I am posting this around because we are trying to get this out to as many people as possible.
Families threaten discrimination lawsuit if district makes switch
Parents push for Star program
by Kalyn Kelley
August 29th, 2007 03:31 PM
With the start of the new school year looming, parents of the Peninsula School District’s Star program say they are gearing up for a fight.
Disagreement between the district and parents of the program’s seven students began in May when notice was given that the program would be relocated from Gig Harbor’s Artondale Elementary School to Minter Creek Elementary School on the Key Peninsula.
Since then, a litany of e-mails, letters and meetings has left the district facing a possible lawsuit under a claim of disabilities discrimination.
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Parents of the students also contend that the new school possesses a number of safety issues, in addition to transportation and transition problems, that are exacerbated by the children’s disabilities.
“It’s not the fact that they are moving us out of Artondale, it’s that they are putting us in a place that isn’t appropriate for the kids’ needs,” said Diane Csapo, mother of Autistic and Fragile X twins.
Parents of the program say the district has failed to take the best interests of the children into account, placing them in a portable classroom behind Minter Creek — separated from the general student body and in an area that makes stepping away a difficult task for teachers and students alike.
http://www.gateline.com/front/story/9261524p-9176525c.html
The parents of The STAR Program are reaching out for support from the internet community. This district has ignored the needs of these sp. ed children, their safety, the toll it will inevitably take on them, the regression it will cause, and their medical needs.
We ask you to read this article, and if you agree with us, take a few minute of your time to write a letter and make your opinion heard. These are the *public* email addresses of the schoolboard members who can change this outcome and the newspaper that printed the article:
brian.mclean@gateline.com,ThompsonC@Peninsula.wednet.edu, UddenbergJ@Peninsula.wednet.edu, BaillieG@Peninsula.wednet.edu, jillguernsey@comcast.net, bettyringlee@harbornet.com, Johnsonjill@psd401.net
Say your piece and help 7 kids from being discriminated against. We have tried everything else and now it is up to public outcry to help us get our children in a safe environment.
Thank you,
Diane