This week has been a whirlwind of emotions as we prepare for Kay to start kindergarten.
It started when I received an email about a Kindergarten Warm Up event for incoming kindergarten students. The event was shared as a way for students and families to become familiar with the school before the first day. The flyer was sent directly to kindergarten families, shared on the school’s social media, and featured prominently on the school website.
Since Kay has Type 1 diabetes, my first thought was making sure she could attend safely. I called the school to ask if a nurse would be present at the event. I was told there would not be a nurse there.
At that moment, I could have decided that meant Kay could not attend. Instead, I did what I have learned to do over the last few years. I advocated.
I called the school districts Health Services myself, explained the situation, and thankfully they stepped in to make sure a nurse would be available for Kay.
I thought that was the end of it.
Then the next day, I received a call from the school saying the principal wanted to speak with me about the Kindergarten Warm Up. We scheduled a call for the following morning.
During that conversation, I was told that the event was only intended for students in general education and that students receiving special education services were not included.
And that was the moment my heart sank.
My concern was not about the nurse. My concern was not about Kay needing extra support. My concern was that my daughter, and other children like her, were being excluded from a kindergarten transition experience before they had even stepped inside their new school.
This event was advertised to incoming kindergarten families without any mention that some kindergarten students would not be included. There was no communication that students receiving special education services were not invited. There was no alternative transition opportunity offered. There was no conversation about how to make the event accessible.
There was simply the message that this opportunity was not for them.
After the phone call, I took some time to gather my thoughts and sent a detailed email explaining why I was disappointed and why inclusion matters. I also reached out to the school districts Compliance and Monitoring and contacted a few other organizations for guidance.
I wanted to make sure I was advocating in the right way, not only for Kay, but for other students who may find themselves in a similar situation.
Because every child deserves to feel like they belong before they even walk through the school doors.