Tempe Elementary School District

We live in the Tempe School District. I have 2 children, and both require Special Education, and both of my children have IEP’s. My daughter is in the PALS program, and receives Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapies on addition to Hearing services die to mild/​moderate hearing loss requiring hearing aids, and Adaptive PE due to her physical limitations.
There has been so much inconstant change and instability regarding my daughters specialized education– and I am sickened that her education has to be jeopardized.
From September 24– October 20^th, 2012, I pulled Isabell out of school until we could come up with a better plan.
By the end of October 2012, our IEP team and I arranged for Isabell to switch to a different PALS classroom within the school she was attending (Curry).
The switch was PERFECT for Isabell, and ended up making astonishing educational progress from November 2012 to May 2013.
THEN…
On May 10, I received a letter from the districts studen support director, Marissa Schneckloth. They ONCE AGAIN were making changes, and The letter informed us that Isabell’s new home school in the district would be Frank Elementary– and she will also be introduced to her new PALS team in August 2013.
Here is the email I sent to Ms. Schneckloth, stating the reasons why attending Frank Elementary is not an educational option for Isabell.
«Hi Marissa!
I received the letter sent out regarding the changes in the PALS Program at Curry School, and that due to limited space, Isabell has been assigned to attend Frank School ffor the 2013 – 2014 school year. I understand that space is limited, and there has been an unexpected high enrollment for the PALS program. I’d really like to see Isabell stay at Curry for a few reasons! To have this option considered, I understand that I’d need to apply for Open Enrollment at Curry.
I did stop by the office of Curry to obtain an open enrollment application! I will fill the application out, and return it for your review ASAP!
Before I turn in the application, I was wondering if any of Isabell’s PALS Team Members will also be transferring to FRANK SCHOOLS PALS program?
If the option of Continuity of Education and Services are available to Isabell at Curry School– I’d appreciate that to be considered!
Another reason for Applying for open enrollment at the PALS Program at CURRRY, HUDSON, or ARRONDONDO Schools is due to location.
Frank School is 4.4 miles away from our home.
Curry School is 2.9 miles away from our home.
Hudson School is 2.3 miles away from our home.
Arrondondo School is 1.5 miles away.
I have 2 children in the district with specialized educational needs– Isabell and her little brother William. I would appreciate the importance of Isabell attending a school closer to our home that could appropriately meet her IEP and PALS Program needs to also be considered.
Thank You!
Crystal Leon»
I got NO response to this email from Marissa Schneckloth.
At this time (may 20 2013) I applied for open enrollment for Isabell to attend a school that is an option for her. I was told by the student support department that I’d get a notification regarding Isabellsnopen enrollment status the second week of June. After receiving NO communication from the student support department, I phoned into the student support department on June 27, 2013 and the assistant informed me that Isabell was not considered for open enrollment and is now on a waiting list. The assistant stated that Frank Elementary is her assigned school in the district.
I was shocked at this, and I did not appreciate that my valid concerns and recommendations regarding my daughters special education were to options to be considered. I also do not appreciate being disregarded in the decision making process regarding my daughters very specialized education.
On June 27, 2013, I emailed Ms. Schneckloth and informed her that I am exploring alternative educational options for BOTH my children who receive special education services in the Tempe Elementary School District.
I will no longer stand for my children’s SPECIAL EDUCATION to be jeopardized. It is my legal obligation to provide my children with an education, and Tempe Elementary School District and their Student Support department is failing miserably at meeting their legal obligation at being my children’s Educational Provider.