Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff


Posted by: Virgie , Feb 28,2008,12:04  


Hi! I sure wish school started at 11:00 cause lately that seems to be the time that both kids can feel well enough to go in at. Son is feeling better but he is also attending ALC night school classes and doesn't get home until about 9:30 so for him sometimes it is just that he is so tired. And then when he gets too tired he gets nauseated in the morning. So an endless cycle. Counting down for him to graduate!!!

Which brings me to some questions - What exactly could Jennifer Jaff do to help me with my kids and their education? My son just told me this morning that no matter how well he does at the ALC classes that the HS he goes to will only count that class as a C grade even if he did get a B in it. Is that fair? My son (tenderhearted kid that he is) is upset about that because of another classmate at the ALC that needs good grades to get into the school she wants to go to. She had been in a car accident and lost a finger and the hearing in one of her ears and missed a 1/2 semester of class due to the accident and is now trying to catch up with classes at the ALC. My son says that their is just as much schoolwork involved so he doesn't understand the grading rule. I'm really starting to get worried for my daughter now since her dx with UC and missing school. She can catch up pretty quick but some of the subjects that you have to be there for participationg is tough. Currently she is getting an F in band due to missed lessons. Can't these dang teachers have a heart and do something to help her?? She is an excellent clarinet player and the teacher even says so, so why not make allowances for her illness??

So should I contact Jennifer Jaff? If so what do I tell her and what can she do?? I definitely want my son to be able to walk across the stage and get his diploma like his classmates - even if he will be short .5 of a credit. If he has to go to summer school he will and then get his diploma signed. I don't care I just don't want them to take graduation away from him. Could she help us with that??


I have a terrible cold and feel awful today so everything is bugging me more so than usual. Oh & I really love the fact that my doctor says that I can go back to work with limited duties. Ha! He says that I am not supposed to push, pull, lift, grasp, etc. but I can go to work. As a janitor that doesn't leave me too much to do. I suppose I can dust. But now I have to go back cause I won't get any more workmans comp. So it should be interesting. Hopefully my cold will go away by next week.

Thanks for any info you can give me about Jennifer Jaff. I appreciate it.

Virgie
son 18 UC, EE, IBS, Asthma daughter 13 Celiac Disease & UC


Replies:
Contact information

Re : Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff --- Virgie
Posted by: Chaya , Feb 29,2008,18:13 Top of Thread


Virgie when I spoke to Joan earlier she asked me to relay to you this web addy http://www.pacer.org/ .


Phone (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday - Friday)
Minnesota: 1.800.537.2237 or 952.838.9000
TTY: 952.838.0190
USA: 888.248.0822
Fax: 952.838.0199

They will send an advocate with you to attend your IEP meeting or any other special educational issues. Alot of schools are afraid of Pacer consultations as they are highly effective in achieving services for your children.


Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff

Re : Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff --- Virgie
Posted by: Allyson , Feb 29,2008,10:33 Top of Thread


In our district we can do part home school and part at the school site. So that way you can choose the classes to be taken at school and then do the rest at home...it seems like a good option but we don't do it (yet).

Good luck!!

Allyson
Haley 11 Cd;Humira

Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff

Re : Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff --- Virgie
Posted by: curlyqsmom , Feb 28,2008,15:43 Top of Thread


Virgie,

Haven't read through your whole post or the replies (got a million things to do right now) but wanted to give a quick response. I am sure it is not really an option, but in case it is...

Here in Texas we do have a school that runs two sessions and your child goes one or the other. The a.m. session is 8-12 and 1-5. I just thought I'd point out that this type of thing does exist (although probably not very many). The school was originally started for kids who had something they were "training" for, i.e. competitive ice skating, gymnastics, etc. The condensed school day gave them more time for other activities. Now it is more "mainstream" and all types of kids there. Perhaps you can find a similar type thing where you live. If not, we'd love to have you in Texas! If you want more info about the school, let me know.

Re: Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff

Re : Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff --- curlyqsmom
Posted by: Virgie , Feb 28,2008,21:41 Top of Thread


1-5 What a dream come true!!! Man I would love that. I wish I could pack my bags right now !!

Virgie

Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff

Re : Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff --- Virgie
Posted by: LindaJ , Feb 28,2008,15:09 Top of Thread


Hi Virgie,

It is my understanding that Jennifer Jaff is a patient advocacy lawyer who works with people who have a chronic illness to see that they do get their rights they deserve. I'm not sure if you still have all the info that I sent to you about her from in the fall, but if needed I'd be happy to resend it to you. I have saved the information from a post of Oct 2006. At that time someone posted and had received Jennifer's information from CCFA as someone who could help them with school issues. There may be things that the school/district/administrators are doing that they think they can do but legally what they are doing may be wrong and she may be one to address your son's rights.

Here is her website:
http://www.advocacyforpatients.org/


Whether she can help you or not, I do not believe that it will hurt your situation at all to contact her. Personally I think the sooner the better. You've been fighting with this school for far too long as it is and it hasn't gotten you anywhere and I honestly can't see it improving for your daughter.

Let me know if you want any of her information re-sent to you.
Best of luck,

LindaJ CD & Stephanie UC (15 dx 3/03)

Re: Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff

Re : Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff --- LindaJ
Posted by: Virgie , Feb 28,2008,21:49 Top of Thread


Thanks got your email .

Virgie

Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff

Re : Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff --- Virgie
Posted by: Susan/Lexi , Feb 28,2008,13:43 Top of Thread


Hi Virgie,

Why can't school start at 11:00? ......If Only!!

Have you asked for an IEP or 504 plan? If you have and they denied you, did you move your request to the superintendant? If you have been denied then Jennifer Jaff might be able to tell you how to proceed. I assume you are familiar with her website, www.advocacyforpatients.org. It has a good template for what to request in a 504 plan.

I wouldn't count on teachers "having a heart". Better to have it in writing so that they must follow the law. I approached the school with a request to meet and then took in the list of accomodations I thought my daughter needed. She now has an IEP and is classified hospital/homebound. It covers her absences from school as she can only miss 10 days per year. I can also request a tutor to come to our house, if she will be out for an extended absence. I would feel very vulnerable in your position, as I figure with my luck CPS would show up eventually for truancy issues. Our GI Dr. has been very accomodating filling out the necessary paperwork. I really appreciate that she puts my daughter's health first. Our pediatrician is just the opposite-she feels our daughter should be in class at all times!

Jennifer might be able to help with your son's graduation, or maybe you'll be at their mercy. Your daughter has a long road ahead of her there and since you know the principal is a jerk, I would be working to cover my own butt.It took several months to get the IEP in place so don't wait 'till next fall to start working on one for your daughter

Hope you can get the accommodations that your kids NEED. Hope you are feeling better soon too. It is enough to tend to 2 kids with chronic illnesses. You shouldn't have to argue with school constantly too!

Susan

Re: Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff

Re : Re: Why can't school start at 11:00?? And ? about Jennifer Jaff --- Susan/Lexi
Posted by: Virgie , Feb 28,2008,21:44 Top of Thread


Susan, I do feel very fortunate that we have never had any problems with truancy issues. Thank goodness as my son has missed about 75 days of school a year for at least two years. Son does have an IEP and we are now putting one in motion for my daughter. But I want hers to be better than my sons as I feel they have missed some vital issues with him. Have a meeting next week.

Will let you know how it all goes.

Thanks.

Virgie