Emails to the school

·         Thu, Sep 6, 2012 at 11:06 PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Sep 6, 2012 at 11:06 PM
Subject: proposal
To: Curran_Pat@salkeiz.k12.or.us, Janis Kauffman <KAUFFMAN_JANIS@salkeiz.k12.or.us>, CARLA HEIDE <HEIDE_CARLA@salkeiz.k12.or.us>, kiracofe_kathryn@salkeiz.k12.or.us, schuetze_rebecca@salkeiz.k12.or.us, hodson_lisa@salkeiz.k12.or.us

I've been mulling over ideas for how to best keep everyone happy and would appreciate consideration for the following proposal. I understand it will require someone's approval so I am keeping everyone home until we figure out something that works. I believe this addresses all the concerns on the table, but please let me know where it falls short.

First, David and Gregory will not be eating Breakfast at school. Perhaps when there are cinnamon rolls someone can save them one for lunch.

I think the best option is to put Gregory on David's schedule. I appreciate that the goal set last year of having them in as many different classes as possible was achieved, but obviously that plan didn't take into account David's summer diagnosis.  The only conflict that I foresee would be Intermediate Orchestra. Fourth period would be a great time for Gregory to use as a Study Hall (perhaps using a desk in LRC?) with Mrs. Heide since it takes him much longer to put things on paper which makes it hard to keep up in class.  I understand fully that Mrs. Heide is Gregory's one on one, but simply having another adult in the room should take some of the pressure off of concerned teachers and Gregory is the perfect "buddy" to walk David to the office if he is low. Anthony can be David's designated "buddy" for Orchestra.  This option means NO other children will be missing class time because of my children's diabetes.

It is NEVER acceptable to have blood anywhere other than where it is suppose to be. Mrs. Heide has successfully watched Gregory for a year now testing in a classroom. Even David is confused as to what happened in math, but bottom line, he was low. Perhaps he wasn't feeling well - which makes sense, since he was testing during class instead of between classes. As a side note, he was low because I wanted him to have a snack before PE, but the doctor wanted to "see what happened" first. Obviously, he needs a snack for PE. When I asked about the blood in the Health Room, David looked baffled and Gregory chirped in, "That was me!" Unacceptable, regardless.

Mrs. Heide is familiar with Gregory enough that she can simply watch to identify any problems with David testing and then we can address whatever that problem might be. Her responsibility wouldn't be to DO anything other than simply report any problems in a classroom where she is already attending to Gregory. Where ever Gregory is testing with Mrs. Heide, David can simply do the same. Neither child would be testing during a class unless they felt it necessary, and that should become increasingly rare as the excitement of the new school wears down. Both children would go to the office if either of them actually tests low.

One step better would be to create a new schedule for both with PE at the end of the day. It would drastically diminish the influence of one very large variable. If that means that David and Gregory end up on Anthony's schedule, I am fine with that as well.

Please let me know...

-Veronica

·         Fri, Sep 7, 2012 at 1:31 PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Sep 7, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Subject: Fwd: proposal
To: nelson_tricia@salkeiz.k12.or.us

I was told by the Doctor's office to forward the proposal that follows to you and make sure you are aware of the current problem.

First, there is the issue of simply managing both David and Gregory's diabetes at school.  I knew there would be kinks to iron out and the nurse had an email in her box when she came back from summer, despite meeting with her last Spring, so that we could get that process started as quickly as was convenient. We've had four different doctor's orders sent to address issues as they've come up and I have really appreciated Janis' time working out the kinks. I have been proactive in making sure that the kids know what is expected of them and trying to adjust their care so that it falls within Waldo's guidelines.

And then there is the issue of Waldo's Behavior/Discipline Specialist (Kathy?). I have never seen someone within Salem Keizer Schools act so unprofessionally. She started our two hour long 'conversation' by making it clear that she did not care which components of their management were important to me. Her comments about having the teacher page the office to send down a wheelchair were idiotic. Her 'concerns' that my son sometimes 'felt funny' and that 'perhaps he should see a doctor' were inflammatory. The comments about how Mrs. Heide didn't feel comfortable working with nurse's helpline to supervise Gregory's insulin (which she did all of last year) were simply wrong and implications that Janis and Mrs. Heide are intimidated by me were outrageous.

