We met the band director at Schuyler's new middle school, and it went pretty well. She didn't roll her eyes at us, she seemed genuinely interested in learning more about Schuyler and was very willing to set up a meeting with us. It was a very promising start. This band thing has the potential to really make a difference in Schuyler's life, so we are taking it very seriously. We were looking forward to attending the demonstration concert with Schuyler and her class this week until we received a note from the elementary school music teacher who is organizing Schuyler's school's part of this trip. In the middle of the note (sent home to everyone, I should add, not just us), it said simply "Due to limited space, parents are not invited to attend."
I'm not sure if it was the way the note was worded or our past experience with previous schools where parents weren't encouraged to attend classroom events. But something about that note made us dig in our heels a bit. And when I wrote to the teacher and explained why we felt it was important and appropriate for us to be there, her reply demonstrated a certain amount of dug in heels as well. The field trip is on Wednesday; perhaps I will have stories to share with you then. We are planning to attend and have informed the school of this. So there you go.
Now, this isn't a story about why this is or isn't an appropriate position for us to take. I'm sure I'll hear from some of you anyway, but I'm pretty solid with this. I think that with the exception of tests being administered or the like, any school function should be open to attendance by interested parents. That's just a given to me. Saying that there's limited space is frankly just weak.
No, this is a story about me writing a short note about this on Facebook and having someone respond that the schools wisely limit parent involvement to these things because of "helicopter parents" who hover and try to influence their kids and interfere with their independence. It was then that I mentally caught something that had tweaked me for years but I was only now able to identify. It became my "Thing Not to Say to the Parents of a Special Needs Kid."
The term "helicopter parents" is meaningless, inappropriate and insulting to parents of kids with disabilities. Don't say it to us. Don't even think it about us. Save it for Toddlers & Tiaras.
As parents of special needs kids, we hover because integration into school programs like band is incredibly important to our children. It is the thing that can release them from the gentle ghetto of special education classes that can become their parking place until they are old enough for the public schools to relinquish responsibility and return them to "Your Problem" status. We hover because we've seen what happens when we don't. We've seen what happens in even the best programs when a child is difficult to teach and no one is looking. We hover because we can remember past schools in past towns where our child was forgotten in the corner because she was a broken child, but a polite and quietly broken one who didn't require constant attention and protection. We hover, not because we don't want our kids to become independent, but because we desperately want them to be, and we know the paths that are most likely to lead them there. We hover because history has shown all of us that if we don't watch out for our kids, sometimes they don't get watched out for.
We don't just hover. We monitor, we observe, we interfere when necessary, and we educate ourselves so that we are able to identify those times when it becomes necessary. Our complete and total involvement with our kids' school experience is not negotiable. Special needs parents are experts in the one thing that even the best schools will never master. We know our kids. More to the point, we know their monsters. And if we believe that we need more information on how a program works or how it is going to affect our child, it is inappropriate to tell us that we're not invited, we're not needed, they've got a handle on this, there's nothing for us to worry about.
Are we a pain in the ass to the schools where Schuyler has attended? If we are, then it's because someone has forgotten that we are part of her team. Someone has let themselves be fooled into thinking that they know what's best for her and that she is like any other kid they've taught. Any time a teacher thinks that past experience tells them all they need to know about teaching a child, they have already failed. This is true of any student, but it is true a hundred times over for a child with a disability. Every broken child is broken in their own way. Every single one of them.
So special needs parents become helicopter moms and dads, if that's how you want to look at it. But if that's how you see us, I hope that you'll keep that opinion to yourself. Unless you are one of our kids' teachers. In that case, I hope you will keep that opinion to yourself, AND get the hell out of the way.
59 comments:
As a teacher of 6th grade in a fairly poor community I can tell you I hate that term. I would die for any parent involvement. I get little to none.
I think parent involvement in their child's education is essential. I taught 5th grade last year and have several students who have been with me for two years. Some of those students have parents who have never stepped foot in my classroom.
I here from teachers who are involved in everything and how it can be bothersome. I just disagree. That is a bother I would take any day of the week. Special education, regular education, all parents welcome.
I was about to say that I don't think this level of parental involvement should be limited to special needs kids, but Christopher said it better than I would have.
If a non-special needs child has a hovering parent that actually manages to be detrimental to them, they'll learn to kick the Ps to the curb. It may take 22 years, but they'll figure it out.
