School’s almost back in session. Let’s do this!
Ready or not, it’s that time of the year again! As summer comes to an end, we’re getting ready to send our kids back to school. Many of us at Undivided are parents of kids with disabilities, and we know how overwhelming a new school year can be, full of so many changes: new schools, teachers, therapists, and classmates who don’t know our kids, or their amazing qualities and quirks. Not to mention new schedules and routines to maneuver, and IEPs that feel as if they go on and on and on…
The best way to deal with first-day nerves is preparation — so let’s get prepared!
Just like you, we’re thinking about what we and our kids might need to start this school year off right — pencil-top fidgets and easy grip scissors, anyone? What about calming those high school jitters with a smartwatch or noise reducing earplugs? But that’s not nearly all. It’s our mission to make impossible tasks feel easier with resources that break down tasks and help you get your child the support they need. You don’t have to figure this out by yourself!
Say hello to your ultimate…
We’ve put together the following back-to-school toolkit full of printable templates, checklists, and resources to help make your child’s transition to a new school year as smooth as possible.
- An “All About Me” template created by an education advocate that showcases your child’s strengths and goals, your vision statement for their future, and an IEP-at-a-glance so teachers and providers can quickly read through their goals and accommodations.
- Our Campus Orientation Checklist walks you through how to help your child access and navigate their school campus (with tips for what to do if you can’t tour before day one).
- Whether your child would benefit more from a printed calendar, a magnetic board, or digital reminders, we round up some great apps and websites to help you create a custom visual schedule for this school year in our article The Amazing Visual Schedule!
- There are so many accommodations and adaptive tools that can help our kids access their classroom and curriculum. Check out recommendations from an OT and Undivided parents in Our Best-Of List of Adaptive Tools and Supplies.
- Is your child making the leap to a new school? We have tips for navigating the change in The Transition to Middle School, The Transition to High School, and The Transition to Kindergarten, including what to make sure is in the IEP.
This week’s parent win: more support and accommodations in the IEP!
An Undivided Navigator played a pivotal role in the educational journey of their Kickstart member’s child by providing invaluable advice on IEP accommodations. Through Navigator support, the parent witnessed a significant positive impact on their child’s education. Moreover, the recognition of the potential benefits of Assistive Technology (AT) opened up new possibilities, empowering the parent to explore further avenues of support for their child.
And if IEPs are on your mind and you’re a Westside Regional Center client, you can check out their six-week IEP training series happening now! Check out the details in this flier.
With summer ending and the new school year approaching, it’s almost time to swap out our sunglasses for more screen time. Yikes! Luckily, there are still a few spots left in our giveaway with Sunski! Be one of the first 15 families that start a free Kickstart with Undivided, and you’ll get a pair of new Sunski blue light glasses to filter out blue light and protect you (or your kid’s) eyes. From homework assignments to cartoon marathons to video calls — keep your family’s tech game on lock, one pair of blue light glasses at a time!
During your free Kickstart, you’ll get to spend 10 days with a dedicated Navigator to help you prepare for the start of school and anything else you’re concerned about when it comes to resources for your child. Getting some cool swag is just the icing on the cake!
If you refer a friend who schedules a Kickstart, both you and your friend will get a free pair of Sunskis!
If you have a concern about your child in school, who’s the person you should ask first? See the answer on YouTube→- There’s so much to do to get your kids ready for school. What are you doing for YOU? Join the discussion in our parents-only Facebook group→
- What adaptive supplies should you put on your back-to-school shopping list? Check it out on Instagram→
- Find past Undivided newsletters on our LinkedIn page! Connect with Undivided→
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This newsletter was originally sent to our subscribers on 8/3/23. Subscribe to our newsletter to get more resources like this in your inbox, or check out our full library of articles, templates, and videos at undivided.io/resources.
