[Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Thu Jan 10 19:37:30 CST 2008

Thanks, Melanie.? I'm not sure if you want to get into the middle of this, as you have children who will be going into the vision program also.? You don't want to start out on the wrong foot with Prestina.? That won't help matters for you.

It seems like other parents are not the right people to go with me.? Either they have an adversarial relationship with JCPS as a result of having fought to get their own children into KSB, or they still have children at JCPS and need to maintain that working relationship with them.

Is Scott LaBarre here in Louisville?? Somewhere else?? I don't know him.? Do you have contact info?

I have been spending a little more time at B-F observing over the past couple of months.? Just haven't seen anything that has increased my comfort level.? The more I learn, the less I seem to like it.? There are a few positive things happening.? It is not all bad.? But overall it is not a good situation, and definately not the least restrictive environment when they are using a resource room as a quasi-self-contained classroom most of the day.

The mainstreaming was really, really bad though.? I do think academically that isolating her could be helpful.? However, it is not legal, is it?? And it is definately not a good thing socially.? At the September meeting one person made a comment, "What we need is a self-contained vision room with 3 or 4 other students.? Too bad we don't have that."? But, we do have that, of course, at KSB.? However, JCPS does not have that, so it is not allowed on the table for consideration.? The guy from the placement office made sure that got shot down quickly.

Now they are taking KSB out of the discussion by focusing on her autistic features....which her pediatrician is convinced is not autism but an anxiety disorder that has looked like autism.? The anxiety is improving with treatment and the behaviors that appeared as autism are going away.? I don't think you can cure autism with prozac and biofeedback....can you?!

The anxiety disorder got out of control after she went to B-F.? Maybe it would have anyway, but it makes me wonder.? I really want to get her out of there.? The only thing I can think of at this point is homeschooling her.

Kathryn

-----Original Message-----
From: Melanie <mpeskoe at insightbb.com>
To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List' <nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 8:18 pm
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Scott LaBarre is the president of the lawyer's division. I'm sure he could
recommend someone who might be able to help.  Don't give up though.  If I
can help please let me know.  I don't know if I'd be any help at an IEP, but
I'd be there for support if you need me.  I'm home during the day so I could
probably make it.  I think Jayne would probably be able to come too.  In the
meantime, can you make a presence at the school to encourage the interaction
that you believe is appropriate for Annmarie?  I would be the squeaky wheel
that gets the oil, so to speak.  Let me know how I can help best.  I would
be more than happy to be a support person if you need/want me to be.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 6:41 PM
To: nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Thanks Melanie.? I've talked to lots of people, and gotten a lot of
encouragement and support, but haven't yet found the person who feels they
are the right one to go to the IEP meeting.? It is complicated by the fact
that when I request a meeting, it takes 4 to 6 weeks before I hear back when
the meeting will be.? And?JCPS gives me about a week lead-time.? Sometimes
not enough to find the right person to go.? 

I thought I would have a bunch of folks with me at the meeting in December
(less than a week before Christmas by the time they set it up....I requested
it in October).? Turned out to be 11 folks from JCPS, Nancy Nusz and me.?
John Roberts came for the first hour or so, but had a new employee to
train.? I appreciated them making it at the last minute.? It is really hard
to carve out a 5 hour block of time on such short notice, especially that
time of year!? 

I'll see if I can find someone in the lawyer's division.? Do you have any
names?

Thanks,

Kathryn

-----Original Message-----
From: Melanie <mpeskoe at insightbb.com>
To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List' <nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 6:22 pm
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Oh my goodness.  What a terrible thing to deal with.  I would argue to JCPS
that KSB IS the least restrictive environment for Annmarie.  I would contact
the people that I mentioned below who, hopefully, will be able to offer some
help.  The NFB does have a lawyers division, maybe you could join that list
and talk to some of them?  I hope it works out and Annmarie gets to KSB one
way or another.  I think she'll thrive there.  Hang in there, Kathryn.  I
know it's difficult, but you're tough and tough cookies don't crumble
easily.  
Melanie

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 5:52 PM
To: nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Thanks, Melanie.? I just feel up against the wall.? I go to the IEP
meetings, which last 4 or more hours, and say I want her to go to KSB and
the folks from JCPS tell me no and make me feel like I don't know what I am
talking about and they are the experts.? Then they put pressure on me to
sign the IEP, which I refused to do.? But they spent a good 45 minutes
trying to tell me signing it just meant that I was present at the meeting,
but at the same time they needed my signature to implement it.? I called
them on this doubletalk and they shut up.

