Jack's Permission to Test

We held Jack's first meeting with Boston Public Schools today, to sign for permission to test.  It was a tough meeting.  The lady I met with was older and nice enough, but tough-minded.  It felt as if she was used to the drill of the meeting, presenting all the required items on her checklist and comfortable with telling parents what they could/could not expect from BPS.  

She gave me time to ask any questions I had, and I am so glad I had done me homework and knew what to ask.  Namely, I am glad I knew to ask for a copy of the eval reports two days before the meeting.  That was not something that was brought up by them. 

Also, when I told her that my ideal situation (for my 3-year-old) would be mornings only, with attendance 3-days per week, she gave me the impression that this could not be done.  I didn't appreciate that, because I know otherwise.  I told her that I know families that have this arrangement, and other professionals have mentioned this possibility.  But she gave me reasons why that arrangement would not be a good idea; namely, that Jack would not be receiving the full benefit of school, it is disruptive to the class, and teachers are trying to achieve certain objectives that would not be achieved if he didn't attend full day. 

He will be 3.  I have no problem keeping him home a couple of days per week, and mornings only.  I also know from experience that after lunch, productivity declines even in school-aged kids.

Anyway, here are the rest of the notes:

He is having the following evaluated:  ST, PT, OT, psych.  The respective professionals will conduct each of the evaluations. 

I will have to talk to the school principal if I want him to attend less than 5 full school days per week.  I can't get a list of schools from her that offer an inclusive environment, although we may be west zone?  She wasn't sure.  Anyway it might be a good place to start looking.

If I want to visit a school, I need to call a principal.  She discouraged school visits (what??!! Ugh.  That attitude really surprised me.) because "sometimes parents get really excited about a certain school, but there are no spots left".  I am not bothered by that.  We have another shot for placement in the fall anyway.  

BTW - if I want another school or placement for the fall of 2015, I will need to send a request letter to the SPED department.  ("to the assignment unit"?)

We have 45 school days from today until the IEP meeting will be held.  This means it will be some time in January. (Looks like by Jan 16, 2015)

I brought up the PT thing, and she said - and I knew this - that PT services would only be available to those that need them to access the curriculum. 

So, all to say it was good in the sense that we established permission to test, and the timeline has started.  It is good for me to be on "the other side of the table", if you will, and to experience how that feels.  It was an OK meeting, mixed with some disappointment for me, and it was an emotional experience.  I don't want to fight, but I sense that we will have to fight - or at least push and expect to meet opposition - for Jack in the future, for him to have accomodations that we feel are in his best interest. 

And at the end of the day, God is in control, and He is good.  What we want is God's plan for Jack, and that might not look exactly like what we want and hope for now.