Weekend Warriors #7

There are no rules...(feel free to post an old or new post!) 
this will run through the whole weekend
(Friday evening posted by 9pm PST
thru Noon Monday, PST )
so that Special Needs Families
will have time to participate..
we never know what any day is going to be like..
  
~Non-Special Needs Linkers ask us a question, 
email knottylbc@yahoo.com to have 
your questions posted the following week...
link us, love our children, and most of all 
teach your children how to befriend ours~

Non-Special Needs 
(suggestions)

Aunties, Uncles, Neighbors, OT's, ABA's & Families
Email me Three Questions that I will post next week
(ex. how do you feel about your child riding the Short Bus?, 
I say short bus not to poke fun, but to open up correct lingo and 
take the power out of tacky words),
 
Post a pic of your Child with
A Special Person in their Lives,
Post an interaction you had this week,
Something new you've learned, etc
 Let us know One thing you will do this month
to teach your Child about Ours.

Special Needs Persons & Families
(suggestions)

Post A Pic
Link an old post or your current post
Choose to Answer Questions 
Post how your Week/Weekend went

What are your plans this Weekend,
vent, share, love, and laugh..
you and your family are valued here!

This is not a forum stating "my way or the highway"
please be respectful, discuss your experiences only.

This is not a forum to debate.

So lets gather and share our Experiences! 
****

This weeks Question:

How did you initially react to the diagnosis of your child?

My Post will be linked later this Weekend.

I am getting an Autism Tattoo with my Aut Mom BFF Amanda, her son Ezra (part of Team Tezra, Tafari's friend) is having a Birthday party.. its going to be a fun filled weekend. I will link my post Sunday!! 
Everyone else please link below!!

Jane's tip of the day... 

Just because you don't believe in the Organization doesn't mean you can't still help to bring Awareness. This is the last day of Autism Awareness Month for many. But it is Autism Awareness in many more households Daily!

Please link directly to your Weekend Warrior Post
(feel free to link posts with Special Needs Giveaways 
and informational links, but please, no links 
to ads for expensive items the average household cannot afford)

Tafari...Look Me in the Eye

I've made another Medical Check up for my son. Lately he is really stimming  out the corner of his eyes. It seems to bother all the Medical people more than me. Maybe because it doesn't seem to hurt him? Maybe because I am ignorant as to why he shouldn't do this? The therapist all pull his face or nudge him to look there way. That bugs me more than him not looking at me. I guess I will go talk to the doctor so I can be more educated. I've read books on it and been to Seminars but I am still a little clueless. 

Medical Thursdays with Amundsen House of Chaos

Will the real Princess Please Stand up?

AMERICAS NEXT TOP PRINCESS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!! 

FROM YOUR MOCHA TWIN.. 

GURL YOU KNOW WE LOOK JUST ALIKE!!

FOIL GLASSES, EASTER STRING BOA,

AND PINK LOLLIPOP MAGIC WAND....

I'M READY TO ROCK THE PRINCESS RUNWAY!

(YES MY EARRINGS MATCH MY TIERRA, BLOGGERS, DON'T HATE)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR PRINCESS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

YOUUUUUUUUU!!!

 

 

When Jenn Fab said will the 

real Princess Please Stand up?

What I meant to say was.....

y'all can sit the Eff down,
y'all know Princess is Black!!!

Please visit Jen and Chief for more posts 

or to link up to 

Princess Bloggy Birthday Party!

Iz 1st Day of New School Thanks to Bloggers!!

Grandma picks us up for School.

Islaam still waking up.

His new School.

(OMG I love the Neighborhood, School, and Staff!

I also saw an Autism mom I met at the walk in the hallway and she raved about the school!!)

Mission Statement

*School Name* Academy For Academic Excellence is a California Distinguished School committed to preparing all students to achieve at the highest academic levels. *School Name* academy has a GATE program in grades two through eight that provides a rigorous curriculum that develops higher levels of thinking. Our staff is dedicated to preparing all 1,000 students in grades K through 8 to pursue a college education.
In this highly charged academic setting, students are taught that academic success is a developmental process achieved through dedication and hard work. Thus, the words “Look Good, Think You Can, Work Hard, Get Smart” embody the academic culture of *School Name* Academy.
The *School Name* Academy school community believes that each student must be prepared for a global society by developing the study skills and organization skills for academic success in school and college, being physically and emotionally fit, communicating articulately, contributing as a member of the community, appreciating diversity in our multicultural world, and being technologically literate.

