Testing and Open House

Monday, August 24, 2009
Stacie and I met with Mr. Boyd, principal of Salem School where Shandi Rogers attends 3rd grade. Shandi’s disability case worker, Sue Cannimore suggested that we meet with the principal and enquire about the testing date for Shandi to receive special services for her learning disability.
Mr. Boyd had not heard anything from the SPED department concerning any testing date for Shandi.
He called Mr. Danny McCallum, Supt. Of Ed. For the Walthall School District and handed me the phone. I asked Mr. McCallum if he knew when the date was set for Shandi’s testing because there are permission papers to be signed by the parent before testing can begin. He had no knowledge of this testing but did assure me he would call the SPED department and speak with Ms. Cherry Smith to try and determine what the date would be. He assured me someone would be in touch with me shortly.

While at school I spoke with Shandi’s 1st grade teacher, Allison Stringer. The paperwork from Shandi’s 17 week evaluation which was done the last weeks of her first grade could not be found at the TST meeting held on August 27, 2008 at Salem School. Even though I called the State Dept. of Ed and complained and they at least went far enough to not make Shandi go through another 17 weeks of evaluation, her original work was never located. Apparently Pearline Downs lost it. They found ‘some’ paperwork but it was not the full original folder. I believe this hindered Shandi from getting the help she needed during the 2nd grade school year.

I also spoke with Ms. String and Shandi’s 2nd grade teacher concerning forming a network of support for concerned relatives of children with learning disabilities. They were very encouraging and felt that such a group would be very beneficial.
8:59 8/24/09

Mr. McCallum, Superintendent of Education for Walthall School District called. He had spoken with Ms. Cherry Smith, Director of SPED and Shandi’s testing date is set for Wednesday, August 26,2009. A Pevey will be doing the testing. We are to call Cherry Smith to determine if this test will be at Salem School or at the SPED department , what time and about signing the permission slip.
Stacie called SPED, then went to sign updated permission form for the testing. A Bro. Pevey, a pastor and child psychologist will perform the testing. It will be done either tomorrow, Tuesday, 8/25/09 or Wednesday, 8/26/09. The testing will include an achievement test and an ability test, according to Mrs. Etheridge, Case Manager in SPED.

I also called Salem School and informed them of the testing set for Shandi.

It turned out really good. I handed out about 11 flyers to various teachers and all were receptive. One, Karen Rushing was really excited. I knew Shandi's former teachers would be and even her teacher this year was open to the idea; so that was a God thing to print those up.

Shandi's grades in math were good, except for some reading problems. Her reading however wasn't. We didnt' expect it to be. Patricia showed us one paper where they had to write their own story. Most of it look liked random letters written down in word form, (I'll copy it for you when the papers come home tomorrow so you can see what I mean) She had made a 45 of that paper. Patricia says, "See her beautiful story? She knows every word in it even though you may not can read it, she can. She writes wonderful stories."
Honestly, Patricia must have had Shandi read it to her in order for her to know that.

She has put a little girl with Shandi to help her with her reading and patricia thinks that will help Shandi a lot.

Then we talked with Ana's teachers. Ana got her MCT2 test results and is proficient in all subjects. She aced the algebra part of it, getting 7 points out of a possible 7 points. Grammar is her worst area so we're going to start working on that.

We also talked with the counselor, Mr. Fortenberry. We explained to him the situation with Shandi, yet again. I spoke with him concerning her twice last year. One time he made the remark that if he had known about her he would have already done some checking on getting her tested verbally. I informed him that i did speak with him last year about her. He's going to look up her file tomorrow and do some checking. If he doesn't forget.

All in all it was an enjoyable time. I think the only negative part of the night was when I walked in Jocile Martin's class. She was Jocile Boyd back when we went to school and was never an outgoing type. She has only gotten worse and more bitter acting as she aged. She took one of the flyers, but she acted as though I was handing her a cobra. LOL I didn't get to see Lisa Wicker, the pastor of Salem's wife, who is one of the kindergarten teachers, but I'll catch her later.

Shan-Roo and Robby

I should have known something was up when Robby texted me this morning asking what his dad was doing. I answered back that we were trying to get ready to put plastic on a greenhouse. He said he'd talk with him later.

Then I forgot about it and went to work. I had a lot to do since I was leaving early to take Shan to her doctor's appointment.

While picking Shan up from school the teacher told me about Shandi not wanting to put away her unfinished math page to start on language. She said she finally got Shan to work on some of the language problems, but not before Shan had pulled her math out to work on it again. When I talked with her this evening about it, she did say she liked math better than language. So maybe because she can do the math and she struggles with language, she would rather do math.

Just as we arrived at the clinic this evening my phone alerted me to text message. I didn't recognize the number, and the message was "what you doing". I replied back that I was taking to the doc. I was asked if she was sick and I replied that it was for a checkup, and who is this.

"Boo" was the answer I got. Boo is the nickname for Paula, one of Robby's first girlfriends, way back when he was still a teenager. Then I get the message that says "Robby says hi". So I say hi back then ask...is Robby there? The answer I received was NOT what I wanted to read. Yes, this is Robby and I've been here a couple of days. Seems according to Robby his boss is in trouble money wise and Robby needed to get out of the area they were working. He got Paula to come get him.

We sign in to see the doctor. The waiting room is full and knowing that we were to finish up Dr. Charles day, I wonder how late does he stay. Big kids, little kids, quiet kids, screaming kids, yelling parents, popping kid parents....it was mayhem in there. After about 30 minutes Shan says the noise is so loud she is getting a headache. I suggested she close her eyes and tune the noise out...which she does.

Our appointment was at 4 and finally at 5:45 we see Dr. Charles. Her urine culture didn't grow anything. This is good because it means her body hasn't become resistent to the antibiotic. Still, with the kidney deflux, he would prefer having the test done to check things out, as would I. So he writes up that order and we will receive a phone call concerning the date later.

Then we talk about Shandi. He still hasn't gotten the recent evaluation from Dr. Jolly. He askes lots of questions about her school work, what help is she getting, and how is her behavior. He believes that medication isn't the answer for Shan, instead she needs help in school-tutoring, special ed, whatever it takes. Still he won't take her off her meds right now.

He told me to keep doing what I was doing school wise--pushing for help. He also said that if the school needed to talk with him, have them call him.

I believe I will contact the SPED contact at school and see if she will call him, or should I call and ask for an evaluation from him. Still, I would rather see the report from Dr. Jolly myself first, which should be coming in any day.

We go back to see Dr. Charles in 2 months. For refills, rather than seeing him monthly, we can call for the prescription and then stop by and pick it up, which is very convenient for us.