Saturday, May 28, 2011

End of (school) year woes

Yesterday I wrote on www.woodstockadvocate.com about problems two area mothers had with the son's schools. One student is in Special Education; the other is not. Neither is in Woodstock.

How did the school year go for your child? And for you?

Did you want your child in summer school to prevent regression over the summer? Did it happen? Is your child progressing in school or merely attending?

Thirteen months ago Woodstock District 200 surveyed parents of students in Special Education. Parents indicated that they wanted information, programs and training. Parents also wanted a Parent Advisory Council.

Not a Parent Support Group. They are different. Just ask the parents in Huntley. They have true input to the school system, rather than being force-fed "the line" and being expected to sit there and swallow it.

What happened to the survey and its results? Nothing. It must have gone in the round file or a dusty bottom drawer.

Parents want to be active participants in the education of their children. They want to be partners with the teachers. Yet too many school districts hold parents at a distance and prevent them from getting in contact with one another. It's too bad that this kind of segregation isn't unlawful.

A friend in Denver recently suggested that parents of Special Ed students could form a Meet-Up group. There are over 1,000 students in Special Education in Woodstock District 200. This means there are probably at least 700 parents from which a group might draw its attendance.

Interested?

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Monday night at Family Service

As part of the May Mental Health Awareness Month events a program will be conducted at Family Service on Monday at 7:00PM, titled "Helping Young Adults Navigate Today's Challenges." Discussion will center on exploration of the social and emotional challenges facing today's youth. Free.

Family Service and Community Mental Health Center
4100 Veterans Parkway
McHenry, Ill.
7:00 until ?

For information, email biehl@mc708.net or call 815.455.2828 (McHenry County Mental Health Board)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Kirk Martin/Celebrate Calm in So. Barrington canceled

If you were planning to go to South Barrington on Wednesday night for the Kirk & Casey Martin/Celebrate Calm program, don't. The program has been canceled due to space limitations and will be re-scheduled.

Keep an eye on the schedule on www.celebratecalm.com/ for Kirk's next trip to Chicagoland.

Join them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/celebratecalm
Listen to their Radio Show: www.celebratecalm.com/RadioShow.html
Does this video describe your home: www.celebratecalm.com/workshops.html

Monday, May 9, 2011

Be a courageous parent

Kirk Martin and his son, Casey, will be in our McHenry County area for a free two-hour parent workshop! Mark your calendars now for Wednesday, May 25, from 7:00-9:00PM at Willow Creek Community Church, SE corner of Algonquin Road (Rte. 62) and Barrington Road, in South Barrington.

Details can be viewed at www.woodstockadvocate.com/2011/05/kirk-martin-may-25.html

Also, visit http://www.celebratecalm.com/

I highly recommend Kirk's CD programs.

Don't leave your kids (students) at home; take them. Kirk and Casey will address their needs and perspectives. Babies? Please be consider of all the others there and find a sitter for them (or sit near an exit so they and you can step outside at the first whimper (my request; not Kirk's)). If you have "active" kids (students), bring them.