She had the attitude with me that I have with my children when I am making it clear that they are the children and I am the boss - which might be appropriate if my child brought a knife to school, but were at best 'unprofessional' considering she wanted me to yield to her authority over my children's diabetic care after making it clear she did not care to hear any of my concerns.

As a concerned parent (the kind that actually show up for IEP meetings and whose children have near perfect attendance), I did not deserve to be treated with such utter disregard.

I am embarrassed that despite all of the peer pressure I received that I was foolish to send my children to Waldo, we are in our first week and I have my children home because of this outlandish situation.

I had forwarded this proposal to the people I thought were relevant. The doctor said I need to forward it to you as well.

I have not even begun to address with anyone how humiliated and belittled David feels... 

It makes no sense for me to send the boys back to school until I have at least heard back from the decision makers since calling for a wheelchair is not an appropriate health plan.

I am indeed very upset, so please read my tone as 'concerned parent'. I do not hold you accountable for any of what has happened thus far, but as the doctor suggested, perhaps you can expedite a resolution so that my kids can get back to school.

Thank you!

Veronica

PS. I respond more quickly to email than phone calls and am keeping Monday open in case a meeting needs to take place.

·         Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 8:49 AM

On Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 8:49 AM, Janis Kauffman <KAUFFMAN_JANIS@salkeiz.k12.or.us> wrote:

Hi Veronica,

In discussing David's situation with my supervisor, we would like to propose that he be evaluated to determine if he is eligible for services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you agree and would like an evaluation to determine if he is eligible for services, I can send you the paperwork to get your consent to evaluate, or you can pick-up a copy at Waldo Middle School if you would like the paperwork today.

His Counselor, Pat Curran is a good resource if you have further questions regarding this process. He can be reached at (503) 399-3215.

Sincerely, Janis Kauffman, RN, BSN

·         Monday, September 10, 2012 11:10 AM

From: veronica jean [mom.veronica@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 11:10 AM
To: Janis Kauffman
Cc: Pat Curran; Tricia Nelson
Subject: Re: Consent to Evaluate Under Section 504

I have no problem signing off on whatever evaluations you recommend, but I do want to get both kids back in class as quickly as possible.  I am hoping someone is vetting my proposal since it seems to be a very easily solution that addresses all concerns that I am currently aware of and gives me the peace of mind of a familiar face.  What are the problems associated with my proposal?

Please send the paper home with Anthony if we aren't able to meet today. (I'm available.)

The doctor today recommended I involve the American Diabetes Association. I've said this before: We can work a routine around whatever kinks come up, but we have to have a plan in place for unexpected lows that doesn't involve calling for a wheelchair. This really seems like something we should be able to work out without involving further evaluations or the ADA or David being told he's getting suspended for a health issue.

Thanks!

-Veronica

·         Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 2:55 PM

On Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 2:55 PM, Janis Kauffman <KAUFFMAN_JANIS@salkeiz.k12.or.us> wrote:

Hi Veronica,

I am just now returning to my desk after being out at my schools. I read your e-mail and noticed you wanted me to send the paperwork home with Anthony today. I noticed the time and realize that I cannot even call the school and ask them to send it with him, as the busses have left for the day. If you have access to a fax machine I am happy to fax it to you, or you can pick one up at the school tomorrow, or I can give it to you when we meet tomorrow at 3:00. Just let me know which you prefer.

The form is called "Notice and Consent to Evaluate under Section 504."

Counselor Pat Curran would also be able to get you this consent form to complete.

Sincerely, Janis Kauffman, RN, BSN

·         Monday, September 10, 2012 3:20 PM

From: veronica jean [mom.veronica@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 3:20 PM
To: Janis Kauffman

Subject: Re: Consent to Evaluate Under Section 504

If there is a reason for me to go in early to sign it, just let me know;  otherwise, I will just sign it at the 3pm meeting.

thanks!

-v

·         Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 3:42 PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Janis Kauffman <KAUFFMAN_JANIS@salkeiz.k12.or.us>
Date: Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 3:42 PM
Subject: RE: Consent to Evaluate Under Section 504
To: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>

OK, Sounds good. I will see you at 3:00.

