good way to start?

I love the email idea. Then, I can save and read after things settle down in week two or three. The first week or so is a lot about procedures and practicing routines. Many teachers also want to get a picture during review of skills taught last year which does not include too much other information.

You can say more in an email that will be remembered, too. Teachers will save & re-read these messages.

Just one person’s thoughts.

a few weeks ago, a parent posted her idea of making up a 1 page “resume” for their child— strengths, difficulties, likes, triggers, etc. Much easier to read and hang onto than the whole IEP.

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I had a mother who gave me a list of all the accommodations her son would need in high school. He was on my consultation caseload. I typed up her list and gave it to his regular teachers every semester. Even though they were required to review the IEP, they could keep this list to refer to anytime.

I have one mom who emails me now. That is the very best way to reach me! I suggest being sure the teachers in question actively use email. Not all do unfortunately.

Janis

We’d surely like to believe the child’s resource teacher is getting pertinent information to the classroom teachers. Every Sept. I furnish teachers with a list of who is in resource and a copy of the IEP. I also need to speak to teachers directly on certain issues.

If this is not happening, and it may not be, then by all means arrange a short conference with the teachers. They should be happy to meet with you.

If their teachers encourage parent e-mail, I’d e-mail both of them and ask the same question. How best may I help? May I come in - I know it’s a busy time of year for you or could I outline a few things and send them to you in an e-mail?

See what they say in response to that. If it were me, chaos and all I’d encourage a parent to come in and sit down or be equally happy to read their follow-up email if time did not permit.

We were lucky we found out who the teacher for this year would be before the end of last year. I contacted her and requested that my son and I visit her class at a convenient time to see what they do. She was very accommodating and liked that idea.

Before going to meet her we made a book about my son and put it in a folder with his picture on the front. It had a page about what he likes about school, one what he doesn’t like, his interests outside school, his pets. Then I did a page of what we as parents would do to help her help our son. She loved the book. It gave her plenty of time to get to know a little about her new guy.

Email can be very good and can be a total loss — it depends on the individual teacher and how much she uses the compuiter personally. I would certainly try email, and then I would *also* drop in.
Try dropping in after school and waiting until the rush drops off. Some days the teacher will be rushing to a meeting or to her own kids’ daycare and soccer games — and please respect those as you would want her to respect yours; the person who holds your elbow and keeps you after three goodbyes earns well-deserved hatred — but usually you can find out a good time to drop in and chat. Some teachers will also share their phone numbers, although others are timid (crank calls are a real problem, so be understanding).