SAF ~ POLICY 1.3

1.3 POLICY 1.3
SAF ~ SCHOOL ADVISORY FORUM
A SCHOOL ADVISORY FORUM SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOR EACH SCHOOL IN THE
DISTRICT.
Authority: The School Board of Broward County, Florida
Policy Adopted: 7/29/76; 7/21/77;5/3/79;5/21/91,4/23/96
Policy Amended 10/20/98; 12/12/00, 7/06/04
A. Every school shall have a School Advisory Forum (SAF) that shall foster and promote
communication between its stakeholders, the school, and the Area Advisory Council. The
SAF shall bring forth recommendations, concerns and interests to and from their Area
Advisory Council.
B. MEMBERSHIP
1. The membership of the School Advisory Forum (SAF) shall be representative of the school
community to include parents or guardians of students enrolled In the school, students of the
school, business partners of the school, community members and business people.
Participation from all ethnic, religious, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds is welcomed
and encouraged.
2. A Broward County School Board employee shall not be the chair at the school where
employed. The Chair and Vice-chair shall be a parent or custodial guardian of a student who
will be enrolled and attending the school during their term of service. Officers should be
elected per their school bylaws.
C. DUTIES
1. All duties will be advisory in nature, none of which will conflict with any of the powers and
duties reserved by law, policy, or administrative guidelines to the principal.
2. Actively participate with the School Advisory Council in identifying the educational needs
and priorities of the school.
3. Actively participate with the principal in the preparation of the budget, and reviewing the
budget-related concerns after each FTE count.
4. Indicate awareness of the program and plans for the school by the signature of the
chairperson on the budget when it is submitted for district budget preparation.
5. Assist in the identification and coordination of the use of community resources to improve
student achievement and school effectiveness.
6. Address parent/community concerns; work with the administration to solve problems and t o
initiate desirable change.
7. Assist in increasing/sustaining high levels of community support for the school.
8. Assist in planning, developing and implementing parent/community programs and training
activities.
9. Participate in joint training opportunities with the School Advisory Council.
10. In addition to individual School Advisory Forum meetings, hold semi-annual meetings jointly
with the School Advisory Council.
1.3 1.3
SCHOOL ADVISORY FORUM
11. The School Advisory Forum shall use guidelines developed by the district, develop and adopt
procedural bylaws, conduct meetings in accordance with the Florida Sunshine Laws, and
conduct meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
12. Record, maintain, and post minutes of all meetings at the school in accordance with the
Florida Sunshine Laws.
13. School Advisory Forum (SAF) chairperson or designee shall represent SAF as a voting
member at School Advisory Council meetings.
14. SAF Chair or designee shall represent SAF as voting member of the Area Advisory Council
meetings.
15. School Advisory Forums and its officers are prohibited from using their titles and/or positions
to endorse, or give the impression of endorsing, candidates for public office
D. VOTING RIGHTS:
Meetings are open to all, but voting rights are granted only to members who are parents or
guardians of students who are enrolled in the school or matriculating to the school the following
year, students of the school, employees of the school and business partners of the school. To
vote at any meeting, members must sign in, present proof that they meet the voting membership
requirements, if requested.

Shhh! School ADVISORY FORUMS~Why are they soo QUIET? "Parent Involvment"

School Advisory Forums aka SAF ~ Why are they sooo QUIET? "Parent Involvment"


How can we have PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT today when the BASIC PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT LINKAGE between our Children's Home School and the Area of the County they live in and the different PARENT LED Advisory Councils are NOT Working Together for the Common Goal of providing "WHO" these Parents Are at our Individual Schools?


When a parent asks, "Who is my SAF Chair person?" at their school and administration or the principal doesn't give that parent an answer, because they say they don't know or they will find out and get back the them about it. After several emails coming from the parent asking again and again sometimes 2 and 3 times and never being provided with the SAF persons name and contact information. Still the parent that WANTS TO GET INVOLVED or IS ALREADY  INVOLVED is many times not being provided with any contact information on "Who is the SAF person at my school?" 


WHAT IS THE BIG SECRET about this SAF STUFF??


At individual schools Parents are not always notified of upcoming school happenings, like the PTA/PTO, SAC, SAF meetings. Parents have to almost get lucky they saw something or many times it's another parent they hear things from. Notification of the different Area meetings and the different Programs and District meetings are not usually talked about or encouraged to get involved in from our neighborhood schools. Why is that?  For the most part parents are being provided minimal time to receive upcoming meeting times & location information. 


What is needed is some form of WHAT'S GOING ON in our District to allow parents a way to pick and choose from all the meetings. Maybe this is already in place, via many different avenues and the media. At our Child's schools do ALL parents have access to information, so they can at least be provided the ability to Choose to attend upcoming, meetings, trainings and fun events. 


