Category: Life

Affirmation And Answers Through CJ And Noddy

Tonight was our monthly PTA meeting. I came home steaming mad, questioning myself on if it was worth it to be there. I’ll spare you the storm and drang of the meeting and get right to what’s on my mind.

Part of the goal of the SEPTA, or mission statement, reads as follows.

We will make Sacrifices in our lives
To create Pride
by helping these children and their parents Excel.
Through our Commitment we will work together
To Improve Awareness
And we pledge our Loyalty to EDUCATION
We are the Parent Teacher Association.

So. That all sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? You’d think.

First a little background. I think the idea behind this organization is a good one. I also think the organization has great potential. In the more than five years that I have been a member I have benefited from things I learned because I was a member. I learned that it is ok to question your school and how they are handling your child’s education. I have had my child’s IEP (short version- annual individualized education plan) broken, which is breaking the law. I learned that it is quite appropriate to hold the school responsible for breaking that law.

Member A raised a question about officers not following rules. Some of those folks were running for offices that required training. Member A caught a LOT of attitude and flack for bringing it up, despite the fact that she has always stuck to the letter of the law. Member B and C could be heard whispering. Member D was just rude and fresh. Member E said that she, as one of the founding members, was sure that our rules were intended to be bent because our parent members were burdened. What? Burdened? My special needs child is a challenge but certainly not a burden. I thought her statement was somewhat offensive. Anyway. Most of the group seemed to feel that questioning if rules were and should be followed was not needed. The meeting continued on in a downward spiral. Some people were yelling and behaving quite badly. I’ve seen groups of children behave better. I lost a lot of respect for some by the end of the meeting.

I made the ride home questioning my own view on the situation, and my involvement with the organization overall. Was all of this arguing worth it? Was Member A right - should rules be followed to the letter? Was the bullcrap I had just sat through for more than an hour worth it? RB saw my foul mood and lent an ear. He was astounded at my description of the night’s events. Not having found an answer, I spent a few minutes with CJ and then sent him off to bed.

I went into the bedroom to kiss CJ good night. I went in with a cup of milk and a head filled with lots of questions, none that he could answer. Noddy was on the television. In this particular episode Noddy had coins and was wanting to buy something. CJ pointed at the screen and said “Oddy”. I agreed and told him it was bedtime. Noddy was now counting his change - one, two. “Ree” said CJ. I tell him that’s right and that he needs to go to bed. “Oney” he tells me. I agree that that was money and it is bedtime. “Oins”. My answer hit me.

I learned from SEPTA that I must be vigilant, to protect my son’s right and access to the best education he can get. Tonight my son did a little counting and recognized money and was able to tell me in a manner that I understood. That may not seem like much to some but for us it’s freaking phenomenal. It’s a result of making sure that laws were followed, even when it wasn’t popular.

Our school district child study teams are surely understaffed and overworked. Some might call them burdened. That doesn’t mean they should break the laws, does it? Of course not. Some of the very people complaining about following the laws at tonight’s meeting have argued to hold the school district to the letter of the law in regards to their own child’s education. What a bunch of hypocrites! Apparently the laws only suit them when they suit their own interests and agendas.