The school year begins next Thursday and I must admit that I am dreading it. I am trying to keep an open mind and a good attitude but year after year I deal with the same nonsense. My son now in 8th grade has APD and has made great strides. I send a note to all his teachers at the beginning of the year as an introduction to him along with permission to contact his speech therapist at any time. I also tell them to contact me at any time if there is any problem with his work or missed assignments. My problem? They never do! I will e-mail them if I see something but it frustrates me that its after he has failed a test or there is already a big problem. What can I do? The person administrating his 504 is worthless. Please any advice would be appreciated!
Re: Start of school year
I would email the teachers with specific questions. Then if they don’t respond you have a paper trail of non-responsiveness. I don’t think the open-ended, Please contact me at any time you want to, gets the teachers to respond. Specific questions might work better. “How did my son do on the test yesterday?” “Does my son appear to be listening in class or is he daydreaming?” or whatver.
Re: Start of school year
What about a brief weekly report that is emailed to you each Friday. Assignments turned in? Paying attention in class? Test score? Also, many middle school teachers have gone to computerized grade sheets that can print out a student’s performance very quickly. If his teachers keep their grade book on the computer can they send you a weekly report?
Re: Start of school year
My LD school is big on children keeping a homework assignment notebook. I’d meet with each teacher, come up with a homework assignment sheet, make him fill it out for each class. I’d then keep track of whether or not he is completing his assignments by checking his sheet. I’d certainly keep on top of him and not let it get to where the first contact from the teachers is when he is already behind.
Suzi
How about setting up a personal meeting with each teacher?