Some Broward schools unwelcoming, parents say

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-broward-unfriendly-schools-20111103,0,2339843.story

By Cara Fitzpatrick, Sun Sentinel

10:44 p.m. EDT, November 3, 2011

Public schools in Broward County are losing too many parents at the door.

Parents, one of the biggest keys to student success, say the unfriendly atmosphere at some schools makes them feel unwelcome and unwanted.

"There's no 'Hello,' no 'How are you,'" said Genny Lingard, a mother of two in Hallandale Beach.

Many parents echoed those sentiments at a series of recent public forums hosted by the Broward School District to learn what it's doing right — and wrong — when it comes to engaging parents. The final forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Coconut Creek High School. 

CLICK THE LINK AT THE TOP FOR FULL STORY from Cara Fitzpatrick, Sun Sentinel Nov.3rd, 2011

First Nationwide TEST of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a TEST~!!!

Tomorrow afternoon November 19th, 2011 is the FIRST NATIONWIDE TEST of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a TEST ~ Help Us Spread the Word. Please Forward as Appropriate.

Thanks!
Tom Linley
Director of Emergency Management and Volunteer Services

Emergency Coordinating Officer - ESF15

The Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service
Elliot Building
401 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee Florida 32301
Office Phone 850-414-2977
Cell Phone 850-528-3641  

Click here for more info.~ http://myemail.constantcontact.com/1st-Nationwide-TEST---Emergency-Alert-System.html?soid=1102946334533&aid=PI0uuNYKBfU

________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION    MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011                                    (850) 413-9969                                                                                    www.FloridaDisaster.org EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS REMIND FLORIDIANS OF THE FIRST NATIONWIDE TEST OF THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM ~TEST to Take Place November 9 at 2 p.m. EST~ TALLAHASSEE -- Emergency Management officials are asking Floridians to take note that on November 9 at 2:00 p.m. eastern standard time, the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).  The test will last for 30 seconds. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. The Division aims to ensure that Florida's residents and visitors are aware that this event is only a test, and not an actual emergency alert.  "In conjunction with our local, county and state agency partners, the Division wants to alert all residents to this important event, and make them aware of the significance of this system's ability to deliver emergency notifications across the country," said Bryan Koon, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.  "This test will provide important conformational data on the capabilities of the system should it ever need to be activated for an actual emergency."  Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers both nationally and regionally.  The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA a chance to identify improvements that may need to be made to build a modernized and fully accessible Emergency Alert System. The Division, in partnership with local, county and agency officials, encourages residents to use this event as a reminder of the importance of establishing an emergency plan as well as anemergency preparedness kit for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses. For more information about the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, visit www.Ready.gov. For more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency and to GET A PLAN!, please visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management's homepage: www.FloridaDisaster.org.  Follow us on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/FLSERT  and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.   ________________________

Parents are NOT GETTING NOTIFIED or INFORMED of SAF / SAC / PTO meetings! ~ If there IS A SAF at all!!

School Advisory Forums aka SAF was put into place for a reason...to be the LINK between PARENTS & the School, District & State things going on.


Today I don't think our PARENTS are being informed of much lately....and all we hear today is all about PARENT INVOLVEMENT!


How the heck can parents get involved in their Child's school and education when Parents are not getting meeting notices with enough time to make PLANS TO ATTEND the meeting or event? 


I know that PRINTING anything and putting into our Children's Backpack is THE NOTICE OF LAST RESORT ~ paper & printing costs prevent paper flyers going home in backpacks anymore! There are lots of other ways to LET PARENTS KNOW in advance of upcoming meetings and dates to put on their calendars, so babysitters can be set-up and plans to attend are on the parents schedule to attend.


I am the SAF CHAIR at my daughters school and it has had its BUMPS-IN-THE-ROAD (literally!!) just setting up our FIRST REAL SAF~School Advisory Forum MEETING!! Informing Parents & the Community of upcoming SAF meetings should be a priority today more than ever! Parent Involvement is the big BUZZ word everyone is talking about today! 


I drove by my daughters school on Friday morning....there was nothing listed on the outdoor school sign about the upcoming SAF / SAC / PTO meeting that was coming up that upcoming Monday evening at 6PM. This could have been done over the weekend, so those driving by the school over the weekend could see the announcement on the school sign and BE AWARE of the upcoming SAF / SAC / PTO PARENT INVOLVEMENT MEETINGS happening at our school on Monday! How is putting the information on the outdoor sign at 11AM the morning of the 6PM evening meeting really giving parents notice and time to make plans to attend good? That is giving 7 HOURS NOTICE...if the parents even see or look at the sign within that small window of time... 7 HOURS...PLaahZeee....really.... 7 hours before the meeting that evening? 


