"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Although I filed a State Complaint pertaining to her school holding an illegal 10th IEP ~ 4 days after she had been withdrawn from attending Broward schools and was no longer a Student in this district.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.

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 parents demand more rigor for special-needs students - Schools - MiamiHerald.com

Broward parents demand more rigor for special-needs students - Schools - MiamiHerald.com

Some Broward parents with special-needs children complain the school district pushes their students off the path for a real high school diploma.

BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ
MRVASQUEZ@MIAMIHERALD.COM
In testimony that was at once angry and tearful, a group of Broward mothers told School Board members Tuesday that their special-needs children are being forced into less rigorous classes that don’t result in a standard high school diploma.

The parents insisted their students are capable of earning a regular diploma, but the children are instead placed on the path to a “special diploma” that has little practical use.

Parent Nancy Linley-Harris told board members that the district’s methods of evaluating special-needs students are “toxic” and for parents the process amounts to “being in a war zone for our children.”

Nearly 33,000 special-needs students — with disabilities ranging from minor to severe — attend Broward district schools. In interviews after the parents’ harshly critical public appearance, district leaders stressed that it was only a small group of parents (joined by a few children and other supporters) who were complaining.

School Board Chairwoman Laurie Rich Levinson said thousands of parents with special-needs children “are thrilled with the education they’re receiving.”

“You have, just as you do with anything, some parents who are dissatisfied,” she said.

Some of the upset parents told The Miami Herald they’d been forced to pursue legal action to fight the district.

Linley-Harris said her 14-year-old daughter, Mariah, who has Down syndrome, was placed on the special diploma track last year. Mariah wants to one day become a veterinary technician, and attends Parkway Middle School’s STEM magnet program.

Mariah’s new classes, her mom said, are “a very expensive babysitting service for our kids. They water down the goals.”

Linley-Harris has a pending legal case against the district, alleging her child’s “due process” rights were violated.

Those lawsuits are the last resort for parents unhappy with how their special-needs child is being served by the school system. But Kathrine Francis, executive director of Broward’s Exceptional Student Education department, said there are other ways for parents to resolve disputes with the district.

A simple talk with the child’s school might be enough to solve any problems, Francis said, and when that doesn’t work, the district offers its own in-house conflict-resolution service. Francis said parents filing due process lawsuits represent less than 1 percent of special-needs students served by the district.

Still, Francis said the district is always looking to improve and is conducting a satisfaction survey with special-needs families in the coming months.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/05/3219059/broward-parents-demand-more-rigor.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy


* I tried that "having a simple talk with my Child's school"....6 IEP's later and 1 "in-house conflict-resolution service." (...service?)

This is not what I had in mind this school year to be an INVOLVED PARENT WITH MY DAUGHTER'S NEW SCHOOL & EDUCATION! This level of Advocating for my daughter has taken me away from Volunteering at my daughter's Middle School, like I had plans to do. My school district has not been 'reasonable nor workable'.....throughout all the "simple IEP meetings" that I had a Lawyer with me at everyone! Thank you Disability Rights Florida for helping me get my "sea legs" back and encouraging me to REPRESENT MYSELF in my Due Process. www.disabilityrightsflorida.org

No one can REPRESENT THEIR CHILD BEST THAN THE MOTHER!!! (...or FATHER!!!) I know every detail of the 'chain-of-events' that this districts ESE Department Administrators, Program Specialist, ESE Specialist and my Elementary School Principal has taken me on!! I know my daughter, Mariah is entitled to a WORLD CLASS EDUCATION ...ha!! The SPECIAL DIPLOMA IS NOT SO SPECIAL when it amounts to NOTHING in the real world for my daughter, or anyone's daughter or son for that matter...Who the heck created this SPECIAL DIPLOMA 'track' in Florida? 

I don't believe I am part of the "less than 1%" and I certainly am not, the parent that doesn't care...I DO CARE!! I care so much, last year that I sat on 6 different Advisories, as an ESE "Parent Voice." I am a Special Needs Advocate. I absolutely know what families experience during IEP meetings in Broward and other Florida Districts! What is and has been happening here for so long is going on in the entire State of Florida and beyond! It's a mess everywhere!

I would encourage parents to learn all you can about your CIVIL RIGHTS and the Special Ed Federal Laws, IDEA and become familiar with your State Department of Education Special Education Laws. Attend National Conferences specific to your Child's Disability. Get connected with a group of parents you can relate to and learn from one another. Attend each other's IEP meetings. Wrightslaw is any parents best friend when learning about your Special Ed Rights & IDEA Federal Law. www.wrightslaw.com 

I AM TAKING THE STEPS 4 CHANGE!

