Hi Trillium,
Welcome - so glad we are all together! Lovely name.
Interesting letter. I don't like it because it doesn't ask for an action. It requires thought on the part of the person who reads it. This is a problem. You still walking around trying to 'treat people the way you would like to be treated.' This is a mistake that we all make as beginners. You are not like other people in some respects, so don't assume yourself for an audience.
In other words, if I was your school principle, I'd be so impressed with your letter, but then, if I was your school principle, you wouldn't have to be fighting this very basic battle, it would already be accomplished.
Questions for you to think about:
Is 'differently-abled' the phrase your district uses to describe the low-ability students? If not, I wouldn't use it here.
Have you sat down and tried working with the teacher?
Have you sat down and tried working with whoever runs the gifted program?
Have you sat down and tried working with the Principle?
You have to do all these things before going to district level or it will blow up in your face. You have to let each step in the chain know that you are still concerned that the problem isn't solved and planning to go up a level. it's sort of like a video game.
Have you talked to other parents who have kids in the gifted program and found out what is availible?
Is homeschooling an option, because it really seems as though the amount of time that you'll spend getting accommodations in school isn't going to be worth what you get out of it. Would you really be happy with harder worksheets and a pass on the grade level material?
Have you done a skip already?
Is you daughter happy?
Letters that work with schools focus on a child's social and emotional needs. So a good letter describes the problem in social and emotional terms 'cries herself to sleep at night, gets stomach aches in the morning, won't try any activity she might not be stellar at' etc. I'm assuming that you will have to start with the principal after face to face with the teacher and gifted coordinator.
Then it proposes a solution, such as grade skip, partial homeschool, placing out of gradelevel work. This is the place where you outline the results from talking to your teacher and gifted coordinator.
Then it requests an action date. Something like,'I'm sure this will sound quite reasonable to you, so please let me know by what date this can be instituted. My daughter's social and emotional health depends on your quick action. Can I expect to hear from you by October 15?'
Then if no answer, go up a level.
Contact information and 'Very Truly Yours'
Write it and print it out, then drop it off in person at the school, or mail if work interferes. No emails for this one.
BTW, have you applied to the Young Scholar Program? It sounds like it would be useful.
Love and More Love, ( I hope I haven't hurt your feelings)
Grinity