Where is our one stop shop for Information via a Public Schools NEWS channel for Parents? I know we have BEACON TV...but do ALL Parents know what it is? ...or have access to it? If not, then how else are we providing information to parents? 


Parents today are feeling more and more that our schools are off limits to Parents. Drop em off at the door and parents don't cross the line......during the day our Children belong to the 'educational system"......Parent Involvement ends there.....they bring them to school and can't go on school grounds anymore.


How can there ever be parent involvement when the entire school system doesn't welcome us? The FEW of us that are still out there everyday trying to create and do right by all of us.....are FED UP! I'm FED UP with the Nonsense that goes on so often around here!


I WANT US ALL TO TAKE OUR SCHOOLS BACK! 
GET INVOLVED IN EDUCATION & STAY INVOLVED!
Our Future Generation Depend on Us to Get Involved Today!


 It's about our COMMUNITY 
~ Our Schools ARE THE COMMUNITY! 

Exclusive: Parents say abuse cover-up extends to state agency - CBS Atlanta 46

Exclusive: Parents say abuse cover-up extends to state agency - CBS Atlanta 46

New Broward Superintendent plans staff changes ~ Sun-Sentinel

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/educationblog/2011/09/new_broward_superintendent_pla_1.html

New Broward superintendent plans staff 

changes

By Cara FitzpatrickSeptember 22, 2011 02:54 PM

Broward County's new school superintendent isn't even on the

job yet, but he's already got big plans for the district.  In an 
e-mail to the School Board this week, Robert Runcie, who's still
negotiating a contract with the district, outlined some key staffing 
changes he'd like to make ASAP, including the addition of two
new administrative positions.

click here to read entire article.

• Plan for my Listening Tour - I am asking all Board members to assist me by
providing a list of constituents and organizations important to our mission. I will also
meet with teachers, principals, students and parents during this process.

• Reach out to my neighboring superintendents in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Collier.

WOW!!! Such Discrimination stories!! *it's 2011 folks!

MyVSY.com http://myvsy.com/The%20Story.htm
Click on the link above here to read some pretty incredible and upsetting stories from parents and their Children trying to obtain an education. 


I never really knew how much this was really happening around me! I have a son with ADHD and a daughter with Down syndrome, it hasn't been easy getting the two of them educated. I have had my own situations I could discuss here, but would rather have you check out this website called: My VSY.com ~ check it out!

Observing proposed classrooms & proposed placement options

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/ferpa.osep.observe.htm

WRIGHTSLAW ~ Answers to Questions about Parent Observations, Privacy & Confidentiality.


WRIGHTSLAW website ~ http://www.wrightslaw.com 

The City Club of Chicago presents Robert W. Runcie June 26th, 2007

The City Club of Chicago presents ~ 
Robert W. Runcie
32:24 minutes - 4 years ago
The City Club of Chicago presents Inside Chicago featuring, Robert W. Runcie, Chief Information Officer, Chicago Public Schools. The speech was delivered on Tuesday, June 26th, 2007. This program was produced by Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV).

Congratulations Mr. Runcie and WELCOME to Broward Public Schools, Fort Lauderdale, FLORIDA!


I am looking forward to Advocating with Robert W. Runcie for our Kiddo's!

CPS executive will head Florida district

CPS executive will head Florida district
*click above for a direct link to full article

Congratulations Mr. Robert W. Runcie!

Broward superintendent finalists: different backgrounds, similar visions

Broward superintendent finalists: different backgrounds, similar visions

Mariah and I attended this event last night! Mariah likes going to 'the BIG Meetings'!

Family Hires Attorney After Police Scuffle With Special Needs Man

Family Hires Attorney After Police Scuffle With Special Needs Man

Gilberto Powell ~ 22 years old

I AM SO SORRY THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU!!!


You remind me of any number of my friends sons....all my friends have a son or daughter with Down syndrome just like you Gilberto.


I am so sad for you and your mom & dad and your entire family that all love you very much!


The police officers that did this to you, should be ashamed of themselves for BEATING you up and being POLICE BULLIES!!


I PRAY this will be a catalyst for not only the Miami-Police Department to make sure all their officers receive DISABILITY TRAINING but for us as a community that serves a large population of individuals with disabilities that ALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS provide DISABILITY SENSITIVITY TRAINING.

Gilberto............I am so sorry this happened to you!

HUGS-2-YOU~!!!

PODS Angels ~ Down syndrome family support

www.podsangels.org

The GreatSchools Blog

The GreatSchools Blog


This is a really great BLOG to read and follow. 
Enjoy!

