As we gear up for the new school year, we’re right there with you, thinking about what might make those back-to-school blues a little bit easier. Between new schools, teachers, therapists, and classmates who might not yet know our kids’ incredible quirks and talents, it can feel like a lot. So how do you beat those first-day nerves? You guessed it — a little prepwork (hint, hint: we’re here to help!). Our goal is to turn those overwhelming tasks — such as meeting a new teacher and maneuvering a new campus — into simple steps and get your kiddos the support they need. From checklists to printable templates to expert tips from our Navigators — we cover it all.
Prepare for the new school year
Need a one-stop shop for all your back-to-school prep? We’ve created the ultimate downloadable back-to-school toolkit just for you, jam-packed with all sorts of handy resources to make your kiddo’s transition to a new school year as smooth as possible. Happy prepping!
These are a few highlights you’ll find inside:
🙋♂️ Introduce your child. To help new teachers and providers get to know your child more quickly, we’ve created an “All About Me” template to help you introduce them, and an “IEP summary,” which is like a cheat sheet for the much longer document that many school-based providers won’t have yet had time to read in detail. Find them in our article here!
🏫 Navigate a new campus. Our Campus Orientation Checklist is your go-to guide for helping your child access and navigate their school campus like a pro — from mapping the campus to navigating bathrooms, cafeterias, and fire drills and more. Plus, we’ve got you covered with tips on what to do if you can’t tour before the big first day.
📅 Create a visual schedule for the new school routine. Whether it’s a magnetic board, a printed calendar, or a digital reminder, creating a custom visual schedule can be a great way to help your child transition to a new daily schedule.
👩🏫 Communicate with teachers. For advice on communicating with your child’s teachers and establishing good relationships with school staff, see our article 4 Tips for Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher, where Undivided Education Advocate, Lisa Carey, shares her top tips on how to start the school year right. Communication log, anyone?
✏️ Explore adaptive school supplies. Did you know there are tons of accommodations and adaptive tools out there to help our kids shine in their classrooms? Check out the top picks from an OT and fellow Undivided parents in our article Top 25 Adaptive School Supplies for Kids with Disabilities.
Download your free back-to-school toolkit here!
Only have 90 seconds to prep for your prepwork? Check out our Undivided Explainer to learn our top five essential strategies to help you and your child with a disability prepare for their first week back to school!
A parent will likely be moving into LAUSD territory in a couple of months. She said normally she’d be freaking out about how to make sure his school needs are taken care of, but “I’m plugged in with you guys now, so I’m good.”
Office Hours with Lisa Carey
What’s your biggest concern preparing for a new school year? On Wednesday, August 7, 12:00-1:00 p.m. PDT, Education Advocate Lisa Carey will be available to answer questions about IEPs and special education. Stop by for five minutes or the whole hour to get expert answers and connect with other parents. Bi-weekly Office Hours are virtual Q&A sessions with experts that are open to Undivided members only, so if you’d like to attend, sign up here to begin your free Kickstart!
Undivided Conversations: Starting the School Year Right
As the new school year approaches, it’s time to ensure that both parents and students are equipped with the right tools and knowledge to make this academic year a success. Join us Friday, August 9 at 12:00 p.m. PDT for a conversation with special education advocates, Dr. Sarah Pelangka, and Lisa Carey, who will guide us through essential strategies to start the school year off on the right foot! Tune in at noon Friday for the stream on our Facebook page!
Back to School: One-Month IEP Check-in — Facebook Live with Q&A
About a month into the new school year is when reality sets in for many parents. You may be nagged by a feeling that there is a lot you should be doing, but what exactly is that? The good news is we are here to help you figure out the what and how! Join Undivided for a FREE live event with Education Advocate Lisa Carey on Thursday, September 12 at 1:00 p.m. PDT. We’ll cover what should be on your radar one month into the school year and help you troubleshoot IEP issues. Get a link to the event when you RSVP here→
- A new school year can bring new sensory challenges, so how can we prepare our kids? Check out these tips from an Orientation and Mobility Specialist on our YouTube channel→
- Why should your child’s IEP summary include a parent vision statement? Hear from Education Advocate Dr. Caitlin Solone on Instagram→
- Do you have any favorite back-to-school supplies or places to shop for adaptive classroom supplies? Share your recommendations in our private Facebook group for parents→
- Spread the word about our free back-to-school toolkit with other parents! Tag Undivided on LinkedIn→
