Starting the day with a PPT for Kid2, the brilliant analytical problem solver who can’t read all that well. Go figure, we’ve been saying this since second frickin’ grade.
I am so tired of this. Tired of playing nice and kissing appropriate ass in hopes that somebody will step up and do the right thing.
PPT stands for Planning and Placement Team: the puppeteers that decide, together with the student and parents (BS) when, where and how much special educational services a kid needs.
Too many of you know exactly what I’m talking about. It is where all the important people gather around the table and tell us (aka bully) how sweet and lovely our kid is, imply how dumb and misdirected the parents are, and fuck-you-very-much, we’re doing the best we can. Budget cuts, and all.
I’m not going to bash my school district (too much), although it kills me not to because goddamn it we’ve been saying this since 2nd grade. Ditto 5th, 7th, 8th grade. There’s a million of official reasons why she “slipped through the cracks” but here’s mine:
The schools over overworked and underfunded and cover-my-ass and not-our-fault has become the norm and once they get a qualified person to work with my kid, they can only meet once every other 57th cycle rotation B day sometimes in the laundry room except when it snows and standardized testing and somebody’s out sick and we couldn’t locate her and kiss my ass this kid is in 10th fucking grade now and I’m sick and tired of having this argument again and again, after of course, requesting it in writing and waiting to be scheduled a month later at the convenient time of 11:18 am, even though we um have jobs and this convenient time is getting me fired.
Oh, and there’s a zillion kids worse off than her, and then there’s the parents who don’t give a shit and we have to take care of them too.
I get it.
But I’m here about this kid here. Mine.
I do take comfort in that my kid is not alone in getting screwed. Don’t know/use/endorse the law firm (Frankel & Kershenbaum! Brilliant!) that put this out, but apparently they’ve got a kid in the system.
Hang in there! When I was a teacher, I always felt bad for the parents in the meeting. We had a meeting beforehand talking about the test results and if we were or were not going to offer services, then we’d go into the meeting like we were all discovering the facts for the first time! So not fair to the parents, plus it felt like “us” vs. the family. Get an advocate if they don’t listen to you, they will listen to you if you have someone that knows the law!
I have not had the best experiences with schools. My son is in private school as a result. I feel for you. And yes, that video is scary true. I hope you get the proper support and get everything worked out.
thx… just got back. doubled her reading time with minimal patronizing/condescending attitude. Tension thick in the room … why is everything such a battle? Why so antagonistic? ugh.
Next time bring me… I had to attend 2 of those meetings this week for kids I have seen ONCE this YEAR!!! For my niece I can raise hell!
damn this is sad. this is why when i moved almost 4 years ago, my priority was a good school then i found the apartment it was zoned for. the old school, though it had good teachers was sucky in general and way too over crowded (yes, there is such a thing as being too over crowded, as in 3/4 through the school year the kids still need name tags cause there’s too many in the class for the teacher to remember their names) sadly, with 1+ years left in the school for my youngest teen, the school is beginning to suck, but the teachers? most are great and i’m thankful for that blessing. i’m also thankful my oldest teen got into a high school with 19 kids per class and a college counselor who “markets” the kids for scholarships. hang in there Kate! or move to the bronx. 😀
g’morning vanita! thx for your words; our meeting went well and they doubled her hours. Our district is excellent but it’s a fight always to advocate for your kid. It’s always us vs. them, and that makes no sense to me. I hate walking that fine line between crazy bitch and kiss ass, but I play the game to get my girl the help she needs to succeed. I only wish this weren’t a battle every single time!
You are so nice to take the time to write — thx!
This isn’t funny, but I had to smile when I read this. My first child was smart as a whip and sailed through school without working hard.
Second child? I thought she was smart, but she learned differently, and I couldn’t help her. She was always surrounded by books, in a family of readers and she could barely read. She was never given any services, because she worked really hard and was able to get by pretty well. But EVERY YEAR I would explain my concerns … blah blah blah.
At the end of her sophomore year SH E went to see her guidance counselor ( with me for support) and told them she could not read and wanted to go to college. They listened to her, then tested her extensively, and said yes, there were problems, but they couldn’t figure them out because they were very inconsistent.
Bottom line: she heard THEM agree with me. She learns differently than most kids. They gave her a lot of options for services, but the only one she really used was what we used to call Remedial Reading. Her junior and senior years of high school included reading along with many higher level English courses, but few math and science.
She studied English in college, and went on to grad school and is now a young Librarian. She is not the fastest reader in the world, but she loves to read, and loves books, and sharing them with everyone.
Good luck, all. It is tough … best wishes for you and your kids.
Hey there Darcylu – thx for smiling. was meant to make you smile amidst the frustration. and what an amazing kid you have! the one-size-fits-all teaching/learning approach doesn’t fit; and learning differently doesn’t mean they suffer intellectually!
Bravo to your find daughter, and I know mine is on her way to success as well. I only wish it had been an easier journey cuz I’m exhausted.
imagine how she is????
It is an exhausting journey for some of us, lol.
You are a great role model for her, I am sure. I know I did the best I could for my kids; not perfect by any means, far from it. But they know I tried. They know I love them and have faith in them to come through it all, maybe a little bruised and battered, but stronger somehow to face the challenges of the future. When I think about all the things that could have happened along the way, I feel blessed just for getting them this far.
Now I miss them terribly, to be honest. Boo-hoo, lol. But I will LEARN to live with it, I am sure . Nothing lasts forever, but nothing of value ever dies.
: )
Peace, and enjoy the ride.
I’m not there yet and hopefully will not be.
Will be buying a house soon and will forfeit a short commute to make sure my kids are in a better school district. Although, does it really matter? NO!
You are a great mom. All great parents/moms do this. We stand with you.
J-a holes.
loved the video!!!
@irishmomma: does not matter. it’s the teacher in the classroom with your kid(s) at the time. You’re not so far away, time will go fast. ur girls are gorgeous! thx for reading, and sticking around anyways! 🙂