Actor with Down syndrome earns Spanish Best Actor Award! Yo, Tambien

Actor with Down syndrome earns Spanish Best Actor Award!
"Pablo Pineda is a Spanish actor who suffers from Down's syndrome, who stars in the Spanish movie Me Too (Yo, Tambien). His character is also a Down's syndrome victim in his 30's who manages to attain a university degree then goes on to fall in love with a workmate.


The actor plays Daniel Sanz who goes to university in Seville and manage to become the first European with Down's two come away with a diploma. He then moves on to take a job in social services.


Pablo Pineda says that the character has a lot of similarities to his real life as he has a special education degree. This performance has been called emotional and highly convincing.


The movie was directed by Alvaro Pastor and Antonio Naharro and offers Pineda the chance to display a huge range of emotions, something that is very difficult for someone with Down's syndrome to deal with. 


Pineda managed to scoop up the prestigious best actor prize at the film festival in San Sebastian, his co-star Lola Duenas also brought home the best actress award." 
Copied directly from the Spanish News weblink To go to the direct link of this article ~ Click here: 

OK so the reporter say he "suffers & is a victim"??? Really? This ticks me off to no end why people still write in such a way that makes an entire group of people out to be SUFFERING when they are not! Why are there still reporters that incorrectly write about our wonderful people with Down syndrome suffering and that they are a victim. With reporters and writers and people in general continuing to still talk like those with Down syndrome are SUFFERING...which they are not...society is suffering from still very much outdated world views about a wonderful group of people that are perfectly able and capable of achieving more than most of society ever believed possible! Those with Down syndrome are MORE ALIKE than different than you and me! Watch the YouTube video clips on the upcoming movie and tell me you don't see NORMAL from BOTH ACTORS in this movie! They both found LOVE! Isn't that what we all want and need from life?    Even though I don't speak Spanish...just watching the movie trailers, I can tell this is going to be a wonderful movie! Do you think it can have subtitles? I can't wait to see this movie! Looks like a good one! I 'felt' this movie......let me know what you think when you watch the trailer.                                      

Yo, Tambien ~ The Movie
www.yotambienlapelicula.com 
Go directly to their website for more info on this wonderful movie!

Thirty-four-year-old Daniel is the first European with Down syndrome to have graduated from university. He starts a social services job in Seville, where he meets free-spirited co-worker Laura. They become fast friends, drawing the attention of both their co-workers and families. Their unique relationship becomes problematic when Daniel falls in love with her. But these rebellious souls refuse to bend to the rules and they find friendship and love as they have never known.

BUS Schedules??...did YOU get one?

Did you get BUS info in the mail this week or last? I got a postcard in the mail for my high school son and a second reminder I received a Robo-Call reminding again of my son's bus scheduled time of pick up and what corner he needed to be at.

My daughter, well.....anxiously I have been looking in the mail box everyday waiting.....I even called the school a couple of times last week to let them know I was concerned because I had received my son's BUS info but hadn't heard anything about my daughter's BUS info for the start of the new school year.

Funny thing.....I spoke with 3 other mom's with Children that have Down syndrome and all three said they hadn't received any postcard in the mail or a robo-call or anything about time and place of pick up. One mom has a son that got his info a week ago...just exactly like I did for my son. Her son and daughter will be attending the exact same school that starts at the same time. When she called her school about her little girl, she was told by her ESE person....that because her daughter had DD=Developmental Disability that she would need to take a short bus....a SHORT BUS??!!! Did she really say that? I thought maybe my friend was retelling me what she thought she heard the lady say....and that she was retelling me wrong...but she assured me that yes the lady DID say to her that her daughter would have to take THE SHORT BUS!!!!

What is wrong with people!!...What is wrong with the very 'professionals' that work with our families and our Children and they continue to use such OUT-DATED terminology?

Why have 3 of us mom's not gotten our BUS info and we all have other siblings that also ride buses and the the other family members all received their BUS schedule but our Children with Down syndrome did not! What is going on with our kiddo's NOT GETTING our BUS schedule postcards in the mail or even the robo-caller that has gone out to our other Children? I just don't get it....how can it be such a coincident that 3 of us families all with a Child with Down syndrome have not gotten any info about their BUS SCHEDULES???...We all are WONDERING........WHAT'S UP?!!

Our school may not have the "program" YOUR Child needs.....

A parent with a young Child goes to enroll her very sweet little girl.....in her neighborhood school today....at SHUTTLE Elementary in Tamarac, Florida. (Not really the name of the school....) The office person that was there to help with registering new students was a nice lady I'm sure and just doing her job. My friend was asked about her 2 Children that she was registering today. She tells the nice lady behind the desk that her daughter has Down syndrome. Oh boy.....THAT was mommies first mistake because once you mention you are REGISTERING YOUR CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME, then things are handled differently for sure! The office person told my friend, "Have you had an IEP meeting with anyone from OUR school? OUR school might not have "the program" needed for your daughter.

