Special Kids Special Parents

Free webinar on Jan. 25 - depression in children

2012-01-16T19:28:00.000-06:00

Peggy Kubert

The BalancedMind Foundation will offer a free webinar on Wednesday, January 25.

Executive Director of Erika's Lighthouse (Evanston, Ill.), Peggy Kubert, AM, LCSW, will discuss their Parent Handbook on Child & Adolescent Depression.

This unique and practical guide was written for parents whose children are suffering from depression by parents who have been through similar issues with their children. The discussion will explore some of the typical family dynamics which occur when a child is dealing with depression, and will offer tools and techniques to address common issues. A limited number of complimentary handbooks will be available to webinar participants.

Some of the topics we will explore include:

How to establish expectations of "acceptable behavior" for all family members (including your child with depression).
How to talk with your depressed child, close family members and friends about the illness and treatment of depression.
How to practice active listening skills as a way to connect with all family members.
Exploring ways to strengthen yourself and the family during challenging times

Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 AM Pacific
9:00 – 10:00 AM Mountain
10:00 – 11:00 AM Central
11:00 – Noon Eastern

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

Reserve your Webinar seat now:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/316282830

Autism center opens January 14

2012-01-11T17:03:00.002-06:00

Are you interested in autism, or do you have a family member or friend who would benefit from services in the autism coimmunity?

Spectrum Support, LLC, will hold an open house on Saturday, January 14, at its new center at 1575 West Lake Shore Drive, Woodstock. Turn off U.S. 14 at the traffic light where Culver's is. Instead of turning right into Culver's (you can do that later), turn left and head toward Towels & More.

Spectrum Support is in the building on your right. There is plenty of parking.

10:00AM Doors open. Meet & greet.
10:30AM Information about Spectrum Support center.
11:00AM Options & Advocacy
11:30AM Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)
12:00PM Open discussions with providers
1:00PM Nature's First Medical, Dr. Scott Morris
2:00PM MJ Thinks Social
3:00PM Open discussions with providers
4:00PM Center closes

For information, call 815.337.7570

Speech therapy services are available on-site from Talk Time Speech Academy (Tammy Basel).

Kirk Martin - available January 2012

2011-10-17T12:34:00.000-05:00

"Families are under assault. Defiance, disrespect and power struggles are common. There is too much yelling and screaming. Marriages are suffering. Schools and churches are not immune. It's time to fight back with practical, concrete action steps.

"How can parents get back control over their homes if they can't control themselves? How can we teach our kids self-control if we don't model it? We show parents and teachers step-by-step how to discipline AND build close, trusting relationships. It's unlike any training you've ever experienced. And it's coming to Chicago. If YOU act."

Can you relate to the above?

Contact your schools now. Forward this to principals, staff, teachers and other decision-makers in your school district. Ask them to bring Kirk Martin to McHenry County during the week of January 18-23.

For information on Kirk's programs, go to www.celebratecalm.com and call Brett at 888.506.1871 regarding scheduling and information.

How many schools operate like this?

2011-10-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

How many schools operate on a zero-tolerance policy that actually defeats progress, whether educationally, emotionally or in any other way?

Read this week's email blast from Kirk Martin at www.celebratecalm.com

It's about 9-year-old Sam and a problem in the classroom. Sam ended up with a 10-day suspension, thanks to a head-in-the-sand rule about zero tolerance.

You may be able to find the article from this week's newsletter on the Celebrate Calm website. If not, sign up for their free e-newsletter and don't miss future messages that you'll be glad to receive.

Kirk and his son, Casey, come through the Chicagoland area periodically, and you'll want to attend one of his parent workshops or teacher trainings. For information about scheduling, call 888.506.1871 And check out the DVDs on the website. They are worth every penny.

Parent Empowerment Call - Oct. 6

2011-09-17T18:16:00.003-05:00

The McHenry County Mental Health Board and Family CARE announce the next Parent Empowerment Call, which will be Thursday, October 6, at 12:00PM (Noon).

Parents of children with emotional or illnesses or disabilities are invited to dial in just before Noon on this toll-free call. The topic for October 6 will be "Advocating for a Lifetime."

These are educational calls being offered to all parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern, and will focus on giving parents information they need to advocate for and support their children.

Call the following toll-free number, 800-260-0712, and use this Participant Access Code: 182276. The presenters on this call will be Family Consumer Specialists.

If you have questions about the Parent Empowerment Calls, call Judy Hutchinson, Family Consumer Specialist, DHS Division of Mental Health Child and Adolescent Services, at 618-838-9382.

Did your child regress over the summer?

2011-09-13T09:32:00.001-05:00

Parents, how are your kids doing in this new school year? Have they settled into the "groove"?

Were you concerned last spring that your child might regress over the summer, if he didn't have some structured school work (math, reading, spelling) to do over the summer? Did you try to get your school district to provide summer school for him? Schools, of course, have a fancy name now for summer school - it's Extended School Year (ESY).

How hard did you fight with your school district last spring to get ESY services for your child? You knew he or she would fall behind, didn't you? After all, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that, if a child is struggling throughout the school year to learn and to keep up, s/he will not retain what was learned, once the atmosphere changes.

What was the reception from your Special Education department at your child's school last spring? Did they refuse ESY?

And what has happened this fall? You were right, weren't you? Now what are you going to do about it?

Do not sit back and expect the Special Ed Department to say, "Oops, we made a mistake. Let's see how we are going to fix this problem fast."

You need to be at your kid's school, at the office of the Special Ed Director (oh, I remember; now called Special Services...), and at the office of the District Superintendent. And maybe at school board meetings.

Demand the necessary services for your child to get the education he is supposed to get. If he is in the 11th Grade and reading or doing math at a 3rd Grade level, what is the District's plan to educate your child, for which the administrators and teachers are being paid handsomely, whether or not your child gets educated or not? Results! Get results, not promises!

Save the date - Oct. 22 - Penguins

2011-09-01T11:11:00.002-05:00

The 2011 "Don't Kick The Penguins" program of diversity awareness and bullying prevention is scheduled for Saturday October 22, at McHenry County College, starting at 8:30AM. Nine workshops will be offered for middle school students, with condensed versions for adults.

Your help is needed to -

-distribute posters and flyers

-help on the day of the event

-donate gifts and items for middle school students as door prizes

-make cash donations for overhead expenses

Please make tax-deductible checks payable to:Principled Minds and mail to 227 N. Throop Street, Woodstock, Illinois 60098. Principled Minds is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt, not-for profit corporation. It's Federal Tax ID Number is 20-5156417.

To offer help or in other ways, contact Harold Rail at hprail@yahoo.com or Mary Fox at foxpax@sbcglobal.net as soon as possible.

You are also invited to attend planning meetings every Thursday at 3PM at MCC.

Willow Creek to start new group

2011-08-23T12:59:00.000-05:00

You are Invited to Join Us as We

Begin the Fall 2011 Session of Eagle's Nest

(a parent support group for parents with a special needs child)

We meet twice a month, starting September 10, 2011

at Willow Creek Community Church

Barrington Rd & Algonquin

South Barrington

Meetings are from 3:30 - 5pm on Saturdays

A children's program, Eagle's Nest Kids, is available for your special needs child, as well as their siblings

The groups meet for support, encouragement, fun, fellowship, and for spiritual growth through Bible study.

Call Trudy at 847-855-9571 to register!

Feel free to forward this invitation to any parents you think might be interested. This invitation is open to all, regardless of church affiliation.

Bullying - big problem for kids in Special Ed

2011-07-07T13:26:00.000-05:00

Bullying is often a big problem for boys and girls in Special Education. Too often they are considered easy targets for bullies, and bystanders do not quickly intervene and stand up to bullies.

See today's article on http://www.woodstockadvocate.com/ about the K.A.R.M.A. Foundation and Jessica Brookshire. If you miss it today or have trouble finding it on another day, just search on that blog for "Brookshire".

Information about her Foundation can be viewed at http://www.thekarma.org/ While Jessica was not a Special Education student, she was bullied in school. In the past two years she has spoken to 85,000 students, and she is definitely a young woman who is making a difference!

Watch for any news in the future about her appearance in McHenry County or northern Illinois or in southern Wisconsin.

End of (school) year woes

2011-05-28T09:11:00.000-05:00

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?

Monday night at Family Service

2011-05-21T10:14:00.000-05:00

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)

Kirk Martin/Celebrate Calm in So. Barrington canceled

2011-05-20T20:33:00.005-05:00

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

Be a courageous parent

2011-05-09T09:13:00.000-05:00

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.

ATTN. Harvard parents of special ed students

2011-04-19T12:03:00.000-05:00

A recent article in the Northwest Herald drew my attention to possible problems in Harvard with the programs of students in special education.

I have certainly experienced a full range of problems that I have personally witnessed and experienced in the Woodstock area since 1996. Prior to that, I had virtually no experience with special education and school districts. My daughter grew up in Philadelphia and Poughkeepsie with her mother, and there were no special education needs there. In all the cities and towns in which I lived before 1996, I had not come in contact with any special education districts.

Once I got to Woodstock, I began to learn about special education. People have told me I should write a book. Frankly, I don't think one book would be enough to cover all the stories, but who likes to read bad news all the time.

Dr. Peter Koehn (pronounced "kane") has blown the whistle on the Harvard (Ill.) School District by getting the Office of Civil Rights of the federal government involved. I never dragged problems that far; usually, just getting the Superintendent involved was enough to get the needed correction. But I certainly made many trips to her office, when Special Education administrators (not teachers) threw up roadblocks and speed bumps.

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) cannot be unilaterally changed; i.e., a teacher or an administrator cannot make the decision in isolation to change a student's IEP. Changes are supposed to be made at an IEP meeting, which should be attended by the "IEP Team", which includes the parent(s). The Team members are specified in procedures established by the Feds and the Illinois State Board of Education.

The big problem with the "Team" is that most teachers know that they had better not make any waves. If something is wrong with the implementation of an IEP, it could be a "professional" death sentence for a teacher to speak up. So what happens if they read their reports and sit there until the meeting is over. They know that they had better not buck the administrator who is there. After all, who does their performance reviews? Who decides whether they end up monitoring the toilets or the playground? Who gets raises? Who gets canned?

Dr. Peter Koehn is a whistleblower. I like whistleblowers. I'm sorry they must exist. I'm sorry they get fired for blowing whistles. If you are a parent of a Harvard Special Education student and would like to speak with Dr. Koehn, you can call him at 815.212.3209

OCR heads to Harvard Special Education

2011-04-17T12:55:00.002-05:00

The following article was published on WoodstockAdvocate.com and is re-published here for parents of Special Education students.

In today's Northwest Herald is a front-page (top of the page, even) article about Special Education. Reporter Chelsea McDougall mentions Harvard School District 50 and a recently-terminated psychologist. Also, she mentions a retired school psychologist and author.

Chelsea is in the ballpark, but the "experts" were tossing 98MPH fast balls at her. Let's slow down and see what is really going on.

I don't have experience with the Harvard school district, but I do have considerable experience with Woodstock District 200 Special Education. And I'd be willing to bet all the money in the Northwest Herald's bank account that the Special Education problems in Harvard are real, just as they are in District 200 and schools all over McHenry County and the State of Illinois.

Read the article at www.nwherald.com/2011/04/11/d-50-special-ed-moves-draw-scrutiny/avwh5yh/

District 50 Superintendent Lauri Tobias was quoted by her front-page photograph as saying, "We absolutely did not change IEPs with students. We have a procedure, and we go through the process beautifully."

I do not doubt that Ms. Tobias believes what she told the newspaper reporter. Believing it doesn't make it true. Yes, it is true that she believes it. And she probably believes what she is told about how the special education department operates. They will tell her that they always follow the laws and the rules. Would they dare tell her otherwise? So, based on what she is told, she believes that correct procedures, laws and rules are being followed. But that doesn't make it so.

Here is why I don't believe her statement.

In District 200 a third-grade student's IEP wasn't being followed. Of course, it's hard for a parent to uncover the facts, because s/he is not in school every day to watch what goes on. But after consultants from Project Choices (http://www.projectchoices.org/) visited the classroom of the student, they reported to the principal at an after-school meeting that the teacher could not arbitrarily change a student's IEP. They had made that observation during their one visit. What happened? The teacher stormed out of the meeting, and the social worker went with her "to see if she was okay." What should have happened was, the teacher should have been required to return the meeting and be accountable for her errors in the classroom.

Every year that student's IEP was violated. Later, in 9th Grade, a first-hour computer class was put in his schedule. It turned out there was no computer available and no room available, so the student was sent to study hall to twiddle his thumbs for an hour. No wonder he didn't want to go to school. His absenteeism in 9th Grade was over 60%, and he was never reported for truancy.

Parents of special education students are kept isolated from one another. This, of course, keeps them from exchanging information and forming groups to bring about change and correction.

I don't know Peter Koehn, the former junior high school psychologist who blew the whistle in Harvard. Somehow, though, I'm pretty sure I'd like him. He stuck up for the kids. Look where it got him. Fired.

And then think back to Huntley, where a Special Education Director was tossed out because she stuck up for the kids. Parents liked her; she knew the Special Ed laws and followed them. Of course, that got her in hot water with the district's administrators.

If you want to keep your job, you learn to keep your head down. Don't make waves. Don't talk to parents. Don't tell parents that their kids are not getting what they are supposed to. Be a follower; don't ever try to be a leader. Get tenure. Know your place. Just keep sucking at the public trough.

The former associate superintendent of District 200 told me that "every teacher is an advocate for every student." I almost fell off my chair laughing. Yeah, sure.... at the risk of their jobs, maybe. And they won't risk them by standing up for what is wrong in their Special Education departments.

Watch for following articles here to correct the wrong information that was given to the reporter. And, if you are parent of a Special Education student, get in touch with me. I'll help you find other like-minded parents in your school district.

Your kid's school lunch - who decides?

2011-04-12T17:44:00.000-05:00

Who decides what your kid eats for lunch at school?

I'm not talking about whether he hits the junk food line or chooses mac & cheese or three bags of Fritos. If you want to pack his lunch (or, better yet, have him pack it himself, should you be able to do that?

And what if, horror of all horrors, you want to send some carrots, celery sticks and an apple or pear to school with him? Think you ought to be able to do that?