No 1/4 page or 1/2 sheet note came home in my daughters backpack....I did see a note on the Cafeteria door on Friday during the Fall Festival...but what about those that didn't attend the Fall Festival....


While I was at my daughters Tutoring lesson, I received a PARENT-LINK call at 5:25PM ~ A HALF HOUR BEFORE THE SAF / SAC / PTO MEETING!! 


Really....a HALF-HOUR NOTICE parents get an auto-caller INFORMING PARENTS of a meeting in a half hour? WOW!! Thanks for the call!!


Our school has a Facebook page...I saw that close to 7:45PM on Sunday the day before the meetings a post was put on FB...what about the families that don't have internet? How are ALL families being notified of PARENT MEETINGS at your school?


I do believe something DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT HAS TO BE DONE and something different needs to take place...at least at my daughters school....since I have first had knowledge how SITE BASE MANAGEMENT is being handled and how parents are not being notified of upcoming SAF meetings. I know there are many schools that don't even have SAF meetings, because they don't have a SAF CHAIR. SAF is the Parent Voice and the LINK for communication between school and district things going on.


SITE BASED MANAGEMENT IS THE PROBLEM with many of our schools. Schools are SHUTTING OUT PARENTS ON PURPOSE!! Especially the Special Needs Parents & Families......we have no voice...and certainly the ESE Parent Voice means nothing to those that could actually HELP with better SITE BASED MANAGEMENT ISSUES & CONCERNS from Parents!


I can't keep silent any longer about the SITE BASED MANAGEMENT ISSUES that is a common mode of operation now in place at many of our Broward County Schools!

Our New Superintendent, Robert Runcie is doing LISTENING TOURS throughout the Land-of-Broward....hope he's listening! Hope he cares...really cares about those that have no voice....students with very unique learning challenges and their parents caring for them!

THE ONLY THING THAT IS CONSTANT IS CHANGE! 

Broward schools need to CHANGE how they Partner with Parents ~ how they INFORM PARENTS & make Parents Feel Welcomed back on our Children's Schools!

Parent Volunteers are just that....PARENTS...and that includes PARENTS of Special Needs! Let's stop the nonsense and start INCLUDING our Special Needs Parents as Partners in Education!

SAF - SAC - PTO/PTA  Have you been to one at your school?

POLICY 1.3 ~ 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 the Area Advisory Council.

GET INVOLVED in your Child's School....Parents TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS!

Find out WHO IS YOUR SAF CHAIR ! Get Involved! Please take the little SAF~POLL that is on the right hand side of this blog.

Runcie wants to meet and connect with parents and community members to establish a channel of two-way communication and build support

BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEWS RELEASE

DATE:   November 4, 2011        

CONTACT: Nadine Drew, Public Relations & Governmental Affairs, 754-321-2300

Broward Schools Superintendent Plans 'Listening Tour'

        Broward County Public Schools new superintendent of schools, Robert W. Runcie, will be “hitting the road” soon as he conducts a blitz of listening sessions across Broward County. The “listening tour” is part of the kick off his tenure as superintendent of the nation’s sixth largest school district.  

        Runcie wants to meet and connect with parents and community members to establish a channel of two-way communication and build support to improve student achievement and performance.  The perspectives, experiences, opinions and concerns expressed by parents and community members, will be used in developing the next District Strategic Plan.  The listening sessions, to be held at several high schools throughout the District, are open to all parents and community members.

        “In my meetings and conversations with parents, teachers, students, business and community members I’m finding a common theme.  Our school system is Broward County’s biggest asset, and everyone I speak with is tremendously proud of the Broward County Public Schools and the quality of education we provide to our students.  I hope to get our stakeholders’ perspective on that which we do very well and that which we can do better,” said Runcie.