My friend is a good Advocate for her two Children and moved to a new apartment over the summer just to make sure her Children would be in the boundry of that really NICE school! She also made sure this NICE school had what she knew her two Children needed and one is an ESE PreSchool Program for her little girl! Her little girl attends a Special Needs Developmental PreSchool now, called UCP in Fort Lauderdale.  UCP knows that her little girl would be transitioning onto that particular Elementary school, one that UCP has told this mommie yes that school does have the ESE PreSchool program or PLACE as it has been called in recent years. Seems our School District here wants to call our 3-5 year old Special Ed PreSchool Programs something different every year...just to confuse parents....and some school staff people even! Some of the 3-5 year old ESE PreSchool Programs are 'secretly' NOT for our little ones with Down syndrome it seems...........I said....it seems....let's get the DATA so we know. That would be nice to know for sure!

OK Folks.....What IS this particular PROGRAM all these people are always talking about....for OUR little kiddos with Down syndrome????

There is an ESE PreK Program at Shuttle Elementary in Tamarac (aka as the PLACE Program) and the little girl is absolutely ELIGIBLE to ATTEND that program because of her AGE and her ESE Eligibility! So what gives when they find out there is a student with DOWN SYNDROME wanting to enroll and attend the school that is down the street from the parents house?

This IS an ongoing problem here in Broward County and lots of places around the entire Country! I know for a fact this IS a very common problem with the MIND-SET and 'secret policy maybe' here in Broward Public Schools! This is not the first time a parent has contacted me and asked me for help and what to do. Parents are being told something that just isn't TRUE when it comes to enrolling their Child *with Down syndrome into their neighborhood schools!

What CAN BE DONE about this ongoing DISCRIMINATION that parents are being told......?

SEEKING ADVICE about this all too common problem here in Broward County!

Would be nice to find out where MOST students with Down syndrome are attending school and what sorts of classrooms they are being educated in. Is there a way to find out this information? Someone please help make this "situation" right.....it is just not right! How would YOU feel if you were told oh no your Child can't come to THIS SCHOOL.......we may not be able to "meet your Child's needs here."

Really......just want schools to ACCEPT our Children and TEACH THEM! Is that asking too much?

This annoys me more than a little................................

Have a delightful day!

*Become a FOLLOWER of this Blog and share it with others. Thanks!

Dad v. Autism: Dad v. Summer School

Dad v. Autism: Dad v. Summer School: "He probably could have been swimming... So Noah has gone to Summer School for the last three summers. It is paid for by the school system ..."


Thursday July 28, 2011         Dad v. Summer School

*Check out my cousin's blog....from Michigan before reading my post below.

I came to the same conclusion back when my little girl was in the 2nd grade! She took the 3rd grade FCAT and failed with flying colors! Because of that...she was 'entitled to attend' the 3rd grade READING CAMP for all 3rd graders that didn't pass the FCAT. That was a BLOG story I posted back then about when she was attending the Reading Camp. The Principal of the Summer ESY Program and the Reading Camp for 3rd graders, took one look at my daughter and very loudly (and unprofessionally) in front of the entire cafeteria filled with students and staff....told me that my daughter needed to 'go over to the OTHER SIDE' of the divider in the cafeteria where all the other ESY students were. She very rudely stated, that she needed to be in Mrs. SoInSo's classroom! I will find the date of that blog posting...it's a sad but true story of just how much PREJUDGMENT still goes on with people....especially Administrators that are 'in charge' of lots of our kiddo's! Here is the blog post from THAT wonderful experience!!
Blatant Socially Accepted Discrimination 3rd Grade Reading Camp? June 22 - July 24, 2009

ESY ~ Extended School Year for our Kiddo's that NEED the intensive help to gain academic skills so they don't LOOSE any of their academic progress over the summer time break is a great and wonderful program for students. ESY classrooms are filled with wonderful teachers and staff that work over the summer. ESY is NOT an INCLUSIVE General Education type classroom setting, the Children all have an IEP ~ Individual Education Plan/Program with the SUMMER TIME high priority academic and "educationally relevant" therapeutic needs to be worked on during the short and sweet time frame over the summer months.

I have personally gone and done OBSERVATIONS of her ESY classrooms on several occasions to each of the ESY school sites over the years from the time she just 3 years old till when she had just finished attending the 2nd grade. I personally meet her new Summer time ESY teachers, staff and principals at my daughters ESY schools. THIS IS A MANDATORY IN MY BOOK to do each year you send your kiddo off to ESY!! I tell parents all the time...give the ESY school site 3 days to 'get settled' and before the end of that very first week of ESY....make contact with the ESY office staff and set up an observation time. Once you have gotten a teeny tiny snap-shot of your kiddo's ESY day and a feel for the program, you will know without a doubt if ESY will be best for your kiddo! Sign up for it and attend....but do an observation and know more about what the ESY school day is really all about and meet and know who the teacher and staff are that will be responsible for your Kiddo!


