Sarah is a Rochester area teen who is ready for tenth grade. Rebecca, Sarah’s mother, and Janet, Sarah’s grandmother, provide support and encouragement to help Sarah succeed at school. Sarah and her family report that they receive great support from both her teachers, especially her resource room teacher, and Starbridge.

One important strategy that Sarah uses before her school meetings, including her annual CSE (Committee on Special Education) meeting, is to talk with her teachers before the meeting to discuss what she may like or not like about her IEP (Individualized Education Program) and what she may want to change. This important pre-meeting discussion brought to light, for example, that Sarah wanted to participate in an Adapted Phys. Ed. class in ninth grade where some peers also participate.

During her last pre-meeting discussion, Sarah expressed her love of animals. As a result, in tenth grade, Sarah will be participating in a BOCES Small Animal Care and Handling program, in which students help with the everyday tasks at Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, which provides shelter for homeless animals and provides programs to help pets in our community. Sarah also has plenty of pets at home, including a parakeet, dogs, cats, and rats.

Another strategy Sarah uses to prepare for school meetings is to pick out a favorite fidget toy or stuffed animal which she takes to the meeting, helping her to relax.

Janet says that Starbridge webinars and workshops have been incredibly helpful in learning about resources, strategies, and expressing Sarah’s needs in the school setting. Janet completed Starbridge’s Family Empowerment Series (FES). She credits Starbridge Family Education Specialist and FES Coordinator, Sue Wyatt, with being a “wealth of resources and knowledge who is always happy to help.”

Sarah’s favorite subject at school is English because she enjoys writing. Her wish for her future is to have a stable job and live independently.

Christa Knaak, Family Advocacy & Education Coordinator; Sue Wyatt, Family Education Specialist; and Julie Hartfield, Family Education Specialist, offer the following ideas to help ease families into the school year.

• Seek opportunities for you and your child to meet with their teachers before school starts (if the student is transitioning to a new school or new team).

• Provide the teachers with a paragraph or a short, bulleted list describing your child’s learning style or an All About Me page of relevant information introducing your child. 

• Ask the best way to communicate with school staff - email, text, school tool or app such as ParentSquare.

• Set up team meetings for the year for periodic, updated communication.

• If you don’t have a copy of the current IEP, reach out to the IEP Coordinator or CSE chairperson and ask for one. Review the 504/IEP modifications and accommodations with your child, so they know what they are entitled to and can expect at school. Consider your child's age and developmental level when explaining what is in the IEP.

• If the school offers “locker days”, attend with your child, giving them a chance to see friends, get into the school mindset, and see staff and administrators in a casual way. If your child is at the middle/high school level, “walk their schedule” with them so they know which classrooms to go to at different times of the day.

• Read the school’s Code of Conduct to middle and high school students, to help them understand specific behaviors that are prohibited.