I see more problems from lack of parental involvement than over-involvement, not even considering the special needs of a special needs family.
Better wording? "Due to limited space, we cannot accommodate parents on the bus transporting children to this event, but you may provide your own transportation." Or, if that's not the issue, "Due to limited space, we ask parents to inform us if they plan to attend. Students have priority for seats at the event but there is limited standing room only space." I mean, there may really be a space/fire marshall problem, but deal with it without disinviting the parents.
Moren than once when I expressed my concerns about the way my daughter's school addressed her problems as a teenager on the autism spectrum, I was told that I should "let go". If I had more faith in her and eased up, she would blossom. That frustrated me enormously because I knew how hard we had had to fight to get her at the level she was functioning.
That comment about letting go, being less involved is similar to the image of helicopter parenting. You are so right that parents know their child better than anyone else and that your opinions must be valued.
This post has really caused me to think about this issue. I am very involved at my daughter's school as a parent and as an employee - I'm a part-time paraprofessional. I often worry that I'm perceived as a helicopter parent and yet, when I hear teachers complain about those parents who are not involved I want to scream, "Then give us hovering parents a break!"
I do try to be a support to my daughter's teacher - helping her instead of standing in the way, and yet, it can be tough at times to find the line between the two. I just like to think we're all in this together, so please, don't punish parents for wanting to be with their child - invite them in and keep them busy so they won't get into trouble :)
Thank you Robert. You put into words exactly how I feel.
Completely agree. I'm surprised the school actually thought that parents of kids with special needs should not attend, for all the reasons you listed. But really, I'd be disappointed if it were my typical son considering band too and I was asked not to come with him to evaluate. Band is a great experience, but it also takes extra time and money, and is an important decision. They need to organize these events in a way that allow parents to attend if they want. But hey, guess what, I'm an involved parent. Teachers and administrators will just have to deal with it.
Oh the irony! The reason we have to monitor so closely is because our kids' needs are often ignored! So we're given labels/titles because of a system/people that fight against us.
Such a great post.
I hope you don't mind if I link this post tomorrow.
Of course not, Julia. Please do, and thanks!
Hell yeah!
(I am going to link too, if that is ok)
I was listening to a show on public radio the other day about the state of education in our state, and a teacher came on and complained about how parents just aren't involved, and that low student performance isn't the teachers fault. Maybe, maybe not. But my gut reaction was that I wanted to reach though the radio and ... well, you know. I wanted to say 'you don't want parent INVOLVEMENT, you want parents to just do what you tell them to do and have them do it'.. Involvement is a 2 way street, and that is not always met with pleasure.
The best teachers want parent involvement, and are willing to listen, consider, and revise as necessary. And I would do anything for those teachers, and anything to GET those teachers.
And to the rest: Watch me hover.
Rob, thank you for this. It provides some really great fodder for some of my upcoming "discussions" with my son's school. I wish more educators would stop and think about the high cost of non-involved parents. Especially of children such as ours.
On the flip side, the optional events that 90% of mothers attend, are the bane of my existence as a working mother. I'm not trying to put up a flag that says "I don't care" to my kid, but an hour long event at 12:00 really makes a mess of a workday.
As long as they don't actually push you away any harder than the contents of that letter, then I rather applaud them for making expectations clear. In some schools, I can imagine that even "parents are not expected to attend" still results in a large turnout.
Great and fabulous post
Niksmom posted this on Facebook and I loved your perspective
Amen, Amen, Amen!! And I am saying a prayer that the meeting Wed. goes well and that band can be a real blessing to Schuyler--and she will bless the band too!! Keep us posted for sure!
Carrie T.
THANK YOU Rob - bizarre as it is, I'm actually here at work at my desk in tears because I've felt for so many years that I am considered to be 'that' parent. After finding out last semester that NONE of my son's teachers had been given a list of his diagnoses or his IEP, I decided to meet this semester's teachers ahead of time. Half didn't turn up. One slouched in his chair and looked bored. A couple (bless them) tried really hard to learn about my child and his limitations. The learning disabilities teacher tried hard to ignore my question about why he is still using a 7-year-old and no longer relevant IEP. However, in all, I came away feeling like these people thought I was slightly deranged. Or just THAT parent. And I was embarrassed. Well, no longer. Reading your posts helps me to believe in the validity of my advocacy for my son. Thank you - and thank you Schuyler for allowing us to share her trials and successes both because it gives us all so much.
