Friday

[kim22]

cagoldi My student’s IEP meetings are continuing as planned by video conference as ordered by the NJ department of Education. I have had several already. My challenge is most of mine need translators and we use a phone translation service and the parents have been on the phone, not the video so it’s chaos but we are getting them done.

[cagoldi]

Apr 17, 2020 12:14:08 GMT -6 kim22 said:

cagoldi My student’s IEP meetings are continuing as planned by video conference as ordered by the NJ department of Education. I have had several already. My challenge is most of mine need translators and we use a phone translation service and the parents have been on the phone, not the video so it’s chaos but we are getting them done.

Thank you. I guess I will be on the lookout for something from his Special Ed teacher then.

[lfig]

Apr 17, 2020 11:45:55 GMT -6 cagoldi said:

lfig do you know anything about upcoming IEPs? I realize this will be state and county dependent but curious if you’re getting communication on that front?

We were supposed to have ours next month. Obviously they can’t update his goals without establishing he’s meeting them.

Conveniently, the link to our CA Special Education website is down.😡

Ours annual IEP review isn’t until September. So surely to goodness things will be back to normal then. In your case I would think, although not ideal, it could be done via zoom or something. Although a formal review evaluation on where he is at won’t be able to be completed. I could see them basing decisions off of where he was at last observation weather to continue working on a goal or updating it.

This whole thing is crazy, and everyone is losing out in their own ways. And I get and support why we are doing what we are (canceling schools, staying home). But it just seems like our kiddos with special needs are really going to take a hit. I think no one was prepared for this kinda thing. So there were no plans in place on how to continue to provide for the kids. I just hope that it has been eye opening and a learning experience for schools in figuring out how to be able to continue providing services for the higher needs kids. So that maybe in the future if we find ourselves in a predicament like this again (hopefully not though!) the outcome will be better.

But not just in the SpEd world I am worried about. I worry and feel for the kids who don’t have a good home life, who don’t have family support, financial support, food on the table. My heart breaks thinking about those kids who need that extra love and support from their teachers and staff because their home life is not pleasant.

[inthekitty]

Apr 17, 2020 11:41:21 GMT -6 guster said:

Apr 17, 2020 11:39:31 GMT -6 inthekitty said:

The girls just had their first Google Meets with their teachers and a few classmates. They were beaming. It was nice.

Both of my kids have had one each and they’ll have left the meeting super excited, but as a parent I found very chaotic.
The very best thing I saw was the director of Charlie’s preschool sending out a video where she sang one of the songs they often sing. That was so nice to watch (even add nauseum) because there weren’t an additional 10 voices

This meeting for Cass was individual with her teacher. Maddie's teacher was smart and broke it down with groups of 4 or 5 students. Today was just them getting familiar with it and figuring out how it works (mics off, talk one at a time). Next week they'll have a book club meeting.

[lfig]

Apr 17, 2020 12:15:02 GMT -6 cagoldi said:

Apr 17, 2020 12:14:08 GMT -6 kim22 said:

cagoldi My student’s IEP meetings are continuing as planned by video conference as ordered by the NJ department of Education. I have had several already. My challenge is most of mine need translators and we use a phone translation service and the parents have been on the phone, not the video so it’s chaos but we are getting them done.

Thank you. I guess I will be on the lookout for something from his Special Ed teacher then.

I would almost reach out with a “hey, what’s the plan” kind of email...just in case. Every school is different and I love that Kim’s school seems to be on top of it! But you never know, and I don’t like waiting till the last minute. You don’t wanna “fall through the cracks”. Although right now it feels more like a deep ravine than a crack. 😂

[tallb]

Just had a parent meeting with the baby's teachers and they wanted to remind us that they have 3 zoom sessions a day. And that we should upload pictures for them for their parent teacher conferences. Lolz. I told them I have a job, two other kids, and no childcare, so I will continue to try to call in once a day...if I can.

Meanwhile N's school isn't charging us, the teachers actually mailed care packages that had prob 25 printed pictures of her from school, a nice note, and some treasures (Dried flowers, seeds). And created a website with activities for us to do if we want.

And we also have virtual aftercare now for j and even little league started something..cannot keep up!

[klong11]

Cadence's teacher allows them all to say hello to each other then mutes them all until it is their turn to speak. Then at the very end she unmutes them all to say their goodbyes. It's very organized. She always has a lesson and then they each get to do a show and tell or a tell me something good piece.

[kim22]

cagoldi X is not getting virtual therapy through the regular therapists he would be working with in school? Although it is not ideal, all my students have that. My friend’s son get 30 minutes each per day speech, OT, and PT every single day. He’s 14 but nonverbal diagnosed Downs and on the spectrum. She said it’s not going great because she and her H are both working from home and they have 2 other kids but the school is still required to provide it.

