The Law Office of Vanessa Jachzel, LLC

Have you seen this petition yet?

Did you know that per federal law students with disabilities are entitled to remain in high school until the school year in which they turn 21 or receive a regular high school diploma, whichever comes first? A regular high school diploma is one which is awarded to the preponderance of students and which is fully-aligned with state standards. This family should sue for due process, which will automatically force her district to keep her in school under stay put rules, which mandates that students remain in their current setting until the matter is concluded or otherwise resolved.

Have you seen this petition yet? 794 signatures are needed! Vote for Emily’s Senior Year

Did you know that you are entitled to your child's educational records? Here's how to request them.

FERPA Request to Access Educational Records of: Salley Jones
Dear Ms. Principal who needs to understand FERPA,

Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 1232g and 1232h (FERPA), 34 C.F.R. 99.1 et seq. (FERPA Regulations), 20 U.S.C. 1415(b)(1) (IDEA), and 34 C.F.R. 300.613 (IDEA Regulations), and any and all applicable state law and regulations, this is a formal demand on behalf for access to the above-referenced student’s permanent, cumulative educational records.

IDEA 1415(b)(1) provides that parents or an appropriately designated representative of parent(s) must be given opportunity to examine all records relevant to a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”) prior to any IEP meeting or meeting help under IDEA regulation with regards to the student’s placement.

Thus, I hereby request review of all such records, including without limitation the following:

Cumulative education records;

All audio and video recordings, videotapes and/or digital recordings of the student, including without limitation video recordings of any disciplinary incidents;

All data collected in your Education Management Information System (EMIS) on how funds are spent on the student and for what services the district is billing the State and/or Federal Government;

Letters from and to district staff regarding this student, including any and all emails;

Progress reports, report cards, grades and comments about this student;

Teacher files and records, curriculum based assessments, for all classes and all subjects;

Related service files including any data from any contracted related service professionals;

Medical and other school health records;

Group and individual achievement and ability tests;

Assessment plans and permission forms;

Evaluations and assessments;

Test answer sheets, booklets, protocols and other records of any type related to testing;

Attendance records and class schedules;

A complete printout of the entire school career, inclusive of any disciplinary records or incidents reports;

Class work, including samples, work, journals or other items for this student;

Functional behavioral assessments, intervention plans, and related materials;

Data collected, charts produced, pacing guides, lesson plans and other teacher materials developed as part of implementing this student’s IEP’s;

Any and all meeting minutes and action plans;

IEP documents of any type, including those labeled DRAFT;

Goals and objectives, copies with data or progress marked, data, which forms basis of progress rating or proposals for changes to any IEP;

Correspondence, memos, and notes relating to this student, including notices of placement and statements of rights;
Records of any calls relating to the student;

Notes, emails and logs maintained by teachers, school psychologist, therapists, counselors, administrators, classroom aides, and;/or any other school system staff - paper, electronic, or other forms relating to this specific student, including and not limited to any metadata of these records;

Records regarding provision of services to the student, including records of dates and times when said student was or could have been provided applicable related services or special instruction logs, required by FERPA, showing who accessed the student’s records and when audio or video recordings of the student were made, or meetings were held regarding this student;

Prior Written Notices, Invitations, Meeting sign-in sheets and Permission to Access School-Based Program and Medical Assistance (SBAP/MA) funding;

Records kept by the district of any type regarding the student or the student’s family, including records kept by third parties, including SCAP reimbursed providers any and all other school records pertaining to the referenced student; and

Record of any destruction of this student’s records, including the date, content, and person authorized to destroy said records.
IEP management system audit log

OSEP’s “Letter to Rooker” clarifies access to all test protocols, and states “completed test instruments or questions booklets containing information that identify a particular student, whether or not the actual name of the student appears on the booklet, constitute ‘education records’ subject to FERPA requirements.”

FERPA also requires a school district comply with a request to access a student’s cumulative file within 45 days of the receipt of such request or expedited and prior to any IEP meeting, due process hearing or other meeting related to the special education placement of said child under IDEA regulations.

Contact me at your earliest convenience to arrange for the records review, but no less than seven calendar days from the date of this letter.

