"Mariah speaks" ~ Before Broward County Public Schools over the Summer on July 23rd, 2013.

Mariah speaking before Broward County Public Schools over the Summer on July 23rd, 2013. M_07_23_2013 Her speech although unclear, was provided in writing to the Superintendent and all the School Board members so they knew what she spoke about at the podium. 

Mariah speaking before the School board over the Summer was something she wanted to do....by herself, without me standing next to her. She and I discussed what should she talk about if she was no longer a Broward County Public School Student. I withdrew Mariah from Public education in Broward before the school year ended on May 24th, 2013.

I didn't give up on Public Education... 

...Broward Public Education 

GAVE UP ON MARIAH!!

Although I filed a State Complaint pertaining to her school holding an illegal 10th IEP ~ 4 days after she had been withdrawn from attending Broward schools and was no longer a Student in this district. Naturally, I lost the State Complaint.....enough is enough of the games this school district and the State has put me thru in my trying to secure a 'real education' for my daughter, Mariah. 

This video provided by BeconTV is the entire July 23th, 2013 School Board Meeting. The Pubic Speakers begins on the Video at 143:00 with School board Chair, Laurie Rich-Livenstein opening the meeting for Public comment. Mariah is called as the first Public Speaker. To see the beginning of where Mariah starts go to 144:00 on the Video. I speak just after Mariah at 148:50 on the Video. 

It is worth a watch to see the other Public Speakers at this Summer Broward County School Board Meeting.

I am so proud my daughter wants to SPEAK OUT and become a Public Speaker. What she has to say is worth hearing. 

Written below is Mariah's actual July 23rd, 2013 Speech she spoke before Broward School Board meeting.

Hi !!

*Pause & SMILE

My name is Mariah Harris, I am 14 years old and in the 6th Grade.

I am in the Nova  U-Na-Ver-ciTy  School of the ARTS Drama Camp. I am a dancer, singer, actress and will be in the Disney MULAN show August second. I have teachers and helpers that support and BELIEVE IN ME! Want to come see me on the stage at the EP-STEEN Center?

I went to Horse Camp for 2 weeks and had a lot of FUN! FIRE is the name of my horse. I met new friends that liked me and BELIEVED IN ME at the Ranch!

I am on the SWIM TEAM at River Land Pool. Back Stroke is my best stroke. I Like doing Free Style and I'm learning the Butterfly. I love going to Swim practice every day! My Coaches BELIEVE IN ME!

I love going to the Movies and Cooking.

I am having a Great Summer.

I need people to BELIEVE IN ME and see that I CAN do it!

Do not JUDGE me because I have Down syndrome!

I am Mariah Harris, I love school and I'm a good student!

I have always been fully IN-CLUDed with an adult to help me.

BELIEVE IN and IN-CLUDE more students with Down syndrome in all of our schools!!

Have a good day!

Thank you very much.

SMILE

Mariah Harris

321funlife@gmail.com

"Mariah speaks" ~ Before Broward County Public Schools over the Summer on July 23rd, 2013.

A CLASS DIVIDED

New law aids parents of special needs children in dealing with school districts Marlene Sokol, Times Staff Writer Saturday, July 20, 2013

New law aids parents of special needs children in dealing with school districts
Marlene SokolMarlene Sokol, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, July 20, 2013 11:07am
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/new-law-aids-parents-of-special-needs-children-in-dealing-with-school/2132375

Self Advocate ~ John Anton at his job at the State House

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vmF1hUt5yw

Why charging such HIGH CO$T for Broward Public Records request from an ESE Parent?

POLICY #1343
INSPECTION & EXAMINATION OF PUBLIC RECORDS

EVERY PERSON WHO HAS CUSTODY OF A PUBLIC RECORD SHALL PERMIT. THE RECORD TO BE INSPECTED AND EXAMINED BY ANY PERSON DESIRING TO DO SO, AT ANY REASONABLE TIME, UNDER REASONABLE CONDITIONS AND UNDER SUPERVISION BY THE CUSTODIAN (DESIGNEE) OF THE PUBLIC RECORD. THE RULES LISTED BELOW SHALL COVER THE CHARGES FOR THIS SERVICE.
AUTHORITY: F. S. 230.22 (1) (2)
 F. S. 119.07
Policy Adopted: 10/16/90 AMENDED RULES APPROVED: 6/2/92

RULES
1 . For duplicated copies of not more than 14" x 8 1/2" in size, a fee of fifteen (15) cents per one-sided copy shall be
charged. For all other copies, the actual cost of the copy shall be charged. For purposes of this rule, "actual cost"
shall mean the cost of materials and supplies used to duplicate the record, but not the labor cost or overhead cost.
2 . The Board shall charge an additional five (5) cents (total of twenty {20} cents) for each two-sided duplicated copy.
3 . The Board authorizes the Superintendent to charge an additional reasonable charge for the labor and overhead
associated with the duplication of oversized documents, such as maps, photographs, blueprints, computer reports
and labels, etc.
4 . If the nature or volume of public records requested to be inspected, examined, or copied is such as to require
extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance by district
personnel, the Superintendent (designee) may charge in addition to the actual cost of the duplication, the labor
cost of the personnel providing the service. For purposes of this rule, "extensive" means that it will take more
than fifteen (15) minutes to locate, review for confidential information, copy and refile the requested material.
5. 4. The Board may charge up to one dollar ($1.00) per copy for a certified copy of a public record.
AUTHORITY: F. S. 230.22 (1) (2)
 F. S. 119.07