If you do, you'll want to keep your distance from the principal at Little Village Academy, on Chicago's west side.

Read this article, and then read the Chicago Tribune article from the link within it.

http://www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={9B09A27B-2C09-4B7D-A772-40A27108FA7C}&DE=

And watch out that it doesn't happen where you live!

Behavior Plans - good or bad?

2011-04-12T09:28:00.000-05:00

How good are behavior plans? You know - those plans dreamed up at school that are supposed to change your kid's bad behavior into good behavior?

Did you ever read one of them? I mean, really read it?

Too many of them are punitive in nature. The teacher is supposed to catch your kid doing everything bad. And record it. And report it. As if that is going to "fix" your kid.

Did it? Does it?

Read what Kirk Martin has to say about behavior plans at www.celebratecalm.com

In this week's email message to parents, Kirk wrote: "Most behavior plans fail because they:

(1) Address the outward behavior, but not the real underlying issue.
(2) Assume incorrectly that the behavior is rational and that consequences work. They simply don't.
(3) Focus on irrelevant consequences rather than showing kids how to react to situations differently."

Who wrote that? A teacher - a frustrated teacher!

Sign up at www.celebratecalm.com for Kirk's free e-newsletter and also listen to his online radio show.

Awaiting return of CDs

2011-04-03T11:05:00.002-05:00

Help! I'm trying to locate Penny, mom of three kids, who lives in Lake in the Hills and to whom I loaned a Kirk Martin CD set about calm parenting in March 2010.

I'd surely like to get the CD album back, so that I can loan it to other parents. I know she intended to return them when she borrowed them. With three kids, I'll bet she just got busy and put the CD album in the stack of programs "to listen to sometime." Maybe my card got just separated from the album.

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help me get in touch with Penny!

Is your kid a victim of bullying?

2011-03-24T09:27:00.000-05:00

The next meeting of the Principled Minds' anti-bullying group will be held on Saturday, April 2, at the Woodstock (Ill.) Public Library. Starting time is 9:15AM in a downstairs meeting room.

Principals of McHenry County school district schools have been invited. Even though it's the Saturday at the end of Spring Break, either a principal or a staff member designated by the principal could attend, plus parents and other residents who are ready to put an end to bullying.

Talk to the principal of your child's school and make a specific request that the school be represented at this meeting. Try to get a commitment from the principal regarding attendance. Ask who will attend. (And then thank the principal after the meeting for having the school represented.)

The only way to get bullying stopped is for parents, administrators and teachers - and students - to work together. Bullying can come to a screeching halt.

Please consider the courtesy of parking across Judd Street in the new parking lot. Thanks!

Save the date - April 29

2011-02-26T17:49:00.002-06:00

The third annual Visions of Hope Awards presentation will be held on Friday, April 29, 7:00PM, at the Woodstock Opera House. It will be followed by a performance of "Maybe in a Moment" by the Thresholds Theater Arts Performance Group.

Watch for more information before April 29.

There is no charge for the evening, but donations are appreciated. Make your reservation by emailing biehl@mc708.org or calling 815.455.2828

This performance is very likely to be SRO, so make your reservation early.

Bullying and kids in Special Education

2011-02-11T10:52:00.000-06:00

Read today's article on www.woodstockadvocate.com about bullying and the great work being done by Jodee Blanco of Orland Park, Ill. Also, read the Daily Herald article; the link is within my article there.

If you don't get there "today", search on that other blog for "bullying" or just go to www.jodeeblanco.com

Boys and girls in Special Education know first-hand about bullying - unfortunately. It's time to put a stop to bullying.

Do you home-school your children?

2011-02-10T17:24:00.000-06:00

Here's a letter from a home-school mom. The letter was sent to me by a candidate for School Board in Marengo.

To: Everyone

Please send this out to all of our home school parents.

I just want to let everyone know that I called the Senators office today. I have a 45 minute phone call with his staff member who was wonderful.

She wrote down all of my points and said the Senator might be in touch with me because my points were all so good and valid.

She is getting 100's of calls.. It is very important to call 773-881-4180 and voice your objections.

It helped that I am from the south side but they still want to hear from you.

These were the points.

1. Make public schools safe and make all public schools actually perform and then lets talk about home school registration.

2. Give all parents school choice.

3. Get rid of all Regional Superintendent of schools positions and save Illinois tax payers 4.5 million dollars. If Cook county can get away without a ROE then why should we in the Suberbs be burdened with their cost.

Right now there is NO oversight of their activities by anyone. These individuals don't add any value to the public or to school children. They abuse Parents and Children. I gave our personal example and she was horrified.

Don't find more for them to do...get rid of them and give that money to the communities to invest in education.

4 By providing school choice you will get parents to naturally want to participate in Home School registration but until you can make it of value to parents you will only get a back lash by trying to force it. Until you can make it safe for parents to home school without retaliation then don't put the cart before the horse.

5. Parents are tax payers and are not able to send their home schooled children to the public school for sports. We pay for services we are not entitled to use..fix this first .

6. Give parents the parent trigger law in Illinois. Allow us to take over unsafe under performing schools.

7. Force consolidations of small schools to bring more money and value to the tax payer. Right now Illinois has over 950 school districts..We should have 350.

Don't you think you have more to do in Illinois than this??? Please consider all of the problems First.

I can buy software for my child with 170 lessons in five subjects for $20.00 and its a better teacher than the public school teachers and I am paying thousands in tax money for nothing. And exposing them to unsafe environments.

Please ask everyone you know who thinks Home schooling should be free from restrictions to call..Very important. Office is 773-881-4180

Send out to your entire email lists.

Thanks

Cynthia Allen Schenk

Running for District 165 School Board April 5th 2011

Dr. David J. Schenk

Anti-Bullying Network to meet in Woodstock

2011-02-07T07:30:00.001-06:00

The following press release may be of interest to you, if you are a parent, teacher or young person who has been (or is) affected by bullying.

Woodstock -- The next meeting of the McHenry County Anti-Bullying Network will be held at the Woodstock Library, 414 W. Judd Street, on Saturday, February 19, from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M.

The newly formed organization is devoted to reducing the amount and effects of bullying in schools and among children and teens generally. The group is open to parents, teachers and other school staff, and others who work with children and youth who are interested in helping to alleviate this problem.

The group is sponsored by Principled Minds, a non-profit organization based in Woodstock that seeks justice and equality for all persons in McHenry County. Principled Minds has made efforts to combat bullying one of its highest priorities and recently was a sponsor of the Don’t Kick the Penguins anti-bullying program at McHenry County College.

For more information, e-mail Principled Minds President Dan Larsen at dplarsen1073@att.net

Excellent workshop on Guardianship today

2011-02-04T19:29:00.000-06:00

There was an excellent workshop on Guardianships today at McHenry County College, put together by SEDOM and others. The seminar classroom was full, and the hand-outs were plentiful.

The panel included two attorneys, Brian Rubin of Buffalo Grove and Bob Farley of Naperville. Brian explained Special Needs Trusts, and Bob mentioned a successful lawsuit against the State of Illinois to obtain substantially increased benefits for a disabled client.

The advice of the attorneys is "don't assume that you can't get benefits (or higher benefits)", if you have a significant disability. An example was the level of care that can be paid for to a developmentally-disabled person only until he is 21, after which the State says the family can pay for it. Suppose the person needs round-the-clock care. How does a family afford that?

Options & Advocacy www.optionsandadvocacy.org/ was represented by its Executive Director, Cindy Sullivan. Also on the panel was Annette Hammortree, of Hammortree Financial Services www.hammortreefinancial.com/. A representative from Equip for Equality www.equipforequality.org/, Chicago, came all the way out to Crystal Lake for this meeting, and a mother and her son from Johnsburg completed the panel.

Services of the attorneys can be viewed on their websites:
Bob Farley: http://www.farley1.com/
Brian Rubin: http://www.snfp.com/

D-200 Parent U. - Feb. 28

2011-02-04T09:42:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, February 28, Woodstock (Ill.) District 200 school district will present Parent University at Woodstock North High School. The U. starts at 8:30AM and is scheduled to conclude at 11:30AM. This program is open to all parents (of middle and high school students), not just parents of students in Special Education.
A variety of sessions is planned, including topics such as (anti)-bullying, co-parenting in homes, and raising healthier teens.

Registration and a continental breakfast begin at 8:00AM. The opening speaker is scheduled at 8:30AM, and two one-hour break-out sessions are scheduled for 9:00AM and 10:30AM.

From 10:00-10:30AM there will be a break and a "Resourse" Fair. YES! That's how it reads: Resourse (sic) Fair. Keep in mind that this is the spelling on a school district-produced schedule. What are we raising around here? What are we hiring around here??? There are numerous grammatical errors in the online program; they are not typos!

Another example? "Co-parenting with someone who lives in a different home may results (sic) in very different views..."

Everybody is in a hurry these days. Some say there is too much work to be done by too few people in too short a time. But, if you don't have time to do it right the first time, you definitely do not have time to do it over!

Do I have little tolerance for highly-paid school district personnel who make these errors? You bet!

Let's hope that Parent U. is successful. Notice also that program scheduling doesn't allow time for movement between "classes."

Be sure to check out the online Registration Form. As you examine it, ask yourself the logical questions. You'll see what I mean, when you read it!

Yes, I know I'm critical, so you don't have to tell me.

Check it out for yourself at http://woodstockschools.org/news/parent-university-registration-now-open

Guardianship Panel - Tomorrow 1:00PM - Free

2011-02-03T07:50:00.001-06:00

The Special Education District of McHenry County

McHenry County Transition Planning Committee

Presents:

Panel Discussion: Guardianship Issues for Students with Disabilities

When: Friday, February 4th, 2011

Where: McHenry County College

Room A102

Time: 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Join us for a panel discussion regarding guardianship and hear about different philosophies and options parents have from individuals with expertise in this area.

Topics such as guardianship, power of attorney, trust funds, planning for adulthood, legal services, and advocacy will be discussed.

Speakers will include:

ü The Law Office of Brian Rubin & Associates

ü Robert H. Farley, Jr., LTD-Attorney at Law

ü Annette Hammortree-Hammortree Financial Services

ü Options & Advocacy for McHenry County

ü Equip for Equality

ü Individual with a Disability

There is no cost to attend this event.

Please RSVP to Jeweldean Drechney: jdrechney@sedom.org

Kirk & Casey Martin - Chicago February workshops?

2011-01-26T22:06:00.001-06:00

Here is an announcement from Kirk & Casey Martin, a father-son team that presents family-friendly workshops throughout the Eastern and Southeastern U.S. Learn more about them at http://www.celebratecalm.com/ Can we put together an event here in Woodstock?

This would be a natural for Woodstock District 200 to organize, and it wouldn't cost them a penny. Do you have a contact at D200 who could make it happen?

Do you want to help families in Chicago?
We need you to act now.

This is a little different, but if you are up to the challenge, we are as well. Many of you know that we are big supporters of an orphanage and children's home for abused children in Chicago. Casey and I have two goals:
   1) Help struggling parents, kids and teachers in Chicagoland through workshops.
   2) Raise money to support Hephzibah Children's Home.

The only three open dates we have to come to Chicago during the next three months are February 11, 12 and 14. We want to conduct Workshops throughout the area in local schools, churches and synagogues. Our events give families and educators very practical, concrete strategies that really work.

                        Click here to see a LIVE EVENT in action.

http://www.celebratecalm.com/workshops.html
New video of teacher and parent workshops are now on the website.

Choose which workshops you want at your school or church.

- Enjoy a calm home ~ eliminate yelling, arguing and meltdowns.
- Improve focus, behavior and grades in school.
- Create stress-free mornings, homework and bedtime.

- Eliminate defiance and disrespect.

In order to raise money for Hephzibah, we are going to donate every single penny from workshop fees and CD sales to Hephzibah. Not just proceeds. Every penny. We'll cover our own travel and hotel costs. We just want to make a huge difference because the good people at Hephzibah are saving and rebuilding children's lives.

Because we are donating all of our fees, we have no vested interest--we just want sponsors to have an investment so they enthusiastically spread the word.

This is a rare opportunity to impact your community in many ways. Let's fill these three dates with enthusiastic school and church sponsors.

3 Easy Steps to Schedule a Workshop
1. Please forward this email to your PTA, Principal, school counselors or church leader. Let them know how Celebrate Calm has impacted your life.

2. Reply to this email or call Brett at 888-506-1871. We can customize a program based on your specific needs and budget. We are easy to work with!

3. We have no special needs when we present. We just need an auditorium, library or cafeteria with chairs. We provide workshop flyers to help promote the workshop. It's that easy!

Call 1-888-506-1871

Let's make a huge difference in people's lives to begin 2011. Thanks and we can't wait to see you again!

How would your life change if you could:

Advocacy tips for SpecEd Parents

2011-01-25T08:18:00.000-06:00

Do you know how to advocate properly and effectively for your kid?

Check out the tips in this week's issue of Pete & Pam Wright's e-newsletter. www.wrightslaw.com/howey/10tips.advocates.htm

What should you do? And not do?
www.wrightslaw.com/info/advo.do.dont.margolis.htm

There are many good ideas in those articles. They will work - in an ideal world. However, your kid may not stay in school long enough for you to get many of them into play. After all, kids still graduate at age 18 (and some at 22, after three additional years of "transition" classes). And then you'll be a "non-parent" in the eyes of your school, and all you'll be able to do is watch from the sidelines while other parents fight the same old battles.

I've been told that school folks hate the word "advocate" and that it shouldn't be used by parents or by the people they hire or ask to help them. Oh, yeah? Wouldn't it be nice if you didn't even need an advocate?

Several years ago a Special Ed administrator told me that every teacher is an advocate for every student. Well, you could have fooled me! How he wrote that with a straight face, I'll never know. In fact, I don't know that he did have a "straight face", when he wrote that, since he was sitting at his computer in his own office.

Do you know what happens when a teacher stands up for a Spec Ed student and bucks the "system"? i.e., bucks her administrator?

It's called, "Where do you think you'll enjoy working next?"

And the same with the Spec Ed administrator who fights for what is right - for what a School District is required by laws to do for special ed students. Same question?

