four hours to finish but the task got done. Afterward I explained to him that I felt much of his problem right then was that it was a task he didn't want to do so he figured if he did it wrong enough times someone else would be assigned to do it right. Yesterdays misguided notion is not evident today and so much more has been accomplished to this point in the day {lunch}. We are the first job this young man has ever had which gives me the conclusion he learned most of this at home, ergo my ire with his parents. I'm not drawing any broad conclusions here but for the families on this forum just be aware that the tendency to let a task go undone may give the wrong impression to a child that could be a problem later. But don't worry, if he/she comes to work for us I'll be sure to help correct the error. | | | |
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