How does the Extended School Year portion of your ARC meeting usually go? I don't think I've ever really discussed the need, or lack of, for ESY in our ARC meetings. I think it's kind of skimmed over, simply because there is no such thing in our county school system. And since there are a thousand or so kids receiving special ed services, I would have to assume there are a handful of kids who would benefit/need ESY services.
I've read a thing or two over the years about ESY, and wasn't surprised to see the topic in the email newsletter from Special Education Advisor. I'm really on the fence about ESY for Patty. I don't like the idea of sending my kids to school during their summer vacation, that just feels like undue punishment. Not to mention, the program probably wouldn't be at their school with their teacher. I think it might do more harm than good.
But, there are a lot of things that worry me about summer. I'm really concerned about the summer back slide, and the dreaded return of school anxiety that might pop up again in the fall.
What do you think about extended school year?
I love ESY. Boo regresses during a week off, let alone more. Thankfully she has a week off after school ends then she goes back 4 days a week (rather than 5) for about 6 weeks. She again will have 2 weeks off before the start of the new school year. We (and more importantly, she) would be lost without it.
ReplyDeleteTo us, the punishment is when we mess with her routine. For example, we took last week off and traveled. Since we've been home she has been unable to transition to sleeping by herself, her constitution is off and she is more easily frustrated. My fingers are crossed that by the end of next week she will be back on her routine.
Best of luck in your decision!
Does Boo have the same teachers during ESY?
DeleteYes. Well one is out. But for the most part her aides stay the same. The teachers do a half-week program (one works M-T the other W-Th)although she is not in the other teachers room, last year it didn't make a difference to her. For me, as much as I love her teacher, it is the aide consistency that makes the difference. She does have one that is only a summer aide, she is still in college, but that is like an old friend to Boo.
DeleteCan you do a part-time ESY to see how you like it?
i really do not think our school system has any ESY programs. if they do, it's a best kept secret. if we ever wanted ESY for patty, we'd probably have to go to due-process to get it.
Deletei'll probably get in trouble for saying this, but i think our county has a difficult time selecting truly qualified people to do the top jobs. there is a strong tendency to promote from within, which means you have the same folks doing lack luster work getting promotions where they continue to do lack luster work. it's very frustrating.
Hey there, I can lend you the e-book. Send your e-mail (the one attached to your kindle) to: firebailey@gmail.com and I will pass it on :)
DeleteSo...Tucker will receive ESY services but the non-cat preschools don't (he's in PAC - preschool autism class, the non-cat classes are for DD but they don't use as much ABA). Here, school gets out mid-June. They then have almost 3 weeks off and go back for 2 days the week of July 4 and then resume the monday after the 4th. But the hours suck (school begins at 8am rather than 9:20) and they are shortened (4 hours/day every day rather than 6.5 hours 3x/week). He's then out again mid-August until after Labor Day. I'm actually grateful as I fear regression as Kerri does. I can see a difference in him when he's been out.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I asked Tucker's teacher about ESY in general and she said that it's open to all PAC because of the regression issue. CHildren in other classes CAN receive ESY if the parents make a case for them (like regression). I do not believe that schools tell parents this enough but you should ask if you're interested. It sounds like you're on the fence.
Good luck. I'll be interested to see what happens if you decide to push for ESY.
patty had terrible back-to-school anxiety last year, of course we switched to a new school in our county, so it was all new to her. if she has that same issue this fall, i will definitely have to speak to the school about some kind of ESY. i definitely think she would benefit since the student load would be significantly less during ESY. it would be the perfect time to pre-teach things for the upcoming school year, or catch her up on things she was lacking from last year. i definitely think there are a lot of pluses to ESY, but i really just don't think our school system has any ESY in our county. it would rock a boat, i'm just not sure i want to rock!
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