On August 18, 2022 at 3:52pm, 8 minutes from bus stop pick up time, I, Tiffany Russell, was called to pick my son Xhane Gonsoland age 5, up from Life Academy where he attends kindergarten because he ran out of the school building, into Fairview Ave in Montgomery Alabama during dismissal.

Upon arrival, I was told that this was not an isolated incident, he had run out the back door of the school earlier that morning, into a neighborhood road. I was notified, nor were the police called. 

When I arrived to the school, they stated that he has had mood problems since school started, I was never notified, I was not sent home any notes, nor did the teacher or principals call me. They then said that they can not accommodate his need, asked me to sign withdrawal forms and that was that.

The school has a blind acceptance policy, upon registration, I let the secretary know that he was diagnosed with ADHD, ODD and conduct disorder, when I called the school district and emailed the psychology evaluations, they said that they can not give him an IEP or 504, until possibly the next semester. 

I did not enroll him in the neighborhood school for many reasons, the children in his age group and many others, threw sprite bottles at us at the neighborhood park, proceeded to call him "retr**" and me "White H****" when calling the police, 911 asked me what I would like them to do. I was afraid if he attended school, that the problems would persist.

My son advised me that he ran out the door, because his peers call him stupid and they push him when the teacher isn't looking, he never notified me because he said he was told, if he told he would be a snitch and a snitch gets a stitch.

The pediatrician at Montgomery Pediatrics and every other pediatrician, refuse to fill his medication, even though I brought all the bottles with me. Ritalin, Tenex, risperidone and Clonodine. These medications only help him be functional for a  few hours a day. The Dr said that she believes he is on the spectrum and wanted to send him for testing again, at Associated Psychology in Montgomery, they performed a 30 minute test given by Ms. Blackman and said he can make eye contact and he know what pretend is so there is no way he is on the spectrum. I advised them that I am afraid he is a dange to himself and others, Raven the counselor said make a safety plan, the office manager Teresa says We don't have a diagnosis because I missed an appointment in March because I had to go file a protection order against my husband who assaulted me. Since March, I have never met the Psychologist over this office and the Office manager is the gatekeeper. When I called to speak to Xhanes counselor about running out of the school, the office manager said I need to wait til his appointment. 

They want me to take him to Alabama Children's hospital in Birmingham to the emergency room for an answer, possibly to be admitted as an inpatient, they said that he does not have to be in school until he is 6, he turns 6 I. February 2023. Xhane is unable to brush his own teeth, wash his self and dress himself unassisted, he does not know how to put lotion on his skin which is required twice a day to prevent eczema. Putting him Inpatient will not likely be a good idea at this time because of the trauma he experienced seeinf his father assault me and him moving away to another state. Xhane is a picky eater and once he went 3 days without eating "Standing my ground" like advised by medical professionals.

Furthermore, because I had to go and pick my son up on the other side of town last minute I had to call into work. Afraid that this behavior would continue at the babysitters and I lost my part time job. We have no family to help us or go live with and my leasing office will evict me 10 days after my rent is due, which I would have to choose between food and electric or rent. So my children are going to have to go in a group home where I still have custody, but they would not be returned to me as soon as I have a new place and with an eviction, it would be hard to find a place and with no part time job , I can't afford a place. I asked the school to put the incident in writing and I was promised today that they would have it today, my former boss said that the incident was not believable as most schools would have notified a parent and called the police. 

I have called 64 places in the state to get my son seen and most say no because of his age and or there is up to a 2 year waiting list. 

My son could have gotten seriously injured or killed. I could have kept my job had they called the first time and I could have addressed his behavior if I was notified.

Life Academy was negligent, Inconsiderate and wrong for what they have done to my son. 

They basically said he can go anywhere but here and they would compile a list of resources.

Lawyers are not interested in my case. School Boards have immunity. The Alabama Legal Aide called me back and the customer service lady was very rude to me. 

I contacted channel 12 news and they never returned my call.

I also learned that I need to lodge an administrative complaint against life academy.

I am filing a complaint on the Associated Psychology as well. A

No one is willing to help my son, so I am asking that the public sign my petition so I can give it to a state representative  senator, Medicaid, the board of education and all of the autism clinics in the state 

 

I also feel Life Academy should pay my rent until I find a new job in a reasonable amount of time. I would not mind them paying my rental office directly, my rent is $950 a month. I also feel that they should give my son and I a public apology for not communicating properly with me, they should have notified me and they should have allowed me to take him home immediately after the first incident. I do not want my children attending the Montgomery school system. If life academy is not equipped to deal with his behavior, not willing to give me time to address it and they can not protect him, it's safe to say, no school will, definitely not without a 504 and IEP. 

If you want to ask your own questions to the school to validate my story you can contact them.

(334) 315-0106

Info@lifeacademyal.com

You would want to speak to Mr. Stringer. 

Please like and share so my family can stay in tact.

I just want to get my son adequate help and be able to pay my rent without us being displaced.

 

Thank you in advance!

Tiffany Russell 

 

Update: 8/25 I went to pick up incident reports and was able to produce many untruths to what the school originally said and I was given back just enough hours to cover my bills.

 

Children's of Alabama has given Xhane back his medication and he has a full evaluation September 2, 2022.