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Schmitt Principal Argues with Parent about her Child: "fears sending him back next week"

Source: Posted: 11.Aug, 2012 09:17:00 | Last Accessed: 2013-05-25 11:04:19 |

9 Comments Article Rating:0 | Read: 2413 | New today: 2 | Mobile Version

Photo by Rickey Berkey used without permission :)

For the second time this week a parent is fearful of sending their child back to school, a school whose vision says "Schmitt Elementary prepares students for success by being respectful and responsible."

This is a letter I sent to my sons teacher. He attends Schmitt. With all that has happened in just the first week, I fear sending him back for the second.

I called and left you a VM yesterday afternoon but have not heard back from you so thought I would try this avenue.

I did not allow Ash to go to school today until I got my concern worked out. Yesterday when I picked him up it took a bit longer than normal. Finally a younger gentleman walked him out and from 5 feet away from my vehicle starting going on about how I have to make prior arrangements to pick him up because he is a walker. I replied, no..he is a car rider. The gentleman said Ma'am he is a walker. Its in the system. He was set to walk home today.

I then told him that I have picked Ash up every day and on the first day of school, he wore a sticker that said his name and that he was a car rider. All the while Ash is having a meltdown about being a walker due to all of the confusion. Confusion that an autistic child that had to go through 6 months of therapy to be ok with school should not have to experience.

Not to mention,..."He was set to walk home today"...Not only is he only 6, but he is autistic, and he was set to walk home!?!? Dont even get me started on the fact that they tried to put the wrong child in my car on the first day of school. If he had been allowed to leave with someone, walking, the outcome could have been catastrophic.

So, I call the school today to express my concern, figure out what to do and see if the mistake has been fixed, just to find out the gentleman who argued with me about my son,....IS THE PRINCIPAL!

I am so completely up in arms and overwhelmed I do not even know what to do or what to say. Any ideas?

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Comments (9 posted)

Sim 11/08/2012 10:41:00

Obviously, your child requires a school more suitable for his condition. Public school is not for autistic children.

Common sense police 11/08/2012 16:06:05

This child's parents pay the same property taxes for their child to go to school as everyone else. The law states that the school must address this situation and make appropriate accomodations.

jennifer 11/08/2012 12:35:46

Why should an autistic child be singled out?? They deserve schooling too. As a mother of a 9yr old autistic child this is very disappointing to see..have u ever dealt with a child with autism? Probably not..yes autistic children have their moments i agree but they are not stupid by far.. when my child was in 2nd grade he was at a 5th grade math level and 4th grade reading level...is my child stupid?? No he is not..autistic children have a different way of coping with different issues and they need a routine and if they have something unexpected pop up then it causes problems as parents we have rights to send our children to public schools and shouldnt have to worry about some rude ass ppl saying kids with autism shouldnt be there ..i sure hope u never have to deal with a child with autism cause u dont deserve to know what its like to have a child that is very special=) i know how this mother feel this pos school has singled out my child several times cause they dont wanna deal with him...u know what even though he was sent home was kinda glad so i knew my child was safe=) TO THE POSTER: i wouldnt make calls go into the school and find out cause this school dont like to take care of problems at all good luck to ya

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moorem 11/08/2012 12:45:35

Really Sim??????? Public schools should and are able to take care of autistic students. It is quite appalling to me that you would suggest the problem is the child or their condition, not the complete disregard this school obviously has for a students welfare!

I am pretty sure a parent knows whether the child is to be picked up or if they walk, certainly better than any "system". I am also certain any one with any shred of common sense would not let an autistic child walk from school by themselves.

There are all kinds of children that attend public schools and they should be able to..so put the fault where it belongs..obviously with the principle!

-8

Sim 11/08/2012 14:25:04

No, no, no....you've misunderstood me.
I NEVER said anything about autistic people being stupid, or them not being fit for public school, or not having the right to go to public schools.
And moorem, I DID NOT SUGGEST THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE CHILD OR THEIR CONDITION!!!!!! How in the Hell did you get that from my comment???!!! It is appalling to me that you do not understand plain English. Do not put words in my mouth. (BTW, it's principal, not principle.)
Autism HAS touched my family, so I speak from personal experience.
IMO public schools are not good enough for autistic children. There are alternatives for the proper education of autistic children. Public schools can be bad for autistic children, and this is a classic case.
Autistic children deserve, and have the right to, a proper education...ABSOLUTELY!
I don't believe our public school system has a staff that is well qualified for the care, needs, and education of autistic students. Also, other children have always tended to single out 'different' fellow students to use as targets, for lack of a better word. Teachers, qualified or not, cannot watch every student, every minute.
Autistic children need an educational environment where such things as this particular story dictates, do not happen.

Again, public school is not for autistic children......now read this part carefully >>> b e c a u s e - THEY DESERVE BETTER.
The previous two commenters are the rude ones, for taking two short sentences and twisting them around into something completely off track from what was said.

lol 11/08/2012 18:19:30

The child was listed as a walker, whether accurate or not, to protect the child... so that the kid doesn't hop into a car and get abducted right in front of the school. Any system has errors and having no system at all is full of errors. Over reaction...settle down. I understand your concerned about your kid but it seems that you think everybody in the world is either incompetent or downright evil and you are not going to get the results you are asking for by raising a large stink about a small problem. Now every teacher is going to be aware that anytime you are less than thrilled with their performance you are going to write letters make phone calls and badmouth them on the internet. Working to resolve a problem does not include giving a one sided judgement of the other party involved on the internet. Makes you appear to enjoy and search for drama.

TruthBeTold 12/08/2012 14:55:37

I too have children that attend Schmitt Elementary and I'm MORE THAN PLEASED with the administration and staff.

It is the parents (your) responsibility to check with the office to find out how your child is listed to go home. Those lists are generated by your address. Therefore, if your child is listed as a walker, it is because your address falls within walking distance guidelines.

Should you choose to have your child arrive home in another fashion, it's YOUR responsibility to arrange that PRIOR to picking your child up.

There are 800 students dismissing from that school. If every parent waited until dismissal to alter arrangements for transporation it would be chaos.

If you want your child to be a car rider at Schmitt, you fill out the vital "car rider" document. School officials know the importance of your child's safety. Take responsibility for your child and don't cast stones at others when they have your child's well being in mind.

Hats off to the Principal for making sure he personally spoke with you about your child's safety and correct procedure for picking up your child.

Brick Layer 12/08/2012 22:07:59

You just found out the "SYSTEM" does not apply to people with disabilities as it does average students. Advocate the needs of your child directly to those you leave them in charge of. Don't just put a sticker on the child, drop them off, and leave. Go in and personally direct these people until you're satisfied needs are met. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) prohibits the segregation of an individual on a case by case basis. The case you make according to his/her needs.

The school system should have developed a means to avoid this. When registering a child with a disability for school, if there are needs to be met due to any disability it should be documented then and there, with changes only made by personal contact from their guardian/guardians. What we have here seems to be a failure to communicate and disseminate pertinent information. Evidently no one was aware you don't let an autistic child walk if not feasible.

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Concerned and informed 12/08/2012 22:27:10

Parents make the arrangements for their children's dismissal and specify to the school what their mode of transportation will be at the end of the day. Often, problems are generated by the parents who do not give notice to the school that their specified mode of transportation has changed. Give them a call, or go inside and speak to the staff so that they can make the appropriate arrangements and guide the child to where they should be. You can't just show up at a school and expect the school to have read your mind.

Btw, Schmitt is a stellar school.

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