I don't really know what to do next.

The homework frustration tonight was that no one has even looked at
Annmarie's homework the last 2 nights, and she said she already did today's
homework at school today.? But they sent it home for her to do again.? She
only got one wrong, so it wasn't because she did poorly.? This makes no
sense to me.

I don't know why they are so adament about keeping her out of KSB.? I have
stated repeatedly that is where I want her to go.? Prestina says no and that
is it.? Prestina has more say over my child's education than I do,
apparently.? KSB won't let her in until Prestina approves it and she won't.

People are telling me to move to another county and Annmarie will have no
problem going to KSB.? But, I have a teenager who is excelling at Seneca.? I
just can't rip her out of her high school because of this.? But it is a
terrible feeling to feel like you?may be?sacrificing one child's future for
the sake of?your other child.

JCPS is saying that KSB is a more restrictive environment than Annmarie
being in the VI classroom at B-F most of the day, because there are no
"typical" kids at KSB.? So it is better for Annmarie to be isolated all day
in that vision room and then go to related arts with sighted children, than
to have interaction with blind peers all day at KSB.? It makes me sick, but
I don't know what to do.? JCPS has to approve it and they won't.? So what
can I do?

I still haven't signed that IEP they spent 5 hours hammering out.? I don't
plan to sign it until it says KSB on it.? But I think it might just mean she
won't have any IEP at all.

I wish I could afford to hire a lawyer, because I think that is what it is
going to take.

Kathryn

-----Original Message-----
From: Melanie <mpeskoe at insightbb.com>
To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List' <nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 5:33 pm
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Kathryn, I'm so sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble. It sounds
terrible!  Why is JCPS keeping Annmarie from attending KSB?  That seems like
a no-brainer to me.  She seemed to do very well there during the summer
camp.  Surely JCPS doesn't think that Breckenridge is the least restrictive
environment for her!?!  WHY did the O&M instructor try to take away her
cane?  I'm so sorry you're going through this, Kathryn.  You have some good
advocates on your side with the NFB.  My best advice would be to contact
Kenny & Maria Jones, Jayne Seif, Cathy Jackson and get on the national
parents list which can be found at www.nfbnet.org - you need to talk to
other parents who've been there and done that.  Don't let this get the best
of you.  Keep your end goal in sight and stay focused on achieving it. 
Take care,
Melanie 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 2:13 PM
To: nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Hi Melanie,
I really think Annmarie belongs at KSB, but it seems like that door is
closed for us.? I am just so disgusted with what JCPS has to offer us, and
that they are keeping her from going to KSB.? The homework Annmarie is
bringing home is just so inappropriate and frustrating.? I am sure she must
be facing similar issues in the classroom, but I am not there to know what
is going on.

I am just trying to figure out what to do.? Annmarie is 2 years behind and I
am certain her situation is not getting any better the longer she stays at
JCPS.

I refused to sign her IEP when we met in December.? Next year JCPS wants to
put her in an autism unit.? Her pediatrician is stating he does not think
she is autistic.? The psychologist at JCPS...well, I can't put any stock in
what he says.? I don't think he knows what he is doing when it comes to
testing blind children.? That is a whole other story.? But they are basing
all of their decisions on these test results.

I'm just disgusted.? Every night when we sit down to do homework I feel more
and more frustrated with the situation.

One thing I learned at the IEP meeting is that in art the other students are
making masks, but Annmarie is given coloring.? WHY?? The O&M instructor
wanted to take Annmarie's cane away from her.? Just one thing after another
all year long that is inappropriate.? And this is at Breckinridge, their
vision classroom.? Ugh!

Just totally fed up and frustrated.? Trying to do what is best for my child,
since I can't get her into KSB, which is what she needs.

How are you all doing?? How are your adorable kids?

Kathryn

-----Original Message-----
From: Melanie <mpeskoe at insightbb.com>
To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List' <nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 1:55 pm
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Sorry I can't help you there Kathryn.  I've often thought about the idea of
homeschooling, but really don't think I have what it takes.  Anyhow, what's
going on and why are you fed up?  I'm sorry to hear that.
Melanie

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:11 PM
To: nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Anyone here homeschooling, or know anyone homeschooling, their blind child??
I'm getting really fed up.

Thanks,
Kathryn
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-------------- next part --------------
Thanks, Melanie.  I'm not sure if you want to get into the middle of this, as you have children who will be going into the vision program also.  You don't want to start out on the wrong foot with Prestina.  That won't help matters for you.