New ISBE booklet for Special Ed Parents

2011-01-20T07:19:00.000-06:00

A new booklet has been published and made available by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for parents of students in Special Education. We all know how difficult it can be to keep track of our child's information for IEPs and other Special Education-related matters.

Some parents are lucky enough to have the focus, time and organizational and office management skills of a legal secretary. These parents set up filing systems and tabbed notebooks, and they religiously file papers in the right place at the right time, the first time.

ISBE's booklet is the "Illinois Student Records Keeper for Parents Whose Students Receive Special Education Services.". You can download its 56 pages from the ISBE website or from the website of the Parent & Educator Partnership, which is where I learned about this.

The publication date is October 2010. (You've already heard about this from your school district; right?)

The booklet is at http://www.pepartnership.org/media/37861/student_records_keeper.pdf

If you prefer to go directly to the Illinois State Board of Education website and download the booklet there, you can go to www.isbe.net and click through the following path to the booklet:
On the homepage, find the section near the top for "Parents/Students"
Click on "Special Education"
On the right side under Resources, click on "Parents"
Scroll down to the bottom and click on "Student Records Keeper..."

Look around while you are at this index. My guess is you'll find some other very interesting and helpful booklets and brochures.

Anything for Special Ed parents yet?

2011-01-14T10:04:00.000-06:00

Is Woodstock District 200 School District providing any services to parents of students in Special Education yet?

It made an attempt at a survey of SpEd parents last April, when survey forms were to be distributed to the parents of all 1,000+ students in Special Education. Only about 60-70 surveys were completed, which caused me to wonder how many parents didn't get them or were discouraged from completing them.

How could a parent be discouraged from completing them? Little comments like "You know nothing will change" might discourage a parent. Or, "I was supposed to give this to you" wouldn't be particularly encouraging.

However, about 60 parents did complete them and the interest in programs and training was representative of what all parents might want.

And what happened after that? The survey results were compiled. And .... and ... and, nothing...

There are a few parents who, over the past few years of their own child's years in District 200 Special Education, fought many battles for their child's rights. The rights under Illinois School Law and the laws of the Federal government. Some of these parents are willing to continue to devote time to improvement in the Woodstock District 200 Special Education Department and operations.

But they can't make anything happen now, because they no longer have a child in the system. However, parents of current students can make something happen. For example, read the Memorandum of Chris Koch, State Superintendent of the Illinois State Board of Education. He wrote this particular Memorandum back in about 2004, when he was Director of Special Education for ISBE. At that time he asked all Superintendents, Special Ed Directors and staff to disseminate that Memo to parents of all Special Ed students. Did it happen?

No way. Not even after it was brought to the attention of both the Superintendent and the then-Director of Special Ed (who is no longer with District 200). I think it is still on the ISBE website, but now buried well down. Basically, it reminded School Districts what they must do for parents of Special Ed students.

Maybe that's why it was never disseminated to parents...

Anti-bullying townhall meetings in Alabama

2011-01-02T16:28:00.004-06:00

Two large townhall meetings will be held in Alabama this month, organized by K.A.R.M.A., which stands for Kids Against Ridicule, Meanness and Aggression.

See the December 18th article on this blog (below), and see today's article on www.woodstockadvocate.com/ for more information about the townhall meetings. The dates are January 23 in Montgomery and January 24 in Birmingham.

For more information about K.A.R.M.A., go directly to www.TheKarma.org

Parent Empowerment Call, Jan. 6

2010-12-27T13:10:00.002-06:00

The next Parent Empowerment Call will feature Kim Miller, Statewide Leadership Coordinator for the Illinois Childrens' Mental Health Partnership Team. The title for the call is "Becoming a Leader of the Pack".

This is a toll-free educational call being offered to all parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern, and it will focus on giving parents information they need to advocate for and support their children.

The call is scheduled for Thursday, January 6, 2011, from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM.
Toll-free Access: 800/260-0712
Participant Access Code: 120964

Parent Empowerment Calls are held monthly on the first Thursday of the month.

Should you have any questions, please contact:
Judy Hutchinson at judy.hutchinson@illinois.gov
Family Consumer Specialist, Region 5
DMH Child & Adolescent Network
1501 Olive St.
Lawrenceville, IL 62439

K.A.R.M.A.

2010-12-18T17:06:00.002-06:00

Kids Against Ridicule, Meanness and Aggression (K.A.R.M.A.)

When I was traveling last week in Florida, I happened to catch a radio program and interview with Jessica Brookshire, who is a 2009 honors graduate of Auburn University with a degree in International Trade and Spanish and a minor in Political Science.

Jessica created a grassroots crusade to end bullying in school-aged children across the nation.

To learn more about K.A.R.M.A., visit www.thekarma.org

Jessica is a young woman with a dream and a mission. She is surely going great places! Three cheers for Jessica Brookshire!

Parent support by school districts

2010-12-01T09:59:00.004-06:00

To what extent are parents of students in special education in schools in McHenry County provided training and support by their school districts?

Do you know that the school districts are supposed to provide support for parents of special ed students? Do they do it? Do they provide meaningful support through programs and groups?

Is there a parent support group in your school or district? Is there a parent advisory council in your district?

Parents of special ed students get smart through education. They learn what the laws are. They learn whether the IEPs of their kids are SMART IEPs (vs. "dumb" ones). Dumb IEPs are the typical, off-the-shelf IEPs with no concrete, measureable statements or requirements and no accountability on the part of the school. "Johnny will do better" is typical of statements in "dumb" IEPs.

Parents want meaningful school-home communication and not just discipline notifications days after an "event" at school.

Parents want to be valuable members of the IEP Team and partners with teachers in the education of their children.

And many teachers want also to partner up with the parents. Unfortunately, in many school districts those interested teachers (and staff members) find themselves at risk of losing their jobs, if they do so.

And that needs to change!

Parents don't have to wait forever for school districts to acknowledge their requirement to provide training and support for these parents. Parents can begin to band together now.

Want help? Let me know.

Information Night - Dec. 7

2010-11-27T08:48:00.000-06:00

A two-hour presentation is scheduled at the Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM) on December 7th for parents or other individuals who are interested in learning more about the services of Pioneer Center for Human Services and of Options & Advocacy for McHenry County.

This program will run from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the SEDOM Center, 1200 Claussen Drive, Woodstock. Representatives from Pioneer Center and Options & Advocacy will present information about services and answer your questions.

There is no charge for this program.

R.S.V.P. Gay Szara at gszara@sedom.org or call her at 815/338-7411

See information also at http://www.pioneercenter.org/ and www.optionsandadvocacy.org/

Special Ed Survey – Spring 2010 (Part 2)

2010-11-18T22:42:00.000-06:00

In the Spring 2010 survey of parents of Special Ed students, Woodstock District 200 was to circulate the survey form to parents of all special ed students. This would be over 1,000 students. The number of parents? 500-750?

How many surveys were returned? I reported the number earlier this year. Off the top of my head, I think there were about 61 completed surveys. I think there were nine parents who indicated they did not want a Parent Advisory Council. At the time I wondered, “Where are the other 500???”

Following are some of the programs and training that parents want:

Special Ed procedures
IEP vs. 504 plans
Building partnerships
Special Ed law
Parent training
Special Ed eligibility
Allergies and medications
IEPs
Least Restrictive Environments (LREs)
Outside agency involvement
Homework help
Bullying
Discipline
Autism/sensory/emotional/behavior
After school programs
Health support
Inclusion
Case management
Tips for parents
Transportation
Preparing for the future
Adult/Care
After high school
OT/eating disorders
Asperger’s
Reading help

If the school district thought it had to provide all of this training and these programs, they would run for cover. They don’t. Parents will participate, help, lead, do, plan, provide.

What the school district can do is stop getting in the way. It’s going to take more than a few parents to make this happen.

Are you a Woodstock D-200 parent? Contact me, and I’ll help you get in touch with other local parents.

Special Ed Survey – Spring 2010 (Part 1)

2010-11-17T22:37:00.002-06:00

What do parents want for their kids in Special Education in Woodstock?

One way to find out, if you are school personnel, is to assume you know and then just force-feed it to the parents. This is how some school districts operate. I attended a meeting in Huntley of parents of special ed students, and I heard administrators say more than once, “We know what is best for your kid.”

Yeah, sure. How does a teacher or school staff member know what is best for a kid with autism or some other disability, without knowing all the ways in which that particular child reacts to changes in his environment?

“Just sit still.”
“Don’t talk.”
“Don’t move.”
“Don’t throw…”

Back in the Spring of 2010 I approached the Woodstock District 200 Special Ed Department to conduct a survey of parents. To its credit, it did. The Department even compiled the results of the survey. What it did with them after that, is anyone’s guess.

I tried to get a Parent Advisory Council formed and functioning before school let out. It didn’t happen.

I tried to get a Parent Advisory Council formed and functioning during the summer, because half the parents who responded wanted to meet during the summer. It didn’t happen.

I tried to get a Parent Advisory Council formed and functioning this fall. No luck.

In fact, now I’ve been told that I can visit certain programs, but I shouldn’t expect to be further involved. The reason? My stepson “aged out” of Special Ed when he reached his 22nd birthday last July, and now I no longer have a child in the District’s schools.

Many of us special ed parents have learned a great deal about special education laws, the Illinois State Board of Education, WrightsLaw.com, advocacy, accommodations and programs that will help kids in special ed and help their parents to navigate the system. Should other parents have to fight all the battles all over again, or can they learn from the experiences of others? They can, if those parents are included and permitted to share their experiences.

Obviously, learning from others is the fastest way. But some school districts discourage that by separating and isolating the parents. What they fail to acknowledge is the “Team” approach to educating the special ed kid. The parent is a valuable, and equal, member of the Team.

Most parents don’t feel part of any team, when it comes to their kids’ education.

A Parent Advisory Council is an important step for a school district, and it shouldn’t be feared by a school district. Yet it is. Well, parents are tired of being kept in the dark.

Some of us are ready to turn up the lights! See Part 2 for what parents asked for in last spring’s survey.

Your child's treatment team - who is on it?

2010-10-30T10:00:00.001-05:00

The next Parent Empowerment Call (PEC) will be Thursday, and the topic will be “Who’s who on My Child's Treatment Team?”

These one-hour teleconference calls are worth it. They provide valuable information, and they are free.

The calls are sponsored by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health - Child and Adolescent Services. Got that? (There will be a test later...)

The topic for this call will be “Who’s who on My Child's Treatment Team?”

The presenter will be Chris Gleason, Chief Clinical Officer, Family Service and Community Mental Health Center of McHenry County.

Time? Thursday, November 4, 2010, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM C.S.T.
Place? Your telephone. Call 800/260-0712
Enter the Participant Access Code 120964, when prompted. Call in about 11:58AM.

Please listen carefully for any instructions to mute your phone (if you can) and for any Q&A period that will probably follow the basic presentation.

This is a toll free educational call being offered to all parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern. It will focus on giving parents information they need to advocate for and support their children.

Should you have any questions, please contact:
Judy Hutchinson
Family Consumer Specialist, Region 5
DMH Child & Adolescent Network
1501 Olive St.
Lawrenceville, IL 62439
judy.hutchinson@illinois.gov

I.E.P. - What's it mean?

2010-10-27T09:12:00.002-05:00

I.E.P.

Individualized Education Program. That's Individualized Education Program.

It doesn't mean individualized, if the District can afford it.

It doesn't mean individualized, if the District would rather follow a one-size-fits-all approach.

It doesn't mean individualized, only if the teachers want to do it.

It doesn't mean individualized, if the parents don't know better.

It doesn't mean individualized, if the teachers are brave enough to stand up to administration.

It does mean tailored to the individual child and his or her needs.

It does mean that Special Education Coordinators of the District shouldn't just slap on out-of-the-box, off-the-shelf, straight-from-teacher-training-workshops accommodations that will not be implemented or cannot be measured.

Pete and Pam Wright (www.wrightslaw.com) said in a Chicagoland workshop several years ago that no child with an IEP should be failing. This does not mean giving As and Bs to a student who cannot read.

Example: Reading is a skill that must be learned by the child capable of learning. If a student is in 10th Grade but reading at the 3rd-4th Grade level, should there be any question whatsoever that the student needs, and must be provided with, the necessary instruction and tutoring to improve reading skills?

Available in Woodstock or McHenry County - Kirk Martin

2010-10-24T07:55:00.003-05:00

Maybe I should go to work for Kirk Martin. I willingly promote him and the workshops that his 17-year-old son, Casey, present all over the eastern half of the United States. Yesterday a friend and I drove to Geneva, Ill. for Kirk's workshop at Geneva High School. This is the fourth time I've attended a workshop by Kirk, and this one, too, was worth the trip.

I overheard compliments from both teachers and parents who attended. There were even a few school children there, and Kirk included his remarks to them, so that they would feel involved and included, not just "talked about." But the meat of his workshop is for parents and is information that parents can benefit greatly from hearing (again).

Should I go to work for Kirk? Working with him would be great. Not sure about the pay, though, since many of Kirk's workshop are offered without charge. Even if he paid me 25% for promoting them, 25% of zero is - come on, you math students; what's the answer?

Kirk and Casey have produced a series of CDs and DVDs, which are sold at programs. Yesterday's proceeds from CD sales? Donated 100% to an Oak Park home for abused and orphaned children. For information about workshops and other trainings and CDs, visit www.celebratecalm.com

We could have a workshop right here in Woodstock or in McHenry County. If 200-300 parents contacted District 200 (not just Special Education), maybe they'd listen to you. If you do make a contact, let Kirk know, so that he can track efforts. Let him know the name and title of the person you contacted and what the result was.

Kirk was here about three years ago and presented a Saturday morning workshop at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Woodstock. Teachers and parents came from all over the North Shore? From Woodstock? I think I saw one.

Anybody wish to help organize and promote it?

When kids don't try

2010-10-18T08:05:00.003-05:00

The following is copied from a recent newsletter of Kirk Martin, "America's Calm Coach", and his 17-year-old son, Casey. Kirk and Casey travel the eastern half of the U.S. to present workshops for parents, teachers and students. Visit http://www.celebratecalm.com/ and also check out their radio talkshow schedule.

"As educators and parents, we all want children who are confident, curious and responsible. We see kids struggling and are so tempted to say, 'If you would just apply yourself more...' or 'If she would put forth more effort...'

