[blindkid] blindkid Digest, Vol 57, Issue 23‏: Leaving class early

[J DREICER]

Sally,
I agree with the others in that your son should not be dismissed early from class. 
Middle school is tough for all kids and it is best if he is treated like the others as much
as possible. I'd ask the instructor to take your son to the middle school this year while
classes are in session and to map his route to classes in late summer just prior to starting school
We had a problem with my son getting through narrow, crowded hallways when he first 
started middle school. He did not receive sufficient training prior to the transition from 
elementary and it showed. Prior to the transition to high school the current O& M instructor
spent a few days with him at the high school during passing periods and again just before
school started in the fall. This time the transition was uneventful. Regarding lockers, he does have a key rather than combo lock 
and the locker is at the end of the row. He seemed to find that useful. 
Janet 

Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:38:23 -0600
From: "Andy & Sally Thomas" <andysally at comcast.net>
Subject: [blindkid] Leaving classes early
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Message-ID: <ADD0AC3696224DCAB166B61A50F197E1 at andysallyhome>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"
 
My son's O&M instructor has told him that next year in junior high he will be dismissed from 
classes 5 minutes early in order to get a head start into the halls to make it to his next class.
I'm wondering if most of the blind kids out there get this "accommodation."  I personally think
it is an opportunity to miss some afterthought the teacher has and to be singled out and isolated 
in the classroom. Walking to classes with friends is one of the few times kids have for private 
conversations.  Would you share your experiences with this?
 
Sally Thomas