Miss Brooke and Miss Rachel have made school one of the boys' favorite places to go and have helped them make progress in areas that I had no clue how to even begin to explore with my guys. Their therapists are also wonderful. Their speech therapist is a huge part of the reason they finally said momma and Casey and Connor clearly love her. Their PT/OT teams are top notch and the guys have made huge strides in both gross and fine motor skills. I am absolutely thrilled.
When we were at the school yesterday (4/11/13) for our very first Parent Teacher conferences we were informed that Miss Brooke would likely not be their teacher next year as she was being moved to another position and we were also told that their ST was let go due to budget concerns. These are decisions I am absolutely devastated by and I have the distinct impression that their teachers feel the same way.
When we began the program, one of the things I was happiest about was that the boys would likely remain with the same group of children and the same teaching team for their entire time at school. I was ecstatic because Casey and Connor thrive in an environment that is predictable and comfortable. The fact that they are losing both their beloved teacher AND their speech therapist is just unacceptable to me. I am also VERY upset that the parents in the program were neither notified of potential changes nor given an opportunity to express concerns over the change. And so, as is my way, I made my own opportunity to let my thoughts be heard. If nothing else, the leadership of this program deserves to know that the teachers and therapists they have in place are heads above many others and that they have a chance to recognize these professionals for their dedication and hard work. That is also why I chose to share this letter here. Brooke and the boys ST deserve recognition for the difference they have made in our lives and in the lives of so many other children. Their love for their work and for their students is apparent in everything they do and say. Again, I feel this is a HUGE loss for my sweet boys.
Here is the letter. Thoughts and comments are always welcome. I would love to know what you would do or how you would help your children transition in this situation.
To whom it may concern,
I
am the mother of Casey and Connor Wilkinson, 3 year old twins with Down
syndrome who are in Brooke Gray's class at Newberry preschool. My boys
began school in January of this year and it was a very difficult time
for me as their mother. It was difficult both because it was the first
time my sons had ever been away from me and also because they are
non-verbal and therefore unable to communicate what happened during the
day while we were apart. Sending the boys to school took a tremendous
amount of trust in the teachers who would spend the days with my little
miracle men. When I met Brooke and Rachel the first time I knew that
Casey and Connor would be well cared for and well educated. Now, months
later, we have just finished our very first parent teacher conferences
and I am absolutely thrilled with the progress they have made. I have
nothing but wonderful things to say about Miss Brooke and Miss Rachel.
Not only have they helped bring out the best in my boys they have proven
to me that we made the right decision in sending them to school. Most
importantly to me, as their mother, I have 100% confidence that not only
are my boys learning something new every single day, but they are also
well-loved by their teachers and therapists.
I'd like to share a perfect example of how these teachers have gone above and beyond to make a nervous mom feel calm and heard. A few weeks ago, I approached Brooke about my bringing a special snack in on March 21st, the last day before Spring break and also, World Down syndrome day, which I asked if the class could celebrate with Casey and Connor. The answer I got was "Yes! Of course!" I expected only to bring in cookies in the Down syndrome awareness colors of blue and yellow. What I got was amazing beyond my wildest dreams. Brooke and Rachel decided that they would take the opportunity to really educate the other children and teachers about World Down syndrome day and to REALLY promote inclusion and acceptance of my sweet little men and all those with Down syndrome. As class projects they helped each child in the class tie dye a shirt, they made blue and yellow tissue paper flowers for each teacher and Rachel, during her own time, made 75 blue and yellow cake pops with World Down syndrome day tags to hand out to each student and teacher in the school! They also made blue and yellow hand print magnets with the DS awareness ribbon to hang on each door and for each child in the class to take home. When the morning of March 21st came I went in to drop the boys off and was absolutely blown away by all they did. Truth be told, I was a sobbing, utterly grateful mess.
