Dear Mrs. Bottstein,

My daughter is very active in school activities, especially sports. She has won awards from her school and I think she may have a chance at a scholarship in girls basketball when she is older. She is currently in ninth grade and has been having a lot of discipline problems, including some out of school suspensions. The school has recommended an alternate placement for her (a BOCES school) which my husband and I are in agreement with. My husband and I are very concerned, however, because the school she will be attending does not have after school competition sports at all.
Concerned Parent



A: Dear Concerned Parent,

I appreciate you taking the time to write. You and your husband have valid concerns, which I will be happy to address. First of all, it is good that you both are in agreement and seem comfortable with the alternate placement for your daughter. As an aside, it is important for you to know that students in alternate placements such as BOCES are constantly re-evaluated for consideration for return to their home districts. The best interest of the child is first, and emphasis is on placing the child in the least restrictive environment needed to address their specific needs.

In regard to sports, your daughter should be eligible to continue her sports career at her district school. She still “belongs” to your school district and is eligible to try out for and compete in any sports and/or clubs your district offers, provided she meets their eligibility requirements. You should contact your daughter’s guidance counselor as well as the basketball coach and special education liaison to find out the necessary steps to take to ensure that the transition is made when your daughter changes schools (you did not mention if she was recommended going to BOCES this school year or next). This transition includes the necessary transportation needs. In my experience with students attending alternate placements but who compete on their districts sports teams, transportation is arranged so the bus picks the student up at the alternate setting( in your case, the BOCES placement) and brings them to the district school. Please feel free to keep in touch and let me know how things work out.

Thank you,