I am really grateful to have a GOOD one-on-one aide to work with my child. She fills out a daily communication sheet so I know what is going on. I have an inclusion specialist above her, and a district specialist above HER. But something novel, like the first dayy of Band, I think I'd want to be there, too, especially with a nonverbal child like yours... Remain vigilant, because, as you know, you are your child's best, and maybe only, advocate.
Ha. I recently wrote a list of things not to say to me (the mom of a kid with CP) and had no idea I was part of a trend! I'm trendy and I love it! Anyway, sometimes I worry people will see me hovering over my kid (who now can stand with help but who can't stand unassisted, so sometimes she falls, so I have to be Right There With Her) and think "helicopter parent." And I want to go to them and explain. (And I don't know why I care, but I do.) You put into words (again) what I was having trouble figuring out. Thank you.
I've been called a "helicopter" mom to my face. Not in relation to any school activity yet, but at the park more than once. My older son Max is a runner, and I knew this about him even before he got his autism diagnosis. So when I bring him to the park, especially a one new to us, or without a gate, I keep very close.
The funny thing is I have had the same parents act like I was way too hands off when I let my younger son do things like climb the monkey bars and go down the slide by himself at a very young age. I let him because I knew he could.
Like you said, I know my kids.
The term "helicopter" parent does not apply to anyone in this case, and perhaps to special needs parents least of all. The purpose of a trip like that is usually to show the incoming middle schoolers the wonder of band, to sell them on making this fun commitment. Band is a commitment on the part of parents, too. The only possible excuse for not including parents can be that there's a separate band program for them. If not, the school is simply wrong for not allowing any and all parents to attend, to see what their kids are getting them into.
I'm definitely on your side with this, Rob. These people who write stuff about so-called helicopter parents obviously don't have or have been around special needs kids. What's more, I agree with what other people's comments have said in that parent involvement on a whole is lacking. You'd think that the teachers would welcome it, not discourage it.
I'm very interested in hearing from you how this concert experience goes for you and Schuyler!
That's public school for you and that's part of the reason why my husband and I chose to send out three kids to private school. Yes, it was expensive but the kids got an excellent education in small classes where ten students to a class was considered overcrowded. We always felt welcome there and our input and participation was actively encouraged.
I sincerely doubt there would be a mob of parents beating down the doors to attend the band activity; in all probability they just don't want to be bothered. It's a shame but even so-called "blue ribbon" public schools are getting to be that way.
Again, private schools are not governed by IDEA. We prefer having the force of federal law behind us. Also, when we as a society give up on public education, I think that's when the Visigoths come hopping over the walls.
Truly spoken like someone who can't afford private education.
Can I still be annoyed by helicopter parents of non-special needs kids?
While I don't like the term "hovering" or "helicopter", I'm going to do whatever it is that needs to be done for my child to be successful. If that means someone thinks I'm not giving him room to grow or hovering, so be it. I'm his parent, that's my prerogative. I do NO interfere with what's going on at school. But dang it, We've fought long and hard to get to this point. I'm not backing down now. I'm his only advocate.
Well said, Rob!
I love this post as a companion piece to my reaction about the whole tiger mother controversy a couple of weeks ago on my blog. I'm in complete agreement with you -- even as far as the Visigoth statement.
How did it go? I'm rooting for Schuyler!
Hmmm. Helicopter? Nope. Gunship. Coming in as needed, providing cover fire for safety and allowing the ground work to be accomplished. Taking out the problems as needed. Going back to base until needed again. Not hanging around when not needed. Yep. Rob's a gunship.
I am now officially thinking of teaching my child how to say "Get to da Choppa!" when she starts speaking to refer people to me.
Hovering, Helicopter, Chopper, overprotective. However you wanna slice it. If its something involving my child and/or her particular issues you better be damn sure I'll be involved. No matter what the situation is!
Couldn't agree with you more.
The school's have discovered that I "hover" when things aren't going right. Then I demand answers and I want it fixed. I'm not talking petty crap... I'm talking it's all falling apart and dang it we need to get things back on track.
I have little use for the current curriculum so I have done a lot of homeschooling with my children. So, I don't nag about it. I can always homeschool full time and I'm not so it's one of those things I don't feel is open for nagging.
