504 to Stay on Track...

A High School Junior, ready to start her journey toward college, develops mysterious and debilitating symptoms.  Multiple Emergency Room visits, hospital admissions, and medical tests later, we learn that she has developed dangerous blot clots requiring urgent and aggressive treatment.  OMG... what to do first?

"OMG... what to do first?"

"These are times that challenge us to manage our priorities. ​"

The high school years pass quickly.  Imagine now much more quickly they seem to pass when confronted with a complex medical situation.  All of the junior year milestones become secondary to restoring her health as completely and quickly as possible.  At the same time, she is a teenager who wants what any teenager wants: for life to be "normal" and to graduate with her class at the end of her senior year.

These are times that challenge us to manage our priorities.  

First, our girl's health is our most important concern.  We get all the medical attention necessary to get to the bottom of the situation and to establish a care plan to restore health.  

​At the same time, we need to immediately communicate with the school to let them know about our student's shifted priorities, and to establish her rights with regard to receiving appropriate educational accommodations.

URGENT TO DOs:
1. Work with medical team.
2. Notify school that we have an issue... details will be worked out later...

"Right away, ... notify the school, IN WRITING, that we are having issues."​

Send this message in an email to the school administration.  Then immediately print it out, sign it, and put it in the US Mail addressed to the school.  
​

Right away, you want to notify the school, IN WRITING, that we are having issues.  Here's what the writing needs to say:  

"Dear Principal,
My child, (name and school ID number), is currently being evaluated and treated for a medical condition that requires immediate attention.  She is/will be requiring time to run medical tests and receive treatments on an inpatient/outpatient basis.  

This situation has and will directly impact her school attendance and her ability to keep up with her studies on her own.  

I hereby request a meeting to evaluate her eligibility for accommodations and services under 504/IEP; and to establish and implement accommodations and services as appropriate.  
Thank you, (Parent's name)"

My recommendation is to email and mail the note.

Send this message in an email to the school administration.  Then immediately print it out, sign it, and put it in the US Mail addressed to the school.  

Sending this request through the US Mail helps reinforce your student's legal right to meet regarding necessary accommodations and services within 30 days.

"Now, you can
focus your energies
into the immediate issues
regarding medical care."

It is necessary to get your communication to the school as soon as you realize that something serious may be brewing.  If you don't need the support, you can withdraw your request for the meeting.  But if you do need the support, it can take 30 days for the school to convene the professionals needed to evaluate your request.  More days may be needed to reviews and evaluations before settling on helpful accommodations.  With only 180 school days in most districts,  it takes over 15% of the school year to just have your first meeting!  

For our girl, the situation has been complicated.  Treatments took time to take hold, and she experienced repeat episodes.  Getting on top of medical issues takes time, effort, and patience.  By securing support from the school right away, we eliminated the stress that would have occurred had she been subject to original work deadlines and attendance requirements.

Never underestimate the time it will take to get "back on your feet."  Medical issues don't respect your schedule or your obligations.  Even a year after the initial episode, our girl has needed her accommodations to keep on track with her school work.  Her mother says:
​
"Mari - your help with her 504 continues to help her! She has been out for two weeks and able to work on modified assignments. Also, it so easies her stress about not being in school. A year later - thank you!!!!"

Never underestimate the time it will take to get "back on your feet." ​  Medical issues don't respect your schedule or your obligations. ​

My pumpkin is at the cusp of great things. This is going to be an amazing ride!

Not only will our girl graduate on time with her classmates, but she has successfully applied to and been accepted by the University of her choice.  With scholarship!

Her mom writes:

"It is official... my pumpkin will attend Virginia Commonwealth University in the Fall. Go RAMS!​

Mari, YOU are part of this! 504 helped Isa stay on track and end JR year with a 3.8. I was sure she would have to redo the year. She is my little engine that just won't stop! Thank you for being part of this!"

I wish you and your student well.  If I can be of service to your student, please contact me.