Is there classwork and homework during the summer ESY program? Have you seen or not seen classwork coming home or notes from the teacher or staff?....do all you can to see and make sure it's going to be the BEST use of every ones time to have your Child continue into the 2nd week! You will know before the end of week 2 if it is going to be worth a darn. PS ...remember that observations are not the time to TALK or have big old long conversations about your Child with the teacher....it is an observation...and many times...not always a true snap-shot of how the 'academic' day really goes along. It might even be an observation of an ALL HANDS ON DECK type of situation...not real at all of how the day actually is.

Support staff....find out WHO ARE THEY? The main ESY teacher....WHO ARE THEY? What school do they teach at during the school year? What sort of classroom are they used to teaching and what types 'disabilities' do they have training and certification in to teach? It is just good practice as a parent sending your Child off to school, to KNOW the Certification their teachers hold. Here is the Teacher Certification LOOK-UP link for the Florida Department of Education: http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/public.asp  This link is something you should know how to use and be using on a regular basis for all teachers and staff! Mark it as a favorite and put it on the computer desk top for quick reference. Share it with other parents!! Know what all your teachers & staff are CERTIFIED IN to teach! Know the members of your IEP TEAM and what they are CERTIFIED IN TO TEACH! Make sure your IEP TEAM are the REQUIRED IEP TEAM MEMBERS and are CERTIFIED in what they say they are at the IEP meeting.

I am all for ESY ~ for students that need it! I am all for parents being INVOLVED AND ABLE TO SEE WITH THEIR OWN EYES WHO IS TEACHING OUR CHILDREN! I encourage everyone to make sure you get the first and last name of every single person that ever works with your Child. Look up their teacher certifications on the State Department of Education websites and know what they are certified in. I am NOT for taking hours and hours of total 'fluff' to determine ESY 'eligibility' and to also take hours to write an ESY IEP! I am all for DISAGREEING to anything you do and/or don't believe is what your Child needs from his/her ESY program.

Parents are taken on an EMOTIONAL ROLLER-COASTER RIDE of emotions over the IEP process as it is....why do 'they' put on such a show for the ESY ELIGIBILITY IEP meeting and waste so much time with what should be basically simple and easy to do for our kiddo's!! I have attended some ESY IEP meetings that turned into 4 hour Circus Acts and for what...for the fact 'the IEP determined' that the Child only 'qualified for 2 HOURS per week on a MONDAY!!! Really.....the Child has a MATRIX of 253-254 and would only NEED 2 HOURS PER WEEK ON A MONDAY?? That particular parent learned how to sign 2 different DUE PROCESS PAPERWORK THAT DAY! It did not go to Due Process and low and behold 'the right' amount of days and the right amount of time was provided to that Child for ESY that year!

ESY ~ It's a GREAT Program! It's the process of getting 'qualified & eligible' and the correct and needed amount of time the student will be able to attend the program for. Always remember it's 'the IEP TEAM that determines' how many weeks and how many days the student qualifies too attend for. Being told many times that, "the ESY Program is for the really BAD KIDS" or "it's for the REALLY INVOLVED kids"......(I have heard these similar type comments said way too many times when I attend IEP meetings with parents!) Getting it all written on the IEP document is all fine and dandy....but like any SPECIAL EDUCATION Supports & Services, YOU have to be part of the TEAM!!

ESY CAN BE WHAT YOU MAKE IT TO BE BY YOUR BEING INVOLVED!! Establish COMMUNICATION between home and ESY teacher and school. Ask for HOMEWORK and send it back to the ESY Teacher everyday. I had an ESY teacher that was so happy I wrote a daily note and said I was, "THE FIRST PARENT TO EVER DO THAT at ESY!!" (I really hope not!!) Do you know the Daily SCHEDULE and the OT, PT, ST person that will be seeing your Child and for how long and where? Do you know who the classroom assistant is and what they do during the regular school year and what school they work at? Do you know the age of the other classmates? Are they a lot older than your little one? What grade are most of the other classmates? Are they students with challenging behaviors that your Child doesn't have now and absolutely does NOT need to be 'watching n learning' from as well? THIS STUFF IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW! Our Children need a good classroom that is tailored to their needs, not tailored to the 'schools needs' or the 'teachers needs' or the Administrators needs....it IS about YOUR Child's needs! Be a confident advocate and do what is BEST for YOUR Child!