The public is invited to take part in the conversation during one of these sessions. All sessions begin will begin at 6:30 p.m.:

• Monday, November 14 at Fort Lauderdale High School,     1600 NE Fourth Ave., Ft. Lauderdale 33305
• Tuesday, November 29 at Blanche Ely High School, 1201 NW Sixth Ave., Pompano Beach 33060               
• Monday, December 5 at Coral Glades High School, 2700 Sportsplex Drive, Coral Springs 33065        
• Monday, December 12 at Hollywood Hills High School, 5400 Stirling Rd., Hollywood 33021  
• Wednesday, January 4 at Coconut Creek High School, 1400 NW 44th Ave., Coconut Creek 33066  
• Monday, January 9 at Flanagan High School, 12800 Taft St., Pembroke Pines 33028
• Tuesday, January 17 at Cypress Bay High School, 18600 Vista Park Blvd., Weston 33332
• Thursday, January 19 at Dillard High School, 2501 NW 11th St., Ft. Lauderdale 33311

###

ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the nation's sixth largest public school system and the largest fully accredited district with over 258,000 students in 234 schools and education centers and 76 charter schools. For more information about BCPS, visit (www.browardschools.com). Follow BCPS on Twitter (@Browardschools). Find us on Facebook at (www.facebook.com/browardschools).

Thoughtful Inclusion in Middle School~is it Happening anywhere in Broward?

This is what I posted on my Facebook Page ~ Nov. 7th, 2011
    ~ Nothing coming in............. 

Nancy Linley-Harris  

‎...any suggestions from teachers or admins out there in Facebook Land that work in a Broward Middle School?..... Which School really is doing Thoughtful Inclusion in a Broward School? .... email me privately  ~  podsangels@bellsouth.net 

My daughter has worked so very hard to 'fit-in' as a unique learner and we are hoping to continue more of the same wonderful stuff.....into 6th grade and beyond! Fully Included.....

~ HELP! ~  I need some suggestions on schools to go visit now...!! ~

Please email me privately at:
My email

THANKS!

*SomeONE....please let me know of at least ONE Middle School that is doing thoughtful INCLUSION of students with Down syndrome.....in the General Education Classroom.................

 ·  · 5 hours ago near Fort Lauderdale

• 
  

  Chris  likes this.
• • 
    

    Chris:  no schools yet? doesn't give us much hope. hmmm will they include her in some classes? :(
    

    2 hours ago · 

Your Schools ESE PARENT REPS.....WHO R THEY?

ESE Parent Reps at your schools are an important link to communication between the individual schools, the iZones, your Area and ultimately the District Level. 


ESE Parent Reps are encouraged and needed to attend the Broward Ese Advisory 1st Wed. of the month meetings. 
            ~ Next one is Wed.Nov.3rd,2011~6:30PM ~


ESE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETINGS are Held 1st Wednesday of each month at PiPER HiGH School 
Media Center starting at 6:30PM. Please tell others and 
Share-A-Ride and make it a Parents Night Out in the process.


Find out if your individual schools ESE Parent Rep has a Child with a Disability or if their Child is GIFTED. There SHOULD be one of each. It is important your schools ESE Parent Rep should be encouraging all ESE Parents to attend any and all things ESE specifically....and especially making sure the monthly ESE Advisory meeting INFORMATION is being sent out to the ESE Families on your campus, so they KNOW about the monthly meetings and ESE Information from those meetings. 


ESE Parent Reps should be encouraged to begin working closely with school SAF Chairs for local district, state and federal changes to education and being able to Start the Parental Engagement Process at the 1st level of being an Involved Parent Volunteering at your Child's School! 


Make plans to attend the next Broward Ese Advisory meeting on: WED. NOV.2nd @6:30PM-9PM Piper High Community School Media - Library. www.browardeseadvisory.com
click underlined above will take you directly to the BROWARD ESE ADVISORY Website. 



"See...easy!" 

                     ....my daughter says! 

What is SAF?

What is SAF?
The School Advisory Forum (SAF) is open to all members of the school and community.

1. Plan, develop, and implement parent/community programs and training activities.
2. Address parent/community concerns; work with administration to solve problems and initiate desired changes.
3. Identify and coordinates the use of community resources to improve student achievement and school effectiveness.
4. Participate in increasing/sustaining high levels of community support for the school.
5. Assist SAC in identifying the educational needs and priorities of the school.
6. Participate in the preparation of the budget, and review budget related concerns.
7. Advocated for positive change in the school.
8. Remain current with school, district, state, and national issues.
9. Jointly works with School Board Members, Superintendent, and local Government officials. Facilities, Safety, Legislative, ESE, ESOL, Boundaries, Curriculum, Dress code, and Transportation are all issues addressed by SAF


*This is what I stand for at my daughters school. 


PARENTS GET INVOLVED at your schools ~ YOU are all SAF  MEMBERS!

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!

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