Sincerely,
Mr. & Mrs. SHOW ME ALL OF THE RECORDS

Speech language therapists are pushing back on the newly revised/lowered standards that were just published by the CDC, and that’s a good thing.

Dear ASHA Members:

ASHA is in the process of analyzing the recent revisions to the developmental milestones used in the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. initiative. This process includes a comprehensive comparison of the previous vs. new guidelines, as well as a comparison to ASHA-specified milestones. ASHA is also conducting an extensive review of published scientific literature.

ASHA has reached out to CDC, expressing its concern about inconsistencies and urging the agency to utilize the expertise of SLPs when making changes to developmental milestones in speech, language, feeding, and social communication. In general, ASHA is supportive of efforts to help identify children earlier, but the milestones presented to parents must be evidence-based in order for families to make well-informed decisions about their children's care.

ASHA will provide members with an update once its review process is completed and correlating action steps are determined.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
https://on.asha.org/342WAaL

Parents, educators say some children with speech issues may have been hurt by masks

Finally, people are starting to talk about the incredible damage this has caused our precious children. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2022/02/13/covid-masks-speech-delay-children-iep-parents/9225532002/

Parents, educators say some children with speech issues may have been hurt by masks Parents of children with IEPs say their children's learning may have been set back by mask-wearing, causing speech delays.

NJ lawsuit seeks to block remote learning on behalf of special-education students

Many students with disabilities simply cannot access or benefit from remote learning. They have been the hardest hit population from the pandemic.

NJ lawsuit seeks to block remote learning on behalf of special-education students New Jersey schools are violating the rights of hundreds of thousands of students that depend on special education programs, the suit says.

Here are some apps that may help keep your kids engaged in learning while we are all stuck inside.

This is a fantastic list of apps for children with special needs!

https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2016/01/a-handy-chart-featuring-over-30-ipad.html

i.redd.it

Another fantastic idea to help kids with disabilities really feel included!

i.redd.it

New Jersey program offers law enforcement job opportunities to those with special needs

What a great program! Thank you Monmouth County!

New Jersey program offers law enforcement job opportunities to those with special needs -

For one day, Asbury Park beach to be accessible to everyone

I love that Christopher Reeve's kind heart is still making a difference in this world. ❤️

For one day, Asbury Park beach to be accessible to everyone Special mats and wheelchairs will help people with paralysis or other disabilities.

❤️ It often is that simple.

Feds Order NJ to Come Up with Better Way to Resolve Special-Ed Disputes - NJ Spotlight

Long overdue.

Feds Order NJ to Come Up with Better Way to Resolve Special-Ed Disputes - NJ Spotlight New Jersey has been given three months to improve its much-criticized process for settling disputes involving students in special education

Placement Predetermination *BEWARE*

Placement Predetermination *BEWARE* Cheryl Connors, Owner of Child Means Child, explains predetermination and how to recognize when the district and other professionals are engaging in it

A.D.H.D

Take my hand and come with me,
I want to teach you about ADHD.
I need you to know, I want to explain,
I have a very different brain.
Sights, sounds, and thoughts collide.
What to do first? I can't decide.
Please understand I'm not to blame,
I just can't process things the same.
Take my hand and walk with me,
Let me show you about ADHD.

I try to behave, I want to be good,
But I sometimes forget to do as I should.
Walk with me and wear my shoes,
You'll see its not the way I'd choose.
I do know what I'm supposed to do,
But my brain is slow getting the message through.
Take my hand and talk with me,
I want to tell you about ADHD.

I rarely think before I talk,
I often run when I should walk.
It's hard to get my school work done,
My thoughts are outside having fun.
I never know just where to start,
I think with my feelings and see with my heart.
Take my hand and stand by me,
I need you to know about ADHD.

It's hard to explain but I want you to know,
I can't help letting my feelings show.
Sometimes I'm angry, jealous, or sad.
I feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and mad.
I can't concentrate and I lose all my stuff.
I try really hard but it's never enough.
Take my hand and learn with me,
We need to know more about ADHD.

I worry a lot about getting things wrong,
Everything I do takes twice as long.
Everyday is exhausting for me...
Looking through the fog of ADHD.

I'm often so misunderstood,
I would change in a heartbeat if I could.
Take my hand and listen to me,
I want to share a secret about ADHD.