RULES ADOPTED: 10/16/90 AMENDED RULES ADOPTED: 6/2/92

http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/sbbcpolicies/docs/P1343.000.pdf

*Included below is my request for PUBLIC RECORDS and the several emails that have gone back and forth trying to obtain PUBLIC RECORDS pertaining to my daughter, Mariah having her Occupational Therapy Service taken away leading up to one of many reasons for withdrawing my daughter from Broward Public Schools. Way too much nonsense and hiding information from parents!!

From: Nancy Linley-Harris 
Date: Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 8:59 PM
Subject: Why such a high cost to VIEW PUBLIC RECORDS? ///Fwd: Public Records Request 12/13-7995 (Estimated Cost)
To: Superintendent Robert Runcie , Laurie Rich Levinson , Patricia Good , "Nora A. Rupert" , Katherine Leach , Robin Bartleman , Donna Korn , Ann Murray , "Abby M. Freedman" , Rosalind Osgood , Nancy Harris , Jim Harris
Cc: Terryann Bartlett , Jeannette Ramos , PatriceTaime , LYNDA OLDS

Dear Superintendent Runcie and the School board of Broward County Public School District,

I have requested a couple of PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST and am floored at the cost for me to be able to VIEW and have access to my daughter's records..an "estimated cost" that could cost MORE than $237.93 with a deposit of $118.93 to even start 'processing" and with it possibly costing me even MORE than this estimated cost. Why is is this cost so much to view records, why not let me decide what I want paper copies of? Am I paying someone's hourly wage to go look for records that should be easily located and kept?  

Since Parkway Middle schools "ESE team" (....*the ESE Specialist) and the District ESE Department admins. have done all they can to write-up my daughter's Individual Education Plan (IEP) to be just they way 'they wanted' it to be and not anything I wanted or knew would be good for my daughter, if I wanted to help her receive a 21st Century Education everyone "talks about."

My daughter has been receiving Occupational Therapy since she was just 4 months old and in school since she was 3 years old. She needs Occupational, Speech & Language and Physical Therapy to help her with her be all she can be in her school career and in life career. 

 

On May 14th, 2013 at now the 9th IEP meeting held at Parkway Middle for my daughter; her Occupational Therapy service was taken away from her. I was not in agreement to it, but I didn't have it in me to FIGHT and FILE DUE PROCESS over it. Instead, I wanted and needed to know more about the OT services that she actually did receive this entire school year. 

If the records are really made public....Now I want to know when did my daughter actual have her OT service times, the clinical notes written about the OT sessions with my daughter, emails between any and all of the OT's that have worked with my daughter this school year. Now especially I'd like to view all emails with the Occupational therapist that worked directly and any that worked indirectly with my daughter and between their supervisor - ESE District OT/PT Administrator, Karleen Brunt. I have a feeling the ESE District Staff ultimately made the decision beforehand for my daughteroto; NOT LET HER HAVE her Occupational Therapy anymore! I'm sure that decision was made before the May 14th, 2013 IEP meeting. At the IEP meeting held on 5/14/13, it was told to me that "THEY" didn't recommend that Mariah receive OT anymore, this was told to me by Lori Anne Henrickson, the OT that evaluated Mariah recently in March. Lori didn't actually work with Mariah each  week or care that Mariah needed to be helped with increasing her speed and words per minute in writing and/or keyboarding...no new OT goals were wanted, she was just the OT that did the OT evaluations.

I would appreciate if someone can provide me clarity as to why it may cost me close to $250 just to even VIEW just my daughter's OT Records, why such a high cost with the possibility of it costing even more than the "estimated cost" of $237.93.

Thank you,

Nancy Linley-Harris

*please read emails included below

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Requel L. Bell <requel.bell@browardschools.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Subject: Public Records Request 12/13-7995 (Estimated Cost)
To: podsangels@gmail.com
Cc: podsangels@gmail.com

Ms. Harris,

You have been provided the the estimated cost to prepare the records for inspection.  Once the payment is received, you will be provided the date to inspect.

Please advise of how you would like to proceed.

Requel Bell

Public Relations and Government Affairs Dept

600 SE 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

754-321-2300/Fax 754-321-2194

Nancy Linley-Harris <podsangels@gmail.com> on Friday, June 07, 2013 at 7:46 PM -0400 wrote:

To the Attention of: Raquel Bell,

Please advise me on the availability to VIEW THE PUBLIC RECORDS I have requested pertaining to my daughter, Mariah Harris and her Occupational Therapy Clinical Notes, Dates of Service & OT Logs, including any and all email communication pertaining to my daughter with OT Therapist and Karleen Brunt. I would like to view these records.

