In this issue...

PARENT EDUCATION: Back to School Basics

ONLINE RESOURCE: The BG Center

FOR TEACHERS: Adoption Basics for Educators

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

REGIONAL EVENTS

Stay Connected!
Join our list and opt-in to continue receiving periodic updates such as this one.

School Daze

September 2008

For most children, starting school for the first time or returning to school for another year is both exciting — "I hope I make new friends," and anxiety producing — "What if no one likes me?"

Parents too are excited and hopeful that their child will have a positive school experience, but worry about their child's social and academic success at the same time.

Academic success has a great deal to do with the fit between the child's abilities, appropriate grade placement, and teaching style. In addition, parents and educators alike know that social success is an important component of a child's school success and that social challenges can negatively impact academic success.

In most cases, social and academic success is about "fit" and that differences, no matter how small they may seem, may rattle some children causing temporary anxiety, depression, or aggression. For most children, these issues are minor and blow over relatively quickly, but that is not the case for all children.

The following articles address some of the most frequently asked questions that adoptive parents have about their child's academic and social fit. Among them are "How do I know if my child is in the correct grade placement?" and "Should I tell my child's teacher or other school personnel that my child was adopted?"

It will be helpful for you to consider these issues sooner rather than later. Appropriate grade placement in particular can be very complicated, especially for children placed at older ages. Many adopted children also face the challenges related to racial differences, being older than others in their class, or language related difficulties.

We hope that you will find these articles and resources useful and that you and your child will experience an enjoyable and productive school year ahead. As always, we invite you to contact us with your unique questions and concerns.

Wide Horizons Post Adopt Education and Support Team

PARENT EDUCATION: Back to School Basics

Tips to keep in your own personal backpack

By Deb Shrier, MSW, LICSW
Clinical Social Worker, Massachusetts Regional Office

Last spring, my two children (ages 7 and 9) refused to take the bus to school. They said it was due to the long ride to our house, and I ended up driving them for the last two months of school. Over the summer, I learned from my 7-year-old daughter that they were being taunted by other children on the bus about not "really" being brother and sister. (I did not mention this to my son) They were also asked many personal questions about their adoption which they did not want to answer. The new school year is approaching and I am not sure whether to let them take the bus.

Have your children expressed their own feelings about this yet? If not, you might consider talking with them about their reluctance to take the bus last year. Also, find a comfortable way of bringing up with both children what your daughter shared with you. It will give an opportunity to explore this further as a family. One suggestion is to help them come up with appropriate responses. Role playing the scenario from the bus and exploring their feelings/reactions is useful as well.

A difficult bus ride to school each morning can add unnecessary stress before a child even enters the classroom. If it becomes a problem again this year, ask your children how you might be able to help. Consider talking with school personnel if the problem continues.

Read Deb's complete article at www.whfc.org.

ONLINE RESOURCE: The BG Center for Cognitive-Developmental Assessment and Remediation

The PASE team is hoping to provide all of our adoptive families with resources that will support and educate you about the often challenging decisions around school placement and readiness. It is with that intention that we introduce (or re-introduce as the case may be) the BG Center For Cognitive- Developmental Assessment and Remediation http://www.bgcenter.com. The chief psychologist at the center, Dr. Boris Gindis, and his staff provide a wide variety of psychological services to internationally adopted children and their families. A particular area of expertise the center offers is consultation, assessment and education for families struggling with the many questions and decisions in this often emotionally charged area. Their website offers numerous articles on many aspects of adoption and child development as well as an online school for parents and professionals that highlights the language, developmental and educational needs of internationally adopted children. We invite you to visit the BG Center website.

Read more about what you can find on the BG Center website at www.whfc.org.

Top

FOR TEACHERS: Adoption Basics for Educators: How Adoption Impacts Children & How Educators Can Help

As educators enter the schools of the 21st century, they are encountering an increasingly diverse population of students. Students are not only coming from different ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds, but also from varied family situations, including adoptive families. Adoptive families can exhibit considerable diversity, including infant, international, older child, sibling group, kinship, and special needs. Regardless of the type of adoption, most adopted children deal with emotional issues surrounding adoption. Unless educators have a personal connection with adoption, they may not understand how these issues impact their students and affect students' school performances.

This booklet was developed to provide educators with basic information about adoption-related issues and the effect these issues might have on students, as well as suggestions on how educators can assist and advocate for students who are adopted.

Download the complete PDF at www.whfc.org.

Top

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Lending Library - Vermont Adoption Consortium
This lending library has a section for adoption and the schools, and provides a helpful narrative of several books/resources.

Adoption and School - Resources from Adoptive Families
Includes downloadable handouts and information for your child's teacher, inspiring ideas for adoption presentations, advice from experts about development and learning styles, and much more.

ADOPTION IN THE SCHOOLS: A LOT TO LEARN Promoting Equality and Fairness for all Children and Their Families - Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
This Policy Perspective brief brings together research and years of broad experience on a range of issues that affect millions of boys and girls nationwide.

Adoption and School Issues Factsheet for Families - Child Welfare Information Gateway
Helpful suggestions to increase the sensitivity of school personnel to adoption issues.

After You Adopt
A CT-based post-adoption support group for parents.

Safe at School - A Manual for Teachers, Educators & School Counselors - Available for purchase from the Center for Adoption Support and Education
Provides proactive strategies for teachers to incorporate educational opportunities into their already existing program curricula.

School Support Services - The Center for Adoption Support and Education
A program to assist educators in understanding the unique challenges for children who are growing up adopted.

Top

REGIONAL EVENTS

Register today for upcoming workshops and family events:

Top