There's a storm a brewin...

As I had mentioned earlier, Anthony's behavioral issues had forced us into putting him on a half day at school temporarily while I sought professional help for him. While the legal issues had this search somewhat sidelined, we're back on track and set to start a slew of doctor visits starting next week. I have known how urgent this is, but today I discovered I may have yet another large battle in front of me.
The teacher and principal asked me to come in to discuss progress today. At first, the half days had been progressing just as poorly as the full days, but two weeks ago we started to see a turn around. He had begun calming himself on his own, not lashing out, and generally showing signs of better control. Part of me thinks this may be a reaction to the disruption in his homelife. It almost feels like he's trying to hold it together for my sake. But the change has been quite positive, and I had been taking it as a small victory, a sign of positive changes to come. With this renewed appearance of positive behavior, I figured that the therapy options I was seeking out would be to reinforce it and continue with keeping him in this great state. With this help coming from the homefront, he'd be able to continue at his school with reduce in stress all across the board, for teachers, myself, and himself.
But apparently the school district has been labouring under a much different plan. Unbeknownst to me, when the teachers had originally called in for a behavioral specialist, the district supervisors were demanding a change in his placement immediately. Apparently the teachers and principal were attempting to fend off this decision, as they know as well as I this is not the best course for Anthony. Sherwood has been a loving, stable, and supportive environment for him, and we've seen tremendous growth in other areas for him there. He has made strong bonds with the teachers and staff, as well as his peer group. He is showing more and more success academically, since he has had inclusion in the gen ed class room each day.
The suggestion the district is pursuing would be removing him from this school entirely, placing him another one, and into a lower functioning behavioral support class. This is a nice term for "where we dump the kids who are too screwed up to be in a regular class environment". Picture a pint size padded room. He would be removed from the gen ed class environment that he has thrived in. He would be yanked from the support structure he has developed where he is, and at the vulnerable place he is emotionally because of this breakup, I cannot imagine a worse move for him right now.
I'm furious that the district was even discussing this in my absence. Did they think they would just bulldoz this passed me? They don't want to wait and see what the doctors come up with, they just want to push forward with a move.
While I do understand the critical point my son is at, that's no reason to push forth with a permanent decision that could negatively affect his progress. Yes, I undestand his behavior has disrupted the classroom. Yes, I understand that the teachers have run out of methods to help him. But that's why I am stepping up the fervence in uncovering outside help. I have the means now, and I am doing it. The first set of appointments are days away. But it seems like the district is eager to just give up on him, and shove him away where they don't have to focus. And heck, I'm sure the decision also comes with some monetary savings to them, since it would remove the need for him having an in class behavioral aid. But just because it's an easy answer does not make it the right one!
I'm grateful that the teacher and principal both agree with me on this. When I asked why it wasn't brought to my attention sooner, they told me that because they were already fighting it, they thought the situation would dissipate without having to worry me. These people are fighting for my kid. And now, I will fight for him with added vengeance. If the district thought I was difficult before, wait til they see me go full force against a placement change!
According to law, they have to meet with me to discuss a placement change within his IEP. If this goes as far as that meeting, I will be adament about being against the switch, which I believe could push us into a court battle. But I will have what's best for my child.
Cross your fingers, folks, cause mama may be puttin on warpaint again...