I want you to know there is more to me.
I'm not defined by it, you see.
I'm sensitive, kind and lots of fun.
I'm blamed for things I haven't done.
I'm the loyalist friend you'll ever know,
I just need a chance to let it show.
Take my hand and look at me,
Just forget about the ADHD.

I have real feelings just like you.
The love in my heart is just as true.
I may have a brain that can never rest,
But please understand I'm trying my best.
I want you to know, I need you to see,
I'm more than the label, I am still me!!!!

Author Unknown

The Difference Between Dysgraphia and Dyslexia

Schools used to provide "occupational therapy" of sorts for dysgraphia as a matter of course for all students--when they taught and drilled penmanship at an early age, especially cursive writing! They really should bring this back!

The Difference Between Dysgraphia and Dyslexia Many learning disabilities can have confusingly similar names. They can also have overlapping symptoms. Learn how dyslexia and dysgraphia are alike and how they're different.

Yesterday Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education met with some of our amazing parents and teachers of kids who struggle in school due to dyslexia. She is the first sitting secretary of education to ever do so and Decoding Dyslexia was honored to be there.
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/secretary-devos-convenes-parent-roundtable-mark-national-learning-disabilities-and-dyslexia-awareness-month

New Jersey Legislature - Find Your Legislator

New Jersey Legislature - Find Your Legislator Our LegislatureLegislative ProcessLegislative InitiativesHistorical InfoPublic Info AssistanceKids' PageCapitol Complex Parking

Club is the social scene for special needs young adults

What a wonderful idea!

Club is the social scene for special needs young adults Lyndhurst's newest social club looks to bring independence and social interaction to young adults with special needs.

Myths About Least Restrictive Environment :: The Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey

I was just discussing this with a colleague earlier today!

Myths About Least Restrictive Environment :: The Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey Least Restrictive Enviroment, or LRE, is not simply a matter of keeping students in local schools. In order for an educational setting to be the least restrictive, appropriate placement, a student must have all necessary supports and services to enable him or her to learn and fully participate as a…

Teen Creates 'Sit With Us' App For Bullied School Children - Good News Network

Love this idea to help kids who need each other, find each other.

Teen Creates 'Sit With Us' App For Bullied School Children - Good News Network Instead of being rejected and ostracized in public, kids can now communicate through this app for friendly, like-minded teens looking to make friends.

To all those strong parents out there...

Smart Alec On Sports - Smart Alec On Sports

Smart Alec On Sports - Smart Alec On Sports Smart Alec 0 9 Olympics August 26, 2016 Smart Alec on the Paralympics – Episode 22 Want to be inspired?! Watch these athletes do the impossible. It'll make you believe in the human spirit!Read More

McDonald's Worker With Down Syndrome Retires After 32 Years, Gets Moving Send-Off

McDonald's Worker With Down Syndrome Retires After 32 Years, Gets Moving Send-Off Freia David worked as a fry cook at the McDonald's in Needham, Mass., for the last 32 years.

Giving back: Wayne teens share friendship through volunteering

What a wonderful, positive way to help kids with disabilities that affect their social skills!

Giving back: Wayne teens share friendship through volunteering Three 15-year-old girls taking a selfie is not usually notable. Most parents are actually tired of seeing their kids turn the camera on themselves. But seeing Sarah, who has autism and is not very verbal, smile for a picture with a couple of fellow teenagers was a special moment of normalcy for her…

Are Special Ed Parents Prisoners of War?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/special-ed-parents-prisoners-war-tracey-spencer-walsh

Are Special Ed Parents Prisoners of War? Speculation is swirling. Is a political war between Mayor de Blasio and Comptroller Scott Stringer the reason why the Comptroller has not signed and returned scores of stipulations of settlement

VIDEO: A Woman Put on a Chewbacca Mask and Won the Internet

I dare you to watch this without laughing so hard you cry! Star Wars nerds are the best!

VIDEO: A Woman Put on a Chewbacca Mask and Won the Internet There's reportedly a new record-holder for viewers on Facebook Live, and it's simply a woman in her car wearing a Chewbacca mask.

A very sweet thank you from a client :) Made my day!

Timeline photos

Back to the article that we posted about a week ago. This is stuff for parents to keep an eye if your children are using these social networking apps.