It seems like other parents are not the right people to go with me.  Either they have an adversarial relationship with JCPS as a result of having fought to get their own children into KSB, or they still have children at JCPS and need to maintain that working relationship with them.

Is Scott LaBarre here in Louisville?  Somewhere else?  I don't know him.  Do you have contact info?
I have been spending a little more time at B-F observing over the past couple of months.  Just haven't seen anything that has increased my comfort level.  The more I learn, the less I seem to like it.  There are a few positive things happening.  It is not all bad.  But overall it is not a good situation, and definately not the least restrictive environment when they are using a resource room as a quasi-self-contained classroom most of the day.
The mainstreaming was really, really bad though.  I do think academically that isolating her could be helpful.  However, it is not legal, is it?  And it is definately not a good thing socially.  At the September meeting one person made a comment, "What we need is a self-contained vision room with 3 or 4 other students.  Too bad we don't have that."  But, we do have that, of course, at KSB.  However, JCPS does not have that, so it is not allowed on the table for consideration.  The guy from the placement office made sure that got shot down quickly.
Now they are taking KSB out of the discussion by focusing on her autistic features....which her pediatrician is convinced is not autism but an anxiety disorder that has looked like autism.  The anxiety is improving with treatment and the behaviors that appeared as autism are going away.  I don't think you can cure autism with prozac and biofeedback....can you?!
The anxiety disorder got out of control after she went to B-F.  Maybe it would have anyway, but it makes me wonder.  I really want to get her out of there.  The only thing I can think of at this point is homeschooling her.
Kathryn
-----Original Message-----
From: Melanie <mpeskoe at insightbb.com>
To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List' <nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 8:18 pm
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?
Scott LaBarre is the president of the lawyer's division. I'm sure he could recommend someone who might be able to help. Don't give up though. If I can help please let me know. I don't know if I'd be any help at an IEP, but I'd be there for support if you need me. I'm home during the day so I could probably make it. I think Jayne would probably be able to come too. In the meantime, can you make a presence at the school to encourage the interaction that you believe is appropriate for Annmarie? I would be the squeaky wheel that gets the oil, so to speak. Let me know how I can help best. I would be more than happy to be a support person if you need/want me to be. -----Original Message----- From: mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org
[ mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org? mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org
] On Behalf Of mailto:yountaqua at aol.com yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 6:41 PM To: mailto:nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling? Thanks Melanie.? I've talked to lots of people, and gotten a lot of encouragement and support, but haven't yet found the person who feels they are the right one to go to the IEP meeting.? It is complicated by the fact that when I request a meeting, it takes 4 to 6 weeks before I hear back when the meeting will be.? And?JCPS gives me about a week lead-time.? Sometimes not enough to find the right person to go.? I thought I would have a bunch of folks with me at the meeting in December (less than a week before Christmas by the time they set it up....I requested it in October).? Turned out to be 11 folks from JCPS, Nancy Nusz and me.? John Roberts came for the first hour or so, but had a new employee to train.? I appreciated them making it at the last minute.? It is really hard to carve out a 5 hour block of time on such short notice, especially that time of year!? I'll see if I can find someone in the lawyer's division.? Do you have any names? Thanks, Kathryn -----Original Message----- From: Melanie < mailto:mpeskoe at insightbb.com mpeskoe at insightbb.com
> To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List' < mailto:nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 6:22 pm Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling? Oh my goodness. What a terrible thing to deal with. I would argue to JCPS that KSB IS the least restrictive environment for Annmarie. I would contact the people that I mentioned below who, hopefully, will be able to offer some help. The NFB does have a lawyers division, maybe you could join that list and talk to some of them? I hope it works out and Annmarie gets to KSB one way or another. I think she'll thrive there. Hang in there, Kathryn. I know it's difficult, but you're tough and tough cookies don't crumble easily. Melanie -----Original Message----- From: mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org
[ mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org? mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org
