(Dean's name) et al,
(For purposes of clarification, I am (my name), Mother to (DD's name), ID#xxxxxxx, current Freshman at (school name) High School as well as Mother to 3 boys, 2 of which are also (school name) students.)
Please take the time to follow the link below and read the post written there by a Special Needs Parents and an educated mental heath specialist.
The reason I am drawing all of your attention to this subject matter is because my Freshman daughter, (DD's name) has been having difficulties at (school's name) with the school's "culture of intolerance" for the Special Needs Community. (DD) has specifically had problems in her English1 class, with the "R" word (retard, retarded) not only from Literary Discussion of the book the class was reading, but also a troubling encounter with a fellow classmate involving the use of the "R" word.
While (English Teacher's name), (Dean's name), (DD's name) and I have discussed the above situations, there has been no change in the (school's name) student body attitude and environment whatsoever with regards to sensitivity to the Special Needs Community, which includes Family Members and those who love and care for Special Needs persons. This is disturbing.
To this end, my daughter has endured yet another incident involving the "R" word painfully aimed at her, this passed Friday, 12/16/11 while riding home on the PM bus, Route #1. Two boys, neighbors of ours....one who even knows about our youngest son, (DD's) little brother... used the "R" word in the pejorative against (DD). When she attempted to self-advocate and even bring up that she has a brother with Special Needs, the one boy told her, "You can't use your little brother as an excuse!"
Now, (DD's name) has two OLDER brothers also riding this same bus home daily and did come to her defense last Friday when they realized what was going on. While I absolutely do not condone the threat of physical confrontation, one of my sons did just that in an attempt to make both of the other boys stop harassing his sister, to end the derogatory discussion with the "R" word, etc.
Also note, both of (DD's name) older brothers are keenly aware of what (DD's name) has endured recently in her English class with her classmate. Not to mention after years of their own attendance at (school name), my oldest two sons are keenly aware of the frequency with which the student body casually throws around the "R" word with disdain, disrespect, ugliness. In fact, in speaking to several of my children's (school name) friends, they all report the same thing..."Not a single school day goes by that I don't hear kids using the "R" word over and over again and no one does anything about it!"
But, when I speak to my children's (name of nearby school in our same district) friends, their experience is quite different. These children report that if a (nearby school/same district) student uses the "R" word at school, even ANOTHER STUDENT will say something to help correct the situation! It is my understanding that (nearby school/same district) has quite a large Special Education population in attendance and perhaps the Administration there has done well to educate the Student Body about "Different not Less", that the only "R" word needed in reference to any Special Needs Community member is Respect, and that the "R" word (retard, retarded) is offensive and it's use, unacceptable.
It is my serious concern and desire that (our school name) make a valiant effort to this same end. I do not want my daughter repeatedly bombarded with ugliness and bullying over the "R" word for the next four years. I do not want her brothers to feel that the only way they have to stop it is to resort to threats of physical confrontation....and I most definitely do not want this to AGAIN escalate into any fights. But bigger than that...bigger than my concern for my own children...The Special Needs Children & the Special Needs Community needs this to continue to change for there to be a proper attitude of Awareness, Understanding, Equality and Respect for all people. A Generation that understands and espouses "Different not Less" has to start with our Youth!
Here below, is the link I referenced at the beginning of my email. Please read it.
I very much appreciate all of your time and efforts on behalf of my children and the entire (our school's name) student body. The work all of you do molds minds, touches hearts, and changes lives. Thank you!
http://thelifeunexpected.com/archives/1705
Most Sincerely,
(my name)
Mother
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