PP, I sincerely wish you luck with the principal overriding the denial, but I wouldn't count on it. My understanding from "the inside" is that the whole process has changed. I'm not sure why or how long this will last, but very few COSAs are being granted.

This whole process seems so subjective, particularly the hardship category. I know families where the parent work at NIH, they live in Gaithersburg, but they got COSAs to go to Bethesda schools! The commute was their hardship. Seems to me just about anyone could use that argument.

Good luck. You'll have to let us know if the overriding of the denial goes through. It seems like nothing is really as easy as it seems with this process, but in your case I hope it is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something is definitely different this year--maybe someone new in charge? My son has been in PEP at one school for two years, and has documented anxiety issues. His teachers AND principal advised me to apply for the COSA so he could attend the same school for kindergarten. All seemed fairly confident that his case was legitimate, and that with the principal's blessing there would be no problem. Except it was denied :\ The principal seemd genuinely surprised and wrote a letter for our appeal. We also added letters from his teachers and pediatrician since it's not a convenience issue, but rather a matter of his mental health. Still waiting for a response...

Update--appeal was denied. I left a message with the principal, who then informed me that he can and will override it. I do not understand the thought behind this process at all, but it looks like DS will get to go to continue at this school. Perhaps a direct appeal to the principal/decision-maker is the way to go.

Seriously? you went thru the whole process and now the principal informs you he can over-ride the decision?

I suspect it's probably better for all involved to apply and appeal through the provided channels, rather than the principal simply dictating what is going to happen. No, he did not tell me in the beginning that he has that power, but honestly, from the start it seemed like this would be open and shut. My son's case is legitimate, and the administration of the receiving school approved of it, so why should it be denied twice? Doesn't make much sense, so I'm guessing the principal didn't mention it because he did not expect to have to do that.

PP, I don't think the principal at your assigned school has the power--it's the one at the school you want to send your child to. And since in my case, a denial is being overridden, apparently he or she does have a final say.

I don't think that the principal has the final say. They can write an appeal, and do what they can, but in the end its not up to them. That's just the impression that I've gotten through my cosa process so far.
I met with the principal of the school we're assigned to but don't want to go to. She wished me luck. Its not in their hands.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something is definitely different this year--maybe someone new in charge? My son has been in PEP at one school for two years, and has documented anxiety issues. His teachers AND principal advised me to apply for the COSA so he could attend the same school for kindergarten. All seemed fairly confident that his case was legitimate, and that with the principal's blessing there would be no problem. Except it was denied :\ The principal seemd genuinely surprised and wrote a letter for our appeal. We also added letters from his teachers and pediatrician since it's not a convenience issue, but rather a matter of his mental health. Still waiting for a response...

Update--appeal was denied. I left a message with the principal, who then informed me that he can and will override it. I do not understand the thought behind this process at all, but it looks like DS will get to go to continue at this school. Perhaps a direct appeal to the principal/decision-maker is the way to go.

Seriously? you went thru the whole process and now the principal informs you he can over-ride the decision?

Anonymous wrote:Something is definitely different this year--maybe someone new in charge? My son has been in PEP at one school for two years, and has documented anxiety issues. His teachers AND principal advised me to apply for the COSA so he could attend the same school for kindergarten. All seemed fairly confident that his case was legitimate, and that with the principal's blessing there would be no problem. Except it was denied :\ The principal seemd genuinely surprised and wrote a letter for our appeal. We also added letters from his teachers and pediatrician since it's not a convenience issue, but rather a matter of his mental health. Still waiting for a response...

Update--appeal was denied. I left a message with the principal, who then informed me that he can and will override it. I do not understand the thought behind this process at all, but it looks like DS will get to go to continue at this school. Perhaps a direct appeal to the principal/decision-maker is the way to go.