Middle School in Cupertino Union School District

Dear D.,
I teach an afterschool program for Kennedy every year, and have come to meet many of the staff. One was a lady who worked with kids who needed extra help. I recommend you call the school and speak with them directly. The number is ###-###-####, and talk to Sharon Curb at ext. 103. Tell her that A. Papangellin told you to talk to her. She can help you learn what really goes on there - she's great and explain that your daughter is dyslexic. She will be able to help you learn ifKennedy would be a good fit. I have a nephew and niece who are both dyslexic, and you are on the right track so far. Just call the school to learn how they work with dyslexia and kids who are dyslexic.

A. Papangellin
Golf Instructor, Deep Cliff Golf Course
Cupertino, CA
###-###-####

Does your daughter have an IEP in place? You can address which school she should attend through the Least Restrictive Environment portion of that document. My hearing impaired daughter goes to Monta Vista (the high school that the kids from Kennedy go to) which is probably one of the most competitive public high schools in California. The key (which you probably already know) is to work closely with all of your child's teachers (and by closely sometimes this means e-mail a couple of times per week) and to make sure she is getting enough of the right kid of support and tutoring through their Learning Skills and sheltered class programs. My daughter is now a junior and is doing very well, though the transitions both to sixth and ninth grades were an absolute nightmare because the expectations are both different and substantially higher than the level below. Unfortunately, we had just moved to Cupertino when she started 9th grade, so she did not attend Kennedy so I can't tell you anything about it as a school.

I don't know if you have thought about private schools? but Los Altos Christian school has a lot of support for dyslexic children - they run the Slingerland program throughout the school.

Alternatively you may consider some back up with a tutor should you not be able to change public schools - Wunderling learning center - Ruthie Wunderling has a great PACE program and also assists dyslexic children.

I have a dyslexic son - 10 year old - so I know how an academic environment can stress these children.

I forwarded your request to a friend with a daughter at Cupertino Middle School with dyslexia. You've got some information already but more doesn't hurt... hope you get some good info from her response:

I am very pleased at how Cupertino Middle School has helped my daughter with her learning needs. I would guess that the same program would exist at Kennedy.

In 6th grade, she didn't get electives, instead she got Learning Skills. Basically, it is a class she had at 7th period that had teachers and aids that would help her with any homework questions and gave her a head start on homework. The teachers there are in contact with her teachers and know what she is doing in school. Also, if she did poorly on a test or needed more time to take tests, she would have a chance to finish or correct her answers before she got a final grade. She was also in a special Language Arts class and this year has mainstreamed. Also, now in 7th grade she gets one elective, so she doesn't feel totally left out.

I would suggest contacting Kennedy's Special Ed dept and ask questions. I have to admit that it was a rough transition to middle school because the two schools didn't communicate as I had thought, and we were receiving Mainstream and Special Ed information and were very confused because they conflicted. I ended up having a meeting with the principal.

Hi, I'm N. and live in San Diego but will be moving into the Cupertino School District in June. My son, 8 years, has a sensory processing disorder, and has an IEP which focuses on improving his writing. I have been researching schools for the move--we could move anywhere from Palo Alto to Los Gatos in geographical range--and I found McAuliffe Elementary in Cupertino. It's an alternative school, still public, and I think it goes to 8th grade. It seems to be the answer to my prayers, with small group size and hands on learning, optional testing and still producing the top students at the high school level. Entry is by lottery and parent participation is required. I think you might want to look into McAuliffe as an alternative to mainstream junior high. Secondly I need your help. Our Occupational Therapist just recommended that we find an educational therapist when we move. You said you have one and I have never heard of one until this week. Do you like yours? How did you find your educational therapist? Please let me know. N.

I have a granddaughter with the same problem. She is supposed to go to Kennedy next year also. I do not see much improvement over her since she moved her a year ago. I am very concerned at her age. She is smart and comprehends well when someone reads to her, but she just does not read very well at all. I would appreciate any advice you get so I can get it too.