Any Westbrook or Carderock Springs Elem. parents? Need quick advice!

[Anonymous]

My son, entering K this fall, receives OT (low muscle tone in hands, arms, shoulders); Therefore, would not do well sitting in a desk for long periouds, writing a lot. We have to make a last minute decision whether to pursue a private school spot that's opened up, or try public (Westbrook or Carderock Springs). Does anyone have any info. on how well either school would support a student who needs some supports and extra time? I THINK I read that Westbrook offers a special support component, but my son doesn't need any academic support. Any advice/opinions/feedback appreciated!

[Anonymous]

My son is about to enter kindergarten at Westbrook. He has behavioral difficulties and will be in the special education room there. Although my son has not yet started, I have met the principal and he seems VERY good and very responsive. His name is Mr. Ewal. It sounds like your son has different difficulaties than my son, by I know they have an OT who comes by--don't know how often.
I would call the principal and ask him your questions. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is about to enter kindergarten at Westbrook. He has behavioral difficulties and will be in the special education room there. Although my son has not yet started, I have met the principal and he seems VERY good and very responsive. His name is Mr. Ewal. It sounds like your son has different difficulaties than my son, by I know they have an OT who comes by--don't know how often.
I would call the principal and ask him your questions. Good luck.

Not OP. May I ask what kind of behavioral difficulties?

My son attends a different MoCo elementary school, has ADHD and its accompanying behavior problems (he is on meds and we do therapy), but he still managed to get sent to the office on a weekly basis during much of the K year. Would be interested to know how other schools manage issues, if similar.

[Anonymous]

He is in an emotional disability classroom. It is for kids with emotional and/or behavioral issues, including aggresive behavior. I think one thing they look at is whether being in a regular classroom will be disruptive to the rest of the class and whether they teacher can not handle the kid so that he/she can remain in a learning environment. If your child gets sent to office for significant periods of time, then he is not able to be learning.
The ED classrooms have a special ed teacher and often a couple aids and also share with other schools a behavioral specialist and a social worker. So they put a lot of effort into helping the kids develop better behaviors. The classrooms are in regular schools and they try to mainstream the kids as much as possible--often sending an aid with the kid into another room.
I think there are 9 elementary schools in the county with ED classrooms--and if your kid goes to one--they bus you to whichever school is in your cluster. So far, it sounds like a very good program (but it has only been 2 days of school so far)
Good luck

[Anonymous]

OP, if your child needs special accommodations, you can ask the school for an IEP or a 504 plan. To get the ball rolling, all you have to do is contact the school principal and make the request. The MoCoPS website has a section that describes your rights and responsibilities and how the IEP and 504 processes work.

My kids don't go to the schools you mentioned, but I have to say that I've found our MoCo public elementary school extremely accommodating and flexible. I have one son who is behind in reading but not enough to consider him special needs or require the school to give him any special services or accommodations. Even still, he has been receiving special services three times a week for the past three years. Another one of my kids is a special needs child with an IEP. He is a first grader. In kindergarten, they provided lots of support, such as one-on-one work on language arts and reading, frequent breaks and other things that I can't immediately think of - and this was in addition to that which was required by the IEP.

One last thing I will mention is that in the beginning it takes the school a little bit of time to figure out how to best work with your child. Regardless of where your child goes, it will probably take a few weeks until the school figures out how your child's special needs impact his learning and how to accommodate them in a way that will facilitate a positive educational experience.

Good luck in figuring out what is best for your child.