Is this a reason for a COSA? Also, can they ride the bus together?

[Anonymous]

I have twins who will go to K next year (2020, I'm asking early!). One of my twins has a significant physical and medical disability. He has no cognitive or learning disability and will attend a gen ed classroom, but with nursing, PT and other supports.

My understanding is that our local school building is not accessible, and that he'll likely be bused to a different school. I am wondering if it's possible to ask to have my other child moved, so that they stay together. I think that adjusting to different classrooms will be enough for the first year of school. I also think that having them together will make things much easier for me. That way, for example, if I need to pick up one child for therapy right after school, I can get his brother and not worry about the bus.

Is this a reason for a COSA?

Also, my understanding from other parents is that my disabled child will ride a bus that comes right to the door of my house. Is it possible for both kids to ride together? My understanding is that most special buses only have a handful of kids on them, so it seems as though there would be room!

[Anonymous]

Yes for COSA; not sure about the bus.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to sound too definite because every situation is different and MCPS can always find some way to be inconsistent, but from what I have seen, when a special education student is assigned to a school that isn't their home school via IEP team decision, the COSA for their sibling(s) has sailed through easily. I've never heard of anyone having a problem getting it approved. And yes, the siblings were allowed to ride the special ed bus. You have to call Transportation and have them added to the run sheet as a "ride along," but it shouldn't be a problem.

[Anonymous]

Definitely yes for COSA but not sure about the bus. It SHOULD be okay but sped transportation is not always the most reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Since it’s a year away, any chance of letting the school know that you expect your home school to be accessible when he is ready to enter kindergarten. Even if it’s an old school they can make modifications.

[Anonymous]

Can you tell us the inaccessible school so we can advocate for that to be fixed?

[Anonymous]

OP here,

I agree in theory that all of the schools in MCPS should be accessible, but I also don't really want to advocate for change specifically for my kid. My best guess is that the IEP team will place him at one of the two elementary schools in the county that houses the physical disabilities programs, and I've heard really good things about the one that's close to our house. They use an inclusion model, and they have PT's and OT's and special educators with a lot of knowledge about kids exactly like my kid, and spaces designed with kids like mine in mind. I'm pretty excited about the possibility for him, and for his brother to get to be with him in a school culture that seems like it really embraces and celebrates kids with disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

I agree in theory that all of the schools in MCPS should be accessible, but I also don't really want to advocate for change specifically for my kid. My best guess is that the IEP team will place him at one of the two elementary schools in the county that houses the physical disabilities programs, and I've heard really good things about the one that's close to our house. They use an inclusion model, and they have PT's and OT's and special educators with a lot of knowledge about kids exactly like my kid, and spaces designed with kids like mine in mind. I'm pretty excited about the possibility for him, and for his brother to get to be with him in a school culture that seems like it really embraces and celebrates kids with disabilities.

Well, please let us know the school anyway because it would help kids other than your DC who also might be bused necessarily now or in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

I agree in theory that all of the schools in MCPS should be accessible, but I also don't really want to advocate for change specifically for my kid. My best guess is that the IEP team will place him at one of the two elementary schools in the county that houses the physical disabilities programs, and I've heard really good things about the one that's close to our house. They use an inclusion model, and they have PT's and OT's and special educators with a lot of knowledge about kids exactly like my kid, and spaces designed with kids like mine in mind. I'm pretty excited about the possibility for him, and for his brother to get to be with him in a school culture that seems like it really embraces and celebrates kids with disabilities.

Well, please let us know the school anyway because it would help kids other than your DC who also might be bused necessarily now or in the future.

You want me to tell you private information about my kid, that would make him identifiable to the school and our neighbors, so that you can advocate for something I think is not in my kid's best interest?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

I agree in theory that all of the schools in MCPS should be accessible, but I also don't really want to advocate for change specifically for my kid. My best guess is that the IEP team will place him at one of the two elementary schools in the county that houses the physical disabilities programs, and I've heard really good things about the one that's close to our house. They use an inclusion model, and they have PT's and OT's and special educators with a lot of knowledge about kids exactly like my kid, and spaces designed with kids like mine in mind. I'm pretty excited about the possibility for him, and for his brother to get to be with him in a school culture that seems like it really embraces and celebrates kids with disabilities.

Well, please let us know the school anyway because it would help kids other than your DC who also might be bused necessarily now or in the future.

You want me to tell you private information about my kid, that would make him identifiable to the school and our neighbors, so that you can advocate for something I think is not in my kid's best interest?

The name of a public school that is inaccessible to students with physical disabilities is not private information about your child.