Sincerely, Janis Kauffman, RN, BSN

·         Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 11:07 AM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Sep 13, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Subject: "independent"
To: Janis Kauffman <KAUFFMAN_JANIS@salkeiz.k12.or.us>, Tricia Nelson <nelson_tricia@salkeiz.k12.or.us>, Christina.T.Gjovik@kp.org, brooks-lathers_kristy@salkeiz.k12.or.us

I spoke with the kids' doctor's office (Tina) this morning after being told by Ms. Nelson last night that Tina said (paraphrased), "It is safe when a type-1 diabetic feels low while out running laps in PE for him to walk across campus to the office to check his sugar level before treating a hypoglycemic episode."

Tina absolutely did not say that.

Asking if a child is completely "independent" in their diabetes care is a bit of a misnomer. Without getting into life long safety issues and how one is never *completely independent in their care, there is a huge difference between managing insulin (which should ALWAYS be double checked) and a quick glucose check to see if a snack is needed.

Also, it took me a while to understand the bit Ms. Nelson started our last meeting with about transitioning to independence while we were actually regressing with Gregory's health plan. Perhaps, it was intended to make me feel better about sending them off to middle school and I should trust you and them to work it out. If you want me to trust you, you have to be trustworthy. Negating an issue that I find to be extremely important and then lying to me about what my own doctor's office said does not mend bridges.

I understand now that it is district policy to prohibit glucose testing outside the health room (which is inside the office). Just last year, Gregory tested exclusively in his classroom. There are other diabetic children within Salem-Keizer schools who also test in their classrooms. This policy is outdated and selectively followed. I understand that your hands are tied and I am addressing it with those people who can hopefully fix this outdated problem and I have the support of the ADA if unable to find resolution as a concerned parent.

But don't lie to me and then expect me to trust you.

And to be clear, I am NOT withdrawing my children from school. If I need to bring them in and sit with them in class on Day 10 to make sure they are not dropped from the roll books, please let me know and I will do so. If I need a doctor's note supporting that their current health plan is unsafe, I'm sure Tina (or the ADA) will oblige. This is an important issue and I'm not going away. I would appreciate it if you would collect their assignments through tomorrow and I will send someone to pick them up. Please email me a time when they will be ready.

Thanks...

-Veronica

·         Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 9:40 PM 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 9:40 PM
Subject: Fwd: "independent"
To: cadez_mary@salkeiz.k12.or.us

This is not inclusive, but please notice the dates. I am not making up a new problem.

·         Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 9:42 PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 9:42 PM
Subject: Fwd: proposal
To: cadez_mary@salkeiz.k12.or.us

Please notice the date.

·         Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 3:34 AM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 3:34 AM
Subject: trigger
To: cadez_mary@salkeiz.k12.or.us

I just wanted to apologize for rambling and explain what triggered my exasperation.

Just Wednesday Eric Richards explained to me in front of everyone that the one on ones / instructional aids are "interchangeable". Can you at least imagine why I might find unfulfilling the explanation for Gregory losing his trained aid to be that she was "preferred" for someone else who hasn't even met her yet?

During this last meeting with Eric I had said, "David got wrote up in math class." Someone chirped in, "for the blood all over" and someone else said, "No, it was because he wouldn't stop testing after she told him to stop." No one even seems to notice that in fact the kid was LOW. Ms. McMahan should be glad that he did test and treat.

Yes, the document existed. Janis and Lisa Hodson were at that initial meeting on 9/6 with Kathy where she put the filled out multi-layer form on the table. Not far into the two-hour meeting she turned it over and said she would throw it out. 

David's health plan (arranged with Janis' friendly cooperation on "Taking Care of Business Day") at that time allowed him to test when and where he felt low.  Not only did he follow his health plan on the 9th, he accurately recognized he was low (it was the lowest number he had ever had), and treated it while someone who should have been compassionate was instead scolding a temporarily impaired boy. She followed up the next day by telling him that he was "wrote up".

Whether the write up was for "blood all over" as I was initially told on the 6th or because he didn't listen to the teacher (who was telling him to not follow his existing health plan), I don't really care because he was hypoglycemic and by definition impaired.

