| As much as you would like to, do not send this: | ||
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| image via: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/File:Howler.JPG |
There comes a time when you are going to have to communicate your concern or displeasure to the school. There are a few things you will want to cover in your missive.
I have had to write several and will share with you some examples to show you what to try to achieve.
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| MPR photo/Tom Weber image via: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/09/04/education/school-bus-delay/ |
Dear Ms. M and Mr. A,
I am writing to articulate my preferences for Sensi's placement for
Kindergarten. I understand the district wants to keep children in their
transportation area for school placement. My concern is that decision is
made by transportation considerations alone. I am very willing to
transport Sensi to her school rather than leave the school placement decision to
transportation concerns.
Sensi has to be placed in a program that has mainstreaming as part of
its framework. Her IEP states that she will be mainstreamed for at
least an hour of each school day, and up to 2 and a half hours, with the
understanding that when she is ready for more mainstream classroom time
we will call an IEP meeting. I want to make sure that is a positive
experience for her so we don't see any regression in her skills. To do
that she needs to attend a school that has a proven plan for
mainstreaming children with autism. The Autism Program has shown me that they
have that plan.
My next concern is about technology. I feel as if the program at Neighborhood Elementary was less than enthusiastic about using Sensi's iPad with
her in class. In comparison, the positive feedback I got from the
teacher at the Autism Program was that using the Proloquo2Go program would not be a
problem.
I hope that my articulating my concerns and needs for Sensi will
help you make the best decision for Sensi's Kindergarten experience.
Sincerely,
Savvy Advocate Mom
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| image via: http://alexgiampapa.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/fire-drills-why-bother/ |
Dear Mr. B and Ms. J,
It has come to my attention that you did not warn The Autism Program that there would be a fire drill last Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012. I want you to know that it is very detrimental to The Autism Program students not to give them advance warning of these drills. My child in particular has had AIT (Auditory Integration Training,) therapy this last summer. She needs to have her hearing protected after having this expensive, intensive listening training. She is supposed to have her hearing protected from extremely loud sounds for the next year. She is not allowed to attend movies in theaters, wear music ear buds or music headphones. I have alerted her IEP team to this situation, but they cannot be expected to protect her hearing without any warning of alarms. They have noise dampening earphones in the classroom to protect the children's ears, but they must know ahead of time to put them on the children before an alarm to have the protective effect.
I am asking you to please alert The Autism Program, and Ms. W.T. in particular about any planned fire drills, tornado drills or other alarms that will be scheduled during this school year to protect my daughter's hearing and progress she has made from doing AIT therapy.
Sincerely,
Savvy Advocate Mom
Parent/Advocate
Honestly, I think I did a better job in the first letter, because I gave myself more time to think and plan. The second one only took me about an hour from start to my second draft. The first one I think I may have done at least three drafts.
It is important to state clearly what your concern is, what you want done and how you think that can be accomplished. Be sure to state what you are willing to do as well as any other outstanding circumstances that effect the situation. It is a good idea to include dates and other specifics as well. Make sure not to blame any one person for a short coming if that is not the case. Even though I felt that the teacher at my neighborhood special ed program was lacking, I did not lead with that, rather I used it a almost an afterthought. The bigger issue of mainstreaming, which was a programming/structural problem that needed to be addressed. State how your wishes are supported by the IEP or 504 plan you have for your child. Make sure they know how to contact you and also know who is the next person up the chain to contact if you are not satisfied with the result from you communication. You must to follow up later if you don't hear from the addressee in a timely manner. The follow up letter can be addressed to the original addressee and their superior.
For more information on writing an effective letter, including taking time to cool off, and making your first try a DRAFT, follow this link:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/12rules_letters.htm
It has come to my attention that you did not warn The Autism Program that there would be a fire drill last Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012. I want you to know that it is very detrimental to The Autism Program students not to give them advance warning of these drills. My child in particular has had AIT (Auditory Integration Training,) therapy this last summer. She needs to have her hearing protected after having this expensive, intensive listening training. She is supposed to have her hearing protected from extremely loud sounds for the next year. She is not allowed to attend movies in theaters, wear music ear buds or music headphones. I have alerted her IEP team to this situation, but they cannot be expected to protect her hearing without any warning of alarms. They have noise dampening earphones in the classroom to protect the children's ears, but they must know ahead of time to put them on the children before an alarm to have the protective effect.
I am asking you to please alert The Autism Program, and Ms. W.T. in particular about any planned fire drills, tornado drills or other alarms that will be scheduled during this school year to protect my daughter's hearing and progress she has made from doing AIT therapy.
Sincerely,
Savvy Advocate Mom
Parent/Advocate
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| image via: http://www.californiademocrat.com/news/2011/oct/11/spaghetti-dinner-fundraiser-russellvillelohman-fir/ |
Honestly, I think I did a better job in the first letter, because I gave myself more time to think and plan. The second one only took me about an hour from start to my second draft. The first one I think I may have done at least three drafts.
It is important to state clearly what your concern is, what you want done and how you think that can be accomplished. Be sure to state what you are willing to do as well as any other outstanding circumstances that effect the situation. It is a good idea to include dates and other specifics as well. Make sure not to blame any one person for a short coming if that is not the case. Even though I felt that the teacher at my neighborhood special ed program was lacking, I did not lead with that, rather I used it a almost an afterthought. The bigger issue of mainstreaming, which was a programming/structural problem that needed to be addressed. State how your wishes are supported by the IEP or 504 plan you have for your child. Make sure they know how to contact you and also know who is the next person up the chain to contact if you are not satisfied with the result from you communication. You must to follow up later if you don't hear from the addressee in a timely manner. The follow up letter can be addressed to the original addressee and their superior.
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| image via:http://www.autmont.com/2012/09/wrightslaw-conference-in-silver-spring.html |
For more information on writing an effective letter, including taking time to cool off, and making your first try a DRAFT, follow this link:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/12rules_letters.htm
I am just fuming about the fire drill issue!! I would've had to have written in the profanities first and then edited them out of that one!! You make excellent points through this post about calming down before sending the letter and making sure the important points come through clearly without affecting someone's feelings. As an attorney, I often have to write and rewrite arguments until they do not contain emotional aspects and deal just with facts and law. It's just that much tougher when the issues are close to your heart and affect your children. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. It is nice to know that a lawyer has to do the same thing when trying to contain emotional aspects.
ReplyDelete