BROWARD ESE ADVISORY 8/29/12 6-9PM 1st Meeting

Put in your Calendar for the 1st 
"Meet and Greet" 2012-2013 School Year!
Broward ESE Advisory Council 
Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 
Piper High School 
6:00PM - 9:00PM
*Meetings will be starting 1/2 hour earlier this year promptly at 6PM

~ School Board member, Robin Bartleman will discuss what has changed in our School District and the challenges ahead for the school year. 

~ Any question concerning Exceptional Student Education and IEP's will be answered by a panel of invited Agencies and ESE Deprtment Staff. 

~ BUS Transportation will be addressed

BROWARD ESE ADVISORY is on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/238143282951552/

If you are unable to attend the meeting the 
Phone Bridge will be available by calling in at:
(754) 321-0810 ID# 978006

*!* IMPORTANT PHONE-BRIDGE CALL-IN INFORMATION  *!*
If your phone does not have a MUTE feature ~ use the #5 button anytime during the conference to mute & unmute yourself or everyone can hear you doing the dinner dishes or the TV volume in the background. Thank you for MUTING the Phone-Bridge Call-in! 

SEE YOU THERE!

Florida Department of Education / FAMILIES / PARENT INVOLVEMENT Resources

Great Resource link to the Florida Department of Ed for Families to be Involved in their Children's Education.
It's about INDIVIDUALIZED Education for each Child who have their own Unique Educational Needs.
Be sure to SAVE the page and research all the great links on the left and right of FLDOE.org/Families webpage. Good stuff to know!
http://www.fldoe.org/families/

~ IEP TidBit ~ GET IT IN WRITING !!!!

Thanks to Steve Moyer for this helpful "IEP TIDBIT" 

Original by Steve Moyer:

"Any time something is denied you in an IEP meeting, have the district memorialize what you asked for. Have them make it clear that they refused it and have them state the reason why they refused. Make them be very specific." 

"Get it in writing!!"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tou6wjf3necOvo0qNKMtLwytN0flkO-FhbPrdWYjKjM/edit?pli=1

modelform2_Prior_Written_Notice.pdf 

Google Docs

docs.google.com

....and I am going to suggest you make copies of this form and take  this document  to your meetings to have 'on hand'.

Share this folks ~ with your friends that are part of IEP meetings and the 'whole IEP process'. 

DS Advocate

www.dsadvocate.com

24 min/ 8 sec IEP Hostile Take-Over ~ Broward ESE Dept. NONSENSE

Should I post my 24min/8sec iPhone recording of the Hostile take over of my daughter's 5/30/12 IEP on FB?


.....or post it here on my blog? 


....just asking................


I'm having a tad bit-o-trouble here in Broward schools.


My daughter Mariah Elizabeth doesn't even know that bad people attend IEP meetings that don't care about her.....they call themselves PROFESSIONALS! 


......I'll say! 
.....this WAS a Professional job that's for sure!

Bloom Where You Are Planted: Why We Chose Public School by Sarah Reimers

Bloom Where You Are Planted: Why We Chose Public School by Sarah Reimers

This blog post is exactly what we ALL should be open to....and that is to BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED! Please click the highlighted underlined link to a wonderful blog posting above by Sarah Reimers. 


What are you doing to help your child's neighborhood school? As a mother raising a daughter with Down syndrome and a son with ADHD, I have had to advocate on many levels and for many different things over the years at their little Elementary School ~ Stephen Foster Elementary. I have been a volunteer parent at that same little school for almost 11 years now. I have seen over the years many volunteers come and go and one who has been our star parent volunteer and her son is now in High School. Parents at this school are not volunteering like they used to in years past. I pray parents at Stephen Foster Elementary School will BLOOM WHERE THEY ARE PLANTED and put in some volunteer service hours to help the teachers and staff at this sweet little school with some amazing teachers! 


This is my last year at this wonderful little school off Riverland Road in Fort Lauderdale. In a few short weeks my daughter will be graduating and going onto Middle School and my son will be a Junior in High school next year. I will miss this little elementary school they both were provided a solid foundation to their education. I pray parents will step up to the plate and get involved and do all they can to help support this school, volunteers are needed to help the entire school! Fundraising and getting the community to support this school is very much needed. All students in any school where parents are taking the time to volunteer will benefit from the efforts of those that are willing to put in some volunteer hours. It's about EVERY CHILD at all our Public Schools that need parents to volunteer and help with fundraising!


Are you BLOOMING WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED?


Get involved in your child's education by volunteering when you can!

Elementary school only has one copy machine....and it's not working??!!

