It’s Official
June 3, 2009 at 12:11 am 3 comments
Jonathan won’t be returning to Lourdes next year (the school, not the small town in France. not that he’s going there either.) I notified the school yesterday and managed to get through the conversation with the principal without breaking down openly. She was very kind and understanding and supportive, as always, and said that of course we had to pursue what was best for Jonathan, especially if he has a gift that can’t be nurtured at OLL.
She offered that if it didn’t work out at the new school we were always welcome to return. Which was nice to hear because after reading this book (Testimony, Anita Shreve. Eh.) over the weekend about some high school kids drinking and then doing something stupid which ruins their entire lives, I’m no longer worried about someone being mean to Jon but about someone offering him alcohol or drugs and him doing something stupid which will ruin his entire life. I’ve got to stop reading.
Coming soon, the sinkhole that ate our driveway…
Entry filed under: Jonathan.
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Rated B for Bedlam 
1. Joyce | June 3, 2009 at 10:10 am
Assuming he is going into public school, let the school know that he needs an IEP BEFORE school starts! And, contact your local/state Division of Developmental Disabilities (whatever it is called) and ask for the assistance of a SCHOOL/IEP LIASION — You will only get from the school what you ask for (insist on) and you might not know all the “magic words” of what to ask for! Do not sign IEP you aren’t COMPLETELY happy with, or with blanks. If they ask for anticipated graduation date (it might be too early for this) use the JUNE after he turns 21 – schools like to graduate special needs kids at 18 when they can get away with it, but Fed law IDEA GUARANTEES “free and appropriate” education until 21!
Questions? Be sure to ask! hth Joyce
2. Joyce | June 3, 2009 at 10:15 am
oops, that was meant about Jake… I guess never mind! lol
3. Judy Acciarito | June 4, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Hehe, I wondered when I began reading your comment, why does Jonathan need an IEP?? Then I realized, you must have Jake and Jon mixed up! Jake’s been in the public school system for over four years now, and had an IEP for a couple of years before that while attending a private school for autism. So we’ve been through that process a time or two (hundred, it seems like!) 😉 Thank you so much for trying to help and offering great advice!