Raise the bar on EXPECTATIONS....from everyone! If you don't communicate to the ESY TEACHER & STAFF at which they probably did not attend the ESY IEP meeting or may not even ever see the IEP! Most ESY teachers are just meeting your Child for the first time and don't know your Child at all or may not have even laid eyes on your Child's IEP document or ever seen the ESY "PLAN".

Say YES 2 ESY! ~ Do YOUR part as a parent and go OBSERVE the classroom you are sending your Child to over the summer! MEET THE TEACHER & the ESYAdministrator!

Look for FUN over the summer.....HOME SCHOOL the ACADEMICS if you can....Create your own school work! YOU KNOW your Child BEST! Be the summer teacher....and have FUN with your Child!

School is around the corner....DUST OFF THOSE IEP's and start planning for the real goals that absolutely need to be mastered within 1 school year!

Have a FUN Summer!


*Share this BLOG with others on your FACEBOOK PROFILE & become a FOLLOWER of this BLOG! Let's pump it up everyone! Share the resources that are out there for parents and staff to learn from!

Phone-Bridge to Broward ESE Advisory Executive meeting tonight & listed

http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/studentsupport/ese/html/AdvisoryMeetings.htm

This just posted on the OFFICIAL Broward Schools ESE Department web page ~ THANK YOU.

ESE Advisory Council Executive Board Meetings



Dates for ESE Advisory Council Executive Board meetings at the South Area Office Harrison Blvd, Sunrise Training Room A 6-9:00 PM have been confirmed.



Phone- Bridge will be available.



Phone Number: (754)321-0810 Meeting ID: 957100



You may call into the meeting five minutes prior to the scheduled start time.



July 14

July 21

July 28

August 4th

August 11th

August 18th

August 25th



Ivan Baratz, ESE Advisory Chair is requesting the following statement be placed in the ad:-



For additional information please contact

Ivan Baratz, Chair-ESE Advisory Council

e-mail: makeadifference4kids@yahoo.com

cell phone number: (954) 292-8444

Finally a baby DAYTIME SOAP STAR with Down syndrome!

Fantastic story of a new little guy just a few months old got the part as TV Soap Star!! All I have to say...."IT'S ABOUT TIME!"

When will there be an AMERICAN Daytime Soap Star with Down syndrome? Wouldn't THAT be something for all of us to 'watch' how the story line grows and unfolds? Come on GENERAL HOSPITAL!!!!

SOAP STAR! - Local - Ballymoney Moyle Times
CLICK THE ABOVE for complete story ~ Enjoy!

Believe in me...and I'll believe in me.

Wish ALL schools had this attitude!

Down Syndrome - A mother - A Foundation - A Child 04/17 by The Coffee Klatch | Blog Talk Radio

Down Syndrome - A mother - A Foundation - A Child 04/17 by The Coffee Klatch | Blog Talk Radio

Saving another High School Diploma for someone!!

Going today to help save another high school diploma for someone! I swear....the weeks that lead up to students taking the Florida FCAT exam our IEP "teams" get geared up and start getting my parents all excited about an IEP meeting....and the bottom line reason for these meetings is to ask the couple of questions to the "IEP TEAM" and to get that student off the regular diploma track!...so they don't have to give that student the FCAT! I say....they need to change their ATTITUDE towards certain individuals that have a certain disability and have HIGHER EXPECTATIONS and continue to teach them to the Sunshine State Standards and do a better job of teaching ALL students with disabilities!!

What is with our Public School system today that they are so quick to put students on the SPECIAL DIPLOMA TRACK and have them take the ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT? I don't get it....why would anyone want to attend school for so many years and in the end they don't even get a HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA!? Who ARE these people sitting around our IEP "team" tables making life long academic decisions on behalf of our Children!

If you ask me.....that SPECIAL DIPLOMA is NOT so.......SPECIAL IF IT'S NOT A DIPLOMA AT ALL!! What parent wants to send their Children to school everyday and in the end they are working towards a NON HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA? I don't know many that would say yes to that! Our Children need a HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA!! Teach them to be able to get one!

Anyway....wish me luck in advocating for this very smart little guy that has been doing a wonderful job  academically. I am impressed with how well he has been doing in school. He has always shown us that he CAN DO IT!

Down syndrome Inclusive Educational Strategies

Schools who let one criterion, such as a specific disability, automatically determine the placement are likely to be held in violation of federal law.

~ Supreme Court - Board of Education v. Rowley ~

"Inclusion is a right, not a special privilege for a select few".
~ Federal Court - Oberti v. Board of Education ~

"Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal"
~ Supreme Court - Brown v. Board of Education ~

All children with disabilities are to be educated to
the "maximum extent" with children who do not have disabilities.
~ Federal Law I.D.E.A. Sec. 612.5 (A) ~

Elementary & Secondary Education - What is Inclusion?
http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=83&limitstart=3

Elementary & Secondary Education - Tips for Teaching Students with Down syndrome
http://www.ndss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=83&limitstart=2

Down syndrome in the 21st Century

Monday is WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY (3.21.11)

http://321fun.blogspot.com/2011/03/down-syndrome-in-21st-century.html

Great video to share with EVERYONE!