"It's frustrating because we see bright kids struggle with academics and behavior. But why is our first assumption that it's only a matter of 'applying yourself?' If it were that easy, don't you think our kids would try harder to avoid harsh consequences?

"Sometimes we don't realize that our kids ARE trying, that it takes herculean emotional energy to survive a school structure that exploits your weaknesses: you have to sit, listen and recall information under pressure; you are a conceptual, idea person, but tests are based on sequential, multi-step instructions; it's difficult to focus with kids surrounding you, some of whom pick on you; recess and lunchtime are supposed to be a release, but they cause great anxiety. So you spend all your energy holding it together and then an adult comes along and says you aren't applying yourself.

"Want to know my reaction? I used to cry, shut down or defiantly say two words I can't say here. So if your child or student is not performing to standard, I encourage you to ask yourself this one question:

"What kind of tools can I provide the child to be successful? Please think tools. No child wants to fail; he usually needs tools. Does the student need more challenging work or is she overwhelmed? Does he need his brain stimulated in my class? Do I need to provide specific, concrete directions? One of Casey's passions is helping other kids like him take ownership of their academics. Listen to what one student did after listening to the Straight Talk for Kids CDs.

"'I burned your Kids CD stuff onto my iPOD and it's pretty interesting. So I made a deal with my Geometry teacher. I'm allowed to stand or sit on the floor in the back with my knees up and book on my knees. She lets me chew gum and lay down when I'm working on problems and that helps a ton-I've always done better when listening to music or chewing on stuff, but now I get why that is. She asked if I'd feel weird being back there like that and I said no way, I've always felt different and it helps me so it doesn't bother me at all. It lets me spread out plus I'm more comfortable and I can bounce my legs without bothering anyone. When we get partners and solve problems together, about half the class ends up on the floor. I told my teacher that I'm not weird, I'm a trendsetter! I'm getting a B now instead of a D so I'm pretty psyched because that means I can drive soon! Thanks for getting it.'
Josh Z., Atlanta, GA

"How can you motivate your child/student internally by getting them using their particular gifts and passions? How can I control my own anxiety about their struggles so they don't shut down?

"Praise and encourage kids to be themselves. Get tools for your child so they can take ownership and be internally motivated at school. Thousands of kids listen to Casey's CD daily for encouragement and use the Workbook to plan their future."

Subscribe to Kirk's free e-newsletter. You'll be glad you did. Go to http://www.celebratecalm.com/

Kirk and Casey will be in Geneva, Ill. on Saturday, October 23. Their program starts at 10:00AM.

Stop defiance and power struggles

2010-10-14T16:47:00.000-05:00

Geneva will be the place to be on Saturday, October 23, at 10:00AM, if you are a parent of elementary, middle or high school students who are a bit of a challenge at times.

I don't mean Lake Geneva or Geneva, Switzerland.

I mean Geneva, Illinois! Kirk Martin and his 17-year-old son, Casey, will be at Geneva High School to present their program, "Are you at your wits' end? 10 secrets to stop defiance and power struggles."

To view the flier for this FREE workshop, go to www.celebratecalm.com Then click on Schedule and scroll down to October 23.

Geneva High School is located at 416 McKinley Avenue, Geneva, Ill., only 35 easy miles from Woodstock on a Saturday morning.

I will guarantee you that you'll be glad you made the effort. Take your kids with you. They will get a lot out of it, too, and their questions might surprise you.

I've known Kirk and Casey about three years, and I highly recommend their programs!

Lake County mom - please call again

2010-10-08T06:27:00.003-05:00

Yesterday (Thurs., Oct. 7) a mom (A.C.) from Lake County (Ill.) who had come across this blog called me and left a message about some special-education problems with her son. Unfortunately, there were two skips in her phone messages, and two portions of her message were not clear.

She mentioned that she was friends of (this part was skipped in the message), and only the last four digits of her phone number (ending in -85) were in the message.

Will you please call again? Thanks!

Bullying - in my school district???

2010-09-09T08:42:00.002-05:00

Here we are, less than one month into the new school year...

Does bullying exist in your child's school district? What about in his or her own school?

You bet it does!

And it occurs not only between students, but it might be occurring by teachers!

Watch this video titled Bullied: A Student, a School and a Case That Made History: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEH75H8fPQY

Then contact your school's principal and ask him (or her) to order a copy for his school. Ask by what date it will be ordered (budget won't be a problem; it's free. If you need to take a 44-cent stamp to the principal's office, take it (but it probably can be ordered by e-mail, too)).

And then follow up in two weeks to ask if it has been received. And then every week until it is received. Then ask if the principal and staff have watched it. And when it will be shown to every student in the school.

Get involved! Remember, you are the parent. You are responsible to see that the schools are safe for your child(ren).

Be relentless. And don't go it alone. Align yourself with other parents and insist on safe schools. Now!

And post your comment here, naming the school you will ask to order the film today.

You think that teachers don't bully students? "My son has a teacher who actually calls the kids wieners and makes fun of them if they are struggling. He has a mug and sign in the classroom that say 'I see stupid people'.”

That quote is from an article on www.WrightsLaw.com Go to that site; then search for "Bullying" and look down the list for that article. You'll spot it easily from the leading quote.

Does it happen in Woodstock District 200? You bet! It was spotted by a technical consultant who was called in to conduct a proper Functional Behavior Assessment for a student whose absenteeism was over 60% for the school year (and never reported as truant!). What happened to the teacher? Nothing!

D200 SpecEd Parent Advisory Council

2010-09-03T11:25:00.002-05:00

Parents of students in Special Education in the Woodstock District 200 school district are still interested in a Parent Advisory Council.

Last spring surveys were to be distributed to parents of all special education students. There are probably at least 1,000 special ed students in District 200. How many were received?

About 60 surveys were returned by parents. Ninety percent expressed interest in a special ed parents' advisory council and information and training to help them with their child's education. A few were not interested. I was curious about the 700 parents who did not return surveys and wondered why they didn't return the surveys.

I could guess at some of the reasons. I'd rather know the reasons.

I tried to get a kick-off meeting before the end of the school year. No success.

I tried to get a summer kick-off meeting scheduled. No success.

On August 25 I emailed the Special Ed Dept. about getting together to discuss such a council. In a week, no reply.

Would District 200 like for this idea to just die on the vine? It's not going to happen. Some parents have spent hours (weeks! months!) and thousands of dollars getting "educated", and we are happy to share what we have learned with other parents, so that they don't have to face the drudgery of endless battles just to get the right educational services in place for their kids.

Pass information about this blog to all the parents of special ed kids in District 200. To date the district has done a fine job of keeping parents isolated. That time is past.

Well-informed parents make better partners with schools. That's the atmosphere that should exist. It could exist. It will exist.

Watch here for a list of programs and information that parents said last spring that they want. Coming soon.

Social Thinking

2010-08-31T07:28:00.002-05:00

Is your child struggling to make and keep friends?

One of the big problems for children in Special Education is social skills. The schools can talk about social skills, but "talking" about them doesn't help much. Students can hear about them, but they have to have opportunities to use them in safe environments.

Recently I was looking for programs to help students learn social skills, and a friend in Huntley recommended Mary Topolinski and her Social Thinking program.

Mary conducts Social Thinking instruction, training, coaching with teens and with other age groups. This friend told me that she knows several parents who said Mary made a big impact on their kids.

You can check out Mary's work at www.mjthinkssocial.com/

I don't know Mary yet, but she probably has ideas about places to make and find friends and to socialize.

Years ago a therapist recommended social skills training by the University of Illinois at Chicago, but I was never able to track down classes. They might have been in Skokie or some other town miles and miles away - a lot of good that does the student in Woodstock who is trying to develop social skills!

Parent survey - do it now

2010-08-30T19:52:00.004-05:00

The Family Resource Center on Disabilities has passed along information about an important surveys prior to US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), visits in Illinois before the end of 2010. I highly recommend the FRCD. Back in 1997 I attended one of its Special Education Rights workshops, and it was a solid foundation for my advocacy for my stepson here in Woodstock.

Parents of children ages 0-3 and 3-21 are invited to complete the surveys. FRCD wrote:

Dear Illinois Families:

On November 2, 2010, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will be visiting:

the Illinois Department of Human Services to review the effectiveness of Illinois following the rules and regulations for Early Intervention Services under Part C (0-3) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);

OSEP will also be visiting the Illinois State Board of Education to review the effectiveness of Illinois following the rules and regulations under Part B (3-21) of IDEA.

OSEP has requested the Parent Training and Information Centers of Illinois to survey parents about their experience and knowledge with the special education system in Illinois. This is a great opportunity for you to contribute to the improvement of the delivery of special education services for the children with disabilities in Illinois.

Please take a moment to complete the survey if you have children who have recently received or are currently receiving special education services. We invite you to forward this survey to other families for their input.

The survey links are:

Part C (0-3 year old)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W77JN97

Part B (3-21 year old)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FDJ5Z76

If you have any questions, please contact the Family Resource Center on Disabilities at (312) 939-3513.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) offers parents of children with disabilities birth to 21 years old, their helpers, relatives, professionals, and interested community members no-cost training and workshops, telephone and e-mail assistance, and resources to help claim their role as the child's most effective and significant advocate.

You are invited to contact FRCD for information, resources, support and training. FRCD is located at 20 East Jackson Blvd., Room 300, Chicago, IL 60604. For information, visit www.frcd.org/, call 312-939-3513 or write to info@frcd.org

Service Animal OK in school

2010-08-29T16:43:00.003-05:00

An Illinois appeals court smacked down a school district recently.

The Fourth District Appellate Court considered a case brought to it to allow a first-grade student to have his service dog, Chewey, in school. The Villa Grove School District (located southeast of Champaign, Ill.), in its infinite wisdom, apparently had thought the dog was a pet and didn't want the student to bring the dog to school.

The court, however, ruled in favor of Kaleb Drew and ordered that the school allow him to take his autism helper dog to school. The family's argument was that the boy's yellow Labrador retriever is a service animal. (Pictured is an example of a service dog.)

How does this animal help Kaleb? According to the boy's mother, the "dog prevents the boy from running away, helps him focus on his homework and calms him when he has a tantrum."

Service dogs wear vests that identify them as service animals. Please do not approach a service animal or attempt to pet it. The animal is not a pet. When it is wearing its vest, it is working. Usually the owner will ask you to step back, if you approach a service animal for the purpose of petting it.

Please be considerate of service animals. You don't have to go out of your way to avoid them; just act as if they aren't there.

Tonight - anti-bullying vigil

2010-08-24T08:01:00.000-05:00

Tonight at 7:00PM there will be a vigil in memory of a Johnsburg boy and other children who have committed suicide after being bullied, sometimes for years.

The candlelight vigil will begin at 7:00PM at the Midwest Bank, 3805 N. Johnsburg Road, in Johnsburg.

Bullying is occurring in many McHenry County schools. My own experience with the Woodstock School District is that heads nodded when bullying was reported, and District officials re-affirmed the Safe Schools policy.

And bullying continued.

It starts in the grade schools, and there is where it should be nipped in the bud. When it occurs in middle and high schools, discipline should be swift and firm.

It's not. And so it continues.

In one case of which I have personal knowledge, a consultant from the Illinois State Board of Election had been called in and she herself observed bullying in the classroom - by staff!!!

It's a good thing she was called in. What teacher would have ratted out another teacher for bullying a student?

Parent Empowerment Call - August 5

2010-08-02T08:26:00.000-05:00

Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Child & Adolescent Services would like to invite all Illinois parents of children with emotional and/or behavioral health concerns to join in on the upcoming Parent Empowerment Call.

Parent Empowerment Calls are held monthly on the first Thursday of the month. Two sessions are available, available times and dial in numbers details are listed in the attachment included with this notice.

The next Parent Empowerment Call is scheduled for Thursday, August 5, 2010 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Toll Free Access 1-800-260-0712
Participant Access Code: 120964

This is a toll free educational call being offered to all parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern, and will focus on giving parents information they need to advocate for and support their children.

Two Choices - Shay's Story

2010-07-11T12:18:00.002-05:00

I don't know the source of this story. I've seen it before and was happy to receive it again today. Enjoy. And feel free to forward it. Use the little white envelope at the end of the story.

Two Choices

What would you do? You make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fund-raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

”When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.”

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart . The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, “Shay, run to first! Run to first!”

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, “Run to second, run to second!”

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball - the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman' s head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, “Shay, Shay, Shay, all the way Shay.”

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, “Run to third! Shay, run to third!”

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, “Shay, run home! Run home!”

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

That day, said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day.

Build advocacy skills this Saturday

2010-07-06T06:24:00.002-05:00

Summer is a great time for building your skills to be an effective Parent Advocate for your child. On Saturday, July 10, at 10:00AM a two-hour workshop in Chicago will offer families ways to effectively advocate in many different situations with a variety of agencies and systems of care or services.

What will you learn?
- What advocacy means;
- How to improve your advocacy skills; and
- How you can make a difference for your family member.

Almost every week I hear that school personnel hate to hear the word "advocacy". Use of a more politically-correct term is recommended, so "they" don't get upset.

Well, folks, you can pussy-foot around the issue, or you can stand up for your child. When you stand for your child, you are standing up for all children.

Where is the workshop?

Family Resource Center on Disabilities
20 East Jackson Blvd., Room 300
Chicago
Phone: (312) 939-3513
Email: info@frcd.org

The cost? It's FREE!!! (but pre-registration is required)
Remember Saturday's deal on Metra fares, too.

Inclusion - Tonight (June 21)

2010-06-21T14:26:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the late notice, but just learned of a speaker in McHenry tonight on the topic of "inclusion". Have you struggled to get your school to include" your child with special needs in its regular programs? Does your school house your child "down at the end of the hall", out of sight of the other students?

Tonight at GiGi's Playhouse McHenry at 7:00PM there will be a guest speaker from PROJECT CHOICES. The topic will be "inclusion".

Project Choices works collaboratively with school districts for children ages 3-21. For more information please go to www.projectchoices.org Hope to see you tonight!

