T & W field a listener question about the appropriateness of celebrating a foster placement. Is it born of tragedy or is it a cause for joy? We also discuss the Penn State child abuse scandal and the latest in our lives.
If you ever need to report child abuse call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD
A) D&K: Update please!
B) Do you actually agree that your daughter is failing school? If she likes school work, is doing well in spelling, and just needs to catch up on reading, is there really that big of a problem? School standards sometimes hurt children that are otherwise doing well and cause problems they mean to prevent. This is why I’m homeschooling my daughter. She will go at her own pace and I can adapt information to her learning style. I understand that this may not be possible for you.
C) Penn State: I read somewhere the per Pennsylvania law, they only have to report cases to their own supervisor. I expect that if this is so, that it will be changing rapidly.
Oh my gosh, I know, we are horrible. Nearly every night, I tell D, “We need to podcast,” and then I fall asleep. Can I play the pregnancy card?
Seriously, though, we haven’t forgotten. I have an outline drafted.
(Also, T, loved the 30 Rock reference).
Hey,
I was diagnosed with severe dyslexia in third grade. I was sent to “special” schools and was told I would never go to college. It was doubtful that I would graduate high school. My parents worked hard with me. I had tutors and was told I had to go to college. I had not choice. I have a master’s degree in English education. I taught for seven years and have a great job now. Keep fighting for them 
So encouraging stories
Awesome answer about the celebration. I experienced that my first placement. I wanted to celebrate. My friends and family wanted to. But my poor little girl was hurting. So we kept the celebration to ourselves. I really loved your answer.
We had a (foster parenting) class last night on education issues and the teacher talked about the large percentage of the kids in the special resource classes, with learning and behavior problems, that are or were in the foster care system. In his experience as a teacher and advocate for these kids, a lot of times the learning problems are because they were moved so many times and simply missed certain lessons. Individual tutoring sounds like the most affective solution to get kids caught up—like you did with reading over the summer, spelling now and like you mentioned about looking for a private tutor.
Regarding the letter from the reader: When we got our first and second placement, we too announced it with excitement to our friends on Facebook. It was an happy-sad-terrified-adrenaline kind of excited. Happy that we could finally get our hands dirty helping a child, sad about their situation and terrified that wouldn’t turn out well. Almost everyone responded with “Congratulations!” and I had a hard time with that because what appeared to be good news to an outsider was really bad news for someone else. But I love how you explained it—I wish there was no need for foster parents but because there is, it’s OK to celebrate when a child gets pulled out of a mess and placed into a loving home with parents who have been waiting to care for him. Likewise, if the child is reunified with his parents, it’s a cause for celebration as well as being a sad time.
thank you for making these.
Just finished listening to your podcast.
I have a friend who sned her son to a Kumon Center for reading and math. And it is not that expensive. (Just over $100 per month/child) and she is amazed at the positive response of her son.
Here’s a link (sorry its long)
http://www.kumon.com/GetStarted/GetABrochure.aspx?WT.term=kumon&gclid=COKP_Z2jw6wCFY9X7AodqV9z2A&ef_id=NZhOXZKrIjIAAA87%3A20111119175834%3As&WT.medium=cpc&WT.srch=1&WT.content=BPn4GZwi&WT.source=google&cshift_ck=e3a6e0cd-f83a-40a4-b89c-767c3c362c72csBPn4GZwi
and then there is something i saw on TV that i actually want to get for myself. I think its a great way to learn math. http://www.kumon.com/GetStarted/GetABrochure.aspx?WT.term=kumon&gclid=COKP_Z2jw6wCFY9X7AodqV9z2A&ef_id=NZhOXZKrIjIAAA87%3A20111119175834%3As&WT.medium=cpc&WT.srch=1&WT.content=BPn4GZwi&WT.source=google&cshift_ck=e3a6e0cd-f83a-40a4-b89c-767c3c362c72csBPn4GZwi
hope this helps…
AnaKris
To add to Martina’s post, if a child has been in the foster system and/or is noticeably behind the foster/adoptive parent can ask the school to evaluate the child for any disabilities or special needs. I would ask for this (must be done in writing) immediately. What will happen is the child is placed “at risk” and may qualify for special RSP services immediately. An SST (Student Success Team) will be formed and the team (including parents) meet to discuss interventions for the child. While there is conflicting feelings about a child having an IEP, these preliminary steps DO NOT mean the child will be assigned an IEP. The SST will meet periodically to determine if the interventions have worked or not. If they haven’t the child can be formally evaluated for the IEP. During this process they are also evaluated for psychological services. In my county, my adopted daughter was eligible for FREE mental health through the school district because it was in her IEP. She has a learning disability, but the school psychiatrist referred her to school mental health at my request. My daughter can perform out of the IEP. And the referral for psych services from the school does not leave a “negative mark” in her school record. It’s kept confidential. Hope this helps!