Michelle: Received an email today from new dyslexia teacher, introducing her self and about an upcoming seminar. She did not bcc the group email, so my email along with 30 or other so student parents emails is exposed. Breaking my confidentiality with the school, and the district. I forwarded to the Principal, who thanked me for letting me know. I know this was a mistake, an error, but what right do those other parents have to know my kid is in this program? I have a great relationship with the school, but do not have any confidence anymore regarding privacy.
Recently I was copied on an email discussion about another students placement & diagnosis. By the time I noticed the email, there had been 6 replies from others who were cc’d. The individuals on the email hold high level positions overseeing Special Services in the district. As a parent who communicates regularly via email with district leaders & teachers regarding my childs needs, services, & IEP, this error has me highly concerned. I understand it was a mistake, however, it is inexcusable! There should be safeguards in place to ensure mistakes like this do not happen. How often does this occur, I wonder. Were my emails breeched, and are parents made aware?? With fraud & pedophiles who prey on special needs, I feel obligated to report this incident.
The principal, I am sure, will educate staff, look at internal practices and ensure that this will not happen again. You and the other parents seem all in the same boat. My child was the only “one” in a small school district, at least one with an IEE that educated the district about dyslexia. The feelings of isolation and not knowing how to reach out to other parents were difficult for me. I had to go outside of my district to network with other parents of dyslexic kids, find resources,learn advocacy, etc. I created my own network and became, in an informal sense ,the “dyslexia advocate” in the district. I felt alone until other parents heard my story and sought more help for their kids–many who needed evaluations due to low reading levels.
I fully support a parents and a child’s right to privacy. Some parents tend to look down on dyslexic kids and their families. I have witnessed such personally with my child, but we “marched on” through the years. My child and other students and parents benefitted as I was passionate about educating others about dyslexia and wanting other parents to not feel isolated and to ensure that resources were available. Educators thanked me as they benefitted from learning about AT, summer programs, dyslexia, IEE, etc. An administrator asked me for books about dyslexia. Today, my child is headed off to college as doors opened through networking. I think that it is valuable for parents to connect and network as a source of support as one will need that “support” through the years.