Sincerely,

Nancy Linley-Harris

On Fri, May 31, 2013 at 4:56 PM, Requel L. Bell <requel.bell@browardschools.com> wrote:

Dear Ms. Harris,

We have received the estimated cost from the Office of Karleen Brunt.  Please forward a check or money order in the amount of $237.93 or to begin processing your request, we accept a deposit in the amount of $118.96.  Please note this is only an estimate, once the deposit has depleted, we will cease all work production and will require an additional deposit to continue.  Please forward your payment to PRGA, 600 SE 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301.  Make payment payable to Broward County Public Schools.

Please advise of how you would like to proceed.

Requel Bell

Public Relations and Government Affairs Dept

600 SE 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

754-321-2300/Fax 754-321-2194

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nancy Linley-Harris <podsangels@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 15, 2013 at 1:23 AM
Subject: Records Request ~ OT Therapy logs and clinical notes and emails
To: Requel Bell ~ RECORDS REQUEST BCPS <requel.bell@browardschools.com>, Nancy Harris <podsangels@gmail.com>, Jim Harris <jharfoto@bellsouth.net>
Cc: Terryann Bartlett <tabartlett@comcast.net>, Jeannette Ramos <hearts544@hotmail.com>, PatriceTaime <ptaime@bellsouth.net>

To the Attention of:  Raquel Bell 
Please accept this as a formal request for information of Public Records from the District of Broward County Public Schools.  
I am requesting copies of any and all Occupational Therapy clinical notes and OT therapy logs and dates of OT services for Mariah Harris. 
I am officially requesting any emails written between Broward County Public Schools OT Department Administrator, Karleen Brunt & any and all Occupational Therapist that have specifically worked with and assigned to work with Mariah Harris, either as her OT therapist or just as an evaluator pertaining to my daughter, Mariah Harris while attending Parkway Middle School this entire 2012-2013 school year. 
Please notify me of any charges that may apply (if any) and of when this information will be available to me.  
Thank you for your prompt attention to this Public Records request.
Nancy Linley-Harris

*sent 6/10/13 from Nancy Linley-Harris

"If a child can't learn the way we teach, 

  ...maybe we should teach the way they learn." - Ignacio Estrada

See Mariah speaking before the Senate Education Committee 3.18.13 ~ Go to 21:07 - 22:57 on the video.

http://thefloridachannel.org/video/program-201311/

Listen to Mariah & Mom speaking on National Public Radio 

http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2013/04/22/why-parents-could-get-more-control-over-their-childs-special-education-plan/

Florida ESE in 2013...Remember ~ Racial Segregation of Schools particularly in the South between 1955-1968

Florida ESE in 2013...Remember ~ Racial Segregation of Schools particularly in the South between 1955-1968. 

This Archived News Clip is worthy of watching to see the similarities with our exceptional student education (ESE) population of students today.

*The CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL Principal ~ We need more Principals like him! 

*So many awesome people that spoke out back then! True Civil Rights ADVOCATES!

Finding jobs for Cole and his peers - The Hill's Congress Blog

Finding jobs for Cole and his peers - The Hill's Congress Blog

Finding jobs for Cole and his peers

By Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) - 07/01/13 10:00 AM ET

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/308499-finding-jobs-for-cole-and-his-peers#ixzz2Y2lez7Ee 
Follow us: @thehill on Twitter | TheHill on Facebook

I know my girl is going to make a great employee, because she is the only one in my family that helps me out the most and with a great attitude about it too! One day she will be a great employee and be the most loyal. 

Broward Schools Workshop on ADVISORIES held on 6/26/2013

W_06_26_2013: SBBC workshop held on June 26th, 2013 at the KCW Bldg downtown across from the Broward County Courthouse.

Broward School Board Meeting held on June 25th, 2013 ~ BeconTV

M_6_25_2013
Click above link to view the Broward School Board Meeting held on Tuesday June 25th, 2013.

Hibbs denied right to speak. Nancy Linley-Harris reading MY speech! Bullying Issues at Deerfield Beach High - DBHS

Reposting from Juliet Hibbs YouTube.com Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/HibbsforChange
Published on Hibbs4Change 
Jul 1, 2013
By Juliet Hibbs: This is the video where I am denied the right to speak on June 25th, 2013. 

I did get the policy and I am afraid they don't understand it. It is ok! I will educate them! It is RIGHT after they see this parent give MY speech that Dr Osgood reponded......

http://youtu.be/wIQt7KY4dHQ?list=PL6sB2rcvqtoDvQIwZnELfODhqksNgJlTw

Hibbs denied right to speak. 

Nancy Linley-Harris reading MY speech! 

She did an AMAZING job!

