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Monday, March 14, 2011

Please Forgive Me Dr. Latham For I Have Sinned

The good Doctor must have advanced degrees that I didn't know about. I learned by virtue of your denying the grievance of a fellow cane wielding  comrade of their grievance and request to move to a less burdensome assignment. You probably are a doctor of medical science too, how else could you have made the determination with such determination that this person's medical condition warrants their placement in such a "light duty" position as an aide in a behavioral class where most of the students have "passive restraints" as part of their IEP. It was pretty astute of you to realize that the person's cane could be used as a weapon, useful in subduing them (not to worry, the student will NEVER use it as a weapon against your staff or other students beside it is useful as a distraction since they almost daily knock it out from under this person).
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One of your doctorates must also be in jurisprudence, since clearly you have a better understanding of the Americans With Disabilities Act than I regarding what constitutes reasonable accommodations. You have managed to convince. the teacher's union that the problem is a collective bargaining issue. I must have heard our honorable Governor Deval Patrick misspeak this July when I went to an ADA 20th anniversary rally in Boston last year when he labeled ADA violations a "civil rights" issue.

Hopefully you will be moved by my deep sincerity an absolve me of my venial sins. Perhaps a penance of 20 "Hail Cathe's" will suffice.

5 comments:

  1. I don't understand what happened? You seem upset. Did she ask you to leave your post?
    My goodness please let us know.

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  2. Not yet, not me. It's just someone I know who is being forced to work in a dangerous environment. Don't worry, if I am fired from my volunteer position, everyone will know.

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  3. I don't understand Stanley...it sounds like a teacher has a cane and she is afraid some kid will take it from the teacher and use it as a weapon...MA COMMISSION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION? EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY? OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS???? This sounds a bit more intensive than we know...hope this is not the case...a teacher has to be careful not to RAISE IT AT A KID WHOSE FAMILY MIGHT WRONGFULLY SAY IT WAS AN ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON...Stanley please explain confused!

    Thanks!

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  4. A paraprofessional has a cane. Kids are often pulling it out from under this person. In a fit of anger which in itself is a common occurrence, a student could take the cane and use it as a weapon against the teacher, the aides or other students. According to Dr. Latham, this position is "Light duty". I got to get a copy of her dictionary because mine don't read that way!

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  5. Stanley,

    You are correct with the ADA Act and there are several agencies that can handle this type of complaint...cannot discriminate if disabled:
    EEOC, MCAD, OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS (GOOD ONE), COMMISSION FOR DISABLED AND DISCRIMINATION, ETC...so the kids pull the cane out from under has the aide fallen? If not, who saw this? Who reported this happening? Did she remove this aide for having a cane? What school and whose the VP? If it's an elementary school? Where is the teacher, VP, and principal...this starts with the school and the behavior of the child or children...it's not a weapon, but a service device (like some dogs are)...THIS IS SCARY! The simple way to fix this is to have the aide travel with his/her student 5 mins. after everyone else from class to class...if the child who is assigned the aide is the child of concern; then the child must have a behavior plan in place to prevent this from happening - see the Student Adjustment Counsellor for help...it's all about keeping everyone safe not telling someone to exit...I also believe there are Behavioral Specialists who can assist everyone in the school to get this straightened out! I have alot of questions to ask as follows:

    Has the aide had any issues at the school?
    Issues with the child or class?
    Any complaints filed?
    If so, how many and by whom? witnesses?
    Has the aide asked for written copies? GET THEM!
    Have the aide IN WRITING REQUESTS ALL DOCUMENTS!
    Aide needs to file Grievance w/LTU & keep copy!
    Aide must keep a log - dates of cane pulling!
    Get in writing from the super why terminating!!!
    DOCUMENTATION, DOCUMENTATION, DOCUMENTATION!
    WITNESSES, WITNESSES, WITNESSES!
    THIS IS A STORY FOR MARIA STEPHANOS FOX 25-CALL!
    Is this aide's injury due to result of war?
    Serving his country? If so, Veteran's Affairs!
    CALL EEOC WILLIAM 'MO' COWAN CHIEF OF STAFF
    - EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY CENTER BOSTON
    OR WASHINGTON!

    Stanley, you probably don't want to get involved but give initials or first/last name I'm sure someone would appreciate knowing this..you are a good man to show in interest in helping everyone and everybody...God Bless You Stanley! You know what's right and I commend you for it!

    Waiting to hear how it goes! What is happening? We were nationally recognized as one of the best systems around and now we're fallen down and apart...let's pray for miracles to happen and positive change!

    LET'S ALL FOCUS ON HELPING AND WORKING TOGETHER!

    Oh yeah...VOTE SOMEONE WHO CARES! GOOD EXAMPLES ARE DOLORES DIFILLIPO AND RICK STARBARD!

    Togetherness = success!!!

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