Jean Boyle
Site Coordinator
GiGi's Playhouse McHenry
5404 W. Elm St. Suite A
McHenry, IL 60050
815-385-PLAY (-7529)
www.gigisplayhouse.org
http://mcgigis.blogspot.com/

educate.inspire.achieve

Bullying - how prevalent is it?

2010-06-17T10:58:00.002-05:00

Just how bad is bullying in schools in McHenry County?

Schools claim to have anti-bullying policies and programs. The State requires that schools be safe. Many organizations are examining the problems with bullying in schools.

Which schools are the worse?
Which schools have tight policies against bullying and take strict action fast to put a stop to it?

Which administrators are like ostriches?

What happens when students report being bullied to school counselors, social workers, deans, assistant principals?

Do they have to follow a "chain-of-command" or can they go straight to the top dog in the school? And be taken seriously?

"Boys will be boys" doesn't fly any more. And it's not just the boys who are bullies!

One idea might be to create an independent hotline for reports of bullying. Sort of like the McHenry County Crisis Line, but run jointly by teams that involve concerned parents, not just "the professionals". Bullying reports to the hotline could be compared with reports from schools.

If the hotline is getting calls about bullying at xxx School but the School denies any reports of bullying, there is a big red flag flying in McHenry County. Parent/educator teams could provide important support to the bullied student (or parent) in making and tracking reports to schools.

Thoughts, anyone?

National Autism conference right here in Chicago

2010-05-17T22:01:00.002-05:00

Often you have to travel far and spend a lot of money on transportation and lodging to attend a national conference, but this month the Autism One Conference is right down the road in Rosemont!

It's May 24-30 at the O'Hare Westin in Rosemont. A local mom says it will be a fantastic conference — everything imaginable related to autism is there.

Presentations on:
Biomedical research and treatments
All of the therapies — educational, behavioral, communication, etc.
Alternative medicine
Government, legal and personal issues and advocacy
Adolescent, adult and Asperger's issues
And more!

Families can find out more and register at www.autismone.org/content/world-changes-may

Scholarships may be available for conference attendance through the Are of Illinois consumer stipend or the StarNet Family Fellowship. Visit
www.thearcofil.org/ and www.thecenterweb.org/starnet/funding.html

If you have questions, contact Linda Betzold at Linda.Betzold@tacanow.org

Chicago families are lucky to have this conference in our backyard. It may be the best autism conference of the year anywhere in the U.S.

Parent group to be postponed

2010-05-17T18:26:00.002-05:00

Woodstock District 200 will not move forward at this time with a Parent Advisory Council for parents of students in Special Education. I was hoping for an April or May first meeting, but the Special Education Department has decided (unilaterally, I might add) to delay until Fall. And you know what that means...

In March I proposed that the Special Education Department survey parents to learn if they were interested in a parent advisory council or a parent support group (or both). There was cooperation in designing the questionnaire for the survey. Survey forms were to be distributed to all parents of students in Special Education.

How many were distributed? There are approximately 1,000 students in Special Education in District 200. It is unknown how many survey forms actually reached parents, but only 61 surveys were returned.

Fifty-four (54) want one or both group; 7 were not interested. I saw the survey forms on a table at Clay Street Academy, and they were not handed out to the parents of one student, whose annual review I attended.

How about at other schools? I heard that teachers responded that parents weren't interested. Now I, for one, do not believe that. I do believe the person who told me that. I just don't believe the information she was apparently given. Parents are interested.

However, I can tell you what parents are not interested in. They are not interested in being "talked at." They are not interested in being lectured. They are not interested in being told that the teachers (the "experts") know more about their children than they do. Parents are not interested in meetings that drag on and on and do not allow interaction or participation.

There is a parent advisory council at a school in Huntley with 30-40 active parents. When they are expected to sit and listen to teachers and administrators talk "at" them, they get frustrated. Fortunately, there are enough of them (parents) to make a loud noise and try to wrest control back from the "organization."

Woodstock parents, if you want to get started now, let me know. Forward this article to all the parents of Woodstock special education students you know. We can go ahead and organize now and gain the benefit of a support group over the summer and prepare to establish a parent advisory council for the Fall.

Want to get started? Email gus@gusphilpott.com

Movie - The Horse Boy

2010-05-16T23:21:00.002-05:00

Be sure to watch this movie about an autistic boy whose parents took him to Mongolia to see the shamans. Young Rowan Isaacson made a remarkable shift after the trip, and even before it was over.

This is a movie worth seeing. And visit www.horseboyfoundation.org, too.

School is almost out

2010-05-09T21:19:00.002-05:00

Start your planning now for how your kids are going to enjoy the summer and go back to school without having lost any of the ground gained during this school year.

Plan some learning activities for the summer. Make them read. Better yet, make them want to read. And show them how good math skills will actually help them in life, not just be drudgery.

There are plenty of materials available. Need help finding them? Just ask.

Who you gonna call...

2010-05-09T07:24:00.006-05:00

... when your kids are having tantrums, biting their friends (or siblings or you), constantly interrupting you, using bad words???

Recently I came across two websites that will be of interest to all parents of younger children. And, most likely, to parents of older children, too, when they are acting like they are years younger. And maybe even some others we know...

Author and trainer Gail Reichlin gives presentations all over the country and abroad relating to positive discipline and communication for all ages. Boy! Could we use her right here in McHenry County!

Visit www.pocketparent.com/ and also www.parentsresourcenetwork.org/ for information and ideas. And you can order your very own autographed copy of the Pocket Parent from her website. Or call Read Between the Lynes Bookstore right here in Woodstock; if Arlene doesn't carry it already, she'll be glad to order it for you.

Gail's workshop and training style is described as interactive, funny, supportive and very practical.

When the new Parent Advisory Councils are up and running, maybe we can fill the Woodstock Opera House one night for a District-wide or County-wide program.

Interested?

Bus driver deserves medal

2010-04-29T08:10:00.002-05:00

Recently I met a schoolbus driver from rural Illinois. She related how she had stopped disorder and chaos on her bus and turned long rides into profitable use of time by the students. This driver definitely deserves an award or medal!

The driver's name and school district have been deleted from her message. So the next time you are inclined to give a hard time to your kid's schoolbus driver, remember this driver.

"The peer mentoring on my bus was never planned - it was something that just evolved. It's on an as-needed basis and has slowed down now the weather is nice.

"The flash cards were the idea of a middle school girl who wanted to help her cousin and sister with math and help with two other girls to keep the kids busy so I could watch the road. We have a lot of white outs and icy roads in the winter.

"I can't give you hard numbers as to how much the mentoring helped because I never thought to keep track. I've always checked the local paper and announced over the bus intercom all the bug and honor roll students. Now there are so many I have to have it written down I can't remember all the names.

"I've had this route for two years, it was a route everyone turned down. Let's just say the town has a bad reputation.

"The kids on Honor Roll are a combination of every type of background. The three girls that did the flash cards - two are form the "wrong side" of the Fox river and the third one from the "right". The two boys that first asked for help, one has a slight learning problem and the other is autistic. The kids that volunteer range from smart-mouthed high school boys to first graders showing kindergartners how to sound out words in a book.

"It was never an everyday thing , with all the end of the year field trips to talk about and less homework it is maybe once a week. We only have the two rules on the bus, anybody can help somebody (everybody is good at something) and you can't give them the answers you have to show them how to find the answers.

"Besides better grades I've noticed there aren't any book bags, lunch boxes, clothes or projects left on the bus and very little trash.

"There have got to be other drivers that are doing the same things.

"Next year I'll keep record of progress and be able to give solid data on these things."

Impassioned pleas - heard?

2010-04-28T07:24:00.003-05:00

Two parents made impassioned pleas last night before the Woodstock District 200 School Board.

Did the Board hear them?

Both asked the school board not to can good aides from the special education classrooms of their children. Both had been told that the union makes the decisions.

I think not. Or, if it does, then the Board - and the parents - had better regain control over our school staffing.

With certain children in our schools (groups, I mean; not individual children), change is very difficult. During a school year they get used to a certain teacher or aide and they then settle into the school groove. When the District tosses out an aide or teacher, just because she is low person on the totem pole, this does not serve this student population.

One parent said that seniority shouldn't trump merit. And he's right. The school district has to be able to cleanse itself of "dead wood". When a teacher is just "running on empty", hanging on my her fingernails to retirement date, the District, in the best interests of its students (and other staff), must take action to send that teacher on her way.

Some teachers are happy, positive and fresh right up until the day they retire.

The parents of the children in Special Education must come together. A Parent Advisory Council may be a step toward a solution.

Plans are underway for an organizational meeting. Half the parents who responded to the recent survey favor meetings during the summer. Watch for upcoming news. Hopefully, fliers will go home to parents of all Special Education students in District 200 and that many will show up at early meetings.

You don't have to attend all meetings, and there will be many ways to participate, including meetings, email, perhaps teleconference and even webinars. It's the Space Age, folks.

D-200 SpEc survey results

2010-04-27T20:50:00.004-05:00

Just prior to spring break in the Woodstock (Ill.) School District 200, parents of students in special education were offered an opportunity to participate in a survey that asked their interest in a Parent Advisory Council and/or a Parent Support Group.

As of Monday, 61 surveys had been received. Fifty-four (54) indicated an interest; seven (7) said they were not interested.

The first question that came to my mind was, where are the other 600-700 surveys? There are over 1,000 students in Special Education in Woodstock D-200. Because the survey was handed out (not mailed) by teachers at parent-teacher conferences, IEPs and Annual Reviews, it seems to me that 200-300-400 could have been returned, if there had been strong teacher encouragement.

At one school the surveys were merely placed on a table in a common area. At at least one conference, no mention of the survey was made to the parents. I know; I was there with the student's parents.

One parent told me today that, when the survey was handed to her, the teacher said, "You probably don't want to fill this out. You can take it with you, if you want, and mail it back."

I suggested that another survey needs to go to all the parents who didn't respond. I don't think they'd get mad, do you? Most parents want to express their opinions about their childrens' education.

On the second survey, I would inquire why they didn't respond to the first and offer some possible choices:
__ I really am NOT interested in either group
__ Never saw the first survey
__ Took the first one home but lost it
__ Didn't think my opinion would be listened to
__ What's the use? Nothing is going to change
__ Teacher told me not to bother filling it out
__ Other: ________________________________

As far as I know, the survey was prepared only in English. I'd love to be wrong about this. If it was in English only, exactly how where the parents who don't speak English surveyed?

D-200 will now announce an organization meeting of parents. Meeting time preferences were about equally divided between 6:00-7:00PM and 7:00-8:00PM. Personally, a one-hour meeting is not long enough to accomplish much.

The areas of parent interest were varied and provide enough "meat" for years of programs. The interests will be the topic of a different article.

Many thanks to the 61 parents who returned the surveys. Please spread the word about this blog and the upcoming programs at District 200. There will be strong parent leadership and involvement. Come and play an important part.

These will not be dull, dreary, boring, get-talked-to meetings. These will be your meetings!

D-200 Survey for SpecEd Advisory/Support Groups

2010-04-07T08:46:00.002-05:00

During the parent-teacher conferences just held in the Woodstock (Ill.) District 200 schools, parents of special education students were surveyed about interest in an advisory council and/or a support group.

At each conference a form was distributed to parents (or it was supposed to be distributed). They could complete it on the spot or take it home and send it back.

Forms were to be sent home for students who did not have parent-teacher conferences scheduled.

About five years ago I urged D-200 to compile email addresses for parents of special education students, in order to be able to communicate directly with them. Apparently, email addresses are not routinely obtained. Electronic communication with parents of any student, special education or not, should be a no-brainer.

Parents should be able to expect survey results in the near future.

If you are a parent of a special education student and didn't get, or didn't return, the survey, please do so within the next few days. Thanks!

Needed - a "Phoebe Prince Law"?

2010-04-07T08:44:00.002-05:00

Read today's article of a similar title on www.woodstockadvocate.com

Bullying in our schools must be stopped.

Schools are supposed to be safe environments for learning. For every student!

All classes - no progress

2010-03-27T09:09:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I attended an IEP/Annual Review for a student of Woodstock's own therapeutic day school at Clay Academy (formerly known as Clay Elementary School). I was invited by the student's parents and thought I was going to a parent-teacher conference.

Imagine my surprise (well, not too great) at being ushered into the principal's office and finding quite a few people present: principal, nurse, social worker, outside agency rep., school district office rep, teacher, case manager and two parents.

This particular student has had a very high rate of absenteeism; in fact, out of 43 school days since mid-January, he attended on 17 (if I remember the count correctly from the attendance report).

Although the 15-year-old student was invited to attend, he did not accompany his parents to the meeting. There are some meetings where it's better that the student not attend, and this was one of them.

His progress was reported as non-existent, "due to the number of absences." After listening for about 90 minutes, I was asked if I had a comment, and I asked whether the school had attempted to determine the cause for the absences. Exactly, I meant.

I suggested a Functional Behavior Assessment, which is a well-known tool designed to reveal the causes of any particular behavior are. If properly used, an FBA can often pinpoint what is leading up to the behavior in question. You look for causes; what happened before the behavior;what was to the student; who was present; what happened before that? And before that?

The popular phrase, "the devil is in the details", comes to mind. Teachers and staff must be honest and complete in their reporting.

If a student reports that a teacher is constantly yelling at him, a teacher may deny it. But, is it happening? Responses are sometimes "politically correct". Sometimes (often?) they are couched in "workshop" or "in-service" terms that protect the teacher. But, if the student feels "yelled at" and shuts down or acts out, and it's a therapeutic school setting for special-needs students, then the teacher and staff should be figuring out Plan B.

These teachers have a tough job. There is no doubt about it. But they also have smaller caseloads and small classes. We need, and the kids deserve, the "Ron Clarks" and the "Erin Gruwells" of the educational world. If you don't know who they are, do a search on Google for "Ron Clark 55" and Erin's name.

Sorry, but "no progress" is not an acceptable report. There must be some progress, even if you only pick up from the last day of attendance and go on (even a little).

Bobby Petrocelli - great!

2010-03-22T22:08:00.003-05:00

Bobby Petrocelli gave a high-energy talk tonight at Woodstock North High School at the end of a long day. But you never would have known about his long day from the pace and power of his talk.

Earlier today he spoke at Woodstock High School and this afternoon he gave two presentations at Woodstock North. I guessed the audience to be about 70-90, including many students who returned to hear him again.