June 25th, 2013

Deerfield Beach High School Bullying and Abusive Administration

Published on~

Hibbs4Change YouTube Channel 

Jul 3, 2014

This is an interaction...assault under the law...of a student by Kenneth May, Assistant Principal at DBHS. First he STEALS the chips the student pays for...assaults the student...pushing the students around, up against a wall ...then student didn't even do anything wrong enough to even WRITE up for anything Just sends the student to class. This is HIS administrative style, supported by the Broward County School board (they saw this video...that too ME two years to get MY hands on, Robert Runcie and Jon Marlow...Principal at DBHS. This is abuse and Bullying of a student in Broward schools Watch as Mr. May blocks the student then assaults him over a bag of potato chips. this is ABUSE!! If a parent did this they would go to jail. If a teacher can be charged with assault because they placed a sticker on the student.

Please keep the stories and videos coming. Together we can make Broward schools better...we MUST come together to stop the abuses against students, staff and parents. 

Tax payers This is YOUR tax dollar at work and REMEMBER they want to INCREASE YOUR TAXES in Novemeber 2014 ~ Say NO. 

Do not forget this is the leadership of Jon Marlow; Principal of Deerfield Beach High school. DBHS

Hibbs challenges Mr. Runcie and the Broward County School Board.



http://youtu.be/DrHjXDqfNKs?list=PL6sB2rcvqtoDvQIwZnELfODhqksNgJlTw

Segregation is still alive as a: Tampa mom fights to keep her son with Down syndrome in his neighborhood school!

Tampa mom fights to keep her disabled son in his neighborhood school

This advocate mom, Roberta Moore and her 10 year old son, who is also a student with Down syndrome, just like my daughter, Mariah is up against the SAME THING that I have been experiencing here in Broward Public Schools as well! It's parents like us with children like ours that are being DISCRIMINATED against on so many levels in the Public Education System, especially here in Florida. I have spoke before my school board, several times. This same thing is happening to so many students...everywhere! 

In Tampa, Roberta Moore attended an IEP and was absolutely against what was being suggested for her son's placement for his next school year. In Fort Lauderdale, an IEP was taking 10 meetings to write up with the suggestion from the school side of the IEP "team" leading towards having Mariah's class placement for her to be in FULL ESE CLUSTER ALL DAY FOR ALL HER CLASSES, with the exception for her to be able to 'come out' so she could attend her STEM MAGNET CLASS in a General Education Classroom. LUNCH TIME would be her other allowed time to attend school with her friends and peers without disabilities. This sort of special classroom placement suggestion was not anything Mariah was used to. Mariah has always attended the same classes as her friends she goes to school with. Mariah has always been educated in 'regular classes' and fully included in gen.ed. classes all her life. Now it seemed to be the push of her school and the IEP "team" that it would be better for her to only attend school in an ESE classroom. Same with Roberta Moore for her 10 year old son, this too was not what I wanted for my 14 year old daughter either! 

Senate Passes Bill Empowering Parents in Critical IEP Decisions

http://capitalsoup.com/2013/04/29/senate-passes-bill-empowering-parents-in-critical-iep-decisions/

I am not a teacher, but have always 'homeschooled' part-time because it is good for her and I know what is best for my daughter and her education. As her mother and her truest advocate, I know and believe in her plans for her future career choice! Mariah has always had the desire to work with animals and become a Vet Tech and go to college one day.  It's up to me to make sure that happens for her....all other's need to either support her in teaching her a quality academic education or just GET OUT OF THE WAY!

I withdrew my daughter, Mariah on May 24th, 2013 from Broward County Public School District. I enrolled her in a small private Christian school that has graduated many many students over the years! Mariah and I are very much looking forward to her new school in the Fall without so many 'cooks in the kitchen!'

I filed my official STATE COMPLAINT with the Florida Department of Education on June 7th, 2013. What's being allowed to happen to so many of our students with disabilities throughout the entire State of Florida, particularly students with Down syndrome is ripe for a CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT! Who's in?

If this same thing has happened to you, I highly recommend filing a STATE COMPLAINT! 

Senate Bill 1108 goes into law on July 1st, 2013!
click above link to learn all about what SB1108 is all about.

Public Schools get extra funds to help educate our children, but it seems instead, the Public School system is possibly using the $$MONEY$$ our special needs students generate. Our children's educational money is being spent however Principals and District Administrators want. Our children's special education funds are being spend on all sorts of things other than for those very students that need the extra support.

ESE Teachers in those ESE classrooms are not always provided the most basic of supplies that other teachers and classrooms are afforded. It's the ESE students extra funding that is attached to them for the extra they may need, yet the many ESE TEACHERS are not given a reasonable budget to spend on classroom supplies, so all the students suffer by not having what the 'typical' students receive at school each and every day. Let's talk TECHNOLOGY, TEXT BOOKS & CURRICULUM in ESE Classrooms! 

So instead of INCLUDING our children into regular classes, schools are using our children's special education funds aka as their MATRIX Funding elsewhere instead of for my child. Our Special Ed Students are a cash commodity for schools today! 

Schools and the Districts are pushing to have all Special Needs students in the same classrooms...it's called SEGREGATION & DISCRIMINATION! ~ This is 2013 people!! Martin Luther King would be applaud at what is still going on with Discrimination!!