A for Accountability Award!

A for Accountability Award - we all should be working on this award!
Read over on the RIGHT HAND SIDE of this link (in the blue)...interesting reading for sure!

Everyone one of us needs to speak up for what is true and right!

Parent Advocates.org is a great resource - enjoy!

http://www.parentadvocates.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=484

Advocating ~ means being on your toes...

Advocating...

You are their first teacher of every little thing 

Celebrate big & small accomplishments

Stay up-to-date with current information

Be CONFIDENT in your parenting role

Praise & be Joyful in the little things

As a parent you do not get a day off 

Work together for the common goal

Being on your toes.....ALL the time

Stand tall knowing what you know 

Have good working relationships

Share with others your concerns

Educate one person at a time

Meet others in the same boat

Go to trainings & conferences

Attend National Conventions

You know your Child BEST 

Speak up for your Child

Guidance for Safety

Positive redirection 

Praise to success

Protect your Child

Share solutions

Be organized

Help others

Be strong

Volunteer

Smile

Love

Hug

Cry

'o)

Created by Nancy Linley-Harris

Feb. 24, 2011

IEP's & School books online via Broward's PORTAL.

http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/casdl/textbooks/index.asp

This is the PORTAL you absolutely should know how to access. This is where you can view your Child's school TEXTBOOKS and IEP's. Be sure you know your Child's SCHOOL ID# by heart. You can find your Child's ID# on the IEP and report cards.

Enjoy!

What exactly are the DD Medicaid Waivers?

What exactly are the DD Medicaid Waivers?

MEDICAID WAIVERS ~ fldd resources.org

If you still have not filled out the forms to have your child signed up and on the Medwaiver WAITLIST, here is the link with all the resources to help you with the process. JUST DO IT and get all the paperwork turned in and get going with it. If you need help or have questions and need help, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to assist you.

Remember for the Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Waivers it is only for 5 specific documented disabilities:
1. CP
2. Autism
3. Spina Bifida
4. Mental Retardation
5. Prader-Wili syndrome
Sign up starts when the child is 3 years old,
don't keep putting it off...JUST DO IT!


http://www.flddresources.org./html/medicaid_waivers.htm

Pledge for Parental Involvement

Pledge for Parental Involvement

I pledge to support my child's education
to the best of my ability.
I will have high expectations for my child
to succeed in school and in life.
I will make my child's education a priority,
and model positive actions and attitudes.
I will partner with my child's school
to ensure I am informed and involved
in all aspects of my child's education,
and I will be an active advocate
for my child's education.
I understand that education is the key
to success, and will do everything I can
to nurture my child's ability to learn.

*November is Parental Involvement Month
I received this saying at a Title I Parent Training

Is she getting a good education today?

Just when you think you have the kinks out of all the school issues and things are running smoothly, something tugs inside of you to keep doing what we do and that is to continue to STAY ON TOP OF EVERY LITTLE THING that is or is not happeing at school with your Child, in my case with Mariah. When it comes to making sure our Children are being taught....really taught how to READ, WRITE & DO MATH, we have to continue to keep the lines of communication wide open regularly!

 With the long Christmas Break finally over and the New Year finally here...the first week of January is my time to send out a few emails to both Mark & Mariah's teachers and ask a few questions and make request for some help in a few of my areas of concern. I believe if parents get too comfortable with NOT being in contact with our Children's teachers and they don't have regular parent/teacher conferences or some kind of contact either small phone chats or emailing them it is easy for our Children to not be provided the support they need to help them learn.



I started my emailing the first day they were back in school and WOW what a whirl-wind of positive things start happening! When I inquire about certain things and they get back to me, it helps me know where I need to keep ON TOP OF THINGS better.



Parents if you haven't had a parent teacher conference in awhile or yet this year...absolutely it is time set one up and get reconnected to all the different teachers and have some discussions.



Emailing is my 'mode of communication' that I prefer to use when wanting to touch base and ask some questions on how things are going. I'm sure there are some teachers that dread any email coming from me or some parents, but to be honest..emailing teachers is the surest way to get the ball rolling with some good conversation about YOUR Child and how things are really going at school.



I encourage each of you to make contact with your Children's teachers & ESE Support people right about now, the first weeks of the New Year. Spring Break is just around the corner and in Florida we have the Standardized test called the FCAT. When its just before FCAT, that is ALL that is going on at school...preparing everyone how to do well on it! The end of another school year will be here before we know it. Make it a priority to keep good communication happening all the time with their teachers. Sending out an email once in awhile to get updates on some things is a good thing.