[kim22]

Apr 17, 2020 12:34:13 GMT -6 klong11 said:

Cadence's teacher allows them all to say hello to each other then mutes them all until it is their turn to speak. Then at the very end she unmutes them all to say their goodbyes. It's very organized. She always has a lesson and then they each get to do a show and tell or a tell me something good piece.

This is what T has, twice a week.

[guster]

As of now, the schools don’t have any plans to change the way they’ve been giving instructions (and I really hope they stay with that because we’ve been in a very nice groove) so I hope that if they do another social gathering on Zoom it is organized like tour classes have been!

[flamingo]

Apr 17, 2020 12:23:06 GMT -6 tallb said:

Just had a parent meeting with the baby's teachers and they wanted to remind us that they have 3 zoom sessions a day. And that we should upload pictures for them for their parent teacher conferences. Lolz. I told them I have a job, two other kids, and no childcare, so I will continue to try to call in once a day...if I can.

Meanwhile N's school isn't charging us, the teachers actually mailed care packages that had prob 25 printed pictures of her from school, a nice note, and some treasures (Dried flowers, seeds). And created a website with activities for us to do if we want.

And we also have virtual aftercare now for j and even little league started something..cannot keep up!

Lol no to K’s three meetings a day...is that someone’s idea of a joke??

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor...

[guster]

I read that twice, tallb, bc I thought it might be J. That’s crazy!!

[cagoldi]

Apr 17, 2020 12:39:18 GMT -6 kim22 said:

cagoldi X is not getting virtual therapy through the regular therapists he would be working with in school? Although it is not ideal, all my students have that. My friend’s son get 30 minutes each per day speech, OT, and PT every single day. He’s 14 but nonverbal diagnosed Downs and on the spectrum. She said it’s not going great because she and her H are both working from home and they have 2 other kids but the school is still required to provide it.

No, his ST and OT both went on leave because they have their own small kids at home now. Maybe they’ll return but by that time it’s summer and I can’t Imagine they increase frequency? Not really sure.

So far all we have is a 25 minute ZOOM OT session once a week.

It’s tough for everyone in different ways, I definitely get that. But because he has motor planning problems the activities that let him take advantage of the OT gym, adapted PE, and the park playground were so awesome for him. I saw such a dramatic improvement when he was able to climb and swing most days. We can only do so much with no yard.

Fine motor is much easier, I set up at least a few targeted activities for that each week.

Tim is looking at plans to build a small rock climbing wall for the boys bedroom, so I hope that helps a little.

[peachsmama]

Apr 17, 2020 12:34:13 GMT -6 klong11 said:

Cadence's teacher allows them all to say hello to each other then mutes them all until it is their turn to speak. Then at the very end she unmutes them all to say their goodbyes. It's very organized. She always has a lesson and then they each get to do a show and tell or a tell me something good piece.

Same. And its only once a week.

[kim22]

cagoldi’s post about climbing reminded me of Pipeworks. Did anyone else have them as a kid? They were the best toy ever. It was a whole lot of different size plastic tubes with connectors and even wheels. There were pages of directions for building things like slides, ride on toys, monkey bars. My sisters and I spent hours playing with those things. I wish I had them for the kids right now.

[jewels]

Apr 17, 2020 10:01:38 GMT -6 klong11 said:

I became a shipt member this past week ($15/month, but I'll cancel once this is all over) and it has given me time slots within just a few days. We had a target order come yesterday morning and tonight will be an HEB order for all the things I forgot on the target order. The driver texts you if things are out or if there is a possible substitute. Then ding ding ditches it at your front door. It's great!

+1 to this.  As others have said, I am in the hub of where it is awful.  I haven't stepped foot inside a store since March 13.  I did 1 Instacart order but then had difficultiy getting time slots.  I've been doing shipt ever since and it's pretty good.  It might take 2 or 3 days to get a delivery but then I can keep adding, etc.

We've been, on average, getting about 75% of what we need, as long as we are ok for substitutions, but usually we are fine.  We've been filling in the other stuff with a local small grocery nearby that does curbside for produce and the local butcher for meats.

[inthekitty]

Apr 17, 2020 13:57:58 GMT -6 kim22 said:

cagoldi ’s post about climbing reminded me of Pipeworks. Did anyone else have them as a kid? They were the best toy ever. It was a whole lot of different size plastic tubes with connectors and even wheels. There were pages of directions for building things like slides, ride on toys, monkey bars. My sisters and I spent hours playing with those things. I wish I had them for the kids right now.

I did not have these, but they still exist. I get ads for them on FB all the time. This might be a good option for movement exercises cagoldi. 