They loaded the boys up in a wagon and pulled them to each class where the kids wished their schoolmates Happy Down Syndrome day. The memories that were made that morning will live with me for the rest of my life. When I share that story with other parents with children with Down syndrome they tell me they only WISH their kids had teachers who cared enough to do so much and who so willingly and exuberantly celebrated the joy of their child's special genetic makeup. Other parents in the class told me their kids wear the shirts they made all the time and talk about how much they loved that party. So, not only do Brooke and Rachel teach all the kids in the class what they have to teach them, they also go above and beyond to teach them lessons that everyone should learn- lessons such as we are all more alike than different, and friends are friends regardless of a diagnosis.
The point of this email is to really extend my gratitude for the program that is available in our community but also to send much needed praise and express my admiration for the outstanding teachers and therapists that are in place within the school in particular Brooke and Rachel. It should also be known that they boys' therapists at school are utterly outstanding. With the expertise from Pam McGill and her gentle guidance my boys have improved in their speech and communication with both of them saying momma for the very first time!!
I am first and foremost Casey and Connor's mother but I am also a Board Member for the Summit DD, a tireless advocate for those with Down syndrome, an active member of 2 Down syndrome parent advocacy groups, a weekly lecturer at Akron Children's hospital in the Medical Education department where I talk openly and honestly about Down syndrome with 3rd year medical students. I have twice presented a parent run information session for medical students at Case Western Reserve University's Genetic Anomaly Conference and I am an avid blogger, writing about our family and our experiences in the world of disabilities. I say all that so that you know what my background is and also so that you have a point of reference when I tell you I hear about many experiences from family members, self advocates and medical professionals and many of those experiences are not the stellar examples of professionalism and caring I have share with you today.
As I mentioned earlier, we had our very first parent teacher conferences today and when I inquired about what the plan was to be for next year, Brooke and Rachel hesitantly but honestly answered that their amazing team was likely going to be split up and a new teacher would be taking Brooke's place. I was also informed that Pam McGill was let go and the boys would be getting a new speech therapist next year. I was so sad that I cried. And, as I sit here writing this letter, the tears are once again burning in my eyes. I don't know if my letter can change anything but I had to take the time to express my heartfelt desire that Miss Brooke remain at Newberry and remain in the same classroom and with my boys. A new teacher and a new speech therapist is far too much change. Furthermore, to change so much of the routine and team that they are comfortable with would be utterly detrimental to my sons' progress. My sons thrive best in an environment they can count on and where they know what and who to expect. Casey and Connor have blossomed since starting preschool. They are comfortable and happy and I feel safe with the teachers they have. I know that they have the very best intentions for my sons and that Casey and Connor's success is as important to Brooke and Rachel as it is to my husband and me.
As a parent, a tax payer and a voter who has supported the school levies in this city I felt it was my duty to share my positive experience with you and it was my right to ask for what I feel is best for my children. I am their voice, their advocate and I know that I am not alone in my admiration for Brooke and Rachel. I also want you to know that this letter will be shared as an open letter with a brief introduction on my blog, The 3rd 21st and on my sons' advocacy page on Facebook, as I strive to share all we are going through with my readers. You can view the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CaseyandConnor and the blog at http://caseynconnor12409.blogspot.com/ This is solely to share with other parents how positive our school experience has been and also to share the sadness we feel at potentially losing such an outstanding educator.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I look forward to any response you can provide.
Sincerely,
Meghan M. Wilkinson
God doesn't give children with special needs to strong people; He gives children with special needs to ordinary, weak people and then gives them strength. Raising a child with Down syndrome doesn't TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family....
I'd like to share a perfect example of how these teachers have gone above and beyond to make a nervous mom feel calm and heard. A few weeks ago, I approached Brooke about my bringing a special snack in on March 21st, the last day before Spring break and also, World Down syndrome day, which I asked if the class could celebrate with Casey and Connor. The answer I got was "Yes! Of course!" I expected only to bring in cookies in the Down syndrome awareness colors of blue and yellow. What I got was amazing beyond my wildest dreams. Brooke and Rachel decided that they would take the opportunity to really educate the other children and teachers about World Down syndrome day and to REALLY promote inclusion and acceptance of my sweet little men and all those with Down syndrome. As class projects they helped each child in the class tie dye a shirt, they made blue and yellow tissue paper flowers for each teacher and Rachel, during her own time, made 75 blue and yellow cake pops with World Down syndrome day tags to hand out to each student and teacher in the school! They also made blue and yellow hand print magnets with the DS awareness ribbon to hang on each door and for each child in the class to take home. When the morning of March 21st came I went in to drop the boys off and was absolutely blown away by all they did. Truth be told, I was a sobbing, utterly grateful mess.