At least one student brought a fellow student who had been absent from school today, insisting that her friend "had" to hear Bobby and meet him.

Key sentences and ideas tonight were:

"What you put your time into, is what you'll be successful at."

1. Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.

2. Offense is inevitable; forgiving is optional.

3. change is inevitable; growth is optional.

"How you respond to the mistakes you make in this game (life), will determine how you play the rest of the game."

District 200 is providing some great programs this year for students (special ed and regular ed)and parents. Watch for upcoming programs and attend them. Spend an evening with your kids, away from the TV and away from videogames.

You (and they) will be glad you did.

April 12 Town Hall Meeting in Woodstock

2010-03-22T08:25:00.002-05:00

On April 12 a town hall meeting will be held at the Woodstock (Ill.) Opera House to discuss youth binge drinking, prescription medication abuse and heroin use.

For details, please see the complete article on www.WoodstockAdvocate.com

On that website, search for "binge" to find it quickly.

Tonight at Woodstock North H.S.

2010-03-22T07:48:00.001-05:00

Tonight, March 23, Woodstock School District 200 will present speaker Bobby Petrocelli and "Ten Seconds Can Change Your Life Forever" from 7:00-8:00PM at Woodstock North High School, 3000 Raffel Road, Woodstock, Ill.

Petrocelli and his wife were asleep in their own bedroom, when a drunk crashed his pick-up truck into the house, killing Bobby's wife and injuring Bobby.

This program will be a follow-up to a presentation to students by Petrocelli on today's youth and the decisions they make. Topics of discussion will include substance abuse, dating, bullying and self-worth.

Light refreshments will be served from 6:00-7:00PM. The program is open to the public, and there is no charge.

For more information, visit www.10seconds.org/

April 1st Parent calls

2010-03-17T12:03:00.003-05:00

On April 1st (no April Fool's trick here) the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Child & Adolescent Services invites all Illinois parents of children with emotional and/or behavioral health concerns to join in on the monthly Parent Empowerment Call.

Parent Empowerment Calls are held on the first Thursday of the month. Two sessions are available; available times and dial-in number details are listed below.

The next Parent Empowerment Call is scheduled for Thursday, April 1, 2010 with two sessions offered: 12:00-1:00 PM and 7:00-8:00 PM.

For the 12:00PM call, dial 800-260-0712 and use Participant Access Code: 120964

For the 7:00PM call, dial 866-812-0461 and use Participant Access Code: 120977

These are toll-free educational calls, offered to all parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern, and they will focus on giving parents information they need to advocate for and support their children.

Parent Leadership Institute - April 12,13

2010-03-15T13:47:00.002-05:00

Take a look at these questions that will be addressed at the Parent Leadership Institute in Normal, Illinois on April 12-13.

- What is the missing piece to the student achievement puzzle?
- What do we want our students to learn?
- How will we know they have learned?
- How will we respond when a student has difficulty learning?
- How can parents and educators work together to improve outcomes for students?

Pretty powerful, eh?

This Institute is sponsored by the Parent and Educator Partnership. Information can be viewed at www.pepartnership.org

If you think you might be interested in attending, contact them right away!

TACA will meet this Saturday

2010-03-15T13:22:00.002-05:00

The McHenry County chapter of Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) will meet this Saturday in Crystal Lake. If you are interested in autism or in communication technology, join them to hear Hilary Hoffstetter, a consultant from DynaVox, and Shannon Brooke, a speech language
pathologist from Easter Seals in Waukegan.

Topic: Augmentative Communication Technology

Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 4:30-6:00PM
Home State Bank
611 S. Main Street
Community Meeting Room on Basement Level
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Hilary Hoffsetter and Shannon Brooke will speak about low- and high-tech assistive communication technology and systems that are available for any non-verbal individual, not just those with autism. Devices will be available to handle and try out at the meeting. Hilary and Shannon will also be discussing how to determine the type of assistive technology that is appropriate for the non-verbal person in your life and how to know when someone is ready for a new communication strategy.

For more information check http://meetup.talkaboutcuringautism.org/illinois/index.html

Sorry, child care is not available at the meeting.

If you have questions, please contact Linda at 847-922-5392 or linda.betzold@tacanow.org

TACA —Talk About Curing Autism is a non-profit organization composed of parents of children with autism who volunteer to help other parents of children with autism. Check out their website at www.tacanow.org

What happens next?

2010-03-13T11:10:00.002-06:00

Last week in Woodstock's Administrative Adjudication Court Judge Eterno listened at several different times to parts of a case against a parent whose high school child was truant from Woodstock High School.

How did she happen to be charged? Because her kid was absent at least 29 days from school?

The mother wasn't in court, because an injury from a fall on the previous day prevented her appearance; but her husband was there.

Judge Eterno was very careful, as he tried to ascertain whether the husband was able to stand in for his wife. At one point, Judge Eterno told the man to call his wife and determine the extent to which he was to stand in her place that day.

When the case was called again, it appeared that the man intended to plead that his wife was "liable", and Judge Eterno tried to confirm that his wife understood the ramifications of such a plea. It appeared the judge had serious reservations about accepting the plea from the husband, so he continued the case for a month. Several times Judge Eterno expressed great concern that the boy would be truant many more days.

Since the address from which the kid was truant was 112 Grove Street, Woodstock, I realized the kid is a student at the Clay Street Academy. The "Academy" is a District 200 school in Woodstock for students who qualify for placement in a non-resident therapeutic day school because of neurological disabilities or other special needs.

Unless things have changed in District 200 over the past 5-8 years, little collaboration is done by the entire education system to help parents who struggle with educational and attendance problems of their kids. Parents (and students) are too often just at the "effect" of the system, when a meaningful collaborative effort might result in a much better result for all - for the student, for the parents, for the teachers and staff.

What does a parent do who cannot control her child? Why is the student truant? Has the school determined the reasons for the truancy? I mean, the real reasons...

WANTED - Parent Partners

2010-03-10T13:20:00.004-06:00

In an effort to support parents and educators in their work of improving results for all students, the Parent & Educator Partnership is hosting the Parent Leadership Institute. The Institute goal is to equip parent leaders to work collaboratively with their school districts to engage families in meaningful participation. Meaningful participation happens when parents and educators have an understanding of school improvement.

This two-day Institute is designed to provide parent leaders with tools and information necessary to understand school improvement and how to facilitate collaboration between parents and professionals to improve outcomes for students.

Where: Marriott – Bloomington/Normal Hotel & Conference Center
201 Broadway Avenue
Normal, IL 61761

When: April 12, 2010: 10:00 am - 7:30 pm and April 13, 2010: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

The Institute will address the following questions:

- What is the missing piece to the student achievement puzzle?
- What do we want each student to learn?
- How will we know when each student has learned?
- How will we respond when a student experiences difficulty in learning?
- How will parents and professionals work together to improve outcomes for students?

The answers to those questions involve understanding:

- The role of Family involvement in education;
- The Illinois Learning Standards, including Social and Emotional Learning;
- Data to improve student outcomes;
- Response to Intervention;
- Facilitation of Parents and Teachers Talking Together.

Who should attend?

- Parents of school-aged children who are willing to volunteer as a Parent Leader within their school or district in a leadership role.
- LEA representatives who want to develop parent leadership.
- Parent mentors and liaisons.

Parent participant requirements:

- Facilitate collaboration among parents and professionals about how they can work together to improve education.
- Work collaboratively with the local school district to implement a plan for improvement.
- Partner with the Parent & Educator Partnership for two years.

Services provided during the Institute:

All participants will receive a conference binder and meals (lunch and dinner on Monday, and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday).

In addition, Parent Leaders will receive:
o Reimbursement for travel
o 1-night lodging at the Marriott Conference Center
o Parent and Teachers Talking Together Handbook

To learn more about being a parent leader, click on Parent Liaison Program. www.pepartnership.org/pdfs/ParentLiasonProgram.pdf

Two Choices

2010-03-10T07:40:00.000-06:00

Here's one that came my way this morning. I hope you enjoy it.

What would you do?....you make the choice.. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

‘When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball - the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay.'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world.'

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY:

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats its least fortunate amongst them.

Life Skills training needed

2010-03-05T09:19:00.002-06:00

At last evening's Transitional Youth Work Group meeting at the McHenry County Mental Health Board offices, a small group (where was everyone???) discussed the usefulness of a strong life skills training program for youth and young adults in our county.

A "Life Skills 101" is offered through Family Service in McHenry, and it includes budgeting and skill-building for living independently. Mary Lu Seidel discussed the transitional, affordable housing that will be available through CAMHCO.

I questioned whether youth today are learning how to live on their own; i.e., not just to talk about it, but to actually acquire the skills needed to live independently: shopping, budgeting, paying rent and utilities on time, buying food and rationing it through the week, preparing meals and cleaning up, housekeeping, not destroying rental property, etc.

High schools in McHenry County are to offer transition programs for special education students between the ages of 18-21. These programs are to prepare our young adults to make a smooth transition from high school to the next step in their lives, whether it's college, junior college, military, work or whatever.

One such high school program offers an occasional cooking class for its students. Today's menu? Macaroni and cheese. And hot dogs.

So much for teaching the kids to prepare nutritious meals, eh? Now, will somebody please tell me the redeeming educational value is opening a box and dumping contents into boiling water? Or nuking a hot dog?

There are several ways to cook a hot dog. You can boil it. You can slice and fry it. Or you can do it my way. Open the bun, put on the dog, wrap it in a paper towel and stick it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Add mustard and eat.

By the way, I haven't had a hot dog since August. Not that I don't think about having one...

Oh, yes. The clean-up? Throw away the paper towel.

I wonder if they are taught to put very hot soapy water in the mac & cheese pan, so that it can soak while they are eating the mac & cheese. That'll make clean-up very easy.

But where is the instruction for preparing a nutritious, balanced meal?

School starting hours

2010-03-05T08:51:00.002-06:00

How does your kid do first thing in the morning? Is he an early riser, dressed, organized, ready to go, eager to go to school, on the bus on time?

Yes, Virginia, there are children like this. Three of them, I think. None in McHenry County, Ill. - - - just kidding. There might be three; maybe, even four.

In George Will's syndicated column, carried yesterday in the Northwest Herald, he gave "Advice for parents: Lighten up, stop overparenting."

In the fifth column he wrote, "When Edina, Minn., changed its high school start from 7:25 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., math/verbal SAT scores rose substantially."

I recall a Letter to the Editor (of The Woodstock Independent, I believe) by a Woodstock mom, after Woodstock School District 200 changed its start times and made them earlier. This wise mom wrote that she agreed that kids could learn more in longer school days but that they would have to be awake first!

More CelebrateCALM news

2010-03-02T10:44:00.004-06:00

The following is from Kirk Martin's e-newsletter today. Kirk's website is http://www.celebratecalm.com/, where you'll find all sorts of helpful information and online courses.

Kirk and his 16-year-old son, Casey, will be in Elmhurst on Saturday and Oak Park on Monday. Look on this site and on http://www.woodstockadvocate.com/ for more information.

Kirk will be happy to add you to his email distribution list. Just write to him at celebratecalm@yahoo.com and tell him "Gus sent me".

You can forward this article by using the small white envelope at the bottom of this article. Just click on it, fill in your friend's email address, add a note, try to decipher the scrambled code of letters, and hit "Send Email".

You Mean There's Nothing Wrong with Me, Mom?
It is sad what society is doing to our kids. Can you identify with this Mom?

"My son has had difficulties with concentration, social skills and sensory issues since preschool. The reports from school make it seem like he has such a dreadful future-it's so negative and doesn't describe my son. It makes me want to cry."

You are not alone. You love your son, your daughter, you remember the innocent joy they spread as little ones. Then that moment comes-maybe at a birthday party, the first day of pre-school, perhaps midway through grade school-when you realize your child doesn't necessarily fit the mold. He's different. We get scared, even embarrassed, and fear our children won't be successful. Let's teach our kids three truths to break free from dangerous premises.

1) There is nothing inherently wrong with you. Instead of celebrating a child's unique strengths and individuality, our society perpetuates a false premise-that there is something wrong with kids who think differently. This flawed premise leads to a pernicious conclusion-that society must change these children to make them learn like everyone else. That's the message our kids internalize throughout childhood. It leads to devastated confidence, confusion ("I feel okay, but why does everyone treat me like I'm not?") and an endless focus on the negative.

The truth is that while our kids need tools to overcome weaknesses, they are purposefully wired with unique strengths. Do we lament the fact that many compliant kids lack creativity, initiative and imagination, that they often wait to be told what to do?!

This email will break your heart, but it's very common.
"Kirk, my daughter had just gotten suspended...again...driving her home, I'm fuming, embarrassed, wanting to lecture so I put the Kids CDs in...look in the rear view mirror and Katey's iistening... I hear her call out real sweet, "Mom?"...She says, "Does that mean there really isn't anything wrong with me, I have a good brain?" I just about it lost it...pulled over and climbed into the back seat next to Katey...she asked if we could just listen to the rest before we went home...we talked about why she gets in trouble, what she can do differently next time, all the good things...we got home and made a poster of all her good qualities...we filled that poster up and hung it in her room...every morning and night before bed, we pick a quality and talk about it...thank you to you and Casey for this gift to our kids. Katey is on her way."

2) You have advantages and strengths other kids don't have. We spend so much time trying to fix our kids' weaknesses that we have little energy and time left to focus on their strengths. And the truth is that the happiest, most successful people in life have one thing in common: they are using their unique skills and passions to help other people.

So like the Mom above, it's important to identify and actively cultivate our kids' gifts and passions. What do your kids enjoy doing? What are they naturally good at doing? Who do they have an affinity for--younger children, senior citizens, animals, handicapped children?

You know what else our kids have that's unique? Huge hearts. Get your kids involved in a service project, using their talents to help other people, and I guarantee you will see defiance, boredom and negativity fade away. Using a strengths-based approach in the classroom is proven to improve academic and behavioral performance.

3) Society needs you-you have a great future ahead of you. Ironically, the very society that has labeled and devalued these kids desperately needs the unique qualities our kids possess. Who else possesses the energy, creativity, innovation, passion and persistence that lead to breakthroughs in science, the arts and business?