But programs, OT, Speech, transitions to new schools, new programs - like band - are all open to parental scrutiny and discussion.
I'd be there too.
Oh, this is so timely!
After several fruitless and very frustrating conversations with my son's teachers, we asked to re-open his IEP - and webrought an special needs advocate with us to the meeting. I've never seen three people look more pissed off. It was..well, it was beautiful. So yeah, I've That Mom and my husband is That Dad.
All we can do now is hope that it's enough.
It shocks me that they "uninvited" the parents. Whether special needs or not, the decision to join something like band is one that affects the family, not just the kid, and I think children (in general) benefit from discussing their options with an informed person, in this case, a parent who has also received an little intro to what this activity will require of everyone. Helicopter? Not really. Pragmatic concern? Yes.
I agree with you 100% and I hate that term helicopter parents. I think all parents are part of the team, more so when your child faces special challenges. When your child faces special challenges, you can be a huge support/help to prevent a melt down or to get her to focus better or just to give tips on techniques that will give her an all around better experience. You have a vast knowledge of what works and what doesn't work with your daughter, why should this teacher start from scratch or from what is written down on a piece of papers? It makes no sense. Furthermore, you can reinforce what she is learning in her music lessons at home. The way I see it, it is a win/win situation.
The one thing I have learned from having a daughter with special challenges (she is now 19 and likes to call her own shots, unless she needs us), you have to advocate, fight and be with her every single step of the process. Despite the school and the teacher's best interest, bullies do exist that teacher's can't see, there are teachers who are asshole who say, "I did not go to school to teach special education," before even meeting the child (I also work in a school) Kids sadly can get set up by teachers, to get back at administrators for putting them in their room for mainstreaming, etc.
I'm off topic now, but you are not. Stay on top of everything and believe your child, watch her body language, you know her better than anyone!!!!!
Good luck!
Having a 13 yo special needs son, being helicopter parents has helped us tremendously! The school knew to call us in times of need and we would be there. From my son's first IEP in kindergarden, we let the school know that they will see us all the time and will know us well before he moved on. Unfortunately or fortunately for him, the school couldnt handle his issues and he was moved to a school that could handle him and treat him and us as the student and parents we deserved to be treated like. They are actually disappointed when parents are not present for school event! HOVER, HOVER, HOVER. OUR KIDS NEED US!
I also feel very strongly about this issue, and you've said it so well, Rob and other parents. My son is non-verbal and autistic, now 8 yo. Starting in special school in Australia at age 3 was the start of years of suffering for him and me. The special schools here are more 'parent excluding' than mainstream. Because I tried to advocate for my son and have a little involvement, the principal has bullied and victimised me for years. I've been prevented from normal communications with teachers, while Kingsley has been misunderstood, treated like an idiot and learned nothing for years (for example, still 'teaching' him alphabet recognition (when he can already read and spell about 100 words!)
I think the only way this problem (which is deep rooted in special ed, but also throughout all society in every county), is if we (special needs parents) keep talking about it and get more effective to support each other to confront the ignorance and discrimination. I look forward to hearing how it goes Rob, and the continued discussion.
When my son was moving to Middle School, I went to a parent transitional meeting where I learned that the change was really harder for me than my child. Really?
One more thing to never - ever say.
HI Rob,
Forgive me if this is advice is misplaced. I have a support group that always reminds me to do this myself, and when I remember, it really can help.
Per one of the poster's comments above, can you ask the teacher why parents aren't invited? If it is transportation, seating space, etc. those issues are easily dealt with.
If it is not wanting parents there to evaluate something they want the child to do for themselves, I think this is easily addressed too. You want to be able to discuss this with Schuyler, and it would be easier if you were there as well. You can promise to stand in the back unobstrusively etc etc.
I often find both at my daughter's school and at work, that if I can get the person who is making my life difficult to admit what they really want/are worried about, we can usually compromise easily.
Again, sorry if this is misplaced, but it does seem like the teacher is being silly. So maybe we just don't understand why?
R.
The advice isn't misplaced, exactly. Just a little late. The field trip happened last Wednesday. (I guess I should write a followup.)
One of my friends has the best perspective about being a teacher. We are experts at working with 4th graders, you are the experts at working with your kid. So we have to work together.
Sorry if this is redundant- not sure where the comment went the first time I wrote it.
