[Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Fri Jan 11 07:31:57 CST 2008

They use that one a lot.  I have heard the signing just because you are
there thing before.  You have made a step in the right direction just by
saying no and calling their bluff.

-----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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