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Transition: Off to School
Facilitating your child's transition to school
With the transition to school, children mainly
access support services through their school district rather than through preschool
or child care settings.
It is best that parents contact the school well in
advance of the time your child will enter. This will give school staff
time to work with you to plan for your child's educational program.
A number of other steps that can help facilitate your
child's transition to school are:
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Provide the school staff with information
about your child and show your willingness to be involved in planning
your child's education program.
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Offer to be a link between the professionals
who have been working with your child in the preschool years and the
elementary school staff.
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Find out about the various programs and
supports which are available to meet the special needs of students
in the school and school district. Ask the principal and/or school
district staff about options available for your child.
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As school staff plan your child's
program, participate in the development of the Individual Education
Plan (IEP) for him/her. Parents have the right to be consulted on
both placements and IEPs, however, schools are responsible for these
decisions. Maintain strong collaborative relationships with the school
and/or school district staff carrying out this work.
Who Does What?
School Staff: Principals, teachers, counselors and
teaching or student assistants
Depending on the needs of your child, there could be several school staff
who plan together and support him/her. This group is often called the
School Based Team. Ideally one person, sometimes called a case manager,
will be chosen to coordinate this work and will be the best person for
you to talk with about your child's needs.
Speech-Language Pathologists
The services of a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) may be provided
to assess the communication needs of your child and assist the school-based
staff in setting up a language development program.
Social Workers
Ministry of Children and Family Development social workers link families
with community-based services and supports.
School Psychologists
A school psychologist may provide some direct assessment
of cognitive functioning, behaviour, social skills and academic achievement.
They may be helpful in assisting school personnel in writing appropriate
goals and objectives and in developing appropriate intervention programs.
Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education provides supplemental special education funding
to school boards and independent schools to assist them in providing programs
for students with special needs.
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