Cooper City Elementary school says their copier is not working...... are budgets so tight in our schools that they only have ONE COPY MACHINE? ....and it's BROKEN?    PA-LEEZE!!! Nonsense I say....pure nonsense and games being played!! ...again...I am tired of the nonsense being done to our ESE Parents at every opportunity!

NCLB: End It, Don't Mend It - Bridging Differences - Education Week

NCLB: End It, Don't Mend It - Bridging Differences - Education Week  
The fundamental role of the federal government should be to advance equality of educational opportunity. That's a tall order. Congress should revive the commitments made in 1965, when the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was passed: To use federal resources on behalf of the neediest students; to protect the civil rights of students; to conduct research about education; to report on the condition and progress of American education.
Click here for full story....NCLB: End It, Don't Mend It ~ Bridging Differences - Education Week

Compass Learning Odyssey ACADEMIC help online. Have a student ID# from Broward County? Academic help on the computer at school & home.

Compass Learning Odyssey ACADEMIC help online.  Have a Broward County Student ID#?

Academic help on the computer a school & home. Check it out! Ask your school to assign homework & assignments via Odyssey.

http://compasslearningodyssey.broward.k12.fl.us/childu/index.html
CLICK ABOVE LINK  



FAVORITE & SAVE ~ 
BROWARD ESE ADVISORY.COM www.browardeseadvisory.com 
Look on the LEFT side LINKS in FEATURED LINKS for Compass Learning Odyssey for a QUICK LINK to this site and many other HOMEWORK & ACADEMIC HELP at HOME & SCHOOL. Use your student ID# in both windows to LOG-IN.
COMPASS LEARNING ODYSSEY 
http://compasslearningodyssey.broward.k12.fl.us/childu/index.html 
BROWARD ESE ADVISORY.COM  www.browardeseadvisory.com
~ Left & Right Side LINKS ~

"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."

"Oh what a tangled web we weave 

when first we practice to deceive."

What does it all mean?

Answer:The quote is, surprisingly, not from Shakespeare but from Sir Walter Scott , in Canto VI, Stanza 17 of "Marmion" (1808) an epic poem about the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513.

The meaning is, basically, that lies beget more lies, and that masking lies with more lies creates an ever-more-complex arrangement of falsehoods.

ANSWER
Deception is a false reality imposed on a true reality. It is a fragile and complex weaving of truth, half-truths, lies, and lies of omission. To successfully deceive another (or several people), one must be skilled in the art of deception. To create a deception worthy of belief, one must be able to create plausible details that help create the illusion of truth. It is the details that people listen to and remember, and the one deceiving is obligated to remember these detail in order to avoid having the lie exposed. The problem with remembering the lies we tell is that all people are basically good and we tend to forget the bad things we've done. In order to successfully perpetuate deception, the liar must be willing to live that lie when necessary. This becomes the tangled web we weave, especially when first we practice to deceive. 

ANSWER
It means if you tell lies you'd better have a really good memory or you'll end up in a tangle of lies, half-truths and truths. Habitual liars can frequently be easily recognised because they like to keep various groups of friends and acquaintances separate, for fear they'll exchange notes, thus causing the web to unravel. It's amusing to watch a confirmed liar finding themself at a function where, say, workmates and friends are present together. They fidget and glance nervously at the various groups...who'd probably never wonder about the tales except for the liar's nervous behaviour.

ANSWER
An additional meaning may be that a web is what is woven by a spider, and its function is to trap flies with its stickiness; the more they wriggle to get away, the more they entangle themselves in it. Scott is warning us that the liar spins and weaves his own trap for himself, not realising he has done so until he's caught in it.

Answer:

It means that we make things difficult and complicated for ourselves when we deceive others. Lies cost a lot to maintain, the truth is free.

click here to go to Answers.com http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_'Oh_what_a_tangled_web_we_weave_when_first_we_practice_to_deceive'_mean

ESE Advisory PPP to Broward Principals by Ivan Baratz

Power Point Presentation to Principals ~ ESE Advisory 1.2


Great job Ivan Baratz of creating this Power Point Presentation for the Principals to view at the beginning of the school year. Awesome job on the presentation! Thanks!

11th annual Inclusive Schools Week is Dec. 5-9, 2011!

11th annual Inclusive Schools Week is Dec. 5-9, 2011!
Inclusive Schools Week is an annual international event celebrated the first week in December. It is a time when schools and communities can begin or continue the journey toward providing a quality education to all children regardless of differences in ability, gender, ethnicity, language and health status. The Inclusive Schools Network offers Activities and Resources for Schools, Classrooms, and Families. Get your kit today!

http://inclusiveschools.org/files/116/ 

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

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

    2 hours ago · 

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.