Read on Twitter
I’ve generally just used Twitter for work, with the occasional political retweet that I’m always hesitant about putting out there. However, for the past few months I’ve been following the #openfcps movement with the same morbid fascination as I watch TLC reality shows.
And it is a huge reality show. There are people claiming to be parents who clearly have a political agenda that go beyond opening schools during this pandemic. There are people claiming to be teachers who are tweeting during school hours – y’know, when teachers are teaching.
It’s not just #FCPS – this battle seems to be going on all over, with school reopening just serving as a proxy for other issues around public education.
But I was just content to do my occasional read of the Twitter battles and keep my mouth shut (and for anyone who knows me, that rarely happens). And then I saw a screen grab from Facebook that someone posted on Twitter - and I can’t keep my mouth shut about it.
Let me reiterate.
“How do I tell my second grader that he’s being penalized bc he is smart…bc that is what it boils down too (sp)…he doesnt (sp) have an IEP nor qualifies for additional services.”
“How do I tell my second grader that he’s being penalized bc he is smart…bc that is what it boils down too (sp)…he doesnt (sp) have an IEP nor qualifies for additional services.”
I have two neurodiverse kids, I can tell you, both are smart as f**k. My daughter with ASD has an IEP and is excited for her honors classes in middle school next year. My son with ADHD has a 504, is in AAP and is looking forward to attending MIT someday.
It pisses the h**l out of me that someone is out there saying that because my kids are neurodiverse and have accommodations, they’re not smart. My kids’ accommodations (executed by their amazing teachers) level the playing field for them, so they can reach their full potential.
I have no doubt that this person will pass this type of c**p on to their kids, and those kids will grow up with the assumption that neurodiversity means lower intelligence.
My kids are amazing, smart, talented and compassionate people, and I’m trying to teach them to embrace their differences as a key part of who they are and why they’re so awesome.
#FCPS doesn’t need this kind of attitude, and I hope this parent will use their apparently frustration with the school system as a reason to leave. Good riddance.
Mama bear rant done. 
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