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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Is this crazy, or is it just me? UPDATE
I live in Lindenhurst, which has a UPK program. My 4 year old DD has an IEP for speech issues (articulation) and receives speech services 2x a week for 30 minutes. I was told in her CPSE meeting that she "barely qualified." OK.
When the UPK lottery for next year was announced, I put her name in for it. On the form it says that if your child is receiving services they are not eligible, but I figured since she barely qualified for speech and wasn't eligible for a special education preschool she would be OK for the UPK lottery. The speech therapist who comes to the house said to enter her for the lottery.
When I called to see if she was on the waiting list, I was told she was not put in the lottery because she has an IEP. I asked if she qualifies for a special education preK program then. I was told no, and I quote, "She's not disabled enough for that."
OK, so she's "disabled' enough for an IEP, but NOT disabled" enough for UPK?? WHAT??
Today I called NYS Dept of Education. I was told that because Lindenhurst doesn't take state UPK money (they administer it on their own through district money) they basically can make whatever rules they want. The woman on the phone was like totally irate about it though... She kept saying, "That's SO WRONG. So wrong."
I really can't afford preK for her next year. it's very expensive where I live, about $150-200 a month for 3 half days. The UPK program is 5 half days and is an excellent program. This is crazy, right?? DO I have any kind of recourse in this, or is it just an "It is what it is" situation?? I'm really upset about this.
UPDATE: I contacted the educational advocacy group and after some discussions, they think I definitely have a valid complaint against the school district. They believe that this is a civil rights violation, and will be helping me file a complaint with OCR on behalf of my daughter. Thank you so much to everyone who chimed in, big shout out to Jax430, because I never would have stumbled across that advocacy group on my own. 
Message edited 6/7/2013 1:46:12 PM.
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Posted 6/5/13 11:28 AM  |
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Re: Is this crazy, or is it just me?
I think you can try. But I don't know if you will make any headway since she DOES have an IEP.
I guess they have that rule for a reason, and unfortuately since she does have an IEP she falls into that category.
My guess is that they go by the IEP, obviously nad not what is written in it
But raise hell, can't hurt, right?
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| Posted 6/5/13 11:37 AM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Is this crazy, or is it just me?
That really pisses me off. I would contact an education advocate. They may have had experience dealing with this. I don't know this organization specifically, because I work in NYC, but try them:
Long Island Advocacy Center
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| Posted 6/5/13 11:56 AM |
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Lauren82
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 4580 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Is this crazy, or is it just me?
I would contact the superintendent...sometimes they are totally unaware of how these situations affect real people.
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| Posted 6/5/13 12:06 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Is this crazy, or is it just me?
That is completely ridiculous. I would contact the Superintendent and make a complaint.
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| Posted 6/5/13 12:06 PM |
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JennyPenny
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Member since 1/08 12702 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Is this crazy, or is it just me?
That's ridiculous.
Unfortunately- since the Dept. of Ed can't do anything, I feel like that would be your best shot.
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| Posted 6/5/13 12:12 PM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: Is this crazy, or is it just me?
Posted by Jax430
That really pisses me off. I would contact an education advocate. They may have had experience dealing with this. I don't know this organization specifically, because I work in NYC, but try them:
Long Island Advocacy Center
Thank you- I just contacted this advocacy group. Hopefully they let me know if I have any options. It just seems so unfair!!
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| Posted 6/5/13 1:36 PM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Is this crazy, or is it just me?
I also contacted the superintendent today. This was the reply I got... You really have to love all the bad grammar, misspelling, and lack of punctuation:
"I am forwarding your e-mail to Linda Kaye who is the administrator in charge of pre-kindergarten. I will ask her for an explanation of our procedures and quaalifications for the Just kids program. please note that this program is not a UPK, but rather a courtesy extended to members of the lindenhurst community by Just Kids. we do not fund their Pre-Kindergarten program."
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| Posted 6/5/13 1:39 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Is this crazy, or is it just me?
WOW, that is terrible!
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| Posted 6/5/13 1:47 PM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Is this crazy, or is it just me?
Posted by OffWithHerHead23
Posted by Jax430
That really pisses me off. I would contact an education advocate. They may have had experience dealing with this. I don't know this organization specifically, because I work in NYC, but try them:
Long Island Advocacy Center
Thank you- I just contacted this advocacy group. Hopefully they let me know if I have any options. It just seems so unfair!!
It doesn't make any sense. Basically, they are discriminating against children with mild disabilities by not giving them the same educational opportunities as the general population.
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| Posted 6/5/13 1:51 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this crazy, or is it just me?
Posted by Jax430
Posted by OffWithHerHead23
Posted by Jax430
That really pisses me off. I would contact an education advocate. They may have had experience dealing with this. I don't know this organization specifically, because I work in NYC, but try them:
Long Island Advocacy Center
Thank you- I just contacted this advocacy group. Hopefully they let me know if I have any options. It just seems so unfair!!
It doesn't make any sense. Basically, they are discriminating against children with mild disabilities by not giving them the same educational opportunities as the general population.
I agree with this!
Not exactly the same thing, but our town runs a couple of camps in the Summer (Brookhaven). In the brochure it says that the camps are not for children that have an IEP and are receiving services (or something like that), and to refer to the Special Recreation Program. That program does not allow mildly affected kids, it was only for kids in a self contained class that are low functioning, or physically disabled. I wrote the town, because that leaves out A LOT of kids in between, but they didn't seem to care.
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| Posted 6/5/13 1:53 PM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Is this crazy, or is it just me? UPDATE
Bump for update
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| Posted 6/7/13 1:46 PM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Is this crazy, or is it just me? UPDATE
Oh, I am so glad that the agency was able to help! I hope that you are successful in fighting the district and that your daughter receives the education to which she is entitled. Please keep us posted!
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| Posted 6/7/13 2:45 PM |
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butterfly20
Party of 5 - 2015
Member since 4/06 7390 total posts
Name:
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Re: Is this crazy, or is it just me? UPDATE
I kinda get the towns side... when I was little they had me in special ed for speech....
if a child is needing additional assistance to be in a mainstream class would take time away from the other kids...
since its a lottery and not guaranteed to anyone... id think they should allow into lottery for special ed prek
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| Posted 6/7/13 4:22 PM |
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