One of the big ah-hah moments on the CDs in when kids hear that the iPod (and just about every innovative product, service, video game, movie and music we enjoy daily) was created by someone whose brain was wired exactly like our kids'. Casey and I spend time talking about finding your purpose...because once kids find their purpose, much of the anxiety and defiance fades away.

When we empower our kids with strategies to overcome issues with concentration, social skills, anxiety, meltdowns and more, they can be wildly successful. Ask your kids how they want to use their talents. Use the workbook on the CD to create a positive action plan with your children--this is the very tool Casey continues to use to chart his path.

CelebrateCALM - this Saturday, Elmhurst

2010-02-28T23:14:00.001-06:00

Kirk Martin and his son, Casey, will present a free program on Saturday, March 6, in Elmhurt. Please see a full description of the program on www.woodstockadvocate.com

Huntley's Special Ed PAC

2010-02-28T13:54:00.003-06:00

The Huntley School Distrcit 158 has a Special Education Parent Advisory Committee that meets monthly. Generally speaking, the group meets on the second Thursday at 6:00PM. Parents have been extremely vocal in their demands for services for their children and for proper allocation of stimulus funds anticipated by the District.

The PAC has a presence on the School District's website. You can view it at www.district158.org/special/Special%20Needs%20Parent%20Network.htm

The group meets from 6:00-7:30PM, which is probably pretty hard on parents with little ones at home who expect a meal about that time but, for whatever reason, that's the time the group meets.

When viewing the webpage recently, this particular sentence (the original is in Red) caught my eye:

(*Note- Our meetings will begin and end promptly as scheduled, allowing staff and community to respect professional and personal commitments. "Please drive safely, everyone.")

When I read that the first time, I felt my stomach muscles tighten. My first reaction was, "What do they (the school staff, who wrote it) really mean? Do they mean, 'Look, you all. We have worked hard all day and we're not going to spend the entire night here."'

Then I thought, "Oh, maybe I'm just being too sensitive (or too critical)", so I did a little checking. The first call I may confirmed my suspicion. That's exactly what is meant. When 7:30PM comes, they are out the door.

I'm all for meetings that start on time and end on time. But this in-your-face announcement came across immediately as disrespectful and impolite.

The same objective (to end a meeting on time) could be accomplished by good time management during the meeting and an agenda that is not too full and which allows adequate time to address the concerns of the parents and the staff. As the meeting approaches the scheduled End time, the evening's moderator could arrange for unfinished business (and there is probably a lot of that) to addressed between meetings or at the next meeting.

Considering the Special Education turnover in D-158, parents probably have many, many questions.

TACA Meeting a success

2010-02-20T23:04:00.003-06:00

This afternoon's TACA support group meeting was the best support group meeting I have ever attended. The local chapter of Talk About Curing Autism met at Home State Bank, Crystal Lake, and there were about 32 parents there, plus the organizers and presenters.

The organizers, Linda Betzold and Sara DiFucci, opened the meeting with announcements about upcoming meetings, information resources for parents, respite offerings and an overnight camp for kids. Then the speakers were introduced. Sonja Hintz, a nurse, and Barry Smeltzer, a phyician's assistant, gave very interesting information about their work with patients diagnosed with autism, and then they answered questions which had been submitted before the meeting. In addition, they answered many questions from the audience.

The chapter operates a lending library, and it also gives parents a free copy of The Families of Autism Journey Guide. One of the local chapter's members says, "It's a 300+ page book that includes everything we wish we had been told when our kids were diagnosed."

Occasional fundraisers are organized so that the support group services are available to families without charge. A website may soon be available for donations to the local chapter; in the meantime, donations can be sent to Linda Betzold or to Sara DeFucci.

What made this support group so positive was the strong interaction between the speakers and the audience and their willing to address fully the questions and topics from the audience.

The speakers were from True Health Medical, 603 Diehl Road, Ste 135, Naperville, IL; phone (630) 995-4242

For information about TACA and the local chapter, contact Linda.Betzold@tacanow.org or Sara.DiFucci@tacanow.org

Also, visit www.tacanow.org/; it's loaded with information for parents. It contains tons of information on diet, biomedical treatments, special education law, dealing with insurance and more.

Future local meetings will be March 20 and April 17.

On February 27 TACA chapters in Wisconsin will hold a conference. Information at http://www.realhelpnowconference.org/

Information about a conference in Baltimore on Aptil 8-11 is available at http://www.defeatautismnow.com/

The AutismOne conference in Rosemont, Ill. will be May 24-30. Information at www.autismone.org/content/world-changes-may

Parent Conference - 3/13/10 at MCC

2010-02-20T15:13:00.002-06:00

Option & Advocacy's 2010 Parent Conference will be held at McHenry County College on Saturday, March 13. Co-sponsors are Family CARE and SEDOM. This conference is specifically designed for parents of children with disabilities/delays from birth through 21 years of age.

Complete details for the conference can be viewed at www.optionsandadvocacy.org/

Cost is $35.00 per participant ($50.00/per couple), and scholarships may be available through the Arc of Illlinois (www.thearcofil.org/document.asp?did=35) and STARNET (www.thecenterweb.org/starnet/fund-fellow.html).

Register and apply early.

Schools - gotta love 'em

2010-02-19T11:15:00.002-06:00

Some days you have to have a lot of love to love schools (or, more correctly, teachers and staff).

I happen to be picky about things being done correctly. To me it is one demonstration that people care, especially in written communications.

I'm thinking right now of a couple of meeting notices that have been mailed to me this school year and also of my stepson's IEP.

First, the notices. Like, today's notice. In today's mail came a Notification of Conference. It used to be that the Special Ed staff would check around to learn if a given date and time would be convenient. I guess those days are gone. What happens now? They just mail out the Notice.

But here's the part of the Notice that gets me. I've been called a lot of things in my life, but today the school district reached a new high. Or low. Over the years I've been called my stepson's father. Or stepfather. Or even ex-step-father. But now? I have finally graduated to "Other."

"Other"? What's that? Even my stepson's mother got the title of "Other" on this notice. And it had to be typed. It wasn't a simple box to be checked.

I think I'll show up at the meeting with my own name badge: "Gus Philpott - Other"

Wait; there's more.

A previous Notification of Conference arrived with my name wrong. Actually, not wrong. Somebody else's name. Ever since 1996, the school district has known me as Gus Philpott. That's Philpott; P-h-i-l-p-o-t-t. Not all that hard. I might even forgive them if they dropped the last -t-.

But on that notice, for the first time ever, the school district put my last name down as my stepson's last name. Apparently, I was the only one who noticed it. At the meeting I waited for someone to acknowledge the error, but it didn't happen.

The pecking order of names on Notices is also important to me, because I "get" the subliminal message that is sent. For a meeting involving a student, it seems to me that the student's name ought to be the first name on the list. Or the second, or maybe the third. Not the last!

Other errors? How about typos and misspelled words? They are different, you know. We all know what typos are. But when a word is misspelled, that's not a typo. Like some examples?

How about quaterly? And Quartelry? Don't you think that at least one person on an IEP Team of 7-10 school employees would notice a typo and call it to the attention of the high-priced person who typed it? Apparently, no one is brave enough.

But the prize word of the year was "upserp". That's not a typo. Here was the sentence. "(Student) will accept the decisions/directions he is given without trying to upserp the hierarchy in a given situation." And it has been that way for over a year. At a meeting last spring a teacher read the sentence. I thought she might just read the correct word ("usurp"), but she hesitated and then read "upserp". And none on the school staff batted an eye.

There must have been $400,000 worth of payroll in that room, and no one said, "What was that word?"

TACA meets 2/20/10 4:30PM

2010-02-19T09:01:00.001-06:00

For information about tomorrow's meeting in Crystal Lake, Ill. hosted by TACA (Talk About Curing Autism), please see the article on www.woodstockadvocate.com

ADHD Roundtable/Gurnee - tonight

2010-02-16T08:01:00.003-06:00

Tonight (Tuesday) at 6:30PM the ADHD Roundtable will sponsor a workshop for those interested in ADHD in Gurnee at the Warren Township Youth and Family Services, 17801 W. Washington St., Gurnee, Ill. (corner of Washington and Almond, enter on Almond).

Attorney and Special Education Law Consultant Maureen Lowry-Fritz, J.D., M.A., will present the program, titled "Understanding the Body of Special Education Law... From Head to Toe" from 6:30PM-8:00PM.

To register for this free program, go to http://wtysroundtable.eventbrite.com/

About tonight's program: "American law is much like the human body. It is an assembly of independent components, each of which 'gives life' to the legal system as a whole. Special education law is no exception. Parents and educators alike must understand how the Constitution, statutes, regulations and case law interrelate to generate what we know as 'special education law.' When all parties understand the sources and roles of the law in special education, they can more effectively and efficiently work together to develop optimal special education programs for children with disabilities."

If you'd like to talk with Maureen Lowry-Fritz about hiring her as a consultant for your child's IEP or other services, she can be reached at 630-222-9735.

Ten Seconds will change your life forever

2010-02-12T15:35:00.002-06:00

Woodstock School District 200 will present "Ten Seconds Will Change Your Life Forever" on Monday, March 22, from 7:00-8:00PM at Woodstock North High School, 3000 Raffel Road.

This program will be a follow-up to a presentation to students by Bobby Petrocelli on today's youth and the decisions they make. Topics of discussion will include substance abuse, dating, bullying and self-worth.

Light refreshments will be served from 6:00-7:00PM.

For more information, visit www.10seconds.org/

D-200 to cut pre-school?

2010-02-09T06:46:00.004-06:00

D-200 will hold an important school board meeting tonight, when it discusses cuts to the pre-school program. State-funding cuts are blamed for the decision to alter the program and change it to a tuition-based program. The school board meets at 7:00PM at Clay Professional Development Center (sorry, but I have to laugh at that name every time), 112 Grove Street, Woodstock.

According to the article this morning in the Northwest Herald, the program is "for at-risk children who are eligible under the state grant guidelines. Specifically, the student are low income and have academic status and family issues. The students often come from the homes of single parents or young parents."

Right.... and these are just the ones who can afford to pay tuition for their pre-school children to enroll in the D200 pre-school. Right?

Helloooooooo......

Cut these services now, and guess what? More problems in the lower grades - in grade school, middle school and high school. And more problems mean higher expenses.

The Verda Dierzen School principal told the NWH reporter, "We definitely will be losing some fabulous staff members." While she didn't say "teachers", is those the "staff members" to whom she is referring?

D200 opened a number of new schools recently, but didn't the student population explosion fail to materialize when the housing bubble burst?

Why not close some of the now-unneeded schools, cut expenses there, and save important programs that prepare the youngest students for a better chance to succeed?

Or does pre-school do that? Maybe pre-school isn't needed for any student. Whatever happened to kids enrolling in kindergarten and starting their education then?

Help me out here, parents and teachers.

Bullying - does it happen?

2010-02-09T06:35:00.002-06:00

Is your child being bullied in school?

I recall visiting my sister and her husband in Atlanta in about 1976. My nephew came home from school and complained of being bullied. I took him out into the backyard and had a little "chat" with him. My advice? The next time the bully attacked him, start swinging. Go in hard and fast and get in a few good licks before he got pounded.

Good advice? Probably not. And today? It would land you in the clink, and the bully would probably not even get taken away. Fair? No.

We can legalize kick-boxing and cage matches, but heaven help the kid who defends himself or finally gets so fed up with the bullying that he reacts, either the same day or after.

Read this week's edition of www.wrightslaw.com about bullying.

There are plenty of books, too, about bullying, including good books by Barbara Coloroso, who travels worldwide to lecture and train teachers and parents how to spot bullying and stop it. The first book written by Barbara that I read was Kids are Worth It: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline.

Her second book was The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: from Pre-school to High School, How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle.

Each is worth reading and owning.

"Gross Insubordination" - what a hammer!

2010-01-28T08:28:00.002-06:00

What is "gross insubordination"? And what is it, when a school throws the charge at a student?

It's a hammer that the big folks at a school can throw at the little folks (the students) and have it sound really ugly to outsiders.

When I hear the term, I think of some outrageous act, a single act, committed by a student against a teacher or staff member. I won't even run down the short list of things that I think might qualify. You can probably name them more quickly than I.

But what if the school keeps track (which they are good at) of a lot of minor things and then totes them up, until the pile reaches the qualifying point for Gross Insubordination.

Let's say a student accumulates many tardy-to-class "points", used his cell phone in school for a phone call or text-message, and some other things. And even though his behavior and on-time attendance have improved, his "points" finally added up to the "Let's get rid of him" line.

Out comes the Gross Insubordination charge, an out-of-school suspension is imposed, an appeals hearing is conducted (shouldn't the first step be a hearing on the charge itself?), and then a further appeal can be made, once the hearing officer gets around to issuing the letter that defines the further appeals option.

This is a one-size-fits-all discipline plan that guarantees failure. In this case, the student was in school. That's where he should be. So, what do they do? Kick him out of school.

Today there have to be rules, regulations, procedures, plans, programs, plans in place. Whether they work or not. Administrators and coordinators think they know how to run things, because they've gone to workshops and in-service trainings and conferences.

What they fail to do is connect with the kid. It's like in the kids' movie, Matilda. "I'm right, you're wrong. I'm big, you're little. I'm smart; you're dumb." (O.K., so I realize it was Matilda's (movie) father who said those words.)

Schools need more teachers like "Miss Honey", Ron Clark and Erin Gruwell.

The Ron Clark Story

2010-01-28T08:22:00.004-06:00

This week I watched the 2006 movie, The Ron Clark Story. It's a must-see movie - a definite "5".

The story is about a white teacher who moved to Harlem and chose the "worst" class in the school. And he turned them around to be the "best" class, when they scored on required tests even higher than the honors' class.

I hadn't heard of his book, The Essential 55, but I'll look for it this week.

Ask your kids' teachers if they have seen this movie or have read this book.

Parent Conference - March 13

2010-01-22T16:40:00.002-06:00

Options & Advocacy for McHenry County, Family CARE, and the Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM) are sponsoring the 5th Bi-Annual GET CONNECTED! Parent Conference on Saturday, March 13th, at McHenry County College.

This conference is specifically designed for the parents of children with special needs from birth through 22 years of age. Getting information, resources and support to those who need it most is an ongoing challenge.