They loaded the boys up in a wagon and pulled them to each class where the kids wished their schoolmates Happy Down Syndrome day. The memories that were made that morning will live with me for the rest of my life. When I share that story with other parents with children with Down syndrome they tell me they only WISH their kids had teachers who cared enough to do so much and who so willingly and exuberantly celebrated the joy of their child's special genetic makeup. Other parents in the class told me their kids wear the shirts they made all the time and talk about how much they loved that party. So, not only do Brooke and Rachel teach all the kids in the class what they have to teach them, they also go above and beyond to teach them lessons that everyone should learn- lessons such as we are all more alike than different, and friends are friends regardless of a diagnosis.
The point of this email is to really extend my gratitude for the program that is available in our community but also to send much needed praise and express my admiration for the outstanding teachers and therapists that are in place within the school in particular Brooke and Rachel. It should also be known that they boys' therapists at school are utterly outstanding. With the expertise from Pam McGill and her gentle guidance my boys have improved in their speech and communication with both of them saying momma for the very first time!!
I am first and foremost Casey and Connor's mother but I am also a Board Member for the Summit DD, a tireless advocate for those with Down syndrome, an active member of 2 Down syndrome parent advocacy groups, a weekly lecturer at Akron Children's hospital in the Medical Education department where I talk openly and honestly about Down syndrome with 3rd year medical students. I have twice presented a parent run information session for medical students at Case Western Reserve University's Genetic Anomaly Conference and I am an avid blogger, writing about our family and our experiences in the world of disabilities. I say all that so that you know what my background is and also so that you have a point of reference when I tell you I hear about many experiences from family members, self advocates and medical professionals and many of those experiences are not the stellar examples of professionalism and caring I have share with you today.
As I mentioned earlier, we had our very first parent teacher conferences today and when I inquired about what the plan was to be for next year, Brooke and Rachel hesitantly but honestly answered that their amazing team was likely going to be split up and a new teacher would be taking Brooke's place. I was also informed that Pam McGill was let go and the boys would be getting a new speech therapist next year. I was so sad that I cried. And, as I sit here writing this letter, the tears are once again burning in my eyes. I don't know if my letter can change anything but I had to take the time to express my heartfelt desire that Miss Brooke remain at Newberry and remain in the same classroom and with my boys. A new teacher and a new speech therapist is far too much change. Furthermore, to change so much of the routine and team that they are comfortable with would be utterly detrimental to my sons' progress. My sons thrive best in an environment they can count on and where they know what and who to expect. Casey and Connor have blossomed since starting preschool. They are comfortable and happy and I feel safe with the teachers they have. I know that they have the very best intentions for my sons and that Casey and Connor's success is as important to Brooke and Rachel as it is to my husband and me.
As a parent, a tax payer and a voter who has supported the school levies in this city I felt it was my duty to share my positive experience with you and it was my right to ask for what I feel is best for my children. I am their voice, their advocate and I know that I am not alone in my admiration for Brooke and Rachel. I also want you to know that this letter will be shared as an open letter with a brief introduction on my blog, The 3rd 21st and on my sons' advocacy page on Facebook, as I strive to share all we are going through with my readers. You can view the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CaseyandConnor and the blog at http://caseynconnor12409.blogspot.com/ This is solely to share with other parents how positive our school experience has been and also to share the sadness we feel at potentially losing such an outstanding educator.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I look forward to any response you can provide.
Sincerely,
Meghan M. Wilkinson
God doesn't give children with special needs to strong people; He gives children with special needs to ordinary, weak people and then gives them strength. Raising a child with Down syndrome doesn't TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family....
2 comments:
LOVE it! You are an AMAZING parent and advocate! No matter the outcome of this, I know those boys will prosper, because of you!
Well said,,
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