So literally, David was wrote up for having and treating a low in math class and the Behavior/Discipline Admin negated the working-health plan for David and Gregory's IEP to something that was unsafe for my children's diabetes management. [Current technology allows us to keep kids in a more normal range which studies show leads to fewer problems later and in the short term quite literally makes it easier to concentrate.]

Instead of Kathy Kiracofe or Ms. Nelson even inquiring to see if I was right, they took away even MORE of the existing health plans such as instructing Ms. Heide to not communicate with us and disallowing the restricted cell phones that had been previously authorized. 

You should also have a copy of the email addressing Ms. Nelson outright lying to me.

I am sorry to have you think that I'm anything other than a concerned parent. At this point I just want to move on.

-Veronica

·         Friday, September 21, 2012 12:16 PM

From: veronica jean [mom.veronica@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2012 12:16 PM
To: Amber Green; Gia Lane
Subject: a time sensitive request

Greetings!

What a miserable couple weeks this has been! I hope yours has been better.

I have asked about a transfer from Waldo to any other school in 24J, but I am being told by Mary Cadez that word from Waldo is that I have been uncooperative and she very politely suggested I need to get out of this victim-mindset.

Carla was directed by Ms. Nelson that she is not allowed to talk to me and I've been told (as was Mary Cadez) by Kathy Kirakof and Ms. Nelson that I have harassed and intimidated her.

So I guess I'm asking a few things.

1. Have I been inappropriate with Carla and just not known it? Please feel free to ask her - she's not allowed to talk with me.

2. Did Gregory use a fusion last year? I thought we took him off of it. They checked one out to him and I'm confused as to why. I wasn't worried about it because I thought Carla was his one on one still. I want to know if it is reasonable of me to expect that he actually writes in class. Especially, since he even has an independent study period instead of an elective.

3. If you get an itch to do so, and assuming I'm not as terrible as Waldo says, please consider calling Mary Cadez (503.779.6223) or shooting off an email cadez_mary@salkeiz.k12.or.us ASAP simply telling her what your honest opinion about me is. It would also be helpful to point out that if Gregory has to acclimate to a new one on one it is almost inevitable that he will have behavior issues while he tests expectations. (This is important because frankly, I don't ever want to sit in the same room as Kathy Kirakof again for reasons which are listed out in an email below.)

For your amusement I am including emails I have sent regarding this problem.  You certainly don't have to read them and please keep in mind they were all in response to an oral discussion.  I am hoping you will hear the urgency I have in getting my kids out of there and since the principal of Waldo has deemed me uncooperative Mary is extremely hesitant to authorize a transfer. (Personally, I find Ms. Nelson's response to this situation to be consistently punitive and uncooperative.)

I sincerely appreciate all you both have done for my boys.

Thanks for listening,

Veronica

·         Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 1:13 PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Amber Green <GREEN_AMBER@salkeiz.k12.or.us>
Date: Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 1:13 PM
Subject: RE: a time sensitive request
To: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>, Gia Lane <LANE_GIA@salkeiz.k12.or.us>

Hello Veronica,

I'm very sorry to hear about all of this!

What I do know is that Gregory did use the fusion mostly at the beginning of last school year in the general education setting but in that setting, as the year went on, they used it less and less.  In the LRC,  he used it off and on throughout the school year (depending on what we were working on in there).  In the general education setting, they worked really hard at having him hand-write and he became pretty successful with that as long as he was frequently redirected and kept on track (that was my understanding anyway).

When we rewrote Gregory's IEP in June, we left the fusion on the IEP so that he could have access to it if and when he might need it.  However, according to what was written on the IEP, it does not have to be the fusion that he is using.  The service summary page of the IEP states, "Access to Word Processing" and under frequency it states, "For all Writing Assignments."

I hope this helps a little.

I hope everything gets straightened out soon.

Sincerely,

Amber Green

·         Wednesday, September 26, 2012 5:50 PM

From: veronica jean [mom.veronica@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 5:50 PM
To: Janis Kauffman
Subject: numbers

Please instruct the IA to allow Gregory to text his numbers.

Thanks!