Guess my leaving and pulling my daughter from Broward Public School "before" the big boom to herd all SWD=Students With Disabilities off to Special Schools and all ESE special classes and Special everything is a good thing that I WITHDREW my daughter completely from Public Education when I did! My daughter will be fully included at her new school, where she'll be respected and accepted for the wonderful student and person she is. 

Many SWD that have recently graduated with Standard Diploma's or what's commonly known as a REAL HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA have all 'just made it under the wire!!!" They are the LUCKY ONES today!!

It's time for us to work together to help all SWD and future SWD have the opportunity to be accepted into regular classrooms. This is not something we all should have to even worry about this day and age, but in Florida we do! Florida as well as many other States are still very much behind in treating people fairly, especially when it comes to our public education today and our students needing special education support and services. 

Being treated unfairly and being left out is not something new to SWD and their families, especially families that have someone with Down syndrome. We know all to often the feeling of things not being 'fair'. We have all felt discrimination and it hurts every time we are being discriminated against, for wanting what is every one's right and freedom...a PUBLIC EDUCATION! 

We all know that raising a child today is not easy, with or without a learning disability, but certainly if your child has a disability, our families experience alot more funky situations than most families would ever imagine and people take for granted. We have to deal with the unfairness on a regular basis because our child has Down syndrome. *or any other disability.

It's 2013 people ~ SEGREGATION & DISCRIMINATION need to STOP!

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/22567697/2013/06/12/should-special-needs-students-be-in-mainstream-classrooms#.UbiaH2fXW61.facebook

http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2013/6/12/mom_of_boy_with_spec.html

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_south_hillsborough/tampa-mom-fights-to-keep-her-disabled-son-in-his-neighborhood-school

Nancy Linley-Harris Public Comment to Broward School Board members on June 11th, 2013

6/11/13 Nancy Linley-Harris 
     This is MY STORY and I have no reason to lie about what a craZy and stressful school year my daughter's Middle School had put me through! This is my speech and my Public Comment as to some of the main reasons WHY I felt my daughter would no longer be able to receive a "World Class Education" if she continued to attend a Broward County Public School.

Just 18 days prior to my speaking publicly before the school board on June 11th...I had officially withdrawn my daughter on May 24th, 2013 from Public Education in any Broward County Public School. This was not something I would have ever thought I would do. I feel I was FORCED to remove her from Broward Schools because enough was enough, there was no trust in the ESE Department anymore. I was also being forced to file a 2nd Due Process within a 7th month time period, Mariah's 6th grade school year. Personally, I believed nothing was ever going to be in Mariah's favor because of a corrupt Special Education Department, with the school based ESE Specialist probably being given permission or orders to keep moving forward with what the ESE District and/or ESE Legal staff 'wanted on Mariah's IEP'...so much had been taken away from my daughter's education via the "IEP Process."  She was forced off the regular diploma, and at each IEP meeting, school staff keep pointing the document in a direction that was leading to the most restrictive classroom placement and not including Mariah in regular classrooms any longer, except to continue to allow her to attend her STEM MAGNET Class time only in Gen ed. I told them they were nuts to think I would agree to that!! My daughter was part probably the first person with Down syndrome part of the STEM Magnet Program at Parkway Middle School in Lauderhill, Florida. 

I think the Parkway ESE staffers, (the ESE Specialist mainly) did all they (she) could to tear down my daughter's inclusive education, because they (she), I feel was given 'permission and the go-ahead' from the higher up ESE Department Administrators to do whatever they (she) could to STOP and prevent me from advocating for the Public education I thought was best for my daughter. My main concerns for my daughters Public education was that the district no longer was allowing her to be educated to earn a regular high school diploma and then Mariah was being forced out of being able to attend all regular general education classes. She has always been fully included and this school knew how important that was for me for my daughter, but none of them cared what I thought about anything pertaining to my own daughter's education. 

Mariah's READING & MATH IEP GOALS WERE  MALICIOUSLY REMOVED

Parkway Middle School can be a great school for some students especially if your Child is interested in the ARTS and loves dancing, acting or singing and if your child is Gifted and also if your Child would be suited for the STEM MAGNET Program. Parkway Middle is not a good school if your child has an IEP and needs Special Education and has Down syndrome. Especially if you're looking to have your Child fully included in with the general population of students, Parkway will hold so many IEP meetings and will make sure the IEP is not anything a parent wants by years end or sooner! 

The Intensive reading teacher and the math teacher assigned to my daughter were not teachers that should have ever been allowed to be my daughters teachers for longer than 6 weeks. Neither of them should have been allowed to have my daughter as long as they did in their classrooms! Those two teachers were more interested in showing that Mariah didn't fit in their classes and they just wanted to show my daughter as failing and telling the IEP team only negative. Those two teachers were not interested in teaching Mariah and certainly didn't care to teach her reading and math!! How disappointing to have to deal with teachers that didn't believe in your child or respect her as a wonderful student or her mother! To be honest, what a nightmare to even deal with such negative teachers not interested in helping a great student be successful in Math and Reading! It would be great if parents would be allowed to grade their children's teachers....the truth would be told about some really crappy teachers that are inflexible and closed minded to teaching diversity and teaching ALL students. What a shame they are allowed to pick and choose which students get educated or go to the 'expensive babysitting program' aka Special Education for some (MANY) ESE Students!

