BACK TO SCHOOL!

The start of another school year, seems like just yesterday we were welcoming summer.  I have always loved the start of the new school year, whether as a student, a teacher, or a principal.  The hope and excitement of what the new year will bring, seeing old friends/colleagues again, cooler weather, new clothes... how could one not be excited to walk back through those front doors?  Unfortunately, many of you reading this post know all too well the stress and anxiety of "Back to School."  You worry that your child will struggle to make friends or be the target of bullying.  Will the teacher(s) see that special being you have the privilege of loving unconditionally?  Will the teacher(s) be willing and able to make the necessary accommodations so your child can access the curriculum?  Will you have to "fight" to get the services you know your child needs and has a legal right to?

If I may offer a few suggestions that may help:
1.  Keep the channels of communication open: via telephone, note, email etc.  Try not to assume that you know why a decision was made, ask why.  Try not to assume that you are intentionally being left out the loop, pick-up the phone or send an email asking what's going on.  Let the school know when your child didn't sleep well, or lost a beloved pet.
2.  Think positive!  Leave the past in the past.  As hard as that is to do, assume that this year is going to be a successful year for your child and communicate that through your attitude.  Try not to show or discuss your frustration in front of your child.  Children are egocentric and will assume responsibility for your frustration.  They may also assume your anger and bring it back to school with them, which, chances are will only lead to more frustration for you.
3. Bring people with you to your team meetings.  When you attend a team meeting as a parent, you are thinking with your heart and emotions, which is appropriate for the situation.  Therefore bring family &/or friends to support you, to take notes, to share their knowledge and experience of your child with the team.  Of course, always notify the school in writing whom your are bringing.  (Bringing food such as cookies, grapes, crackers or nuts also changes the tone of the meeting quickly.)  If possible, never attend a team meeting alone.
4.  Create or find a network of support for yourself.  Join your school's special education PAC... now there's a source of support & knowledge to tap into.  Consider attending workshops through organizations such as SPaN (spanmass.org) or the Federation for Children with Special Needs (fcsn.org), or join a network group specific to your child's disability.  The benefits to such networking are many, such as: knowing you are not alone, having people to talk to who have been through what you are experiencing, and free advice from people who know exactly what you are talking about and can empathize with you.

I hope this blog is helpful to someone & I especially hope that each of you has a magnificent school year.  HERE'S TO A SUCCESSFUL 2010/2011 SCHOOL YEAR!!!