Anyway, teachers are the experts at working with that age group, but you are still the expert at working with your child. You are right that teachers need to remember that.
As a parent of a special needs child who's just started pre-school in our public school district, your words " Special needs parents are experts in the one thing that even the best schools will never master. We know our kids." completely summed up what I feel.
Thanks for posting this!
I have had our children in private schools. They encourage and insist on parental involvement but there are times that a note will come home explaining that something is not an event to which parents are invited.
That does not mean, any given parent cannot drop in and watch, as parents spontaneously do in our school at any given day. It simply means that the event is not one set up to accommodate all of the kids' parents to show up. Such events do take work and planning. The school simply is letting us know that it isn't doing this for a particular event.
But it doesn't mean that parents HAVE to stay away. It's more a heads up to parents that they are not being invited and they don't have to take off of work and feel that this is something they should attend which is the case for a number of things such as the spring concert.
When you get used to such notifications, you won't take any one of them so personally.
I thought I made it clear in the post, but I guess not. I did email the teacher to clarify, and she responded that we were not to attend.
Please post a follow up. I am really interested to hear how band will work out. I do think you might have come up with a place for her in the middle school jungle. I think some people confuse helicopter with involved. As always, good luck. I feel like I've had to put on combat gear to get my kid through middle school.
Hi
My name is Jenna and I came across your site. I bought your book even though I have not read it but I will. You are great parents, and you should fight for the right to be involved in everything Schulyer dose in school including school field trips. My mom tryed to involve herself so much the teachers were sick of hearing her and didn't want involved but she fought hard. Like your daughter I have specialneeds. My site: http://www.miraclechamp.webs.com
This reminds me of a meeting to educate parents on communicating with the schools in IEP meeting I recently attended. The best thing I took away from there was...
"I am the most important person in this meeting."
same with the involvement at schools.
I've been debating whether or not to say this (hence my lateness) but here goes. Personally, I don't think it's *impossible* for special needs parents to be over-involved. Becoming an adult, even one with differences, involves handling some things on your own, and the business of childhood to some extent is about becoming an adult. What those things are is going to vary by the child and their own abilities and proclivities, but there have to be some. I think it may be even harder for special needs parents to know when to disengage because their children do genuinely need so much more involvement, but do I think there has to be some increase in disengagement as the child grows up, because that's part of what growing up is about. This is easy for me to say because my special needs child is still young enough that no one expects her to be negotiating anything on her own, but I know with experiences with my so-called typical child that he is often much more capable than I realize, and I'm sure I'm not going to have better instincts with the one I have more reasons to be afraid for. We are the foremost experts in our kids, but that's not always a pure advantage. I remember every second of my children's lives, and can't help seeing their current selves through the lens of everything I know about their pasts. A teacher or other adult meeting one of my children for the first time sees only the child as he/she is right now, not the history. We have different perspectives, and mine may overall be more valuable, but it's still colored by information that may or may not be valid any longer and by emotional reactions that are about MY worry for them and my desire to protect them, not always about their actual needs - because I can't always tell the difference.
So... I think the term 'helicopter' is insulting and I wouldn't use it, but I disagree with what I think is your premise, which is that the best possible way for a special needs parent to react is always to be involved 110% even as their child moves into adolescence and adulthood. I have no idea how I'm going to find the balance, and I'm not trying to make a judgement about whether or not this particular trip was a case of over-involvement, I'm just finding myself not agreeing with the idea that there just is no such thing.
Well, I obviously disagree entirely, but I do appreciate your perspective.
Responding to Beth, I think I'd agree with most of what you're saying, there are 2 sides to every debate, it's a question of finding the right 'balance'. Schools will always put up walls to keep us out, because that's in their best interests. We parents will always try to get through, because that's in our kids best interests. I think we must try to understand the schools and teachers point of view, to work with it, to educate them, because like most of the population, they don't understand what our kids need, and the balance of power is far too much on their side.
The way i figure it, whether I'm visible in the fore, middle or background, my involvement is a foregone conclusion. If I can, I will. And if I think you don't need me, then yippee! I won't.
As my boys get older, their school(s) will have enough institutional memory to know how to manage a field trip, or what (not) to serve at a class celebration. Inclusion is not ever going to be effortless, and definitely not ever perfect. Frankly, I think we're lucky that I can spend time on helping our sons' school try to include them.
