Adam is 11 almost 12, in his IEP it is written that the spec ed teacher meets with him the last 10 minutes of shcool, fills out his assignment notebook, and makes sure he has everything he needs for homework.
She also has insititued an organization system for each subject. He has a large ring binder for each subject. Inside the binder are the things he needs for that subject including a pencil holder with the appropriate writing instruments. Each binder is marked with the subject. So, if he has Science homework he just brings home his Science binder. His spec ed teacher did all of this for him. It has been great.
Something else that has been very helpfull for us, is our school website. His teacher updates it each day. For the entire week. It shows all assignments and when they are due. Perhaps his teacher could send you a quick e-mail on Monday with the assignments for the week, and any long term assignmnets and their due dates.
Jacob received another detention today due to not bringing in homework for a science paper. The paper was a chart on saving water while brushing teeth. He received it on Monday and he is suppose to chart all week. There was no instructions so I asumed it was due the following Monday b/c he has to log Friday night on the paper. He copied from the board homework assignment in his agenda but it wasn't readable. He has a communication log but no reg. ed teachers log in it, Only his Sp.ed. teacher and she is not in there at all during science and social studies. When I mentioned this at teacher conferences his reg. ed. teacher basiclly said " he is able to communicate". I'm not saying Jacob can't communicate but it is the fine details he doesn't remember. I have went through this every year, this year I finally got the communication log started. I stressed to her that if she expects Jacob to relay all instructions than he will have detention every day. I can't read his writing and it is in his IEP that he needs a scripe. He doesn't remember things that benefit him, so it is not like he does this on purpose. His reg. ed. teacher said " I told the kids to write it down." Jacob can't spell but a couple of words ( the, to) and his writing is not even readable when he copy's. By the way this is the same teacher that has a 4yr just dx with PDD and has told me I should punish him for seeking out sensory input, if anyone has read some of my reply's. I went into the principal's office after school, put Jacob's agenda in front of him and asked him what it said. He couldn't read it and then asked Jacob what it said and of course he was clueless. I told him this is what i've been saying and no one will listen. He is new this year to the building, but also the one inforcing inclusion for all subjects. Jacob will be gone in two days and I've heard before how things will get taken care of and they never do. I'm going out with a big bang, so many years i've held my mouth shut worried what things I do or say be taken out on him. I've pulled alot of strings along the way and everyone knows I'm not happy, all the way up to the supernitendent. No one has even questioned why I'm pulling my oldest out and not his brother. They know and that is even more upsetting. Jacob is down with a migrain today has slept since he got home from school. I'm really considering not to send him these last two days. Well, sorry it is so long, I'm just needing to vent, Thanks for listening.
Tessa
Thanks for your comment. I have asked for this in the past, last year it was stated that the end of the day is so busy for the teachers it is just impossible. Last year they assigned another 4th grader to do it and well, it lasted a day. The teacher this year feels he can copy so therefor he should write his homework down even after I explained I can't read his writing. The sp. ed. teacher understands and writes the subjects she helps him in, but she is not in his social studies and science class. Gosh, I am hoping this new school will be alot different. I'm tired, It would be so nice to feel that someone cares and wants to help. I just feel I can't go on calling meetings and staying on top of things. I know I am his mother and I wouldn't be a very good one if I just let all this go, but I work full time and have another child that needs me to. I'm falling behind on the job due to medical appts, school, ect.