I just received the news that Olivia will be attending her base school with her friends. I am truly overwhelmed because this outcome belongs to all of you who cared enough to sign and support a girl you have never met. We will keep an eye on how things transition …
June 23, 2016
Final supporters
Hello! I am a mother to a child who is visually impaired, but she is way more than just those 2 additional words, visually impaired. She is independent, outgoing, funny and smart! She is inquisitive and imaginative. Olivia is a rising 6th grader in WCPSS and will be attending middle school next year. She also wants to attend her base school (Rolesville Middle) in our community, which includes friends from her swim team and church. Because of Olivia’s visual impairment and her use of braille, the school system has declined our request for our base school assignment. They want to place her at a VI program school away from our community and without access to social opportunities.
Some back information, many school districts like to place the VI child in the VI box (program school), instead of looking at the child’s specific unique needs and interests. Olivia is interested in chess club, community work, science and math. The program school offers only 1 club that would be available to her, which is a business club, a club not in Olivia's interest area. Olivia has earned AG status in Math & ELA, the program school offers limited opportunities for challenging her academically since they do not offer clubs in the area of science, her favorite subject! Anyone who knows a child with a visual impairment, knows that developing social skills and building friendships can be tricky due to the lack of eye contact and inability to read body language. Olivia needs to participate in clubs to be allowed to forge friendships, in a smaller group setting, friendships that could serve her for a lifetime. Our base school offers over 20 clubs and many opportunities to form friendships outside of the classroom and outside of school sports.
Middle school is hard enough. Olivia deserves to have the best experience possible while going through the most turbulent, awkward years ahead. All children deserve that opportunity!
Currently, we are in Due Process with the school system and if successful, my fight may establish a precedence for all families with visually impaired children to go to their base schools in our area. For that one reason alone, I will keep fighting. Our children deserve not to have labels slapped upon them. Olivia should be looked at individually and not simply placed in the box labeled “VI program school” solely because of her visual impairment.
Please sign our petition and add your words of encouragement to Olivia.
FYI _
For more information on IDEA: Regulations: Part 300 / B / 300.116
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 14, 2016
June 13, 2016
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have taken the time to stand with Olivia. We are nearly at two hundred and fifty signatures and I keep wondering how this simple request reached so many of you. Please keep spreading the word because I truly believe our community is the reason this is finally getting some serious attention.
Reached 100 supporters
June 12, 2016
146 Comments
My son is completely blind and excels in his academics as well. Our children need as much "normal" as possible to help them become amazing parts of the community. I can't imagine him being kept out of the general Ed school system! Good luck with everything and keep pushing!
Blind/VI deserve the right to attend Home Base School. Social involvement plays an major part in social communicating in child teen & young adult years. Social isolation is an act of abuse & neglect. Stop & prevent social isolation in the Blind/VI community.
As a teacher of students with visual impairments, I can not agree with your child not being served in the least restrictive environment. I am an itinerant teacher and drive to the students I serve in their school zone. Student first, ALWAYS.
As the mother states middle school is hard enough for the child without "different abilities". EVERY child deserves a familiar support system as a spring board to foster growth and development while they explore what life has to offer and makes new connections. PERSON FIRST NOT LABEL.
The I in IEP stands for Individual. Please consider Olivia's individual needs and allow her to attend her base school which is clearly the better option for her as outlined by her caring and knowledgeable parents.
This is so important. Thank you for fighting for your child - and thereby fighting for all our children.
What a wonderful young lady with such great achievements she should be afforded the same opportunities as a sighted person. If she went through her elementary school grades the middle school years should be no different.
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I just received the news that Olivia will be attending her base school with her friends. I am truly overwhelmed because this outcome belongs to all of you who cared enough to sign and support a girl you have never met. We will keep an eye on how things transition …
June 23, 2016
Final supporters
Hello! I am a mother to a child who is visually impaired, but she is way more than just those 2 additional words, visually impaired. She is independent, outgoing, funny and smart! She is inquisitive and imaginative. Olivia is a rising 6th grader in WCPSS and will be attending middle school next year. She also wants to attend her base school (Rolesville Middle) in our community, which includes friends from her swim team and church. Because of Olivia’s visual impairment and her use of braille, the school system has declined our request for our base school assignment. They want to place her at a VI program school away from our community and without access to social opportunities.
Some back information, many school districts like to place the VI child in the VI box (program school), instead of looking at the child’s specific unique needs and interests. Olivia is interested in chess club, community work, science and math. The program school offers only 1 club that would be available to her, which is a business club, a club not in Olivia's interest area. Olivia has earned AG status in Math & ELA, the program school offers limited opportunities for challenging her academically since they do not offer clubs in the area of science, her favorite subject! Anyone who knows a child with a visual impairment, knows that developing social skills and building friendships can be tricky due to the lack of eye contact and inability to read body language. Olivia needs to participate in clubs to be allowed to forge friendships, in a smaller group setting, friendships that could serve her for a lifetime. Our base school offers over 20 clubs and many opportunities to form friendships outside of the classroom and outside of school sports.
Middle school is hard enough. Olivia deserves to have the best experience possible while going through the most turbulent, awkward years ahead. All children deserve that opportunity!
Currently, we are in Due Process with the school system and if successful, my fight may establish a precedence for all families with visually impaired children to go to their base schools in our area. For that one reason alone, I will keep fighting. Our children deserve not to have labels slapped upon them. Olivia should be looked at individually and not simply placed in the box labeled “VI program school” solely because of her visual impairment.
Please sign our petition and add your words of encouragement to Olivia.
FYI _
For more information on IDEA: Regulations: Part 300 / B / 300.116
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 14, 2016
June 13, 2016
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have taken the time to stand with Olivia. We are nearly at two hundred and fifty signatures and I keep wondering how this simple request reached so many of you. Please keep spreading the word because I truly believe our community is the reason this is finally getting some serious attention.
Reached 100 supporters
June 12, 2016
146 Comments
As one of Olivia's swim coaches, I can say that she is one of the most good natured, self-motivated, determined, hard working children I know. She deserves every opportunity to succeed in whatever she sets her mind to. You're awesome, Olivia!
My son is completely blind and excels in his academics as well. Our children need as much "normal" as possible to help them become amazing parts of the community. I can't imagine him being kept out of the general Ed school system! Good luck with everything and keep pushing!
Blind/VI deserve the right to attend Home Base School. Social involvement plays an major part in social communicating in child teen & young adult years. Social isolation is an act of abuse & neglect. Stop & prevent social isolation in the Blind/VI community.
As a teacher of students with visual impairments, I can not agree with your child not being served in the least restrictive environment. I am an itinerant teacher and drive to the students I serve in their school zone. Student first, ALWAYS.
As the mother states middle school is hard enough for the child without "different abilities". EVERY child deserves a familiar support system as a spring board to foster growth and development while they explore what life has to offer and makes new connections. PERSON FIRST NOT LABEL.
The I in IEP stands for Individual. Please consider Olivia's individual needs and allow her to attend her base school which is clearly the better option for her as outlined by her caring and knowledgeable parents.
This is so important. Thank you for fighting for your child - and thereby fighting for all our children.
What a wonderful young lady with such great achievements she should be afforded the same opportunities as a sighted person. If she went through her elementary school grades the middle school years should be no different.
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As one of Olivia's swim coaches, I can say that she is one of the most good natured, self-motivated, determined, hard working children I know. She deserves every opportunity to succeed in whatever she sets her mind to. You're awesome, Olivia!