Question

I have special needs students. I never allow them to travel far on a school trip. This year for the first time, I was going to allow my son to go on a trip to Hershey. This son does not eat in school lunch packed from home. He walks slow, and in school selective mute. I tried to ask if his brother could go on the trip since he just finished 12th grade. I was told he had to ride up separate from the school. How do I explain, my son cannot go after at first I thought the entire family could go. How do I explain my son will not eat on this trip like he usually does, and this would be too long. At school he does not eat, however, once enters home will eat. This trip leaves the school at 9 a.m. returns at 7 p.m. How do I nice explain it seems to be more of a hindrance, and my son will not be comfortable. He rubs his face regularly in school as he does not do this at home. He has school anxiety. How do I explain I changed my mind after careful thought. The trip is this Wednesday so I need to inform today.

Answer 1

I would write a formal email/ letter to the school principal since the first level of talk with teachers isn’t work. When you write a formal letter or email, the principal will be obliged to reply and you will have a record of the exact answer which you can use later against the school. Hence, chances are they would be more accommodative when you ask for a written reply.

Here is what I would write ( I have assumed your son’s name to be David and John to be your older son. Please replace these names in your email/letter) :

Dear Principal,

I am writing to you about my son, David who studies in 6^th grade. As you must already be aware, he is a child with special needs.

I am so glad; the school has decided to take student on a trip to Hershey. I see this as a great opportunity for all students, including David to learn as well as enjoy. I am however concerned about David attending this alone here are some of the points I would like to bring forward

• David usually needs assistance all the time, especially because he is going to be away from home for almost 10 hours
• He does not each lunch outside home
• He has anxiety of unfamiliar places, including school
• He is also selectively mute which means he will not be able to communicate like normal kids ex. Going to the washroom, feeling sick etc.

Keeping all the above in mind, I would request you to please allow my older son, John to accompany him in the school trip along with David. John will help David with eating, communicating and being comfortable. I have already told David he can go with his friends for this and I don’t want to go back on my words.

I am hoping for the best arrangement for David and least inconvenience to the school. Request you to please reply to this email at the earliest since the trip is in the next 2 days. I am hoping to hear a favorable reply from you.

Regards,

<Name>

<Contact Number>