Trish-
The public schools have not tested her yet. It is set
up however that she will get special PE while the kids
our out for recess but she will be included in the
indoor PE activities. An issue that now concerns me is
that there are 28 students and she has no para as of
now. The principle has just assigned a para though to
work with Lauren in the class for 3 weeks to help her
acclimate. Someone asked me what we see her doing in
20 or so years. We'll I hope it would be something
that she loves, thats more idealistic than even being
the president:-) She has a pretty singing voice so
maybe the vocal arts, she has an incredible memory. An
ability to learn states, word for word pages of early
books--so maybe a career that is detail oriented. But
who knows? My wife and I and now others are a little
suprised at the teachers "initial" reaction. We think
it was a little dramatic. Even if the IEP says she
should be able to not need other assistance we
question if the teacher can handle the challenge with
the above limitations in her class. Where can I go to
find ALL the info I would need to  learn more about
IDEA???

Jason K
--- Original Message ---
From: Trisha Cummings <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject:      Re: Starting Kindegarten

>Hi Jason,
>
>    Has the school district done its testing yet? Its
a Federal Law - Public
>Law 94-142 for a special needs child and her right.
They must place her in
>the least restrictive environment and provide her
with some assistance.
>
>   Using Amber ( Right Hemi) as an example - she was
tested for Kindergarten
>by Fairfax County and found eligible. I checked the
program and was apalled
>by the sheer number of kids and the fact they had 1/2
day classes. I put her
>in a special pilot program for private schools - she
was in a class of 12
>and had a therapist come in several times a week and
work with her and it
>was an all day class. Once she began the County
Schools here in Virginia
>(Fairfax) they had started a program of max kids for
1st and 2nd grade of
>15. She had an IEP and an Physical Disabilities
Itenerant teacher wich came
>in twice a week to work with her. My experience was
postive. Amber started
>school solely for special needs kids at a younger
age - 22 months - so she
>was aclimatized to the class room environment.
>
>  I would not worry about the term Special Ed - it
covers everything today.
>While conveys bad stuff to older folks - In truth the
Special ED dept here
>is broken up into what the childs needs are -
Orthopedic, MR, Visual, etc.
>Amber is classified as Orthopedically Impaired and
she is entitled to
>adaptions where needed and X amount of time from the
Physical Disabilities
>Itenerant teacher - PDI. She is even in
Gifted/Talented or Honors classes
>and has taken Advanced Placement Courses.
>
>                            Brightest Blessings -
Trisha
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jason Kruse PA
[SMTP:[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

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