There are only a few of our group members on this email list. It is
mostly you (Misty), and I, Diane, and the Gentry's that use the PLAYNET
site so far. (Some members do not have Internet access). Another Mom
who was subscribed has moved out of state. (I am not sure the Gentry's
are still getting these messages). (Mike and Rosa, if you get this
could you let us know if you have an interest in attending the meeting
with Mr. Bush. You can email me off list if you like at
rmetzger@...)

I am hoping to make this a non-confrontational meeting, positive but
inquiring as to how they are meeting the accessiblity requirments etc.
I want us to be professional, reasonable, and calm to keep our
credibility as a group and also not to aleniate ourselves from the
school. The school and its personnel can be a great asset for us and
building trust and positive relationships with them should always be our
first priority in our dealings with them.

I am finding as we work thought David's FIEP process that the more I
talk privately to Mr Brewer the more I get a foot in the door so to
speak for him to understand my concerns and ideas so we can work through
some of the issues somewhat on our own. I have actually taken his
suggestion for David's classroom teacher next year, Mrs. Steinsberger.
(We have asked for him to stay in First Grade with the understanding
that we are trying to truly pursue the academics.) I visited classrooms
to get a feel for all the teachers teaching style and classroom layout.
Also not all of our members belong to this school district so we will
have a small number attending I am sure. Probably myself, Brandy and
you if you are still able to attend. I am also still trying to see if I
can get a "professional" on ADA isssues to attend to help us know the
right questions to ask.

I would l ike to see more members use the PLAYNET Yahoo group as it
would become a more effective means of communicating about our events
and we could utilize it for more discussion of current disability
topics, and local and state events information.

Diane will not be able to attend on Monday but she will be attending
Tuesday night for the Estate Planning Workshop at Saron 6 pm - 8 pm with
Gordon Homes from MetDESK. Some people will not be able to get away
early from work (for Monday), but I will be there and I know Brandy is
also planning to attend as this is a big concern for her. I am hoping
Jim will watch my boys for me. The last thing I want to do is bring all
three of my boys along. I will bring them if I have to though.

I had a new family contact me looking for a support group. The Indiana
Institute of Disability and Community had given them my name and contact
information. They will not be attending on Tuesday night but look
forward to joining us for our regular meetings. They do have Internet
access and I will invite them to join the Yahoo list.

Misty, did Diane ask you to look into the details of having a table at
the Greene County Fair or were you only to organize people to help man
the booth? I can call the Extension Office if you like for the basic
information on reserving a table. Just let me know if you want me to
call. I will definitely help sit at the table to give out our group
information. I plan to order some personalized pencils, and make some
magnets, plus our brochures and bookmarks. Heather mentioned having
group T-shirts and I think that is a good idea for those w orking these
events. I thiought I would see if a transfer sheet that you can make on
the computer printer would look good enough. I have made a couple
T-shirt transfers this way (one a picture of my Alaskan Husky and one
from the Answers for Autism Walk in Indy 2003). We can have candy and
some sort of little trinkets for kids too.

Diane and I decided it would be too major a task to try to participate
in the Freedom Festival Parade this year and so we are dropping that
item. The Greene County Fair and the Kid's Fair in September will both
be good oportunities for us to spread the word about the group.

PLEASE think of attending a workshop or conference with PLAYNET parent
training funds. Parents using the current grant money may help us
secure future funding for our group. If you don't use it you lose it
kind of thing. Diane and I have recently added quite a few new titles
to the PLAYNET l ibrary from some of our grant that will be an ongoing
resource for us.
My favorite is "Your Going to L ove This Kid!" It is about inclusive
classrooms written specifically about incorporating children with Autism
into the general education classroom , but most of the information would
apply to other learning and developmental differences. PLAYNET funds
can pay registration fees only but IN*SOURCE parent traing funds can pay
for the hotel, travel and even meal expenses, so don't skip attending
conferences and trainings for lack of $$$. I have copies ava ilable of
the application for IN*SOURCE training funds as well as the application
for PLAYNET training funds. Just ask for a copy of each if you are
interested.



>Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2005 22:48:57 -0500
> From: "Misty" <archer_47441@...>
>Subject: meeting
>
>So, how many of you are going to come to the meeting with Mr. Bush ? I was
just wondering.....
>The thing that sucks though is that I cannot find a babysitter
yet.....hopefully hubby's Mom will watch the little one for me...jordan has camp
there at the school until 3:30 so there is no way to get him to a sitter before
we have to meet with Mr. Bush. I think he can keep himself busy....I hope.....
>
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