Apologies in advance to Michele and Nina and Tera and the other educators who read my blog, but wtf?
First, Buttercup is forced into DARE without my permission, then Little Man gets to watch his mother come to blows with his control-freak gym teacher. Thirty years ago, I get hauled into a parent-teacher conference with my mother because I’m too smart to be a compliant fifth grader bending to my crazy old teacher’s will, now this. I am not going to retell the story, I am simply going to reprint the email from me to Buttercup’s special education coordinator. And maybe an educator will stop by the fringe today and answer my original 3-letter question.
Dear Mrs Really Nice and Seemingly Competent Special Ed Lady,
I’m checking in on Buttercup’s school year so far. I think she is
adjusting well to a much larger facility and to the added independence
required of her.She hasn’t really found use for her AlphaSmart. Can you tell me soon
if I should simply return it? I think I have until the end of the week
to get a refund for it.Also, I am very concerned about the atmosphere surrounding Project
Self-Respect, the abstinence-based human sexuality and healthy choices curriculum beginning in Buttercup’s health class next week. I attended the parent meeting on the 17th, and I do not think that proper alternatives are being presented for kids who may want to opt out (or be opted out by their parents). It’s almost as if this is a mandatory course being disguised as voluntary. If I choose to opt out Buttercup, she will be required to learn the lessons of the course on her own in the school library and be tested on the concepts. So, the choices are take it with the class or take it alone. Those are not true alternatives.I do not think Buttercup’s critical thinking skill level will allow her to take full advantage of this class, and I definitely do not think she can be self-taught by reading alone in the library. She will fail any test given to her if it’s not modified according to the suggestions in her IEP.
If I choose to opt her out, I would like an actual alternative. She can attend content mastery for one of her weaker subjects such as math if there is an instructor available. If there is no content mastery available during that time, I will personally take off work and use that time with my daughter to help her catch up on her math or language concepts in the library.
One other concern: Buttercup was told to run laps in gym class today because she “forgot” her permission slip for the abstinence education class. She did not forget it. She and I are still in the decision-making process, and I purposely withheld the permission form until we decide. Buttercup may or may not have told her teacher this, but I completely disagree with punitive laps over a permission slip for a class that is supposedly voluntary. Buttercup did not mind running the laps. She was not complaining to me; she thought it was fun. But do you see my point about how this is being presented? Participate or be
punished. I don’t like that at all.I am sending the permission slip with Buttercup tomorrow. I am giving permission only for the first three lessons (character, self-esteem, puberty). Let me know if content mastery will be available for her during Lessons 4 and 5 (drug and alcohol awareness, sexual abstinence). If not, I will adjust my schedule accordingly and meet her in the school library on those days. Please let her PE teachers know in advance so there will be no punishment or confusion because of this.
I really will appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Your own replies in comments. Don’t make me throw a fit in front of my kids again.
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