It’s time to head back to school! We have a number of tip sheets in our free lending library that deal with school-related topics, as well as other resources that may come in handy throughout the school year.
Tip Sheets
- Adoption at School: Homework Triggers
As an adoptive parent, you know that many childhood issues have an adoption “overlay.” This means that, while you’re aware that certain things are typical for your child’s age or stage of development, you also know that your child’s adoption may be a factor in behaviors that you see. Homework assignments and other school activities are examples of events that can spark a reaction in your child that may be adoption-related; something that may go beyond what you’d expect as typical for a child. - Education and Adoption: Issues to Keep in Mind When Working with Students and Families
This tip sheet was written for educators working with youth who were adopted. As a parent, this is a good tool to provide to your child’s teacher to have them become aware of some of the issues surrounding adoption, such as trauma and loss. - Fostering a Child with an IEP
Understanding Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) can be challenging. Included in this tip sheet, is information to help take some of the guesswork out of this process and help provide some basic knowledge about IEPs, who they are appropriate for, and what your role is as a foster parent to a child with an IEP. - Helping Children & Youth in Care Achieve School Success
Getting ready for school can be a complex and potentially overwhelming experience for children and youth in care—as well as for foster parents. You may have a child in your home who will be starting at a brand new school, returning to the same school, or you may be welcoming a new child into your home during the school year—someone whom you haven’t even met yet. As a foster parent, there are some ways that you can plan ahead (as much as possible) to help the child in your care succeed in school. - Helping Kids in Care Change Schools
Changing schools can be a scary experience for a child in care: new teachers, new students, new building, and a new home. This tip sheet provides some guidance on how to help make this transition easier for you and for the child in your home. It includes ideas on communicating with school staff, confidentiality, and including birth parents. - Preparing for Your Child to Go to School
Preparing your children for school involves many things; however, for your child who was adopted, you may want to include talking specifically to your child and their teachers about adoption and how certain experiences in a school setting may create challenging situations. Several tips are discussed to teach and coach your child on how to appropriately discuss their adoption story, as well as providing their teachers with information that will assist them in the classroom when sensitive issues arise. - School Issues and Bullying: How LGBTQ Parents Can Support Children
So much changes when children head to school–including how they see themselves and their families. Children with LGBT parents may face additional questions and even bullying. This tip sheet offers advice and information on how you can help your child identify and respond to bullying and cyberbullying.
More Resources
Newsletters
- Partners Newsletter: Adoption in the Classroom
It’s that time of year: school’s in session, the air is getting crisp, summer activities are at an end, and homework and after-school activities are taking their place. For families, the routines change overnight; mornings may seem more chaotic, and evenings are full and busy. For children and youth in foster care, heading back to school may be a challenging time. Some children in out-of-home care may be with new families, and they might be starting the year at a new school and in a new classroom. Parents of children who were adopted wonder if they should let schools know about their child’s adoption story. Meanwhile, the children wonder what they should share (or not share) with their classmates – and if anyone will ask them questions they may feel uncomfortable about or don’t know how to answer. Articles include:- Teaching Trauma in the Classroom
- Adopting in the Classroom: Sharing with Your Child’s Teacher
- The Individualized Educational Program (IEP) Process–An Overview
- Peer to Peer: How to Help Children Answer Questions about Their Adoption Stories
- Fostering Across Wisconsin: Changing Schools–How Foster Parents Can Empower Children in Care
Children who come into care face many changes: a new home, new parents, new siblings, and a new neighborhood. When children are not able to remain in their home school, this is another change for them. Many times, children in care associate school with a safe haven for them—a constant in an unpredictable world. All these changes and transitions can be scary for a child of any age. As a foster parent, you want to help the child in your care deal with these various changes and transitions successfully. While you may not be able to alleviate all of the anxiety these transitions may cause, there are some ways to help children transition into a new and unfamiliar school environment. Articles include:- Changing Schools–How Foster Parents Can Empower Children in Care
- Communicating with Schools when a Child is in Foster Care
Video
- Tips For Teachers: Assignments That Can Be Triggers
For children and youth who were adopted, are in foster care, or are living with a relative who is not their biological parent, certain school assignments can trigger feelings of sadness or loss. The Coalition for Children, Youth & Families created this short video that will offer suggestions for alternative assignments that are inclusive for all students. We encourage you to view this video and share it with other parents and colleagues. If you have questions, please contact us; we are here to help.
Champion Classrooms
Looking to brush up on some parenting skills? Our training website is just the place for you! Check out Champion Classrooms for courses and webinars on topics like anger management, grief and loss, teen relationships, and much more.