] On Behalf Of mailto:yountaqua at aol.com yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 5:52 PM To: mailto:nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling? Thanks, Melanie.? I just feel up against the wall.? I go to the IEP meetings, which last 4 or more hours, and say I want her to go to KSB and the folks from JCPS tell me no and make me feel like I don't know what I am talking about and they are the experts.? Then they put pressure on me to sign the IEP, which I refused to do.? But they spent a good 45 minutes trying to tell me signing it just meant that I was present at the meeting, but at the same time they needed my signature to implement it.? I called them on this doubletalk and they shut up. I don't really know what to do next. The homework frustration tonight was that no one has even looked at Annmarie's homework the last 2 nights, and she said she already did today's homework at school today.? But they sent it home for her to do again.? She only got one wrong, so it wasn't because she did poorly.? This makes no sense to me. I don't know why they are so adament about keeping her out of KSB.? I have stated repeatedly that is where I want her to go.? Prestina says no and that is it.? Prestina has more say over my child's education than I do, apparently.? KSB won't let her in until Prestina approves it and she won't. People are telling me to move to another county and Annmarie will have no problem going to KSB.? But, I have a teenager who is excelling at Seneca.? I just can't rip her out of her high school because of this.? But it is a terrible feeling to feel like you?may be?sacrificing one child's future for the sake of?your other child. JCPS is saying that KSB is a more restrictive environment than Annmarie being in the VI classroom at B-F most of the day, because there are no "typical" kids at KSB.? So it is better for Annmarie to be isolated all day in that vision room and then go to related arts with sighted children, than to have interaction with blind peers all day at KSB.? It makes me sick, but I don't know what to do.? JCPS has to approve it and they won't.? So what can I do? I still haven't signed that IEP they spent 5 hours hammering out.? I don't plan to sign it until it says KSB on it.? But I think it might just mean she won't have any IEP at all. I wish I could afford to hire a lawyer, because I think that is what it is going to take. Kathryn -----Original Message----- From: Melanie < mailto:mpeskoe at insightbb.com mpeskoe at insightbb.com
> To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List' < mailto:nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 5:33 pm Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling? Kathryn, I'm so sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble. It sounds terrible! Why is JCPS keeping Annmarie from attending KSB? That seems like a no-brainer to me. She seemed to do very well there during the summer camp. Surely JCPS doesn't think that Breckenridge is the least restrictive environment for her!?! WHY did the O&M instructor try to take away her cane? I'm so sorry you're going through this, Kathryn. You have some good advocates on your side with the NFB. My best advice would be to contact Kenny & Maria Jones, Jayne Seif, Cathy Jackson and get on the national parents list which can be found at http://www.nfbnet.org/ www.nfbnet.org
- you need to talk to other parents who've been there and done that. Don't let this get the best of you. Keep your end goal in sight and stay focused on achieving it. Take care, Melanie -----Original Message----- From: mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org
[ mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org? mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org
] On Behalf Of mailto:yountaqua at aol.com yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 2:13 PM To: mailto:nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling? Hi Melanie, I really think Annmarie belongs at KSB, but it seems like that door is closed for us.? I am just so disgusted with what JCPS has to offer us, and that they are keeping her from going to KSB.? The homework Annmarie is bringing home is just so inappropriate and frustrating.? I am sure she must be facing similar issues in the classroom, but I am not there to know what is going on. I am just trying to figure out what to do.? Annmarie is 2 years behind and I am certain her situation is not getting any better the longer she stays at JCPS. I refused to sign her IEP when we met in December.? Next year JCPS wants to put her in an autism unit.? Her pediatrician is stating he does not think she is autistic.? The psychologist at JCPS...well, I can't put any stock in what he says.? I don't think he knows what he is doing when it comes to testing blind children.? That is a whole other story.? But they are basing all of their decisions on these test results. I'm just disgusted.? Every night when we sit down to do homework I feel more and more frustrated with the situation. One thing I learned at the IEP meeting is that in art the other students are making masks, but Annmarie is given coloring.? WHY?? The O&M instructor wanted to take Annmarie's cane away from her.? Just one thing after another all year long that is inappropriate.? And this is at Breckinridge, their vision classroom.? Ugh! Just totally fed up and frustrated.? Trying to do what is best for my child, since I can't get her into KSB, which is what she needs. How are you all doing?? How are your adorable kids? Kathryn -----Original Message----- From: Melanie < mailto:mpeskoe at insightbb.com mpeskoe at insightbb.com
> To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List' < mailto:nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 1:55 pm Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling? Sorry I can't help you there Kathryn. I've often thought about the idea of homeschooling, but really don't think I have what it takes. Anyhow, what's going on and why are you fed up? I'm sorry to hear that. Melanie -----Original Message----- From: mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org
[ mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org? mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org
] On Behalf Of mailto:yountaqua at aol.com yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:11 PM To: mailto:nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling? Anyone here homeschooling, or know anyone homeschooling, their blind child?? I'm getting really fed up. Thanks, Kathryn ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com/ http://webmail.aol.com
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