Three Things Thursday, here we go.
Real quick, if you’ve never been here, click to the ABOUT page so you can see what Operation Jack is. There’s a purpose behind my site and what I do.
1. If you’ve been here at all the past week or so, you know we’re having a whole lot of trouble getting Jack in school. Jack, my 9-year-old severely autistic son, is stuck right now in a school that we think is unsafe. He elopes, which means darts and runs away from supervision. He’s a danger to himself and they have him in a school with a playground that’s unfenced and attached to a parking lot that flows into a busy street.
Here’s the playground:
So, we tried to get him transferred back to the local school, where he was enrolled to start the school year, but the district won’t let him in. But our transfer request was denied. So he’s sitting at home. We don’t feel that he’ll be safe at this school.
I found out yesterday that my appeal was denied. But while I wanted to know why they wouldn’t let him in at the school we want him to go to (where his sister goes), they tried to sell us on the school we’re uncomfortable with. So, I demanded a meeting to ask questions, something I was never able to get during the initial process. At least somebody was finally willing to talk to me.
The woman who denied the appeal gave me an hour of her time. She didn’t give me answers to all my questions, but she’s going to follow up with me and I’ll get them.
Here’s what I do know from yesterday’s meeting:
– The school we want Jack enrolled in can handle Jack’s needs. But it can’t handle Jack. Whatever that means. They’re going to tell me what that means in due time.
– The district insists it’s looking out for Jack’s best interests. (I told them not to bother, that nobody cares more about him than me and my wife Tiffany and we can let them know what’s in Jack’s best interests.)
– The school’s safety plan for Jack at the unsafe school is to stick him in the pre-K playground at the unsafe schol because unlike the 4th grade playground, it’s fenced. The 4th grade playground at the school we want Jack enrolled in is fenced. They won’t move Jack from the pre-K playground until he doesn’t elope any more, and they acknowledged that might be never. So yes, let’s punish Jack by sticking him on the pre-K playground since the school is unsafe for him!
– The teacher at the school we want Jack enrolled can handle Jack. But now that Jack is gone, and Tiffany was assertive in wanting what’s appropriate for Jack, she doesn’t want to deal with Tiffany and Jack (is that the behind-the-scenes dealbreaker?).
2. Going to Manhattan, Kan. with my oldest son Benjamin this weekend. We’re gonna watch my alma mater, Kansas State University, play Texas Tech in football. I’m really excited about this. I’ve always wanted to take him to a KSU game and now that we’re in Colorado, I can road-trip down for the weekend with him. It’s not an expensive ordeal with airfare and all that jazz. Can’t wait, should be fun!
3. Snow! We didn’t get that in California! I went out for a 6-mile run on my trail in the snow this morning and loved it. Had some nice quiet time.
Ok, that’s all. Gotta get rolling. What do you think about the playground? Who’s your college team? What are the temps in your neck of the woods? Have a great weekend!
Adair says
Boy, do I feel your pain. Asia could get away in the blink of an eye, literally. We called it *the can’t help it’s*.
Get an advocacy group or a lawyer involved. They can’t keep him out of school, and you have the right to a safe placement for him. What do they say to a 1-to-1 aide?
Thinking of you all. Good luck.
Adair
Amy says
Granted I live in a city where “Cops” is filmed, but I think ALL parents should be concerned that the playground is pretty abduction friendly. It would take 5 seconds for someone to drive up and pull a kid out of recess.
I can’t imagine that this hasn’t occurred to you or been suggested, (or if you really want to go this route since it will likely make things even more hostile) but contacting the media and generating local publicity/bad PR seems to get things done rather quickly.
Good luck! (and I am slightly jealous of your snow).
WildCard says
Honestly, I feel like the school is treating you like this because they just think that you are over-protective parents. And it probably offends them that you think that the other school is inadequate. It seems to be ALL about ego. It seems to be another case of education systems/the general public being severely under-educated about autism. I’m so sorry that you have to go through this.
Contacting the media is a good idea, but, with that will also bring lots more uneducated people who will most likely attack you and Tiffany. So if you go that route, be prepared. I’m sure it will also help to bring lots of support as well. I’m sure you know all of this, I just wanted to show my support. Is there any way that your followers can help?
On another note – GO CATS! It should be an awesome weekend away with your son. Hope he gets to see a win and that KSU remains undefeated.
Currently 55 and rainy in the bay area. First time I’ve seen rain since July!
ari says
I am curious. You had Jack in the school where now you’d like to have him transferred back. I do understand that the school he’s in now was highly recommended. My question is: did you go and look at the school before you made the decision to transfer him?
Adam says
I say let’s do a $5 buck challenge and raise money for the school to put up a fence for JACK. If just 150,000 people donate $5 that’s $750,000 and if we gave up our Starbucks just once a month that’s $9,000,000!
So let’s say a fence may cost 20k- that’s only 4000 people. Doable! Let’s do a shout out and get folks to do a $5 buck challenge each Friday. Go JACK! http://www.SwimBikeRunForKid.com DO IT FOR THE KIDS!
Kim says
Hey Sam. I am so sorry you are going through this. My thoughts are that if the home school does not want Jack, they are probably not equiped or knowledgable enough to meet his needs (even if they don’t admit it). If you are successful in getting him in there, you will likely have continued frustration with them in the years ahead. I suggest going around and visiting other schools (in district and out of district) and finding the school that seems the best match for Jack as far as staff and programming. Meet with the adminsitrators, special education staff, etc. and find the school that will welcome you and feels like the best match for Jack (there are other schools that would be happy to have him). Then go back to your district and inform them where you want to be and request they make it happen. Since Colorado has a choice system, you should be able to get him into another district if the school there is the best match for Jack. Hiring an advocate is a good idea too. Good luck.