**1-Star Review of Marietta City Schools and Lockheed Elementary School**…read more
**Do not send your child to Marietta City Schools or Lockheed Elementary School. The school is not equipped to handle students with disabilities, especially those from poor families.**
My daughter, M, has been diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, and Dyscalculia.
For the past two years, she was bullied, ignored, and denied the accommodations she needs at Lockheed Elementary School by the school, the city board of education (Marietta City Schools), the Georgia Department of Education, and Cobb County.
After years of dealing with issues with county schools, we moved to the city of Marietta in hopes of having a different experience. Nothing changed.
I repeatedly brought my concerns to the attention of the school, but they failed to take any action.
I filed a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), but they didn't seem to think the concern was urgent enough to tend to.
I even reached out to the superintendent, Dr Rivera, directly, and was given, in a nutshell, thoughts and prayers.
Here are some specific examples of how the school has failed my child, and how they will fail yours:
* In August 2021, I met with M's fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Brown, to inform her of M's disabilities. I requested to speak with the special service liaison, but I never received a callback.
* In October 2021, I met with Mrs. Brown again to discuss M's conduct in class, grades in math, and focus. I again requested to speak with the special education teacher or someone inside the school, but I was only introduced to the school counselor, Mr. Walker.
* In April 2022, I emailed the results of M's testing and recommendations from the Georgia Autism Center to Diane Parrish and Malika Brown at Lockheed Elementary. I also took a physical printed copy of the results to the school and gave it to Diane Parrish. There was no follow up from the school.
* In August 2022, I requested a meeting with the special education teacher via Mrs. Bilal, M's fifth-grade teacher. The meeting was scheduled for September 2, 2022, but only for MTSS, instead of an IEP and/or 504. I also requested a meeting with special services in person at the Marietta City Schools central office.
* At the MTSS meeting on September 2, 2022, I voiced my concerns about M having BOTH an IEP and a 504 and supporting reasons why. Instead of acknowledging my concerns, the primary focus was on M's tardiness and mood. There was no regard for executive function being an effect of ADHD or moodiness being an effect of Autism. The school did not discuss her disabilities or her need for accommodations. They admitted to not having looked at the psychiatric evaluation. They concluded the meeting with M having access to Symphony Math. Later when I requested the transcript of the conversation (the meeting notes), I was sent forged copies.
* On November 3, 2022, the focused support that M was receiving on Symphony Math was discontinued without notification to the parents. The school did not provide her with any alternative accommodations or services.
* On November 16, 2022, I asked Mrs. Meador if M could have a therapist accompany her to school three days a week for ABA therapy and was told "no." There were no other alternatives for care or accommodations offered.
* On January 25, 2023, I requested a meeting with the school to discuss M's SEL and Disability needs. The school counselor, Mr. Walker, and Ms. Meador agreed to the meeting, but it was not held until February 7, 2023.
* On January 30, 2023, I contacted Mrs. Bilal to ask for an update on M's math support. She suggested that I sign M up for after-school tutoring.
As a result of the school's negligence, M fell behind in her classes and her math grade suffered more, she felt isolated and alone, and she started to doubt her abilities and self-worth.
I am particularly appalled by the school's failure to provide M with the accommodations she needed to succeed in school.
For example, she was denied extended time on tests and was not been given a scribe to help her take notes. She was also denied a service dog and ABA therapy in school.
The school's failure to provide Meleni with a FAPE is a violation of the following laws:
* Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
* The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
* The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
I am deeply disappointed in the way that Marietta City Schools and Lockheed Elementary School have treated my daughter.
I hope that you will take action to ensure that no other child has to go through what my child has been through.