Learning about 504 Plans
can be exhausting because you know what your child needs but also have to make sure it's within policy of the school. It can also be exhausting if everyone doesn't fully understand your child's diagnosis and what all is entailed. Kaitlin's first 504 meeting was in kindergarten and it was great. We had enough time to go over her diagnosis and inform the teachers and administration everything that can happen with Kaitlin and how to handle any situation that may arise. That was the only 504 meeting that I felt was truly productive. Every meeting after kindergarten has been stressful and frustrating.
Kaitlin's first grade 504 meeting was great with her teacher. He was one of the most dedicated staff at her school and helped us advocate with her accommodations along with the St. Jude school coordinator, but that was were it stopped. This is where the push back from administration started. We really wanted any and all staff that comes into contact with Kaitlin to be present because it is crucial for them to know that you cannot treat a child with sickle cell disease the same as a typical child. We even offered for this meeting to be before school started during their professional training week and even after school. I really did not care. I just wanted the teachers and staff to understand the importance of being aware of sickle cell and what to do in the case of an emergency. Of course, that did not happen.
When it came to Kaitlin's second grade 504 meeting, this was where staff saw that her accommodations were not average. We requested that Kaitlin not ride the school or charter bus during field trips. Her dad, I or, another authorized adult (mainly her dad, lol) would pick up and drop her off at the location of the field trip. This is just her personal uber. If needed, we would pay to go in but Nic usually just wait outside during the field trip. This way she is not waiting in the elements outside. Especially with inclement weather. We do not have time for a crisis from a simple field trip.
I feel like Kaitlin's third grade 504 meeting was a disaster. First of all, the teachers were on a teams meeting with their cameras off while the guidance counselor, Nic, and myself were in the counselor's office down the hall. This let me know that they were not fully engaged in the meeting. We had this meeting on our wedding anniversary so this tells you how strongly we feel to advocate for either one of our children. Then later on during the school year, Kaitlin would tell me that she was in a seat with her back to them or half of the instructions regarding seating would not be adhered. This lets me know that my suspicions were right. Now do not get me wrong, Kaitlin has had great teachers throughout her short school career, but it takes at least the whole first semester for them to fully comprehend what we were saying in the 504 meeting and see why we asked for these accommodations. I also know that she is not the only child in her class. The fact of the matter is that anything can happen within a short time period. Kaitlin could have a stroke and they would not be aware because her back is to them.
Kaitlin is in the fourth grade this school year and this meeting seemed to be pretty productive. The teachers were really engaged and asked great questions. The only push back we got this year was from administration regarding pick up from the front of the school during dismissal. Kaitlin has to go to sibling pick up in the gym because her brother is in middle school which is in the back of the school and her classrooms are in the front of the school. This can make her really tired especially since they have added recess. We have asked for this accommodation every year, but thought that it was actually coming to fruition this year. We were wrong.
Even though Kaitlin's 504 meetings have not gone the way that we liked, I am still glad that they are in place because I know that Kaitlin would have a lot more issues at school and it would spill over to home. This would have us with a lot more St. Jude sick visits that we do not want.