The goal of this conference is to reach out to parents and provide them with the additional support needed to parent a child with special needs. They are planning a great line-up of topics and speakers including behavior, advocacy, financial planning and much more!

Watch for more information closer to March 13.

Discipline without rehabilitation?

2010-01-20T20:40:00.003-06:00

To what extent should a high school continue to discipline a student without attempting to rehabilitate him?

Should teachers and administrators merely impose punishment after punishment, trying to drive the kid out of school?

Or should they look to the core of the problem and determine what is causing the kid to behave or act as he does?

Could there possibly be any actions by staff that are resulting in undesirable behaviors by the student?

Worried about school discipline?

2010-01-14T13:35:00.003-06:00

While searching for a recent NPR program on school discipline, I came across this May 19, 2009, NPR article and audio-recording of the program, entitled "Discipline Methods Endanger Disabled Kids."

Pictured is a 7-year-old girl who died in 2006 while being restrained in a Rice Lake, Wisconsin, day treatment center. The center closed and did not re-open.

Check it out for yourself: www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104277070

Think some schools don't tie autistic children in chairs for up to three hours?

Then read this article about efforts that lawmakers are making to reduce harm to children in schools. www.npr.org/blogs/health/2009/12/lawmakers_seek_halt_to_abuses.html

We turn our children over to schools for many hours a day. When the kids come home and complain that a teacher did this or that, listen carefully to them and then find out. And don't let them blow smoke at you. Get into the school and find out what is really going on!

"All kids succeed when all kids belong"

2010-01-13T12:19:00.003-06:00

What a novel idea!

Norm Kunc, M.Sc., will present a community program on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 7:00PM, at Elm Place School, 2031 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, Ill. (only 37.8 easy, friendly, happy miles ESE of Woodstock).

From the flier promoting this program:

"Balancing Humanity with Excellence in Classrooms and Schools"

"PEOPLE DO THEIR BEST WORK WHEN THEY FEEL VALUED AND WHERE THEY FEEL THEY BELONG."

"In this presentation, Norman Kunc maintains that, although schools may be measured by outcomes and achievement scores, they are fundamentally about people and relationships. Taking the time to build a sense of belonging energizes the school culture that, in turn, inspires people to give 110%. Norman Kunc provides some very simple and workable strategies that teachers, administrators, and parents can use to foster a sense of belonging in their homes, classrooms, and schools.

"Norman Kunc M.Sc. is a lecturer with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a renowned speaker and has delivered keynote addresses on education and belonging throughout the world.

"Born with cerebral palsy. He attended a segregated school until grade 7; then he was integrated into a regular high school and went on to university where he received a masters degree in family therapy. Norman sees himself as a continuing the long held tradition of using humor and narrative to initiate self-reflection and social change."

The flier was received from the North Shore Special Education District.

Looks to me like a great program and worth the drive!!!

Restraints & Seclusion - in IEPs?

2010-01-13T09:07:00.002-06:00

Be sure to read Pete and Pam Wright's e-newsletter this week on the topic of restraints and seclusion in IEPs. Go to www.wrightslaw.com

Their lead paragraph is "To help protect all schoolchildren, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act prohibits the use of restraint and seclusion unless there is an imminent risk of physical injury that less restrictive interventions would not stop."

They urge special attention right away, because the American Association of School Administrators and other organizations are trying to water down the Act. Letters and phone calls from concerned parents of special education students are needed right now.

No one wants a school staff member or other student harmed, if a child (any child) has a meltdown at school and needs to be restrained.

But staff can't "jump the gun" and apply excessive means just because they "think" a meltdown is about to occur.

Read www.wrightslaw.com (you may need to search for "restraint" or "seclusion") and call or write to your elected representative. Tell him or her what you want and what you don't want. Ask how that rep will vote. Don't settle for "s/he will look into it." Ask for a response.

Then check to see how your rep voted, when it was time to vote. And remember that when you vote on November 2.

Parent Mentor presents at NSSED

2010-01-11T10:22:00.003-06:00

Wouldn't it be nice to have something like this in McHenry County?

Parents of children in special education are left mostly to fend for themselves and are generally without peer support. The moms in Huntley have become pro-active, but what's happening in the rest of the County? Zip, nada, nothing; or very little.

Ideally, parents, students and educators would all be on the same page. After all, they are supposed to be working for the benefit of the students. Right? Yes, they are supposed to be.

A program next week will be sponsored by the North Shore Special Education District (NSSED), and I'll trek over to Northfield for the two-hour program on January 19. To save you a trip, I'll write it up after I get back.

How does this program sound to you? Like something like it around here?

"The demands of special needs parents are overwhelming and constant. Because we are often too busy with just the day-to-day needs required of our child, we lose our bearings in navigating the process of raising our special needs child. And that perspective can affect the course of everything – how well we advocate for our child, manage our family life and how we plan for the future. Susan Hans (a parent mentor) will present an interactive session on ways to manage this process – learning to evaluate what is effective advocacy for your child, how you can create new roads toward positive outcomes and how to accomplish both these goals with a fresh perspective."

Parent Conference - 3/13/10

2010-01-09T18:48:00.002-06:00

Save the date - Saturday, March 13, 2010 - for the Parent Conference at MCC, presented by Options and Advocacy for McHenry County, Family CARE, and the Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM).

More details here as the date approaches, but the time will be from 8:30AM until 3:00PM.

Specifically designed for the parents of children with disabilities or delays from birth through 21 years of age.

Watch here for more information and how to get registration materials; or contact Options and Advocacy at 815-477-4720, ext. 234.

Attn. Woodstock D200 Parents

2010-01-03T15:55:00.002-06:00

Do you have a child in the Age 18-21 Transition Program of Woodstock District 200 School District? Or a child in Special Education in Woodstock? Or know someone who does? If so, I'd like to hear from you.

The Age 18-21 Program is for students in special education who have earned their credits for their diploma but who have elected to take a Certificate, in order to remain eligible for special education services until the day before their 22nd birthday.

The program in D200 has three tiers, and the student is supposed to progress through them, becoming more independent as each year passes. The classes are conducted in the morning at McHenry County College. Most of the Transition students are not college students; the classes merely meet at MCC.

One thought is that by meeting at MCC, the students are supposed to begin having the college experience. But is that the case? Do they really just meet at the College for classes? If that's the case, why not meet in a D200 building?

It seems to me that the word "inclusion" does not exist in the vocabulary of the D200 Special Education Department. Special Education students are supposed to be included in mainstream activities. For high school students is this really done, or are they mostly kept isolated from mainstream students?

The Transition students could be integrated into MCC activities by assisting them in enrolling in and being successful in MCC classes and activities. Instead, D200 has chosen a hands-off position. A D200 Transition Program teacher cannot be in contact with the MCC instructor regarding a student's progress.

This needs to change in District 200. But it will only change after all parents of Transition students learn what is really going on and provide input to the D200 Special Education Department.

I would like to see a support group for parents of students in Special Education get established in District 200. I would like for it to parent-led. Most parents of Special Education students have learned a fair amount about IEPs and Special Education laws. We who have slugged through the system for 12 years have tried to get permanent improvements made, so that parents who follow won't have such a hard time. But we wonder whether we have achieved that.

There are over 1,000 Special Education students in District 200. Most are K-12; some are the Transition Program students mentioned above.

Contact Gus Philpott at gusphilpot@aol.com (N.B., one -t- in my AOL email address), so that an email distribution list can be built to inform you of developments. Please forward this to every parent of a special ed student in Woodstock District 200. The list will be used only for this purpose. Thanks!

Celebrate Calm newsletter

2009-12-03T10:46:00.005-06:00

The following newsletter is from Kirk Martin and is posted with permission. Check out www.celebratecalm.com Sign up for free e-newsletters and special offers.

Casey: How Kids Can Have Better Moods & Attitudes
Tonight: Woodbridge, VA (Dec. 3, 2009)
Calm Casey Workshop on Sunday, Dec. 6 (two spaces remain)
Next week: Ashburn, D.C./Georgetown & Sterling

Hope to see new friends in Woodbridge, VA tonight. Two families had to cancel for Sunday's Calm Casey Kids Workshop...so please let us know if you want to attend and we'll send you details.

Click here for the Celebrate Calm Facebook page with events and tips. www.facebook.com/pages/Hendersonville-TN/Celebrate-Calm/157027348528

Casey has been working out with me five days a week and it's made huge improvements in his focus and attitude. Last Friday, he put his sandals and sweatshirt on my workout bag at the gym. When I finished my workout and headed to the car, I grabbed my bag, but left his sandals and sweatshirt in the gym.

We got home and had to shower before heading downtown to help feed the homeless (HUGE SIDE TIP: service projects with your big-hearted kids is a GREAT thing to do). He came into the bedroom-and because of HIS anxiety-demanded that we go back to the gym. It was my fault, of course! Well, I don't do demanding. It's an immediate way to get me to slow down.

So I responded, impulsively, with a smart comment about the fact that he doesn't get to command me to do anything. Naturally, this prompted him to begin ranting. I was smiling while I said it, but I still inflamed the situation.

I realized where this was headed and decided to reset using these steps:
1. I sat down. Practicing a calm posture is my first step in any stressful situation with anyone.

"Kirk, I am a police officer and most of my calls are domestic disturbances. I can't always sit down because of policy and procedure, but when I enter a home, the first thing I ask each of the parties to do is sit down. It immediately lowers the tension, reduces aggression and calms the situation. I've used this with my kids and it has led to some of the greatest talks instead of more fights."
Policeman in Canton, OH

2. I use our pre-established code word that means we need to stop and talk: "chips and salsa." When we began learning to speak calmly to each other, we'd step away, grab some chips and salsa, sit on the deck and talk. Now the phrase is a clue to immediately stop and reset. During the heat of the battle, our kids don't hear much-that's why having verbal (code word) and non-verbal (sitting down) cues are important.

It works much better than each of us raising our voices, trying to outdo each other, trying to get the other to listen to OUR point of view, because, you know, each of us is always right and needs to prove it. (I know you are nodding your head right now).

"Kirk, my son and I used to have all-out wars every evening. He was angry since the divorce and I couldn't believe what I'd hear coming from his mouth and the more I lectured, the worse it got. He just couldn't stop. He was sitting at the table one night with his iPod on while I was fixing dinner and listening to the defiance CDs. I didn't even know he was listening until he blurted out, 'That'll work, Mom. Our code word should be Uno.' He must have thought I was cutting up onions because I started to cry. Since he was a little guy, we had always played Uno together-it was one time when we'd always laugh and have a good time.

But for the past few years, we didn't have many of those moments-it was just yelling and grounding him constantly. Well, the next night, we got into a battle over weekend plans he had made without my consent. In the middle of it, my son gets this funny look on his face and yells, 'UNO!' He went and grabbed the Uno cards and started dealing them at the table. We sat down and while we played, we talked about the weekend plans, apologized to each other and even laughed. You gave us a tool to work through our problems and I can't tell you how wonderful it is to laugh with my son again."

3. I apologized. "Hey, Casey, I'm sorry." Powerful, modeling words from an adult. This can lead to teachable moments.

4. I addressed his concerns/root need, with a specific, concrete solution. The antidote to anxiety (fear of the unknown/Am I going to be late or lose my sweatshirt?) is to provide concrete actions. Denying their frustration or just saying, "It'll be fine" or "We'll take care of it later" doesn't work. Because your kids know you are just saying that to get them to shut up!

"Casey, I know you are anxious because you don't want to be late to see Reggie, Obbie and Daniel (he has gotten to know some of the homeless guys quite well and was going to take his guitar to play with one guy known as The Professor, who ended up giving Casey a lesson!) and you also don't want to lose your sweatshirt. So let's each grab a quick shower, I'll get the food loaded and I promise we'll have time to stop by the gym on the way downtown. Cool?"

With that, his anxiety was relieved. His face, body language and tone changed immediately. "Thanks, Dad. I'll help you load stuff, too."

5. Create a success. When our kids continually have meltdowns, talk back and get in trouble, it creates a debilitating sense of failure inside. They feel like "bad" kids; they feel inferior to siblings and classmates; they begin to shut down or live down to the expectation of failure. That's another reason providing tools is so important--we want our kids to be and feel successful.

When I got into the car and headed downtown with Casey, I was able to compliment him. "Casey, thanks for calming down and helping me out. You did a good job and I appreciate it."

Give your kids powerful, practical tools to make 2010 the year your family changes forever.

Kids are listening to Casey's CD and emailing him questions, which is a great sign. It means they are engaged and taking ownership.

Parent Empowerment Call - Dec. 3

2009-11-28T06:34:00.001-06:00

Here is the information for the next toll-free call-in for parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern. These calls are scheduled about once a month, always with a toll-free number, and they cover various topics on how to advocate for your child. Last month’s topic was about school issues.

The topic for the next Parent Empowerment Call will be "Preparing for your child's psychiatric appointment”, and the speaker will be Myra L. Kamran, MD. A noon call is scheduled and the call-in will also be offered at 7:00PM.

Details for the calls are

Thursday, December 3, 2009
12:00 PM-1:00 PM CST
Toll free: 1-866-233-3852
Participant Access Code: 115788

OR

Thursday, December 3, 2009
7:00 PM-8:00 PM CST
Toll free: 1-866-233-3852
Participant Access Code: 115789

Questions about the Parent Empowerment Calls? Call 618.838.9382

These are educational calls being offered to all parents in Illinois who have a child with an emotional and/or behavioral concern, and will focus on giving parents information they need to advocate for and support their children.

The calls are sponsored by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Services.

"It's all about the kids"

2009-11-24T08:03:00.002-06:00

An area parent forwarded information to me about a website and organization in Chicago that is working hard to change Chicago public schools.

Also included was a Chicago parent's comment. When she hears "It's all about the kids," she said, "I've learned to start turning over rocks whenever I hear that phrase."

Maybe there should have been an exclamation point at the end of her sentence.

Check out http://pureparents.org/index.php?blog/show/Too_poor_a_choice

Just last week I watched The Freedom Writers again. It's based on a true story about a first-year teacher, Erin Gruwell, in Long Beach, California.

Parents need to find these teachers in their school systems and make certain to support them! They are out there.