Update Recess | ADHD Information

I just wanted to update everyone on a topic I had placed a few days ago.  My son was getting his recess taken away frequently, the last straw was the entire week for not bringing his recorder to music class. 

I have had a busy week battling with the school.  The first contact was with the school principal the day I received notice on the week of no recess, following this meeting I went to ds Doctor who wrote a note to the school saying recess is necessary for this child with ADHD.  The next morning I went to the school taking the note and spoke to the principal again, we had a lengthy discussion, I talked to him about my concerns with the loss of recess for an ADHD child, I was agreeable to losing a portion of recess if needed for bad behavior since there needs to be consequences for such.  He assured me he would take care of this.

That evening ds came home, guess what I found out no recess all day, even included his break after lunch (about 20 min.)  I forgot to add I had also emailed the music teacher explaining his condition, and my concerns for his academics and his sanity in losing this outlet time.  She emailed back with nothing addressing my concerns only trying to justify her actions, even adding I sent a note in Feb. telling about this recorder program (we tend to survive day to day in my house, feb. was eons ago!)

The next morning (day of my meeting with the school and special ed)  ds gets up I really do not feel well, surprise surprise look what he gets to look forward to today, staring at four walls, with no outlet time.  he stayed home.  I went to the meeting, keeping my cool as advised by several friends.

The meeting went well for us, there is now a 504 plan in place!  We have in this plan no more than 1/2 of his recess can be taken away at any time for any reason.  There is also an agenda book in place, my concern one more thing for him to remember.  The teacher is responsible to ensure assignments are written down and any homework highlighted.  We sometimes struggle with homework in the evening, something that would take him 15 min at school will take us well over an hour, due to meds wearing off, and struggling with focus.  They agreed if we have this problem he has 25 min in the morning before school to complete any unfinished homework, I just need to send a note to the teacher and let her know we had problems.  He is also allowed a bathroom/water break if he is getting aggitated or frustrated, the teacher has already been doing this for him and she says it helps him get refocused, so I thought that should be passed on to the next teacher. 

I was impressed with his teacher trying to find ways to assist him. she spoke to his teacher last year who gave her several pointers.  She told her let this child fidget he does better and can stay more focused if he can fidget while doing his work, I guess his constant fidgeting was getting on current teachers nerves  She laughed it really works.

I just wanted to give an update, hopefully this will work well for him.  I can not tell you how much relief came over this child's face when I told him no more than 1/2 of your recess will be taken away from now on.  He was anxious to get to school yesterday knowing this.

I have to add the day he stayed in all day for recess I asked what he had to do, his response nothing I just sat there.  I addressed this with the principal, he said I told my teacher that day no more than 1/2, he was quite ticked off she didn't follow what she had been told.  She didn't even have him practice the recorder that she was so concerned about, just made him sit quietly.

Thank you to all who reponded to my original post.

 

I am so glad that you not only got this worked out, but have a formal plan (504) in place! 

Hopefully, this teacher that disregarded the principal will get a reprimand if not disciplinary actions, and will know better next time!

It is comforting to know that his current teacher cared enough to go to the former teacher to get pointers and then followed up on them as well, at least she cares enough to try!

Great that the doctor wrote that note too, I am sure that carried some weight.

I am glad everything worked out in your meeting.  Just make sure the teacher is following the 1/2 recess  and if she doesn't write a note and give it to the principal so it is on paper.  My son would loose it after afternoon recess in the beginning of the year before his iep was in place so it was decided not let him have that one.  He would get a break still.  But not in the mob at recess and not stuck in the classroom either.  He gets his recess now.

 Sounds like everything went well!  Way to advocate!Good job advocating for your child.  He is lucky to have you supporting him.

You are awesome!  See what YOU did for your son!!

Way to go! Sounds like the principal is a pretty decent person!

Beth

things sure have came a long way from when i was in school. my parents were glad when i rolled up like a ball in self isolation. less for them to deal with.

you deserve a ADHD gold sticker.