In researching my current newsletter I researched an interesting link titled, “Mitchell family went to greath lengths, and distances for kids.” This article was about Kit Carson School District R-1 board that decided to tell state officials that they would not be able to provide for the special needs of children living in the Mitchell family’s group home.
The Mitchell family (Howard and Melody Mitchell) decided in order to provide their children (foster and adopted) with quality education they would make daily drives of 20 miles each way to a more welcoming school district in Eads. It was by officials who believed they could accommodate the special needs of abandoned or abused children.
Sadly, on Thursday morning while Howard Mitchell was traveling to take the children to school disaster struck. The van driven by Mr. Mitchell went into the back of a semitrailer truck killing Howard Mitchell and five of the children, while seven of the children remain in the hospital.
According to Janelle Asmus spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Education, “There is no state mandate on this. We have a lot of local districts that makes decisions like this on their own.”
Another topic of discussion in my newsletter was about: U.S. Child Obesity Reduction Program Test. Over the past three decades, obesity rates among children and adolescents have almost tripled according to Dr. Thomas R. Friedan, director of the CDC. He states that, “obese children are more likely to have asthma, depression, diabetes and other serious and costly health problems. This project will help figure out ways our children can grow up to lead long, healthy, and productive lives.”
The Center for Disease Control and Preventions is using $25 million made available by the Affordable Care Act to support a four-year Childhood Obesity Demonstration Project. They will target children ages 2-12 covered by the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
In the first article that I explored I think that it is wrong for a school system to turn their backs on educating young children. Just because a child has a handicap their parents shouldn’t have to go outside of their school district to get quality education for their children.
In my second article, which fell under quality for education, I think it is important for us to remember that when children are overweight we need to keep them very active. I think this is play can have positive effect on children. When children are active in physical movement they are able to loose fat tissues that are not needed. Today, many of our children sit in front of video games for fun and they are not physically active.
Resources
National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies. (Newsletter:
Steffen, J. (October 2011). Mitchell Family went to Greath Lengths and Distances for
Kids. The Denver Post. Retrieved from
How ridiculous that the state of Colorado does not mandate the accomodation of special needs children in public schools! Shame on them! Also, how terrible that the Mitchell family has suffered such a great loss as a result of the stubbornness of the school district! Thanks for posting this. Without you, I never would have been aware of this nonsense!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Careyann, the state of Colorado is ridiculous here!!! I absolutely cannot believe it. The Mitchell family suffered such an enormous loss, because of this and I'm hoping that this story will be publicized. I will post it on my program's blog to raise awareness! Thank you so much for a fantastic post!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Mitchell story is very sad and I do hope that in memory of the lives lost this school district in Colorado will change their practices to accommodate all children with special needs. I thought IDEA mandated inclusive educational services in the least restrictive environment. Traveling 40 miles round trip daily does not meet the least restrictive environment!! Very very sad for a family who has dedicated their life to improving the lives of children at risk.
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