·         Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 8:25 AM

On Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 8:25 AM, Janis Kauffman <KAUFFMAN_JANIS@salkeiz.k12.or.us> wrote:

He is allowed to and I have reminded both Gregory and David to do so since this is your wishes. I will follow-up with Gregory and remind him again to text you when he checks his blood sugar level.

·         Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 11:38 AM

On Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 11:38 AM, veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks. I just wanted to make sure the IA knew since she told him yesterday, again, that he wasn't allowed to.

·         Thursday, September 27, 2012 1:49 PM

From: veronica jean [mom.veronica@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 1:49 PM
To: Janis Kauffman; Tricia Nelson
Subject: Re: numbers

Is there a reason that I have NEVER received a text from Gregory with this new IA - including today?

We are now 4 days in. If I don't get texts tomorrow, I'm not sending Gregory to school on Monday because obviously the new IA hasn't been trained properly.

Thanks,

va

·         Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 2:43 PM

On Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 2:43 PM, Janis Kauffman <KAUFFMAN_JANIS@salkeiz.k12.or.us> wrote:

On the day that Gregory and David returned I encouraged them to text you when they check their blood sugar level, and informed them that they are allowed to do so.

During the lunch check today I again encouraged Gregory and David to text you their results.

They both have been deemed independent by their doctor with regard to checking their blood sugar and treating any low blood sugars according to the most recent orders I have dated 9/17/12 for David and 9/25/12 for Gregory. The IA has been trained properly, according to the orders provided by the physician.

If you would like to them to text you, as they are allowed to, I might suggest a reminder note perhaps placed in their monitoring system to help remind both boys.  Due to their independent status, this is not something that we would police however, we will continue to encourage them to text you as we have been doing.

Sincerely,

Janis Kauffman, RN, BSN

School Health Nurse

McKay High School

Waldo Middle School

·         Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 2:49 PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 2:49 PM
Subject: Re: numbers
To: Janis Kauffman <KAUFFMAN_JANIS@salkeiz.k12.or.us>
Cc: Tricia Nelson <NELSON_TRICIA@salkeiz.k12.or.us>

Gregory said that yesterday he was told again by the IA that he is not allowed to text me. That needs to be addressed.

-va

·         Fri, Sep 28, 2012 at 10:42 AM

On Fri, Sep 28, 2012 at 10:42 AM, Jan Halter <HALTER_JAN@salkeiz.k12.or.us> wrote:

Hello Veronica,

I just checked at the main office and they haven't yet received the papers that you were to complete so we could continue on with Anthony's Special Education evaluation. It was my understanding that you would drop the papers by the main office on Monday, 9/24/2012.

 His Consent to Assess was signed on 5/14/2012; we would really like to proceed but won't  be able to until we receive the paper work given you for completion.

Thank you very much for giving this concern your attention.  Have a nice weekend!

Sincerely,

Jan Halter

Case Manager

·         Friday, September 28, 2012 11:29 AM

From: veronica jean [mailto:mom.veronica@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 11:29 AM
To: Jan Halter
Cc: Laurel Lemke; Tricia Nelson; Cynthia Barthuly
Subject: Re: evaluation papers that need your signature, please

I have them in hand and they will be dropped off this afternoon at the address Laurel provided.  I apologize for the delay - I truly hadn't anticipated all the medical issues with David and Gregory.

-va

·         Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 8:13 AM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Laurel Lemke <LEMKE_LAUREL@salkeiz.k12.or.us>
Date: Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 8:13 AM
Subject: RE: evaluation papers that need your signature, please
To: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>

Veronica-

I have all of the forms – I am so sorry things have been so stressful!  I hope David and Gregory are doing okay.  Let me know if you need anything from me.

Laurel Lemke, Ed.S.

School Psychologist

(503) 399-3101

·         Tuesday, October 02, 2012 11:06 AM

From: veronica jean [mailto:mom.veronica@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 11:06 AM
To: Tricia Nelson
Subject: transfer

My boys will not be going back to Waldo. If you insist on denying their transfer, mail me a copy of the denied request so I can make decisions accordingly.