[inthekitty]

Apr 17, 2020 13:35:57 GMT -6 guster said:

I read that twice, tallb , bc I thought it might be J. That’s crazy!!

Yeah, this kind of nonsense is just crazy. Once again, I get it, the teachers have to do something, but this is OTT.

[lahdeedah]

I’m sorry. cagoldi I hope they try to fill those positions to get the kids in his shoes the therapy they need.

[lahdeedah]

So the refrigerator has a hole in it. Where the ice chunk was on the outside of the back, it was all rusty and the guy says that it’s from a hole- maybe caused by a burst pipe, and there is humidity and heat getting in and keeping it from getting cool. He told us how to patch it if we want for the easy fix that may work for a few months or longer. So we will do that for now and I’ll start my research so I can be on the lookout for decent prices in the next few months.

[peachsmama]

Apr 17, 2020 14:41:26 GMT -6 lahdeedah said:

So the refrigerator has a hole in it. Where the ice chunk was on the outside of the back, it was all rusty and the guy says that it’s from a hole- maybe caused by a burst pipe, and there is humidity and heat getting in and keeping it from getting cool. He told us how to patch it if we want for the easy fix that may work for a few months or longer. So we will do that for now and I’ll start my research so I can be on the lookout for decent prices in the next few months.

Memorial day, 4th of July, and labor day there are always sales.

[tgrimes]

lahdeedah That sucks, I'm sorry.

[tgrimes]

I've received a phone call to set up a time and an email to sign paperwork for H's ST sessions. We haven't had one yet though. When I asked about it they said they weren't sure when they'd begin.

I don't have high hopes for these virtual sessions though.

[tgrimes]

Apr 17, 2020 12:34:13 GMT -6 klong11 said:

Cadence's teacher allows them all to say hello to each other then mutes them all until it is their turn to speak. Then at the very end she unmutes them all to say their goodbyes. It's very organized. She always has a lesson and then they each get to do a show and tell or a tell me something good piece.

That's what we do, as well.  She links pre-recorded videos daily with the lessons, but once a week they have live lessons.

[peachsmama]

I'm snacking on the couch and watching Say Yes to the Dress while A and all 3 kids play Legos. They give Mallory the big ones to hold. I can't wait to go dress shopping for my soon to be sil.

[lahdeedah]

Apr 17, 2020 14:50:19 GMT -6 peachsmama said:

Apr 17, 2020 14:41:26 GMT -6 lahdeedah said:

So the refrigerator has a hole in it. Where the ice chunk was on the outside of the back, it was all rusty and the guy says that it’s from a hole- maybe caused by a burst pipe, and there is humidity and heat getting in and keeping it from getting cool. He told us how to patch it if we want for the easy fix that may work for a few months or longer. So we will do that for now and I’ll start my research so I can be on the lookout for decent prices in the next few months.

Memorial day, 4th of July, and labor day there are always sales.

Yep. I’ll be on the lookout.

[flamingo]

Apr 17, 2020 12:34:13 GMT -6 klong11 said:

Cadence's teacher allows them all to say hello to each other then mutes them all until it is their turn to speak. Then at the very end she unmutes them all to say their goodbyes. It's very organized. She always has a lesson and then they each get to do a show and tell or a tell me something good piece.

Same. B's teacher runs a tight ship in the classroom and on zoom as well, lol. 

[flamingo]

I've been inside taking a breather and DH came in to say B's best buddy and his family had come by on bikes. It was the first time the boys have seen eachother since mid-March. Their kids stayed in the street and our two were in the yard but they got to chat, etc. So sweet and kind of heart-breaking at the same time.

B is on cloud 9 <3

[joelies]

Awww that's sweet flamingo. And also sad - I hate how this is robbing our kids of normal social interaction.

[jewels]

Apr 17, 2020 12:34:13 GMT -6 klong11 said:

Cadence's teacher allows them all to say hello to each other then mutes them all until it is their turn to speak. Then at the very end she unmutes them all to say their goodbyes. It's very organized. She always has a lesson and then they each get to do a show and tell or a tell me something good piece.

exact same except she has the kids mute and unmute.  the first few days it was a nightmare of confusion but now they've all gotten the hang of it. 

I have a lot of friends who are unhappy with how things are going but I actually think the school did a pretty good job and I think I'm fairly happy with how his teachers/school is doing things.  The principal had video meeting today with all the K classes today and answered questions and was very open about the fact that he understands everyone is in a different spot and the school will work hard, whenever it re-opens, to catch everyone up and not to stress too much if your schedule doesn't allow you to complete everything with your kid.  Mostly just make sure they are reading every day, and if they complete the other assignments, great.