Parkway Middle School 'started out as a great school' for Mariah, because of the STEM Magnet Program she was in...too bad Mariah didn't get the kind of support she really needed to get more out of that program. The STEM Program is a really awesome program for ANY & ALL STUDENTS!

In my speech before Superintendent Runcie and the School board members on June 11th, 2013....I sound mad....because I was! I was mad for sure!!! I was so mad that my daughter had been pushed out of being allowed to be educated academically like I wanted for her. I was so mad at all the nonsense the ESE Specialist had put me through while my daughter attended that school. She was not a nice person to me and she was personally doing all she could to make Mariah's IEP document just the way SHE WANTED and was making sure each step of the way and each and every long drawn out IEP meeting after IEP meeting that my parent voice advocating for what I thought was right for my own child...she was a nightmare staff person without a doubt that I wouldn't wish on any parent to have to deal with!

With all the ESE Budget cut backs being talked about for the next 2013-2014 school year in Broward Public Schools, it would be my suggestion and in the best interest for students at Parkway if the ESE staff and a few teachers are hopefully those losing their jobs! They all have shone me that they absolutely do not care about students like my daughter....a student with Down syndrome. 

My daughter lost a years worth of academic education at Parkway Middle School because the ESE staff, the reading, math and language arts teachers sabotaged her legal IEP document to be written just the way they were wanted and "instructed to write it!"

This is MY STORY and I speak the truth of what happened to me and my daughter's Public education at Parkway Middle School in Lauderhill, Florida via the IEP "Process." Personally I feel what has happened to me this past school year is a form of bullying and retaliation by the corrupt ESE department very much including the school ESE staff and the Legal and Due Process Department employees.

Enough is Enough!! I WITHDREW MY DAUGHTER FROM BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON MAY 24th, 2013 ~ This District doesn't care about teaching my daughter, teachers don't believe in her....she has Down syndrome. 

My Public Comment is MY STORY! 

School Board Meeting in Broward held on 6/11/2013 - See PUBLIC SPEAKERS

M_06_11_2013
click above link to view 
ALL THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS start at 122:00 on the Video. Move to the point in the June 11th School Board meeting to hear all the public speakers that day. I am not the only parent speaking out!

Public Comment if for the TAX PAYERS that fund our local schools! 

My Public Comment is MY STORY! 

Be Strong, Rock On ~ ANDREW

ALL SCHOOLS NEED PEER MENTORS & PEER BUDDIES ~ FIN CAN HELP WITH THIS

Davidson eighth-graders assist special needs classmates

By BRIAN HUGHES / News Bulletin 
Published: Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 18:54 PM.

CRESTVIEW — It takes a special kind of student to be a Davidson Middle School buddy. In fact, school officials said, it takes the "crême-de-la-crême," or cream of the crop.

The program, in its 10th year, links specially selected eighth-graders —  the buddies — with students in the school's exceptional student education program.

"They are peer mentors," program director and E.S.E. teacher Carol Cassity said.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE by clicking this link -->
http://www.crestviewbulletin.com/education/davidson-eighth-graders-assist-special-needs-classmates-1.151264

My 2 cents worth=I've been encouraging Broward County Public Schools to get this started for years now...FIN-Florida Inclusion Network has this program and could help Districts with this getting up and going in all our Districts...IF they wanted to. This is the program I wanted to VOLUNTEER to help get it started at my daughter's Middle school...didn't happen...but is still needed everywhere! 

Let's get this going in many more schools and not just Middle school!

Why remove Mariah from PUBLIC EDUCATION in Broward County, Florida?

WHY?
....This decision to remove my daughter from PUBLIC Education in Broward County, Florida is not something I ever thought I would be doing, especially with SB 1108 passed into law and going into effect on July 1st for parent rights at the IEP. 
FLORIDA SENATE BILL 1108 SUMMARY
http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2013/html/474

The way I have been treated as an involve parent in my daughter's education here in Broward County, especially at the IEP "team" table is not anything I would wish on any parent!!! At this time, I have to do what is right for my daughter Mariah! She (we) need to get back to basics without so many district level hands in the decisions happening at the IEP table and of course with the many "glitches" with their computer EasyIEP program and then certainly in relation to my daughter's academic education via the IEP process here in Broward Public Schools as been nothing but a roller-coaster ride of bullshit and unnecessary stress!! 

This coming up Tuesday 5/28/13 will have been the 10th IEP MEETING for me this year!!! Really? Currently the PLACEMENT OPTION discussion and decision for Mariah is to have her sent to the MOST RESTRICTIVE PLACEMENT!! (aka FULL TIME ESE Classroom) ...for ALL of Mariah's classes except not for her STEM classtime!! The MOST RESTRICTIVE CLASSROOM PLACEMENT WILL BE - FORCED ONTO Mariah's IEP Document no matter what this Momma Tiger suggests, wants or advocates for! Those that know me, know this is not an option for Mariah!!! 