What gets me is being pegged as a helicopter mom, even when I'm trying to fade into the background. My boys won't feel included if I'm right next to them. They're smart enough to see me, and start looking for the ways that a situation/event is jerry-rigged to include them. Which is *not* a good thing, so I don't hover. And yet? Helicopters are a-whirring, they tell me.
what I need is a PR agent, maybe. Someone who can spin (cough, choke) the situation?
As a mum of a little boy diagnosed last year with the same monster as Schuyler, I meet this kind of attitude all the time -I find it so hard to believe that people just do not understand our need to help (not control or undermine) our children. When we face a 'monster' ignorant world how can we not be there to help others understand what is needed or meant or best - we are the experts in a very small field. I have had to battle since my son was born for people not to prejudge and label him so they could find an easy out that would work for them but be detrimental for him and his future. We don't just have the right to be involved in the important things for our children, we are essential, in differing measures, for both them and all involved.
I read your book after Tait was diagnosed and it was helpful to know we were not alone in the world - it felt like that with the way the whole thing was handled. This is the first time I have read your blog, maybe I am ready now; thank you for the book, the blog and most of all for being out there for the rest of us with BPP in their lives.
Rob,
I just finished your book "Schuyler's Monster" and really enjoyed it--I have two kids (out of four) that have ADHD and Sensory Integration Disorder. I totally agree with you about keeping close tabs on the kids at school. Our son's fourth grade teacher was never told he had a 504--she should have had read that before the school year began--we asked about it in Oct...she knew nothing of it. In any case, we keep close tabs on all the kids and I volunteer and attend as many events as possible. That's my job!
Amen. Thank you for saying that.
Argh. I hate helicopter parenting, but I hate it MORE when involved parents are stigmatised as helicopter parents.
Rob, from what I've read here you and Julie are involved parents. You demand reasonable accommodations for Schuyler, and you push her to fulfil her potential. Helicopter parents are the ones who do everything for their child, or demand UNreasonable accommodations. They end up phoning their child's college lecturers and screaming at them because Pookie failed - how dare the big nasty professor demand he actually come to class?!
Special needs parents CAN be helicopter parents as well. The combination can be horrendous... but you are nowhere near that line.
Rob? not to put pressure on you but I would love to hear an update on this.
I'm missing hearing about Schuyler. I count myself as a "blog friend" (I'm sure there is a better term but you know what I mean hopefully), just like all my other non virtual friends - I'm always sending good positive thoughts into the cosmos for Schuyler, you and Julie.
peace & all good things,
Lucinda
As a music teacher of many students with IEPs, I love parents who are involved in their children's learning. What I don't love is when they overstep boundaries and interrupt teaching. While most of the parents I encounter are wonderful, the ones who I remember are the ones who have stopped by during the day and sat through my class to see how it worked and then talked the entire time to their student. Or the parent who emailed me and then emailed me three more times just to make sure I got the first one because I did not respond right away.
There is involved and there is overwhelming. I think of Helicopter parents as ones who watch for what happens in their kids life and steam roller parents who smother everything in their way.
Stay involved and remember to let the teachers teach, parents be the parents, and we will all be better for it.
"Stay involved and remember to let the teachers teach, parents be the parents, and we will all be better for it."
That sounds great in theory. In practice, it requires a great deal of trust on the part of parents, and for special needs parents, that is a trust that is rarely and tenuously earned. We are in an excellent school district and have still found that trust to be rarely deserved. I can only imagine how hard it is for parents in lesser districts.
Experienced special needs parents know better. We have our own stories of being stonewalled by teachers, lots of them. Asking us to automatically trust and respect those professional boundaries? It's a nice idea. Probably not going to happen, though.
I agree Rob, I definitely have my own stories of being 'stonewalled by teachers'. How many times I've heard 'trust us' and 'respect our professional boundaries' -exactly! I say 'trust goes both ways', if they can't trust my expertise as a parent, then how can I trust them?
I vote for a compromise: we get to observe the occasional class. In exchange, we promise not to talk, pass notes or heckle.
In all seriousness, there must be a balance somewhere. We chose a school that was willing to let me observe in a number of classes - before my son was admitted - over a school that wouldn't let me into the classroom. (Even when accompanied.) Their approach to teamwork/partnership with special needs parents? No surprises there...
Post a Comment