BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS TO GET YOU STARTED :)

These top 10 back-to-school tips for parents emphasize communication, organization, and a focus on your child’s success. I know first hand how anxiety provoking it can be as a parent of a child with a disability at the beginning of each school year. Yes, some are more scary than others, but we always strive to do all that we can to make the adjustment as seamless as possible – BUT, that doesn’t always work out. Many parents are struggling this year with the changes to the McKay/Gardiner/Empowerment Scholarships this year – YOU are NOT ALONE! It’s been a bumpy summer! There are things you can do, however, that will help your child grow and learn as the year progresses, and as a result reduce your level of stress. 

1. Organize all that paperwork

Kids with special needs tend to generate a lot of paperwork. This can include psych evals, IEPs, behavior plans, reports, test scores, Progress Reports, graphs and the like. To keep things organized, try to set up two separate folders or binders: one for keeping track of student work and assessment data and the other for keeping track of IEPs, behavior plans and evaluations. A parent who has concerns, but walks into a school meeting with a binder of work samples quickly earns an important seat at the table.

2. Start a communication log

Keeping track of all phone calls, e-mails, home notes, meetings, and conferences is important. Know that if something was shared in a phone call, it’s as if it never happened unless you write a follow-up email. I always created my own “home note” or “communication log” between myself and my son’s teachers. The purpose of the home note is to give YOU what you need, so don’t settle for a few smiley faces and a stamp if what you want is real information about what your child did at school and how you can help at home

3. Review your child’s IEP

The IEP is the contract you have with the school of what they are going to provide to your child. It should be taken seriously and monitored closely. Make sure your IEP is followed, and if you think it’s not, ask questions in writing, ask for interim IEP meetings (you can have those anytime you want) and make sure that your child is making progress in school – after all, that’s why they are there. School isn’t supposed to be daycare, so if it feels like that, it’s time for a meeting. 

4. Establish a daily schedule for you and your child

Set a wake up time, breakfast time, jump in the car time, etc and stick as closely to it as you can. None of us can learn if we’re tired or irritable, and kids are no different. Be sure that your child is getting 8-10 hours of sleep per night. If they’re not, consider what they’re eating and drinking. For instance, my son couldn’t drink apple juice within 4 hours of bedtime or else he’d be bouncing on his bed instead of sleeping. Not everyone needs caffeine to stay awake. Keep a log of what your child eats from the time they get home from school until bedroom, and you might just find the nighttime culprit!

5. Meet the teacher (and paraprofessionals)

Take the time to introduce yourself with a brief phone call or quick hello before or after school. You’ll be working with these professionals all year long as you work to ensure that your child is making progress. Some teachers text parents, some do not. Be respectful of their personal time, but do extend a time to talk so that you can work together. 

6. Touch base with related service providers

It’s important to contact the related service providers — occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech/language therapists, or counselors — in your school as soon as possible to establish a relationship with them as well. Let them know what you’d like them to accomplish during the coming year and how you want to have information on what they’re doing and how things are coming along. Many parents only talk to this person once per year, at the annual IEP meeting, and that should NOT be the case. 

7. Meet with your general education inclusion teachers

Chances are good, unless your child goes to a center school (which most kids do not), that even if your child is in a special ed class for most of the day, they do go to a regular class for specials like recess and art, music, etc. Communicating with your general education teacher will be important throughout the year, so get a head start on establishing this important relationship now! Share all of the information you can about who your child is and what makes him/her tic.

8. Meet the principal

You can attend school events like School Advisory Council Meetings, PTA meetings, etc, to meet your principal, or you can set up a time to meet and greet. I always let my son’s principal know that I wanted to ensure that the money he generated for the school was being spent on him – we would hold meetings to review the budget if and as needed, and you can do that too.

9. Drop inclusion hints

Whenever you talk to your teacher or other professionals at the school, let them know that your goal is for your child to grow to be included in your community, and in society. Preparation begins in childhood. You can start small, or you can start big, but the inclusion discussion is supposed to happen at least once a year in your annual IEP meeting… at the very least. The point to special education is to prepare kids for regular education. If it’s not doing that, then something is wrong. 

10. Start and stay positive

As an advocate for your child, you’ll have lots of responsibilities this year, and it may seem overwhelming at times. If your focus is on the needs of your child and their success, you’ll stay motivated and work collaboratively with your school to make things happen. Being knowledgeable about your rights and organized from the start will help you and your child have a successful year.