The direction and the way things have gone via anything pertaining to ESE at the Middle School level is so wrong on many levels. My input, my concerns, my ideas, and my suggestions to help my daughter be academically educated and for her to be all she can be is not welcomed or taken seriously at our many IEP "team" tables. *Parent Team vs. School Team....certainly not ONE TEAM in support of and for my daughter's education.

How can it be right to have parents be subjected to so many contentious IEP ROUND-TABLE discussions trying to get the proper supports and things in writing on how to educate their Child for a school year? With way too many school district employees being paid to attend all these IEP meetings and calling themselves the professionals at least once or twice in the course of our IEP meetings, to justify why their input is what... more important or better that what a parent suggests or wants? What do parents know? How can it be right that ALL those school professionals never seem to agree to what the Parent suggests, brings up or wants written onto their Child's IEP document? 

It's time to walk away from the IEP boxing ring...Mariah needs to leave now. I am not up for filing a 2nd Due Process in the same school year! That's what they encourage and tell you to do anyway! This District is going to do what they are going to do when it comes to HIGH PROFILE Parents like me...parents that ADVOCATE for their Children's Special Educational needs. I have given way too much of my Mommie Volunteer Hours this entire school year!! I have been spent a great deal of my volunteer time working on just the cat & mouse email games that go on. *Emails & Paper documents are the only evidence you have when you have s DUE PROCESS. So my advice to my many parent friends is for you to keep on top of your emails and hold your Child's school accountable for every little thing they are doing or not doing! Document it all in writing your emails. 

I'm sure there will continue to be some GLITCHES in the EasyIEP Program pertaining to my daughter's FINAL IEP Document. The May 2nd, May 3rd, May 14th interim IEP's are all still in a DRAFT form. What could have been the coming up 10th IEP for this school year....which is suppose to be held on Tuesday May 28th....what will they do now? I'm pretty sure they will go ahead and proceed without me even though Mariah will NOT be a Broward Public School Student come Tuesday May 28th, 2013. Who knows what FUNNY FUNNY stuff they (this District) will do now to her FINAL IEP document even though it was never finalized and was still as a DRAFT doc., as of the May 14th meeting. 

No matter what happens now....I am NOT AGREEING OR TRUSTING TO ANYTHING THIS DISTRICT WANTS TO FORCE ON ME OR PROPOSING FOR MY DAUGHTER'S EDUCATION OR PLACEMENT AND/OR WHAT THEY WANT TO GET WRITTEN INTO HER IEP Document. 

It seems as if this district in not interested in what the parents have to say about their Child's education...at least that's been my experience, and what I have been part of and witness to, when I attend my other IEP meetings. 

It has been pure craZiness via the "IEP Process" this ENTIRE school year more so than previous school years...absolutely!!! 

What's different? What is happening at the ESE District level? Is it because I FILED A DUE PROCESS? What is going on with ESE in Broward County Schools? Something or someone is controlling what is or isn't "allowed to happen" at our Children's IEP meetings!!!! These are INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PLAN = IEP meetings...what has happened with the INDIVIDUAL?

These last 12 months ~ from May 2012-May 2013 in Public School District of Broward County has been nothing but contentious, hateful, manipulating the IEP goals and closing them out and completely removing her goals without my full parental participation or an actual sit down resolution meeting. I have certainly felt bullied at times and it seems as if IEP's are district level controlled now with the Due Process Coordinator making all the final decisions and that person is not even sitting in or attending our IEP meetings!  

I have had to Advocate for my daughter's educational rights like never before this past year! In fact May 30th will mark the one year anniversary when my daughter's end of her 5th Grade IEP document was part of a hostile-take-over last May and this was as she was going into Middle School. I had signed her up to participate in the STEM Magnet Program and she was accepted into it. This is a school I thought was the best fit for Mariah to grow academically throughout her Middle School years. The ESE Staff in place at this school will not be a good fit for me for another 2 years!! Why? Why not change to another public school? .....because they all get their directives from the same top level management from downtown!! It would be more of the same at a different school, with the same "ESE/IEP" crap!


Mariah and I found a perfect little Christian School for her to attend. I am "retiring" from the IEP "process" that Broward Public Schools puts good parents thru!!! Those sitting in leadership positions here in this district don't seem to care at the mess ESE is in here. Not one person sitting on our school board gives a noodle about the nonsense the ESE Department dictates and put parents and families thru and ultimately it's the student that misses out...misses out in the opportunity to be educated to earn a high school diploma!!! I want to get back to basics without SO MANY PAID DISTRICT EMPLOYEES CONTROLLING how or what gets written onto my daughter's IEP document!

Mariah has made some friends with several students at her Middle school. Many students have come up to me out in the community and tell me Mariah is so nice and they like her. I am grateful for the students that have accepted Mariah and are friendly to her. Isn't that what it's all about too? Making friends in school? ....especially in Middle school!


