Hello Fellow Resource Families and Supporting Agencies,
Whether you are on a traditional, year-round, modified, or private school calendar, the 2024-25 school year has officially begun! While this is an exciting time to meet new teachers, make new friends, and discover new adventures in learning, it can also be a difficult time for students. This can be especially true for children and youth in foster care who may be struggling learners.
Some students may struggle because of distractions due to instability at home, trauma, or other transitions in their environment that created gaps in their access to consistent schooling. Others may struggle due to an identified or unidentified disability that is impacting their ability to access instructions.
As the new school year begins, I want to introduce myself and offer some tips to help make this the best school year yet for students, resource families, and agencies supporting students. I am fortunate to serve in the role of Education Consultant for Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina (FFA-NC). In this role I provide guidance and support around the special education referral or reevaluation process, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and navigating 504 plans for resource parents and agencies. This includes training on federal requirements for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 requirements from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. With more than 37 years of experience in the field of special education, most recently as Director of Exceptional Children Programs with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, my focus has always been to support students, families, and teachers.
Many times, the academic year brings a new school, an unfamiliar teacher, different home situations, or a new placement for children in care. However, returning to the same school can also be unsettling due to a new teacher, administrator, and/or peers. These changes can bring additional anxiety and concerns to children and families. Having a plan and the focus to address a new school year is important in setting students up for success.
In my experience, I have observed proactive steps that resource families can take to positively engage with their children’s school. Here are some suggestions to consider for making this school year the best one yet!
Make time to attend the open houses, teacher meet-and-greets, or curriculum nights that are offered at your child or youth’s school. If these events do not allow time for you to discuss specific needs for your child, set up a separate appointment. However, attending these events will provide you with knowledge, information, and connections to those in the school who can and will support students.
Maintain a morning routine during school days. Structure is critical for students who struggle with change or anticipation of their day. Involve students in creating the routine; they are responsible for selecting their outfit, having their lunchbox in hand, or packing their backpack. Responsibility is a good way to create buy-in from the student to maintain the routine needed to get everyone out the door on time.
If this is a new school, make sure all paperwork/documentation needed has been provided to the school. This includes vaccination records, proof of residence documentation, and personal identification records. Contact the school ahead of time and determine exactly what your school requires. Assembling and providing those documents can ensure the school is clear on any medical needs, custody, etc. and will contribute to a smoother school experience for everyone.
Set up a way to regularly communicate with the teacher. This may be a communication notebook, email, written notes, or scheduled meetings. Just remember the opening and ending of the school day is not the best time to have an in-depth conversation with a teacher or administrator. Planning ahead and scheduling an appointment will bring everyone to the table and should prove to be more productive. This will make the year go smoother!
I welcome the opportunity to support resource families and agencies around their educational needs. Feel free to contact me if you have questions, concerns, or need guidance. I am always here to help! You can reach me at [email protected].
Here’s to a wonderful and successful 2024-25 school year!
Sherry Thomas is an Education Consultant with the Foster Family Alliance of NC.
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