Set up a PLANNING MEETING with your Child's teachers, this is not an IEP meeting. This is a meeting that is alot more casual and free flowing with conversation about what's working, what's not working and what are some of the challenges teachers and you both are seeing. What are some of the wonderful things that are going on at home and while in school. I love doing MARIAH PLANNING MEETINGS in the middle of the school year especially when everyone comes to the table with an open mind and willing to share ideas and some possible new changes to how things have been going.



Right now, things are working out wonderful for Mariah's 5 grade year. She has 3 great teachers that are all good at emailing me back. The beginning of the year didn't start out so well because Mariah's homeroom/reading & math teacher refused to ever talk or communicate with me! She may have been good teacher but if she couldn't provide any parent/teacher communication...ever...not one email was ever replied back to, not one phone message I left for her was ever returned. I was a wreck at that time because of it! I wanted to have a parent/teacher conference around the 5th week of school just to touch base and discuss how things were going. We were having some MATH issues going on at the time. Needless to say, I finally had that parent/teacher conference close to the 13th week of school! If she wasn't going to ever talk to me than I guess I needed to be able to observe her classroom and to see how she worked with my daughter. What I saw during that classroom observation was my daughter being fully segragated and not included at all!! I was so upset by then that I had already spoken to the Principal and requested for a new teacher for my daughter.

Not only did Mariah get a new homeroom teacher, she got a new MATH teacher as well! Ever since the switch of teachers I have not had a problem with being able to communicate and have Mariah's teachers email me back. The classwork she brings home now tells me she is being provided an opportunity to be part of the classroom lessons and to do the best she can. She is learning so much this year in 5th grade!



If things don't seem right, chances are they aren't right! When things sent home from school show you that real learning took place, that is a great sign!. If you ever have a teacher that refuses to collaborate and communicate with you about your concerns for your Child's education and is unwilling to work with you on a regular basis, put in for a teacher change as quickly as you can! The school year goes by way too fast to waste a week or a month or a couple of months trying to make things work out with someone that probably doesn't believe in your Child like you need them to anyway. It's not about worrying about hurting someones feelings...it's about YOUR CHILD getting a good education and being able to have a good parent teacher relationship! If you have a teacher that doesn't give YOU the time of day...trade em in for a different one - QUICK!! It's all about PARENT INVOLVEMENT & if you have a teacher that doesn't want that or get that...request for a teacher that does! 



Mariah's new teacher is an absolute delight to work with! What a breath of fresh air to be able to have a teacher that actually wants to say hi to me and give me friendly updates about my daughter and on classroom stuff. It was not a fun time for me to have a teacher that refused to have any conversation with me about my daughter, it was something that totally took me for a loop, I just never expected it. *Isn't it part of a teachers job discription to talk to parents? .......sometime? 



Is she getting a good education today? Well..I know she loves going to school everyday and I know she has a good handful of nice friends that truly care about her. Her teachers are good people and they are doing the best they can helping my daughter do her personal best while she is in their classrooms. When parents & teachers are able to work together for the sake of the Child that is when everyone is learning! Teachers that embrace inclusion and aren't affraid of parents that want to be involved are the teachers become just better teachers because of it! Inclusion and having students with significant learning challenges in General Education Classrooms is not easy, I won't lie, but it is rewarding and at the end of the school year, that teacher with the open mind and the desire to teach ALL CHILDREN is the better teacher by far!! (Can I have an amen!) 



Having a student with Down syndrome fully included in a General Education classroom is not something that just happens overnight...it takes lots of collaboration and work from both parents & the teachers and it takes having 'talks'...either in person by having little planning meetings or shooting an email once in awhile or even a quick friendly phone conversation. Parents don't be affraid to have a NON-IEP PLANNING MEETING for your Child, some of the best ideas and ways your Child learns or how the teachers present lessons are talked about at these meetings.



Everyone touch base with your son or daughters teachers and get an update on things. Have a wonderfully productive January and a Healthy New Year!
 
www.dsadvocate.com

iPad & iPhone APPS for Communication help

iPad & iPhone APPS for Communication help

This is just a test to see if I can post from my iPhone...

BROWNSTOWN TWP.: Read 180 program at middle school help address specific reading needs (with video) - thenewsherald.com

Scholastic 180 program....has helped some students improve 1 grade level sometimes more in reading!!!
Amazing how well this Middle School is doing with this program. Please read the article by clicking on the link below.

BROWNSTOWN TWP.: Read 180 program at middle school help address specific reading needs (with video) - thenewsherald.com

ParentAdvocactes.org

Great website and resource!

http://www.parentadvocates.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=contribute