Triplet Princes and a Princess

Triplet Princes and a Princess

Our journey to hearing with Cormac while living our life with triplet boys and a baby girl.







Thursday, December 9, 2010

How do you decide?

The boys currently attend a private Parochial Preschool. They are in PK4 which means next year is Kindergarten. I can't even believe I am typing the word Kindergarten. Now comes the decision of where do they go to school. We have two choices: our public grammar school or they can continue at their private school. I LOVE their school they are attending. I would love for them to continue their education in a Catholic School. Both Frank and I attended Catholic School. But what to do?

What I want is what is best for the kids. Cormac will still need services and receiving services in a private setting is a WHOLE new ballgame once they start Kindergarten. Your home school district is no loger responsible for services. It moves to the county level at that point. I almost feel like I have to choose the lesser of two evils. If that makes any sense at all. I feel like my decision will determine Cormac's future!

I keep remembering his Teacher of the Deaf telling me how well he is doing. And how he won't need many services in the future. I feel like I am not really sure how the private school will do with following an IEP because I was "told "legally they don't HAVE to do it. I was not told this about our school. I have only heard positive about our current school. I have been told they work with the county and will write an IEP.

I think I am going to go to our public school for an IEP for Kindergarten and also have the county write an IEP. Try and see what either has to offer.

I am trying to get in touch with other families who have IEP's in private schools for their children. Anyone know anyone? Please feel free to have them contact me. I have reached out to Summit Speech School and I am confident I will get contacts from them as well as guidance on our decision.

I seriously get sick to my stomach over all of these decisions. Some days I wish we were just your typical family...you know 2.1 kids, no triplets, everyone hearing, no baby who had to suffer for a year...but then we wouldn't be us and I REALLY LOVE OUR FAMILY!

2 comments:

Melanie said...

Can you purchase your own FM system and manage it 100% yourself?? I know they are costly but it may be worth it because then you can send him to the private school...

Anonymous said...

I don't know how it works in your state, but I can offer some info. In my area of Ohio, kids will still have an IEP and some supports in place in a private school. However, the private schools may not pay for a personal FM system. Personal FM vs. sound field is the best way to go and it can make a huge difference in a classroom environment. I don't know if you're little guy already has this, but if not he should transition to a personal FM system around kindergarten age. Definitely ask your school if they are willing to purchase this for him and pay for services from an educational audiologist who will help order the equipment, set it up and train his teachers on how to use it.