Karli Merson

Chesapeake College

PSC-220-701

Dr. Deanna Reinard

Crack the Case: Accommodations

1. Just like Ms. Thurston, I absolutely believe that sitting inside and watching a nature

documentary should not be the one and only alternative to walking through a garden.

The concept of going to a park in itself would be null and void if that was an option,

because what stops Justin from just watching it at home? Now, I think a better

accommodation could be an inside exhibit of the garden. Another could be a wheelchair

for Justin, and a staff member could push him if absolutely necessary for the rules

stated. Making someone sit inside because of an injury or a disability is ridiculous, for the

experience is in being outside and discovering the gardens.

2. Ms. Thurston needs to find something that is equal for all of her students, no questions

about it. I believe the only exception to this rule would be if the parent says no to a field

trip, but the field trip did have all the accommodations. Then, Ms. Thurston cannot get

any backlash because she did find an opportunity for all of her students, but she cannot

control what goes on at home, or what the parents choose to do. I don’t even believe a

change like that would be possible, as most schools have to approve field trips before

the year starts.

3. This is a tricky situation, but Ms. Thurston ultimately was not careful enough when it

came to Justin’s needs. The park is giving the bare minimum, and she was very aware of

this fact. She could try to negotiate and stand up for all of her students (politely, of

course), but that would run the risk of embarrassing Justin. Instead, she needs to be

honest about how she wasn’t careful, and in turn, if applicable, sit with Justin and let the
 students go with the tour guides. It is her job as a teacher to take care of every child. All

of her other students are fine, but this would be the moment where Justin needs her the

most.

4. I believe the only thing she can really do is stay with Justin if it’s possible. If the trip costs

money, She should probably return it as well since he’s not experiencing any of the

actual trip.During this time, maybe she could ask Justin what activities he would like to

do for future assignments. Possibly making a classroom garden, or growing the types of

flowers that were at the park. Ms. Thurston should also learn from this experience, and

tell Justin that this situation will never happen again. It’s most likely that Justin is feeling

a lot of confused and upset emotions, so Ms. Thurston really has to support him

emotionally, or in any way she can with what she has. The biggest thing to let Justin

know is that there is nothing wrong with him, it’s the parks rules that are the problem.