tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post5406658886771965794..comments2023-08-09T00:33:42.828-07:00Comments on Floor Pie: Star Belly Schools RevisitedFloor Piehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06533240227865369012noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post-80674352212520519692012-03-30T10:11:04.381-07:002012-03-30T10:11:04.381-07:00ivenr ristsdsThank you for fighting the good fight...ivenr ristsdsThank you for fighting the good fight. My "Asperger-y" daughter (IEP, but no diagnosis as of yet) was actively discouraged by the principal from attending a school that sounds a lot like the first one you went to. We were lucky enough to get to attend school near us that has a Very Special Program but also once had old-school inclusion. She's doing well there, by and large, but she's experiencing some of the 'girl' version of bullying (by her 'friends') and I'm having trouble getting anyone to take it seriously. She won't act out, because she internalizes everything, but then she can't sleep and has stomachaches. I am tired, and rambling. But I think your analysis of the immersion schools is spot on. Thank you.monkeypuzzledhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13608058123538040521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post-6223055806632920822012-03-24T11:41:59.125-07:002012-03-24T11:41:59.125-07:00Thanks for sharing. I have two children who suffe...Thanks for sharing. I have two children who suffer from brain disorders (mental illness) -- not the same as "the Boy's" but every time I read of a parent who is willing to be such an advocate it gives me strength on the days that I am overwhelmed myself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post-85294963818288401412012-02-20T09:00:42.678-08:002012-02-20T09:00:42.678-08:00Thanks for your input, LFM. I'd be a little di...Thanks for your input, LFM. I'd be a little disappointed if Hamilton boots us out in favor of immersion, but from what I understand, they're SO overcrowded over there it would almost be a blessing in disguise. I wonder where they'd stick us? Lincoln's pretty close...Floor Piehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06533240227865369012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post-67120244898670945412012-02-20T08:44:48.107-08:002012-02-20T08:44:48.107-08:00Taking off my "blogger hat" from the not...Taking off my "blogger hat" from the not-so-friendly neighborhood blog so I can assure you that our "too urban" school will NEVER become an immersion school. This is something Ms. Awesome Principal has declared.<br /><br />My biggest fear is having Hamilton become an all-immersion school so that we won't be able to attend. It's already reaching capacity, and which school would be able to accomodate the overcrowded "VSIS" + the new neighborhood school + our funky, urban school + Pokey Oaks over in Frellard? None of them. This is why John Marshall on Ravenna is being re-instated. <br /><br />I'm not saying it's a done deal, nor am I saying it's even on the table for discussion. Just sharing my concerns. It's already known as an International Middle School, so wouldn't that be the logical choice for an all-immersion feeder pattern? <br /><br />Being shut out of our neighborhood middle school would truly suck, but that fear gives me a little more compassion for the folks who thought they'd be sending their kids to VSIS. I love our urban, funky school and wouldn't trade it for the world, and we'll go wherever we have to, but it would still be crappy to have to bus our kids across town to another middle school when we live right across the street from one.LeFemmeMonkitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01476943662697213985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post-68644204632650556572012-02-02T14:41:51.689-08:002012-02-02T14:41:51.689-08:00Lara, my bias is based on special ed families I kn...Lara, my bias is based on special ed families I know who had to leave your school or couldn't attend it in the first place (as well as my own experience at a similarly popular school, detailed above). I'm not going to name them. <br /><br />People who are actually on the receiving end of this stuff often feel that they can't speak up, because of shame or reprecussions. Or because they don't want to be labeled "angry" or "bitter" or whatever. We've been made to feel we don't count and we should just shut up. And I won't.<br /><br />Surely my lonely little voice on my obscure little blog won't do the least bit of damage to those incredibly popular immersion programs. But if I say nothing, an immersion program could potentially do a LOT of damage to the work I have done to find a school that works for my child. Sorry if that hurts people's feelings.Floor Piehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06533240227865369012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post-16753796999566742552012-02-01T10:58:14.391-08:002012-02-01T10:58:14.391-08:00As a parent of two "neuro-typical" kids ...As a parent of two "neuro-typical" kids I know that I have no idea how hard you have had to fight for your son's right to an education. I have followed your journey on this blog and am so happy that you have found a school where he is thriving. I also agree that we do not need more language immersion schools in this area. We need a variety of great schools to meet the needs of diverse students and styles of learning. Having said that, as a parent at VSIS (Very Special International School) as you call it, I would argue that our school DOES do a good job of working with families and being inclusive. I have heard comments from a number of parents at our school that the staff and administration work very hard to meet the special needs of individual students and that families have been overwhelmed by the amount of support that they have received from our school. I know there are stories on both sides. There always are, but you seem to have a bias against JSIS not based on any personal experience and that doesn't seem entirely fair to me.lara simmonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02993584916640656415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post-14511015101679281762012-01-30T10:03:44.166-08:002012-01-30T10:03:44.166-08:00I can't wait for my kid to start at your "...I can't wait for my kid to start at your "too urban" "not the neighborhood feel" school. And I'm always always happy to write a letter. Keep me posted, and I'll try to keep a better eye on our not-so-friendly neighborhood blog.kommishonerjennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01682930048734070427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post-14944681554598095742012-01-30T05:47:05.831-08:002012-01-30T05:47:05.831-08:00This should be required reading for all parents of...This should be required reading for all parents of school-aged kids and anyone even THINKING about being on a school board.Beth Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14833301541727665055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1265409432324418001.post-12255923094917861782012-01-29T23:20:40.386-08:002012-01-29T23:20:40.386-08:00Thank you. Some of us are indeed tired. But silen...Thank you. Some of us are indeed tired. But silence will get us nowhere, right where the district wants us.Hippy Goodwifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14889270671148155062noreply@blogger.com