WARNING: Don't KonMari Your IEP Paperwork

Published: Tue, 05/21/19

Does your child's IEP paperwork bring you joy? Does it speak to your heart?

The KonMari Method™ encourages keeping only those things that speak to the heart. Discard items that have outlived their purpose, that no longer bring you joy, thank them for their service – then let them go.

Chances are you've heard of Mari Kono, tidying expert and star of Netflix's hit show, "Tidying Up With Marie Kondo".

Her method works well with most things that live in your home, but your child's records, not so much. Even though all of this special education paperwork might not bring you joy or speak to your heart, let's not discard all of it.

Instead, we can tidy it up and be thankful we are once and for all organized.

If you can't find a certain school document when you need It, chances are you're going to feel frustrated, maybe embarrassed, and down right tired of trying to keep track of everything.

Ugh! What to do with those messy piles of paperwork, stack of file folders with documents randomly thrown in there, or maybe a kinda organized notebook...

Come learn an easy to follow system to getting your child's school records organized for once and how to keep up with new papers you get. Yes, you can do this, even if you don't want to.

Believe me, you'll be a much more confident advocate for your child when you're organized! Ask me how I know.

Watch the condensed video, the full replay and/or catch the podcast of the episode. Links are below.

Want to be More Confident at IEP Meetings? Do This

Watch the 19 minute condensed version of the episode on my YouTube channel. Click here.

Catch the replay of the interactive, live video. Click here.

Listen to the 19 minute podcast while you're grocery shopping (a great way to multitask). Click here.

SOMETHING NEW

The Key Take-Aways will now be taken from the condensed video so you can get the major points, in less time. The time stamps below are from the 19 minute video and podcast.

* Basic supplies you'll need. 5:33

* Step 1: Gather 2-3 years of records (IEPs, evaluations,

progress reports, meeting notices, Prior Written Notices, meeting

minutes, private provider reports, work samples, emails), etc. 8:05
* Step 2: Use a pencil, write date of the document in the top

corner. When we're done organizing all the documents,

you can go back and erase the dates. 9:02

* Step 3: Organize the piles by years 9:48

* Step 4: Divide each year pile into months 10:03
* Step 5: Punch holes in documents 10:25

* Step 6: Put documents in 3 ring notebook, oldest

document will be first page 10:42

* Step 7: Continue inserting documents in chronological

order. The newest document will be the last page. 11:22

* Step 8: Put monthly dividers in notebook 13:08

* Step 9: Put a tab on front page of each document 13:32

* Step 10: Make a Table of Contents, number tabs on the

documents with a permanent marker 14:32

* Why the Table of Contents is the secret sauce 14:44

Here are some quotes from the recent The Art of Advocacy show.

This is not your typical IEP Binder organization.

Charmaine Thaner

When you have a system for keeping all of your child's records organized, your confidence boosts dramatically at IEP meetings. You'll be able to get your hands on that one important document, when you need it.

Charmaine Thaner

Make sure you keep original copies of all documents clean. Use a pencil to write date of document in top corner. Erase the date later.

Charmaine Thaner

When keeping your records in chronological order, your notebook will tell a story. Also, by starting from oldest document at the front of the notebook to newest at the back, then it's real easy to update it. Whenever you get a new record, print out a new email, you can just put it in the back of your notebook. And that's a way that you can make sure this system lives on.

Charmaine Thaner

The table of contents has a column for the date of the document, the title of the document, the page number and a column for notes about the document.

Charmaine Thaner

Attorneys usually want to receive records in chronological order.

Charmaine Thaner

You're going to be more organized than anybody sitting at that table. You'll also be a more confident advocate for your kids.

Charmaine Thaner

Get your own Table of Contents template.

Table of Contents template, Click here.

Thursday, May 23rd: Is a Private School Right For Your Child?

Thursday, May 30th: Lunch with my grandchildren. No live show

because I'll be out celebrating my grandkids' school

year.

Thursday, June 6th: Ask an Advocate with Charmaine Thaner

Every 1st Thursday of the month we have an Ask

the Advocate show, so you can ask YOUR

questions.

Thursday, June 13th: Photos Grab Attention, Stories Capture Heart,

with our guest Barb Orozco

Our live shows are at Noon Mtn. Time, 2pm ET, 1pm CT, 11am PT.
We’ll be live at www.facebook.com/VisionsandVoicesTogether.
The replays will also be available.

See you soon!

P.S. SOMETHING BLUE

Now you can wear your inclusion values and show others that being That Parent is a good thing.

A variety of sayings on the T-shirts and colors are available right on Amazon, Inclusion T-Shirts by Charmaine Thaner CLICK HERE

Please unsubscribe if you feel you have received this email in error.

*****************************************************

Let's Stay Connected!

charmaine@cspeda.com 208.340.5874 www.cspeda.com

We are excited you are with us! You are receiving this email as a result of your subscribing to our list. Please unsubscribe if you feel you have received this email in error.