3 Ways to Help Parents and Students Navigate the School System

Academics, Behavior Challenges and Special Programs.

Sharon Lindberg, has been a Mental Health Counselor for 30 years and a Certified School Counselor for 18 years. She is happy to share some ideas she has learned to help parents assist their children in being successful in school and in having a more positive relationship with schools. 

Academics

• Learn the online program your school district uses for assignments, grades and home-school communication. For elementary students check your child’s backpack, with your child, at least weekly and check the site to familiarize yourself and your child with how it works. For middle school students check the site with your child at least weekly.
• Connect with your school’s school counselor. Ask them “How can I partner with the school to assist my child?”. School counselors have a wealth of knowledge about how to work within the school system and of community resources. 

Behavior

• Ask yourself and your child “has there been a change in behavior at school?”. Work together to come up with some reasons why things have changed. 
• At the first sign of a problem ask for a meeting with the teachers, school counselor and administration, if necessary. Everyone being on the same team can be extremely helpful for your student. Speak up, you have a right to insist on the things you think will most benefit your child.  
• Reflect on your child’s behavior at home vs. their behavior at school. Seek counseling as a family and/or for your child if you see some problems that need to be addressed. 

Special Programs

• Your best resource for understanding what Special Education is and what a 504 plan is, is the school counselor and the school psychologist. You can ask to speak with either one of these people or ask for an appointment. 
• Rather than immediately asking for special services say, “I need some information about Special Education, or I need some information about a 504 plan”. These questions will open the door and help you to understand the complicated issues of special education services. Additionally, you will be a part of the team that decides what if any extra help your student needs. 

Sharon Lindberg, LMHC, M.Ed.

www.PRN365Counseling.com