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having a break down!!!
February 16, 2007
This week has been hard.... here is an email I typed our principal and assistant....
I can't get the HTML to work, so this will be all jumbled, sorry...
Christa and Jenn,
I have really had a rough week, filled with mixed emotions, concerns and issues brought on by Meridian. I was at school on Monday, as usual, when Miss Carmen made her announcement about the hand washing issue. I do appreciate the reminder to the students, it is so very important. But does it have to come at my cost? She quoted me from my email "it's been reported that 30% of you aren't washing your hands" (my actual quote was if I had to guess, only 30% WERE washing) but I just thought a reminder would be just that....no quotes, no details of my email to the both of you. So as I sat there listening to her quoting me, a staff member and a parent in the lunchroom started laughing and mocking the announcement "Oh please, 30%, get over it". I just sat there, shocked that even something like a hand-washing reminder can cause such issues.
I just feel like I can't win, no matter what I do, or say or feel. I have showed my appreciation time and again for Meridian. I wrote a letter to the Broomfielder showing thanks. I post on allergy web sites about how wonderful the lunchroom is working. But yet I feel like a total outcast by staff. I get dirty looks and whispers by staff and parents. I get ignored, I've even been flipped off while waiting for my kids after school. Why is trying to protect my child causing such turmoil and hatred by these parents and staff members? I thought the school would offer support to these kids, but every time I have a suggestion, and idea, anything, it's shot down. I left that FAAN request for the school to receive valuable allergy information, but that was denied. We've asked for a committee, an allergy speaker, teh PAL program, letters of explanation, something to offer the parents and staff a little education about the serio usness of allergies, but every time it is shot down. I just don't know what else I can do. But I can not continue sending my kids to a school that does not support them or their parents. I want to be involved, I want to see a PTO, but every time we think suggest a great idea, it is shot down. The group of moms that run the fund-raising, they are the only ones that get any respect from staff. Those are the same moms that, on a daily basis, let it be know they hate anything to do with me, my child and his allergies. They have let it be know the changes in the lunchroom are unsupported and stupid. They support the kids that tried passing around the petition to get things changed back. The minute I walk into the school they let me know they do not like me one bit. They've even showed it outside of school(with foul words and foul jesters). How can I be involved with my school when these women treat me like that?
How much more of this am I expected to take? I have another 11 years of kids coming into Meridian. Do I really have to be hated the entire time there? My current 2 have nothing compared to the next 2 that will eventually be enrolled. They have the same peanut/tree nut/egg and also milk allergies to attend to. What do I have to look forward to with them? I've asked for measures to protect Jake on days the lunchroom serves egg, but I guess the peanut issue is the only thing I'm going to get, so take it or leave it. For me, it's all or nothing....if I can't get all their allergies taken seriously, then what the heck are my kids doing at this school?
I have my letter from our new allergist, to continue with the 504 designation. But in all honesty, what difference is it going to make? I already feel unsupported and hated, so the 504 is just going to make it so much worse, except I'll have the law to help protect them. If I ask that Jake's room become a food free environment, or if I ask that he have his Epipen with him when he goes to different areas of the school, is it all going to be turned down? I just feel beaten down and maybe it's time to start calling other schools in the area.
I am really reaching out here. I don't handle confrontation well at all. I don't handle these hateful parents and staff members well at all. I am backed up against a wall and for what? To protect my child. He could die from exposure to these allergens, that scares me to death. But apparently it doesn't scare anyone else, so now what? I need to know if Meridian is going to support this or not. Before I waste time with this 504 for nothing. I don't want to be hated, ignored, flipped off, given dirty looks, mocked, laughed at, whispered at as I walk by.....this is not the school I envisioned when we chose to move here.
Please just take this for what it is. I am a parent of a Meridian student just needing some support. Just trying to see where we fit in. Thank you for your time, as usual, Chanda
As you can see, it's been a hard week. Sorry to dump it here. Just know, having kids with food allergies, is no walk in the park. If you don't have food allergies, pray you never do! HUGS
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