🧵x ten.
My son is starting grade 10. He didn’t go to school today because his ‘program’ doesn’t start until tomorrow. You see, he’s in a segregated program. He doesn’t have a homeroom class + doesn’t experience high school like his typical peers. 1/10 #bced
My son is starting grade 10. He didn’t go to school today because his ‘program’ doesn’t start until tomorrow. You see, he’s in a segregated program. He doesn’t have a homeroom class + doesn’t experience high school like his typical peers. 1/10 #bced
The program is called LifeSkills. Today I discovered all #LifeSkills programs in Vancouver will end an hour early once a week, for the ENTIRE school year. This is so program teachers/support staff can collaborate. That’s about 38 instruction hours lost. 2/10 #bced
Collaboration is vital + I fully support it but shouldn’t the district pay their staff for that time? Who decided to take school time away from disabled students? Also, why didn’t the district tell us about this change when they made the decision?
3/10 #bced #vanpoli
3/10 #bced #vanpoli
Inclusion is different in every district in BC, it’s almost impossible to keep track of it all. B’s friend who lives in North Van (also a teen with Down syndrome) isn’t in a program at school. He experiences high school like his peers do, with support.
4/10 #bced
4/10 #bced
Students like my son aren’t usually invited into mainstream classes or spaces without advocacy + support. Not everyone wants a kid with Down syndrome in their class. This I know for sure.
5/10 #bced
5/10 #bced
Sometimes when I tweet about school I get a call. In the past I have been asked to remove tweets that critique the district.
I will not.
My son + many, many more students don’t have equal access to education. Kids are segregated + it is breaking me. 6/10 #bced
I will not.
My son + many, many more students don’t have equal access to education. Kids are segregated + it is breaking me. 6/10 #bced
What message does it send when students are separated from their peers or have a delayed start to school? My son will be in the same program/room for 5 years. This is not how his peers experience high school. It grooms exclusion.
7/10 #bced
7/10 #bced
I know I’m not alone. I’m not the only parent/guardian/student/educator/support worker who feels this way.
Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say here is - please pay your employees for extra time + stop segregating students.
8/10 #bced #vanpoli
Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say here is - please pay your employees for extra time + stop segregating students.
8/10 #bced #vanpoli
We love our teacher, support staff + principal + can’t wait to see them all tomorrow. I still can’t believe we have a 15 year old starting grade 10, time sure flies. ☺️ 9/10 #bced
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