It's Official

Well, It is official I pulled Makayla out of school on Friday. We will be homeschooling her from now on. I feel that this is for the best. I know some of you are probably wondering how did this come about? Here we go.
The school filed educational neglect charges last week so we had the Division of Family Services call and set an appointment Tuesday afternoon. The case worker came and the visit went well. The case worker's final verdict was that it was a lack of communication on the part of the school. They felt that we had done everything that we could. The down side of the whole thing is that my husband Mike is applying for the nursing program. Now any time he applies for a job or to further his education, this will show up on his record.
I felt very good about the visit. I felt that we could move forward and work together with DFS(Division of Family Services) and the school. So I sent Makayla to school on Wed. and Thurs. All went well. (accept she is my child, so of course she got in trouble for talking to much. She is 7 what can you expect?)
On Friday Makayla was feeling rough and so, following written doctor's orders, I took her to school at lunch time. Devon(my most trusted babysitter) and I walked her onto the office. Makayla was crying and very upset because she was sick and didn't want to go to school. I Know that some children do this to get out of school, Makayla is not one of them. She pushes through pain that most of us would curl up on our bed and cry all day with. It is only on her worst days that she doesn't want to go to school. In the past those are the days I would keep her home. But, I am trying hard to comply the best I can. I was trying to calm Makalya down when I noticed the school principal (whom I have had the most problems with) whisper in the ear of another woman. That woman came up to me and said that she would take Makayla to class. I said that I would calm Makayla down and then she could take her. The lady said that she would take her now and physically pulled Makayla out of my arms and literally drug her down the hallway flailing and screaming "I want my mommy" and "I don't want to go to class". Devon said that it was horrific. I was stunned by all of this. (It was one of the most heart wrenching experiences of my life) I turned and walked out of the building and then turned around and went right back in and asked to see Makayla. The lady had then come back to the front of the school and said that Makayla had quit throwing her fit and was fine as soon as she took her back and would not get Makayla for me. I then left and went home. I feel that the they have switch from dealing with a medical issue to feeling like this is a discipline problem.
Obviously, I was very upset. I didn't know what to do. So, of course I called my mom. She suggested I call my DFS caseworker. I called my caseworker, the one that investigated us and told her the whole story trying to find out if the school could legally do this. You know if you or I did this to a child we would be charged with assault. The case worker was as stunned as we all are. When I asked her what she would do, she said that if it were her, she would pull Makayla out and home school her the rest of the year.
I then called Mike, He was as stunned as I was. He wants to press charges for assault. I don't think that we will. I know that the school thinks they are doing the right thing. After all this Mike and I decided that we need to pull her out and work with her at home, at least until her health is strong enough to go full time. It will probably be 3 or 4 grade.
I still feel that I need to stand up and fight. It will just be in a different way. A way that won't give them access to Makayla. I am going in front of the school board tomorrow night. I don't want anyone to get in trouble I just want the board to know that they don't know how to deal with children with this kind of illness. I want them to think about it and fix the situation for the future students. It is too late for them to fix it for Makayla. I will not take her back to that school.
Now I find myself embarking on a unfamiliar journey. I am so glad that I have a journey mate who has home schooled for many years to help me on my way. (Thank you so much Debbie) I still feel that you can put your children in public school and do fine. It just isn't the right thing for Makayla. I love you all.