Thanks,

Veronica

·         Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 2:18 PM

On Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 2:18 PM, Tricia Nelson <NELSON_TRICIA@salkeiz.k12.or.us> wrote:

Hi Veronica,

I'm sorry, but I did deny the request. It is past the deadline for consideration and we are following the health plans for the boys. They had a very successful week last week. We are all sorry they have not been in school this week.

You will receive a copy of the transfer in the mail. It will go out tomorrow.

As you consider your plans for the boys, I would be happy to sit down and talk with you. It seems as though we have not connected well this year. I am truly sorry about that. As I have stated, I really believe we want the same things for the boys. We want them to continue to learn and to be safe and healthy.

Again, I would be happy to set a time to meet if you would like to do so.

Sincerely,

Tricia Nelson

Principal

Waldo Middle School

·         Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 11:53 PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 11:53 PM
Subject: Re: transfer
To: Tricia Nelson <NELSON_TRICIA@salkeiz.k12.or.us>
Cc: Eric Richards <RICHARDS_ERIC@salkeiz.k12.or.us>, Mary Cadez <cadez_mary@salkeiz.k12.or.us>, husk_sandy@salkeiz.k12.or.us, Cindy Anderson <cindyskids4fun@gmail.com>

First, let me be clear. None of my boys will be going back to Waldo and last week was far from successful.

Despite having all appropriate doctor's orders Gregory sent exactly one text home all week and came home telling me that the one on one told him not to use his phone. Is Gregory lying? I don't know. Remember the behavior issues Carla Heide was trained to deal with? You maliciously transferred Carla Heide on 9/24 AFTER our meeting on 9/19 and AFTER Eric explained that the position was interchangeable and certainly long AFTER you became aware that your mandate was illegal. It certainly doesn't help that you have lied to me directly and before our first meeting had already told the one person I trusted, and who knew Gregory, that she couldn't speak with me and then completely disregarded what she had to say about his abilities during the meeting on 9/11! The last words I heard from her were that she would file a complaint. You've successfully silenced her - which only makes you seem more secretive and less trustworthy.

Last week, David, for the first time in his entire academic career, came home early not once, but twice. How much does that have to do with how he was treated when he CORRECTLY followed his health plan even when his teacher erroneously directed him to stop? Just curious, did you, Kathy, or Mrs. McMahon apologize to him as you should have or did you all have the same attitude with him that you did with me in those first two meetings?

I am not soliciting a transfer because of Waldo's reputation as the worst Middle School in Salem. I purposefully watched those deadlines come and go and purposefully sent my children to Waldo believing that fundamentally, they would get out of it what they put into it. You proved me wrong. The transfer request is because you have demonstrated that "medical and physical conditions exist which cause one facility to be more appropriate to the needs of the student than another facility" and "an in-district transfer will be in the best interest of the student".

In five years, I have never missed an IEP meeting. Over five grades, my children have had a 97%-100% attendance. Gregory's IEP meeting last spring included Waldo staff. Last Spring I came to Waldo's office to ensure you had copies of appropriate court documents since violent threats had been made against my children and they had been issued 9-1-1 phones by the police. All three children attended Jumpstart, two of them diabetic, without incident. I met with Janis last spring, on "Taking Care of Business Day,” and was at Waldo the first couple days for a couple hours each to ensure that things were going smoothly because I understand that every diabetic child is different.

In those first couple days of school, even the bus ride home was miserable as the bus driver took turns disbelieving and arguing about whether or not my children were diabetic and where the diabetic kids had to sit.

Obviously, I can see you've cc'd Eric Richards and I'm confident that you have crossed all your public t's and dotted your public i's, but you know that you were wrong and Kathy was wrong and you have done NOTHING that you weren't legally bound to do anyway to make my children feel wanted or safe and frankly, they deserve better than what you have demonstrated you can offer.

Every year I assess their needs to determine if we are on the right track. Last spring, I was convinced that Waldo was the right decision. Currently, I have some serious medical issues that puts a big 'con' in the homeschooling column, but you have put so many more 'cons' in the Waldo column that you win! Congratulations! You have made things miserable enough for me and my children that I intend to never step foot in Waldo again.

Anthony's second day he witnessed his locker mate get "corndogged". I expected to deal with issues about child-bullies. I did not anticipate getting bullied myself by you and Kathy or having to teach my children to disobey the bus driver and a math teacher.