 Our Family thanks you all!!!!!

Weekend Warriors #6

Thank you to all that helped with my 12yr olds

Bully Issues I am working on Emailing 

each and Everyone of you!

There are no rules...(feel free to post an old or new post!) this will run through the whole weekend
(Friday evening posted by 9pm PST
thru Noon Monday, PST )
so that Special Needs Families
will have time to participate..
we never know what any day is going to be like..
  
~Non-Special Needs Linkers ask us a question, 
email knottylbc@yahoo.com to have 
your questions posted the following week...
link us, love our children, and most of all 
teach your children how to befriend ours~

Non-Special Needs 
(suggestions)

Aunties, Uncles, Neighbors, OT's, ABA's & Families
Email me Three Questions that I will post next week
(ex. how do you feel about your child riding the Short Bus?, 
I say short bus not to poke fun, but to open up correct lingo and 
take the power out of tacky words),
 
Post a pic of your Child with
A Special Person in their Lives,
Post an interaction you had this week,
Something new you've learned, etc
 Let us know One thing you will do this month
to teach your Child about Ours.

Special Needs Persons & Families
(suggestions)

Post A Pic
Link an old post or your current post
Choose to Answer Questions 
Post how your Week/Weekend went

What are your plans this Weekend,
vent, share, love, and laugh..
you and your family are valued here!

This weeks Questions:

Has your Special Needs Child ever been Bullied?

What happened and how did you respond?

Jane's tip of the day:

Mothers have as powerful an influence 

over the welfare of future generations

as all other earthly causes combined. 

~John S C Abbott 

My Post:

Tafari turns his back on Morning Schedule

Answer to Question: My Autistic son is only 3 

so no Bully issues with him yet, Thank God

(please link up!)

Thank you Blog Families

I want to thank everyone for taking the time to email the School District and Principal. Last count was 136 Emails. The first response was at 9:31 am. I received a call from the School District. I asked them to please put it in writing and this is what I received: 

Dear Ms. Tipton:

 

I greatly appreciate the time that you spent with me this morning to discuss the well-being of your son, Islaam Tipton. Student safety is the top priority in our district, so it is very important for us to work closely with your family.

 

Since our phone conversation on April 14, when the original incident involving Islaam was resolved, additional information has emerged and prompted us to pursue further action:

 

1. Our district is identifying every available 7th grade spot to which Islaam could be transferred.

 

2. Our district is making arrangements for our School Safety Office to conduct additional patrols of the Jefferson area.

 

3. Our district is taking extra steps to keep the perpetrator away from the Jefferson campus.

 

4. Our district is encouraging you to correspond with the Long Beach Police Department about Islaam's case. Although we have a relationship with the City, we believe that it would be advisable for your family to have a direct contact, as well, in case an emergency arises off school grounds. It is a prudent measure to take for the overall well-being of your son.

 

5. If, at any point, you have a question regarding Jefferson, you may contact Principal Lori Clark or Assistant Principal Mark Curran.

 

I am available to assist you throughout the entire process. Please feel free to contact me at any time.

 

Thank You,

Robert

 

Robert Garcia Tagorda
Office of the Superintendent
Long Beach Unified School District

Then Thirty minutes later I received a call with a School Transfer. I am very happy with the New School. It is in a nice neighborhood and far away from the inner city drama. It is located in between my parents house and mine.  School Transportation paperwork will be filed Monday. I would like to thank EVERYONE who participated in the Mass Email to Long Beach Unified School District. I would like to thank EVERYONE who has read, commented, and been with me and my family through this journey. I am still getting to all the emails. I think I will just take a break and finish tomorrow evening when the kids are gone, and just enjoy the day.

And now a few words from Islaam.......

Thank you all the people that helped my mom. I am going to a new school because you helped us. Thank you Miss Princess for helping me when you have your own kids. Thank you Miss Angel for the You Tube video. Your You Tube was good and the kids around here need people like you. Your also very funny Miss Angel. Thank you all the people that helped my mom. I guess I better be really good because you guys dont play around. Bye, Islaam

Stop the Press!

They are transferring my son to a Great School

He will start Monday!!

Will make a new Post when I return.

Thank You everyone.

The final count was 132 Emails!!!!

