COSA confusion

[Anonymous]

If we are planning to request a COSA for a school closer to us (so kid doesn't have to be bussed in HS), where is the form? The one online is still for the 2022-2023 school year (which is this year). We need one for next school year 2023-2024 (when our kid enters 9th grade).

Has anyone done this before?

[Anonymous]

What is a unique hardship?
A unique hardship depends on the family’s individual
and personal situation. Problems that are common to
large numbers of families, such as issues involving day
care or program/course preference, do not constitute
a hardship, unless there are other compelling factors.
Documentation that can be independently verified must
accompany all hardship requests, or the request will be
denied. In the absence of such documentation, evidence
of such extenuating circumstances may be obtained
through consultation with school staff. Examples of
such unique hardships include, but are not limited to,
the following:

1. Child care: Parents/guardians must demonstrate
extenuating circumstances in obtaining age-appro-
priate supervision of school-age students before and/
or after school because: (a) their work hours extend
significantly beyond the typical hours for available
child care programs and activities located within the
home school or otherwise easily accessible child care
programs; and/or (b) significant financial constraints
limit the family’s ability to otherwise access child
care, or other student specified needs. The extenuat-
ing circumstances must be extremely significant for
students beyond the elementary level.
2. When there are extenuating circumstances involv-
ing the physical, mental, or emotional well-being
of the student. Parents/guardians seeking COSAs
for this reason should provide documentation of
(a) ongoing treatment by a health-care provider of
issues related to the student’s physical, mental, or
emotional well-being that are directly related to or
significantly impacted by the school environment;
and/or (b) a significant health issue with unique care
requirements (e.g., frequent medical appointments
far from the student’s home school and/or the par-
ent’s/guardian’s work location)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is a unique hardship?
A unique hardship depends on the family’s individual
and personal situation. Problems that are common to
large numbers of families, such as issues involving day
care or program/course preference, do not constitute
a hardship, unless there are other compelling factors.
Documentation that can be independently verified must
accompany all hardship requests, or the request will be
denied. In the absence of such documentation, evidence
of such extenuating circumstances may be obtained
through consultation with school staff. Examples of
such unique hardships include, but are not limited to,
the following:

1. Child care: Parents/guardians must demonstrate
extenuating circumstances in obtaining age-appro-
priate supervision of school-age students before and/
or after school because: (a) their work hours extend
significantly beyond the typical hours for available
child care programs and activities located within the
home school or otherwise easily accessible child care
programs; and/or (b) significant financial constraints
limit the family’s ability to otherwise access child
care, or other student specified needs. The extenuat-
ing circumstances must be extremely significant for
students beyond the elementary level.
2. When there are extenuating circumstances involv-
ing the physical, mental, or emotional well-being
of the student. Parents/guardians seeking COSAs
for this reason should provide documentation of
(a) ongoing treatment by a health-care provider of
issues related to the student’s physical, mental, or
emotional well-being that are directly related to or
significantly impacted by the school environment;
and/or (b) a significant health issue with unique care
requirements (e.g., frequent medical appointments
far from the student’s home school and/or the par-
ent’s/guardian’s work location)

I realize that. BUT I am still looking for the correct form. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

as PP is hinting at, if you don't show unique hardship, you are likely to be rejected, just fyi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:as PP is hinting at, if you don't show unique hardship, you are likely to be rejected, just fyi.

I understand. There are hardships that I don't wish to discuss here. My issue is that the form is for this current school year, not next year, and today is the day to submit for next year. I called the school and they don't know why MCPS didn't update it, and I have had a couple calls into MCPS (vms) and not heard back yet. I thought someone here would know if there was another link to the new form.

[Anonymous]

Send in the existing form and note that you were unable to located the 23-24 form on the website.

[Anonymous]

Call MCPS to ask.

[Anonymous]

OP, I imagine the form for next school year has not been posted since MP3 and second semester just started. I would expect that form to be released later in the spring toward the end of the school year, not now.

That will give you all summer to fight and wrangle with central office and its rejections and appeals process. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Since it's urgent, OP, I'd fill out the existing form, because it's always the same one anyway, and then continue to follow up with Central Office to check that it's been received, and they understand it's for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since it's urgent, OP, I'd fill out the existing form, because it's always the same one anyway, and then continue to follow up with Central Office to check that it's been received, and they understand it's for next year.

Thank you. That is what I planned to do.

Every year, the schedule is the same. Feb 1-April 1 is the window for COSAs for the next school year. Maybe it was changed this year. Still awaiting a return phone call.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I imagine the form for next school year has not been posted since MP3 and second semester just started. I would expect that form to be released later in the spring toward the end of the school year, not now.

That will give you all summer to fight and wrangle with central office and its rejections and appeals process. Good luck.

Thank you. Is it really so brutal a process?

Forms are usually due from 2/1-4/1. So I expected to see the new form uploaded today.

[Anonymous]

It's really hard to get a COSA for HS.

[Anonymous]

Well, I would say depends on the circumstances and the school. If you're wanting to change from a school that is overcrowded, to school that is not overcrowded, it would be easier. If you're trying to switch into school that is overcrowded, it's not going to happen

[Anonymous]

Also understand that even if you do get the COSA, your child is unable to participate in athletics their entire first year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I imagine the form for next school year has not been posted since MP3 and second semester just started. I would expect that form to be released later in the spring toward the end of the school year, not now.

That will give you all summer to fight and wrangle with central office and its rejections and appeals process. Good luck.

Thank you. Is it really so brutal a process?

Forms are usually due from 2/1-4/1. So I expected to see the new form uploaded today.

Not really. My husband and I filled out the forms, were rejected. We appealed and had an interview with a representative who kind of hinted at some things we needed to say in our application to actually get it accepted and then it was approved. Not a bad experience as things go.