David has chosen not to go back to public school after his experience with you. (You should take a moment to reflect on his impressive academic record.) Gregory and Anthony would still prefer to go to a bricks and mortar school, but they will not be going back to Waldo. Either someone will authorize a transfer to Parrish, closest to our church, or they will be home schooled.

Just as you already threatened to do before you were told that I was right, you can remove them from the roll books.

As I see it, there are still a few big problems.

First, Waldo Middle School's reputation will continue to fail for as long as the administration bullies concerned proactive parents who are willing to fight for those few opportunities to make their child's education better and willing to volunteer, donate, and fund raise the rest of the time. (Heck, I even gave the LRC at Scott a brand new computer!)

Next, as recent as last month, other Salem-Keizer Middle School administrators also believed that it was district policy for glucose testing to be done only in the health room. Thanks to your outrageous actions, there will be local advocacy educating other parents of diabetic children that public schools do need to accommodate safe testing and this story will be told repeatedly.

Lastly, when you wrong someone, as you unquestionably did here, it's polite to apologize rather than dictate that there are no options other than to trust you. The only apology I know about from this entire fiasco came a couple days before you formally nullified their lawful IEP/health plans effectively illegally removing my diabetic children from your school. 

Before dismissing my words as unnecessarily harsh, please take a moment to review the message I sent on 9/6/12 (that you refused to implement until 9/19/12) and consider the months of work I did to ensure school would go smoothly this year only to be completely undermined by you and your subordinates. I have better uses of my time than to camouflage my meaning when you have shown a complete disregard for what I have to say anyway.

Please gather all of the boys' belongings and call Cindy at 503.409.1243 to arrange a time for her to pick them up and return library books.

You might be an awesome principal every other month of your career, but you seriously repeatedly messed up here and I cannot in good conscience trust my children to your care.

Frankly, you wouldn't either.

-Veronica

·         Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 4:20 PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tricia Nelson <NELSON_TRICIA@salkeiz.k12.or.us>
Date: Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 4:20 PM
Subject: Mailing Address
To: "veronica jean (mom.veronica@gmail.com)" <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Cc: Karen Jordan <JORDAN_KAREN@salkeiz.k12.or.us>, Mary Cadez <CADEZ_MARY@salkeiz.k12.or.us>

Hi Veronica,

I mailed the in-district transfer request to the address we have for you. It was returned to us with a postal sticker stating, "Return to sender. Not deliverable as addressed." We have some other things we would like to get to you. Do you have another address we should use for your mail?

Thank you,

Tricia Nelson

Principal

Waldo Middle School

·         Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 9:40 PM

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: veronica jean <mom.veronica@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 9:40 PM
Subject: I do not want to be contacted by Ms. Nelson again.
To: Tricia Nelson <NELSON_TRICIA@salkeiz.k12.or.us>, Cindy Anderson <cindyskids4fun@gmail.com>, husk_sandy@salkeiz.k12.or.us
Cc: Karen Jordan <JORDAN_KAREN@salkeiz.k12.or.us>, Mary Cadez <CADEZ_MARY@salkeiz.k12.or.us>

While rather untimely, someone marked our address as vacant with the Post Office even though my mother has owned the house since 1982 and Mary Cadez knows it really exists.  Please just have it available when you gather everything of the boys' and call Cindy, as previously requested, at 503.409.1243 to arrange a time for her to come pick it up and drop off library books.

I am still incredulous that my diabetic son was wrote up for following his nurse-approved health plan and all the repercussions that followed when I asked you to investigate the legality of your mandate. I contacted you on both Wednesday and Thursday of the one week you deemed successful without any assistance. I do not want to be contacted by Ms. Nelson again.

You have denied them from transferring, with cause, to any other middle school in Salem-Keizer. Please also take me off the attendance and events auto-dialer.

Ms. Nelson, you have single handedly changed the next 3+ years of my children's education and put a huge burden on me despite my numerous efforts before school even started to make their time at Waldo successful. Call Cindy if you have any other clerical issues. I am too angry at what you've done to talk nicely to you and I'm too busy trying to fix the mess you made.

-Veronica