Mariah and I are both HaPpY there will be no more IEP meetings or her going to Parkway Middle school anymore! She and I know what we are doing and what we need to do!! Everyone needs to either support us or get out of the way!! Mariah is looking forward to her NEW SCHOOL in the Fall!! A nice little private Christian school!

*This goes hand-in-hand with the how the ESE Department treats ESE Families in Broward. Hibbs challenge to Mr. Runcie and the Broward County School Board.

http://youtu.be/DrHjXDqfNKs?list=PL6sB2rcvqtoDvQIwZnELfODhqksNgJlTw

Reposting from:
Juliet Hibbs YouTube.com Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/HibbsforChange
Published on Hibbs4Change

I submitted today (5/24/13) on BCPS form, my WITHDRAWAL from PUBLIC EDUCATION at PARKWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL in Broward County!!!

I submitted today (5/24/13) on BCPS form, my WITHDRAWAL from PUBLIC EDUCATION at PARKWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL in Broward County!!!

"Toast-to-that!!!" 

 ......Now give me the FINAL IEP document that was CLOSED!!!!! ...and please no illegal deletion or adding things...please...NO FUNNY STUFF with her IEP Document that was LAST C L O S E D !!!! 

I am DONE PLAYING with BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ESE & LEGAL DEPARTMENT peeps!!!

Stand Up for What You Believe In and Be Proud To Be An American Advocate! The James Kaleda story~removed from testifying before the New Jersey Senate!

James Kaleda is A True American Advocate we should be proud of! If you had been sitting there in the New Jersey Senate chambers that day on April 30th, 2013, would you have been the one that STOOD UP 4 CHANGE and supported him? See the woman in the 2nd video clip at the bottom of my post today. 

Breaking News Story: James Kaleda ejected from hearing by New Jersey State Troopers



Published on May 8, 2013
James Kaleda explains that the proposed NJ Gun Bills will not save any lives but will endanger them. He is ejected by Committee Chair Senator Norcross. This took place at the NJ Senate gun control hearings in Trenton on April 30, 2013.

Be Sure To Read The Top Comments!

My gut feelings watching and seeing this happen, turns up all sorts of emotions to exactly how it seems to have gotten at IEP meetings this past year in Broward County. My PARENT VOICE, MY PARENT INPUT to her IEP document, my suggestions for her yearly educational goals, my advocating for my own Child for her educational needs and her right to receive a quality education and to be educated to learn so she too can earn a REAL HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA at the end of her school years. My ideas and suggestions go on deaf ears with public school employees aka the 'educational professionals' and their idea of what 'they think is best'. Parents know their Child the best in all areas of their Child's life. Speaking up for my own daughter is also about speaking up for many many other students with *IEP's! Mariah and I testified before the Florida Senate Education Committee, WE WERE HEARD & SUPPORTED by the Florida Senate and the House!
*Individual Education Plans


Why Parents Could Get More Control Over Their Child’s Special Education Plan http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2013/04/22/why-parents-could-get-more-control-over-their-childs-special-education-plan/ 
Hear the words spoken so perfectly by Mariah Harris as she read her first Pubic Speech as she testified before the FLORIDA SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE on March 18th, 2013 on SB 1108.


If James Kaleda, seen here in this You Tube Video, testifying before the New Jersey Senate on a proposed Gun Control Bill being looked at and all those in the audience didn't get up and stand up for him as he was denied his First Amendment Right to speak.....is shameful that "We The People..." are not supporting each other when one is speaking out for the people.

The COMMENTS to this are worth reading as well, because the comments support James Kaleda and our FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

Stand Up for What You Believe In and Be Proud To Be An American Advocate!

We need to Stand UP and Support Each Other!


Published on May 8, 2013
After a late start, and a "ten minute break" that lasted more than a half hour, the NJ Senate committee on gun control decides to cut off public comment on the proposed gun control bills at 4 o'clock. The chairman and most of the committee then refuse to honor the pledge of allegiance. This took place at the NJ Senate gun control hearings in Trenton on April 30, 2013.



YES!!! THEY ALL STOOD UP TOGETHER AND RECITED THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! 

Support those that speak up on your behalf!

Thank you James Kaleda-a true American Advocate!

NDSS ~ MY GREAT STORY! One Siblings Act of CHANGE.

Published on Mar 21, 2013
The National Down Syndrome Society's (NDSS) My Great Story Video Project features 10 short videos are based on submitted stories to the NDSS My Great Story public awareness campaign. The goal of the My Great Story campaign is to ignite a new way of thinking about people with Down syndrome by sharing stories written by and about them. NDSS and the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at UMass Boston collaborated with Emmy Award winning filmmaker, Melanie Perkins McLaughlin, to create the Video Project.

One Sibling's Act Leads to Change stars 9-year-old Trent Briggs and his 12-year-old sister Megan. When he discovered that Scholastic Dictionary had used the word "retarded" in its definition of Down syndrome Trent took action. He wrote to Scholastic and asked them to change the definition using the term "intellectual disability" instead. Trent and Megan show the rest of us how one person can inspire another to create positive change.

Learn more about the My Great Story Video Project at www.ndss.org/storiesvideoproject.