Blogfia's Kids & Family Fridays

I would like to thank all of you for your kind words and support. A lot of you asked if there is anything you can do to help my family in this Bully Situation. There are so many of you whom have written that I couldn't possibly answer everyone. I did read your comments and emails, 

and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Please visit Princess of Sarcasm if you'd like to help. 

I would like also like to thank Princess for her help. At first I was confused as to what Blogfia's purpose was. Now I know, and am happy to be a member.  If you'd like to help you can click on this link below.

Please help My son get Transfered to a Safe School.

This is also my Post for 
Family Fridays 

Letter to The School District

This is regarding last nights Post. What do y'all think?
(may need editing) 
I was going to add copies to Principal, Vice Principal, 

Mr. Tagorda, and the Newspaper... or should I leave the Newspaper out of it for now?

Christopher J. Steinhauser, Superintendent of Schools

RE: Vicious attack on Islaam (last name)


Police Reprt: *number*

Attacker: Jonason (last name)

Victim: Islaam (last name)

School: Jefferson Middle School

I am sad to say that after school, April 1^st 2010 my son was the victim of a Brutal Attack. He was jumped on his way home from School. I had to rush him to the ER. My main concern was Brain Injury. He played Quarterback for Pop Warner for many years and has had numerous Cat Scans. We filed a Police Report at the Emergency Room. My son, Islaam was afraid to tell them the name of the boy in fear of further attacks. The doctor said 1/8 th inch closer to his eye and he would have probably gone blind. They found the group of kids, apparently one of the boys jumped out of nowhere and blindsided my son and took free licks. I went to his school and they had already found him and gave the boy in school suspension. The boy admitted to attacking my son for no reason. He stated Islaam had done nothing he just “felt like it”.  I was livid that this boy was still in school sitting in in-school suspension when he had committed a crime. I stated I want the LBPD here and I want this kid Arrested and in Juvie. So Police came took statements from all the kids. Of course at the site of the Police, these tough little boys almost wet themselves... the boys own friends turned on him and said that the kid blindsided Islaam and socked him for no reason. I stayed at the school for 4 hours.. I wasn't leaving until that deliquent was in handcuffs! The Safety Officer came in to talk to us and took a Statement. Coach Lee and Assistant Principal Mr. Curran stayed by our side and contacted the police and filed necessary reports.

During Spring Break, the same kid that brutalized my son had his cousin and friends follow my son and his friends home 2 blocks from the Burger Stand. He can't even get a  Burger!! It's taken me this long to get my son to go outside again!! My son was to terrified to make a police report. He stated nobody could help him not even the school and it would only make matters worse. Do you blame him?

I immediately took my son out of school. There were only two days until Spring Break so I contacted the District Office to see about an immediate transfer. The lady at the office stated I needed to speak to the School first.

I spoke to Mr. Curran and he said that they do have something called an Administrative Special Transfer. So I called Tincher (the school my youngest goes to) and was told that I shouldn’t be calling the School has to call. I was also told they don’t have openings. So I called  the Principal of my sons school, Mrs. Clark. She stated "I'm sorry but I've called in all my favors for the School year". Um excuse me but my son is not a favor". She recanted real quick and said "oh no thats not what I meant, it's just that we can only do so many transfers a year, and we Principals use them for expelled Children." I told her... so what your telling me is that you just shuffle the bad kids back and forth from school to school and the Victims are left out in the open to be attacked again??? She also stated even her neighbor had witnessed the brutal attack of my son. I stated my son will not be returning to Jefferson.

I called the person in charge of Homeschooling at LBSUD (the number I was given by District Secretary) I was told its too late in the year to Homeschool or Independent Study. I immediately called Robert Tagorda Administrative Assistant (I thought he was the Superintendent) of LBUSD and repeated the whole thing. He tells me... I just got a call about this from Mrs. Clark. He told me that it is too late in the School Year to Transfer but he wouldnt have a problem signing an out of district transfer. Also the out of district transfer is subject to approval only by that district.

I get a call from the Vice Principal. He tells me your son has been out of school 3 days and he needs to return now (minus spring break). I tell him I am not sending my son back to that school! I am informed that I am in violation of the law if I dont. Seriously? ... now the law matters????

