From: Mary.Haunreiter@f114.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Mary Haunreiter)
Newsgroups: k12.ed.special
Subject: Mainstreamed Spec. Ed.
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 92 17:40:08 PDT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/114 - The Electronic Educ, Washougal WA

 SM> contacting the parent...where ever he/she is, or, 
 SM> if the state has custody...assigning a surrogate 
In regard to our student sent from another town, he has been assigned an Aunt, whom he lives with, as his surrogate parent.  We do on occasion have to find a surrogate for a student, but not often.  We have an interim IEP on this boy at the present time, we still have no real records on him.  He seems very dysfunctional socially and is reticent to talk about his background.  We just get bits and pieces from him about his past experiences.  We've learned from him that he was heavily into gangs, was expelled
 from one high school for disciplinary problems.  He seems a bit odd and is having a difficult time adjusting to our small school and town.  We are planning to meet with his parole officer next week to get more information.  
  We use ADD for almost all our behavior kids now. Parents seems to accept that label much more readily than BD, sounds less offensive to them I guess.
   IEP Conferences:   in the high school we are dealing with parents who have been for the most part attending IEP meetings for many years thusly, they are somewhat burned out.  I am sure they are tired of hearing "by June 1988 your child will etc. etc.".  Many of the parents are so dsyfunctional themselves I often think we should have a support group for them.  One year I worked with Moderates and the other teacher I worked with decided to start a Parent Support Group, we got good attendance but they didn
't seem comfortable with each other or discussing their children which surprised us.  I don't know if it was just that particular group of parents who just didn't meld well together or we just didn't guide it well but gradually it just kind of died.  I sent IEP notices in the mail yesterday and we are anxious to see who will actually show up or even call.  
   Daughter:  there are adult services available in Vancouver, 13 miles from Camas, but because of my work schedule its almost impossible for me to get her into those settings.  I've not given up.  Through my research I've discovered there are other disabled young adults in town who also are basically just sitting at home all day.  I want to contact their parents and see if either we can get a car pool going or even just get these people together during the day for socialization.  
   Testing:   I spent alot of time last week testing students recommended to us from the regular classes, some of whom are Juniors that somehow have slipped through without anyone really paying attention to why they were failing their classes.  Kinda of scary and I feel sorry for some of these students who have lost so much ground.  A few I know won't qualify for Spec. Ed. and those I really worry about.  I made one young man my aide so I can help him catch up but I probably shouldn't because he isn't qual
ifying for Special Ed. but I can't seem to turn him out.  We have a "at risk" program at our high school and that actually is where he belongs and probably has belonged all along.  He's a very nice young man but frustrated and has become a behavior problem in a few classes.  A challenge!  
   Must stop......you talk about traveling a great deal, what is your actual "job" in your school district.
     Mary


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