I wish to share how disappointed I was at the pink slip distribution for our instructional assistants.
I have had four children graduate from Hopkinton High School, and all are successful in their adult lives. My youngest is 22 and lives with me and my husband; we are her guardians.
IAs are critical for children to be able to experience inclusion. It would be very disruptive to the others in the classroom and unfair to put a child with certain types of IEPs in situations where you are setting them up to fail.
My daughter would not have graduated high school without the support of the IAs. There is absolutely no way that a volunteer would have the skill, knowledge, or understanding of my medically and emotionally complex child.
The school and town are at risk of not complying with federal mandates. I strongly advise that the IAs are brought back immediately for the future of our inclusive community.
KIMBERLEY STORY
Hopkinton