Thursday (last week) I am forced to send my son back to school. My mom who lives 20min away comes to pick him up and drop him off back home daily to insure his safety. Monday I ask my son to take out the trash. He begs me to let him do it the next day. I thought he was being a bratty  tween and told him take out the damn trash!! He looks like he is gonna cry.. I chalk it up to boy cramps and tell him after his shower but can you check the mail. He is shaking. I asked him if he is okay and he says I'm fine. I told him go to bed you may be sick. Tuesday, my Tween plays with his brother all day <---- now I'm concerned. He speaks to nobody else. I allow him to go to his friend Fernando's house (the boy who helped him to safety after the incident) in hopes he will cheer up. He gets a ride to and from there. He came home looking like a ghost. I asked him what the hell is going on. He tells me Fernando's dad and Fernando brought him in the house because the kid and his cousins were circling the house on Beach Cruisers. Older kids. I told him baby we gotta file a report. My son says why? The Police and the School won't help us. What can I say.... he's right.  So, I just keep documenting for when we appear in court to testify. My son has to go to school in this community and he is seriously distraught.

Today, my son comes home (he's losing weight) and I just cry. He looks like death. He looks frail and shaken. He tells me the kid, his cousin, and their friends all rode up to the his School (remember the kid is supposedly expelled) looking for him. He tells me they have been doing this all week. My daughter got him in the car and brought him home. 

I call the School. They know about it. I asked if they called the Police.. No! I asked what the heck are they doing about this kid. They said he is off home arrest and didn't come into the school so all they can do is file a report for with the School Safety Officer... Tomorrow!! Once again I said my son isn't coming back to this school!

So Now I am asking for an Immediate School Transfer! I want him in my other son’s school at Tincher. If you don’t have room, I need you to make room. If you can’t send him until the Fall then he needs to have Independent Study until then. I expect Bus Transportation as well. If Tincher is not available I will accept Hill. I will not accept anything less. If you have room for school of choice and district transfers you have room for my son. I have enclosed pictures of the assault. I fear for my sons Mental and Physical Safety. Please call me ASAP. I will not be sending him to school so please contact me immediately.

Thank you for your time,

Jane E. *last name* (mother)

*phone number*

Pour Your Heart Out Two And I am Pissed!

If you haven't read Bullies and Bullies Update please click on those titles and do so first or you will be confused.

I am livid!! So the School said that I should be able to get my son transferred with a "Principal Approved Transfer". Sounded good to me right?? Nope, didn't happen. The "better" school in my district said, sorry we are full (insert dial tone). So I called more schools... nope, to late in the school year. So I spoke to the Assistant Principal (whom I've been dealing with), he told me to speak to the Principal. I spoke to the Principal she told me....... (hold your boot straps for this one) "I'm sorry but I've called in all my favors for the School year". WTF???? I really wanted to curse her out.. but at this point I had to keep my son in mind so I held my composure. I said... "Um excuse me but my son is not a favor". She recanted real quick and said "oh no thats not what I meant, it's just that we can only do so many transfers a year, and we Principals use them for expelled Children." I told her... so what your telling me is that you just shuffle the bad kids back and forth from school to school and the Victims are left out in the open to be attacked again??? She got real nervous and told me thats all we can do and I said Fine my son will not be returning to your school.

So I called the Superintendent of LBUSD and repeated the whole thing. He tells me... oh yeah I just got a call about this (i guess someone had to cover her tracks quickly). He told me that it is too late in the School Year to Transfer but he wouldnt have a problem signing an out of district transfer... WTH??? Is he going to take my son back and forth to school. I was livid I said well can you at least get him in a better school for the fall? He said let me work on it and call me back in a couple of days. So a couple of days go by (my son stayed home all of the days). He also told me its to late in the year for Homeschool. While waiting I get a call from the Vice Principal. He tells me your son has been out of school 3 days and he needs to return now (minus spring break). I tell him I am not sending my son back to that school! I am informed that I am in violation of the law if I dont. Um okay... now the law matters????

Rewind to Spring Break. The same kid that Beat the Shit out of my son has his cousin and friends follow my son and his friends home 2 blocks from the Burger Stand. He can't even get a freakin Burger!! It's taken me this long to get my son to go outside again!!

Back to the present... Thursday (last week) I am forced to send my son back to school. My mom who lives 20min away comes to pick him up and drop him off back home daily to insure his safety. Monday I ask my son to take out the trash. He begs me to let him do it the next day. I thought he was being a bratty ass tween and told him take out the damn trash!! He looks like he is gonna cry.. I chalk it up to boy cramps and tell him after his shower but can you check the mail. He is shaking. I asked him if he is okay and he says I'm fine. I told him go to bed you may be sick.