[Anonymous]

I think it sounds eminently reasonable, OP.

On thing, though. Are you sure this is best for your non-disabled child? Special Needs bus rides can be much longer than regular ones. And the school environment may not be the one that is best suited for him, if not this year, then in other years. What I mean is that at some point they might be better off in separate environments, so think carefully about what you're committing to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

I agree in theory that all of the schools in MCPS should be accessible, but I also don't really want to advocate for change specifically for my kid. My best guess is that the IEP team will place him at one of the two elementary schools in the county that houses the physical disabilities programs, and I've heard really good things about the one that's close to our house. They use an inclusion model, and they have PT's and OT's and special educators with a lot of knowledge about kids exactly like my kid, and spaces designed with kids like mine in mind. I'm pretty excited about the possibility for him, and for his brother to get to be with him in a school culture that seems like it really embraces and celebrates kids with disabilities.

Well, please let us know the school anyway because it would help kids other than your DC who also might be bused necessarily now or in the future.

You want me to tell you private information about my kid, that would make him identifiable to the school and our neighbors, so that you can advocate for something I think is not in my kid's best interest?

The name of a public school that is inaccessible to students with physical disabilities is not private information about your child.

I'm 21:45 and many MCPS schools do not have the resources to adequately supervise and help a child with significant medical or physical (or behavioral or whatever) needs! This does not mean that they are not up to the legal standard, which is very basic. My kids went to the Bethesda Elementary school, who welcomes children whose disabilities cannot be fully accommodated at their home school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

I agree in theory that all of the schools in MCPS should be accessible, but I also don't really want to advocate for change specifically for my kid. My best guess is that the IEP team will place him at one of the two elementary schools in the county that houses the physical disabilities programs, and I've heard really good things about the one that's close to our house. They use an inclusion model, and they have PT's and OT's and special educators with a lot of knowledge about kids exactly like my kid, and spaces designed with kids like mine in mind. I'm pretty excited about the possibility for him, and for his brother to get to be with him in a school culture that seems like it really embraces and celebrates kids with disabilities.

Well, please let us know the school anyway because it would help kids other than your DC who also might be bused necessarily now or in the future.

You want me to tell you private information about my kid, that would make him identifiable to the school and our neighbors, so that you can advocate for something I think is not in my kid's best interest?

The name of a public school that is inaccessible to students with physical disabilities is not private information about your child.

Because there are so 4 year old boy twins with this profile out there, that no one would every be able to figure out which parent at that school made this post?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I think it sounds eminently reasonable, OP.

On thing, though. Are you sure this is best for your non-disabled child? Special Needs bus rides can be much longer than regular ones. And the school environment may not be the one that is best suited for him, if not this year, then in other years. What I mean is that at some point they might be better off in separate environments, so think carefully about what you're committing to.

I don't think getting a COSA commits us to this for eternity. If I get a COSA and at another point a different choice makes sense, he can go back. So, I'm not really committing to anything.

But, other than the fact that one school has the physical disability program, and one doesn't, our local school and the school I think we'd end up at are pretty equivalent. Both have the same curriculum, and the same grades, and good reputations. I am sure that, other than the fact that he wants to be with his brother, he'd be equally happy at both schools. I assume they'll be in different classes, which is the same amount of separation that most twins get.

The school with the physical disabilities program is actually pretty close to us. Because my son will have nursing care on the bus, which is an expensive service, the school system has a pretty big incentive to make the ride short.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here,

I agree in theory that all of the schools in MCPS should be accessible, but I also don't really want to advocate for change specifically for my kid. My best guess is that the IEP team will place him at one of the two elementary schools in the county that houses the physical disabilities programs, and I've heard really good things about the one that's close to our house. They use an inclusion model, and they have PT's and OT's and special educators with a lot of knowledge about kids exactly like my kid, and spaces designed with kids like mine in mind. I'm pretty excited about the possibility for him, and for his brother to get to be with him in a school culture that seems like it really embraces and celebrates kids with disabilities.

Well, please let us know the school anyway because it would help kids other than your DC who also might be bused necessarily now or in the future.

You want me to tell you private information about my kid, that would make him identifiable to the school and our neighbors, so that you can advocate for something I think is not in my kid's best interest?

The name of a public school that is inaccessible to students with physical disabilities is not private information about your child.

Because there are so 4 year old boy twins with this profile out there, that no one would every be able to figure out which parent at that school made this post?

OP’s kids aren’t even enrolled yet. How would the school link them to a generic email THIS year that asks “Why isn’t your building accessible to students with physical disabilities?”