GOOD ADVICE, KYLE.

-----Original Message-----
From: Cleveland, Kyle E. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 12:12 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Starting Kindegarten

I take it, Jason, that Lauren did not get testing and an IEP from the local
district before the fact?  Usually, when a kid moves into "special
education", a meeting is held with the parents, current teacher, spec. ed.
teacher and a developmental education "specialist".  This all depends on how
Kansas' Board of Ed defines the process.  In some districts the parents have
greater input.  In others, they have less.  I would be really surprised to
find a special ed. program for kindergartners anyway, unless the district
has oodles of money.  Teachers for S.E. kids in kindergarten can pretty much
name their price--at least that's what my wife found out this summer.

I think you are wise to moveslowly in this area.  How long has Lauren's
teacher been teaching?  How long at the "K" level?  How long in that
district?  I would be reticent to let them "pigeonhole" Lauren too quickly.
It may be an attempt by Lauren's teacher to homogenize her class and make
life easier on herself.  If there is insistence on the school's part to move
Lauren out of "mainstream", I would insist that she be re-evaluated at least
twice during the school year, and make sure that mainstreaming is a goal
that is clearly spelled out in her IEPs.

-Kyle

-----Original Message-----
From: Jason Kruse PA [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2002 12:57 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Starting Kindegarten


Hello everyone-
Well Lauren started Kindergarten yesterday. FYI, she
is 5 years and 3 months, mild left hemi and hypotonia.
She was given the green light from Rainbows an early
child hood development center that she should be able
to attend K this fall.

We put her in a summer learning day care to help
acclimated her to a more structured environment and
she had a few problems early on with "listening" but
that improved and there were no more problems.

The first day of K my wife states that the teacher
looked stressed and stated that she didn't listen
well. This is NOT a suprise to us because she becomes
aloof at home as well and we have to spend extra time
with to get her to focus and about not listening to
our instructions or requests but with time and
consequences she "catches on". I feel that is she is
not as mature and most kids her age and I think this
is part of her global delay. The principle is very
supportive about watching her for 3 weeks to determine
if she need special education. Im intimidated by the
term but don't know what it really entails. When and
how does someone progress out of special ed and how is
it determined who goes there or not. We are going to
have a sit down discussion next week with the
principle and teacher to discuss everything about her
condition and our prospective and expectations.

I would love to here your alls Kindegarten experiences
with your kids

Thanks

Jason-dad
Jason Kruse, PA
Family Medicine East
Heartland Research Associates
Kansas PA Temps