Tuesday, my Tween plays with his brother all day <---- now I'm concerned. He speaks to nobody else. I allow him to go to his friend Fernando's house (the boy who helped him to safety after the incident) in hopes he will cheer up. He gets a ride to and from there. He came home looking like a ghost. I asked him what the hell is going on. He tells me Fernando's dad and Fernando brought him in the house because the kid and his cousins were circling the house on Beach Cruisers. Older kids. I told him baby we gotta file a report. My son says why? The Police and the School won't help us. What can I say.... he's right.

Today, my son comes home (he's losing weight) and I just cry. He looks like death. He looks frail and shaken. He tells me the kid, his cousin, and their friends all rode up to the his School (remember the kid is supposedly expelled) looking for him. My daughter got him in the car and brought him home. 

I call the School. Guess What... They already know about it!!! Did they call me no! I asked if they called the Police.. No! I asked what the hell are they doing about this kid. They said he is off home arrest and didn't come into the school so all they can do is file a report for with the School Safety Officer... Tomorrow!! WTH??? Once again I said my son isn't coming back to this school!

So I call the Police. 

Me: "Hi I'd like to file a Police Report"

PD: What is it in regards to?

Me: Case # blah blah blah

PD: How can I help you?

Me: My son has been beaten viciously and the kid is following him around and terrorizing him

PD: Where did the Incident occur

Me: Latest at School Today

PD: Well why are you calling me the School should be making a Report

Me: They told me they would tomorrow with School Safety

PD: Why didn't they call 911

Me: They aren't helping me at all can I make my report

PD: Do you want a restraining order

Me: Sure, anything helps

PD: Well you need a Police Report of the Incident

Me: Thats why I'm Calling!!!!!

PD: You can't call the School needs to call

Me: I'm coming in to PD tomorrow I can't take anymore of this today

 *CLICK*

ARE YOU SERIOUS????? So anyways I am sticking to my gut. My son is not going back to school tomorrow. I am taking him to the doctor and getting a letter from the psychologist. If I get arrested for not sending my son to Public School so be it.

.

Special Exposure & Pour Your Heart Out

Grandpa got T. a Trampoline!! 

The carpet underneath makes this literally soundproof,
I know the lady downstairs is happy he's not jumping
on the floor anymore!

(Please ignore the stained hair dyed old couch)

Linking up with Shell for Pour your Heart out! 

 

This Pour my Heart Out Post was in my head prior to receiving this Trampoline. I am in a better place now. But lets rewind to my original little world of the mentally insane. Because that's what lack of sleep will do for you... it literally makes you crazy. 

I rarely sleep. My son has the sleeping habits of a Newborn Baby. Yes... Seriously... up like every 2-3 hours. If he's up I have to wake up. I recently retired my old 2nd hand couch-bed. So I am sleeping on the floor, which has aged me quite a bit. Lucky Grandpa brought me a gift too. He got me a comfy Egg Carton Foam Mattress thingy from Target. Yup my blow up mattress (behind the ratty tat tat couch) is finally leaking. Next month I get my Purdy Futon!!! But jeez three months on the floor and broken sofa beds... I hope my body heals. Seriously.

Anyways back to no sleep (It's 2:40am  now so 'scuse me if I ramble). So when the babe wakes up at lets say 1am I have no parenting skills. None.. zip.. nada! Parenting? I am not even coherent,  I just stare at him and try to arrange my thoughts. He then gets up and start jumping. We live upstairs. I have to immediately shut that down. So I jump awake. I spend the next hour or two comforting, reading, and begging him to please go back to sleep. He usually laughs. He doesn't wake up crying. He wakes up ready to party!! The Meltdown comes if I try to force anything or redirect him when its his time to party.

By the time I get him back to sleep, I am wide awake. I usually don't get to go back to sleep until he leaves for school. I am constantly tired. Constantly!! I yearn for a real bed, a full nights rest, and a Manny. I may need a Nanny to rock me to sleep too ;) ... thus, a Man-ny.

This was gonna be a full bitch and moan session, until Grandpa brought presents. So I am kinda counting my blessings in between bitching, moaning, and crying for sleep!

Okay I'm rambling. 

A day with the Class

Well today was definitely better than yesterday!

In honor of Autism Awareness Month

I spent a day with my sons class.

Here's our day in Pictures....

(yes his class color is still pink *workin' on that*)