Parental Involvement

   In schools today, what do you think one of the things some school officials would say is missing?  Parental Involvement!  Why do you think that is the case?  It is almost guaranteed that you will hear similar reasons no matter what school or community.  Reasons like, "We just can't get our parents out to support the children"  "Our parents aren't interested in things like this" and many other reasons.  Parents even give reason for their lack of involvement.  "I have to work"  "The teachers (other school officials) don't listen", and so many other reasons.  

     What about the parents that are committed?  The parents that are willing to help whenever and however they are needed?  Some are often overlooked, viewed as an outcast or trouble maker.  That has been my personal experience!   

     Speaking of my experience(s).  Time and time again and day after day, when Kerstin has been well and able to go to school, I have and will continue to be at her side.  Yet, somehow, when this mom brings up accessibility, special education, ideas or suggestions, I am considered an enemy! 

     After all, shouldn't advocacy and parental involvement go hand in hand?  When there is parental involvement, the parent(S) are not only involved, they also advocate for their child and others.  They want what is best for the child's education.  They want to make certain that the child is in an environment that is conducive to learning.  They want to ensure that the educators are qualified and knowledgeable.

     Schools/officials should want parents to know what is going on in the schools as well as with the board/district, right?  Maybe not!  With this parental involvement, parents should be able to voice their opinions, not just hold classes, make copies and sign in to meetings so that the schools look better.  Parents be engaged!  Be involved.  When parental involvement is sought, be supportive of what you get and build a relationship!

     Parental involvement=Advocacy!

     


     

"The newsletters came in today!!"

     That was the title of an email I received from our parent consultant on last Monday!  This is the same lady that called me earlier this year and told me that I needed to write an article for the CRS Parent Connection newsletter.  At first I had told her that I wouldn't know what to write, she informed me that she had been reading this very blog!  I couldn't deny that I was in fact, attempting to write!

     Took me a few days, wondering what to write about.  I thought about the audience...Parents, like me, dealing with similar issues, raising our children while trying to maintain our own personal lives and our sanity!  What did I want these parent to hear from someone that may be on a comparable journey?  I thought about Kerstin and how she has and still endures so much on a daily basis.  I knew that there were parents out there that would see this newsletter and they know that their child is loved and gives them the strength they need!

     "You make it look easy!"  That title came to me and I knew I had to go with it.  I have been told countless times, that I make things look easy when it comes to caring for Kerstin.  It only seems that way because I have to do them.  I have to care for her.  I have to be her voice, her legs, her caretaker, her comforter but most importantly, I have to be her sometimes sane MOM.

     I hope to submit another article sometime in the future.  That one was written as encouragement to other parents and to push myself out of a comfort zone.  I am published in a paper that will be read read by parents across the state of Alabama and possibly beyond.  We are on a journey, growing each day, hence, "Growing With Kerstin".  

     If you want a copy of this newsletter, please inbox me on Facebook-Growing With Kerstin.  To get future copies please send your name and address to:

Susan Colburn

Children's Rehabilitation Services

602 S. Lawrence St.

Montgomery, AL 36104

     

What is Self-Contained? How would you handle it?

     I often wonder how many parents actually give that a thought.  How many whose child(ren) have special educational or healthcare needs actually know what a "self-contained" classroom is all about.  Oftentimes, these classes are called "special classes", the "special ed[ucation] class".  At the same time they are looked upon negatively. 

     In my research and coursework, I recently read something that made me think about Kerstin's school.  "Many of the students who were in special education were often isolated in the least desirable locations within the schools" (Losen and Orfield, 2002).  Previous posts and letters submitted to the local paper can attest to this being a sad reality in my daughter's school. 

     Special education classrooms or the self-contained classrooms are defined as: 

 Self contained classrooms are classrooms specifically designated for children with disabilities. Self contained programs are usually indicated for children with more serious disabilities who may not be able to participate in general education programs at all. These disabilities include autism, emotional disturbances, severe intellectual disabilities, multiple handicaps and children with serious or fragile medical conditions.


These classrooms are NOT designated to be an afterthought, a catch all storage area, a place to put students because they have behavioral issues.  There are areas for all of those.  They are called an actual part of the school environment, a storage closet and the behavioral management classroom.  If that type of class is not available, maybe one should be invested in.  


     While wondering what other parents knew and thought of the self-contained classrooms, I also wondered what would happen if others, particularly the decision-makers had to spend a day in these classroom that are placed in the "less desirable parts of the schools?  Can you imagine that?  I cannot count the times I've pictured the special education coordinator especially and maybe even other school board and leaders, having to use a wheelchair and not being able to get out of the chair unless it was the for purpose of using the restroom.  How would you handle it?

     How would you handle an entire school day in a wheelchair with no other seating option in the "self-contained" classroom?  Bean bag flattened and no longer supportive for a child with little to no trunk control.  How would you handle being segregated from your peers and not interacting with others that do not have a disability or special educational need?  

     I don't think that would be a comfortable feeling!  I'll say it again, my daughter does NOT live a self-contained life and she will not attend school and on a daily basis be expected to do so there.  

     Please do not misunderstand me on this.  The classrooms are needed!  They need to be an environment that is conducive to learning and tailored to assist with the needs of the students that they are there for.  Not an afterthought!


More to come...