Thoughts on the Rocky Point PTA's Special Education Forum

A few notes and thoughts on Thursday night's Rocky Point PTA Special Education Forum.

• Last night's forum was both informative and educational, for those who attended.  Understanding that December is a very busy month, there were parents and students who would have liked to be present that were unable. I have urged the school to have another forum. Keeping the communication open and working together is what will give all of our children a good education, no matter what classification they have, special education or mainstreamed...so to speak..more on that later. 
• I strongly urge ALL parents to join our PTA, even if you can not make the meetings and or volunteer for things throughout the year. We need to support the PTA because they are doing an awesome job supporting the students, parents and teachers of Rocky Point. Joining the PTA is as simple as writing a check for $7-12 and completing a five-line application.  At that point you will be receiving informative emails regarding our district. Check out their website... http://rockypointpta.org
• Nicole LaMacchia, PTA President, Jessica Ward, PTA VP,and Jenny Andersson, SERC Chair, did a wonderful job moderating this meeting. I am hoping to see all of her notes typed up for all to read!
• The parents of regular education, mainstreamed...whatever it is called these days benefited from attending this meeting as well. An informative slide show was presented by the Assistant Superintendent, Dr. DeLuca and Special Education Coordinator, Andrea Moscatiello. Many questions arose from this slide show, and Dr. DeLuca and Mrs. Moscatiello answered all of them. In addition, the districts website will have this slide show in a power point format on their website as of today.  I urge all to watch this, and if you have any questions, you should ask them! http://rockypointschools.org/news517.htm
• I would like to add, that besides a few specific special education question/problems that arose, and a few students that spoke on behalf of our Asperger's population, this was a calm and friendly Q & A setting with general questions.
• The biggest questions that arose last night were (1) Our Schools Report card (2) Dollar amount spent per Special Needs child in comparison to other districs and why, if we spend more than average than other school districts, is our report card not getting better grades? (3) The Changes in the names of our classes. Noted Dr.DeLuca that was changed by NY State. (more on that below).  In light of that, I feel (and I try not to make this blog personal in regard to our school) MORE PARENTS OF THE GENERAL EDUCATION POPULATION REALLY SHOULD ATTEND THESE MEETINGS AND BE INFORMED. ALL OF THESE CHANGES AFFECT ALL OF OUR CHILDREN.
• Our Superintendent attended this meeting as an audience member, however, I was disappointed that I did not see more of our Board of Education present.
• Thank you to Cody and Skylar, who spoke and had questions. These mature middle school and high school students proudly represent the Asperger's population. I applaud them for having the confidence to do so. I wish more of our children would do the same...akk voices need to be heard!
• The names of classes have changed. (Ex: Inclusion classes are now called consultant teacher direct. Last night I learned that this classification allows a class of 24 children can have up to TWENTY (20) children with special needs.  I also heard elsewhere that the Special Education Teacher may be OUT of the classroom for up to two periods a day (out as in teaching a reading program and such to others in the building). I worry that if our teachers are overburdened, our children, both special needs or regular mainstreamed ed will not be getting what they need.
• Parents feel it is not fair that NYS changed this and our district did not communicate this to us. We were told the changes were noted on the district website. However, we would have liked to find out in the form of a letter, or at the CSE meetings we attend, or have it stated in our child's IEP.  See our districts website for more information on other title changes.
• A parent presented a request to Dr. DeLuca and Mrs. Moscatiello that a formal letter should have been, and should still be, sent out to every parent in the district, aside from the notes on the school website, explaining the changes in titles of these classes, ex: inclusion class to consultant teacher direct, and also let us know if the class size and ratio to teachers to students and or classroom aids have changed. 
• Another parent also requested that a list of school personnel and administration with contact information and chain of command be given out at each CSE meeting, so that if parents have questions, comments or complaints, they are doing it in the correct order.
• I asked, if our CSE meetings could be video taped (like the BOE meetings) for the sake of communication. So there are no misunderstandings. As in sports, we could always say, "lets go back to the video tape!". It was brought to my attention that I need to put my request in writing to as a petition the Superintendent of schools, as it is ultimately in his hands to decide on this. I am wondering how others feel about that recommendation?
• Well, folks, that is all I have, for now. I am sure other local sources will be writing articles on this as well. However, to be informed about the changes in our district, and to be the most pro-active advocate/parent you can be for your child, and all children, please attend these meetings. They are quite informative and educational
• Please feel free to comment or ask questions below, I will do my best to answer or refer you to someone who may know the answer!