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Consider This...
Things to Consider in Back-to-School 2023 from RTSC
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This Month:
- Cover Article
- Back-to-School Articles
- Tips, Media and Resources
- Announcements
- Upcoming Events
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News and information about education, research, and support for SESPs; adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers; and child welfare and education professionals helping children with trauma and other special needs get the most from their education.
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Oh the Places they will go...
by Mary-Beth Landy
Sr. Trainer, Trauma, and Support Specialist
When my kids were much younger, there was a Staples "Back to School" commercial that I loved, with a dad riding on a shopping cart being followed by two unhappy children. All the while there is a jingle in the background of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" I loved that commercial! Summers were a challenging time in our house due to the limited ability to have a lot of structure and routines, etc. So, as much as I loved spending time with my kids, I also looked forward to the start of school.
So how are you feeling about the students returning to school? What is it bringing up for you? I think that now is a great time to take stock of feelings around this time of year. How you feel about the return to classes and transition, will set the stage for how this year will progress for your student. This month's articles are meant to give some advice and guidance around these transitions. Enjoy!
Wanting something to look forward to? Well, the Making a Difference Virtual Conference 2023 will give you a chance to re-invigorate why we do what we do!
This year's conference is titled "Moving Through Intergenerational Trauma to Thriving!" This year's pre-conference events will be begin on November 29th, and culminating on Tuesday, December 5th from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. This year, as always we are gathering a fabulous lineup of informative and engaging keynotes, as well as an assortment of knowledgeable presenters. So make sure to mark your calendars now! Remember that all active SESPs can attend free of charge, as our thank you to you for your service. And if you are unable to attend the day of or there are just too many great presentations that you have to choose from, our presentations that are recorded will be available for three additional months as part of your registration! Now that is a deal!
If you or someone one that you can refer, wants to present at the conference, on a relevant topic, please reach out to Mary-Beth Landy at mlandy@fcsn.org, for a discussion your thoughts and ideas!
I can't wait to experience this wonderful opportunity with you all!
Registration is opening soon!
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Are you the shared education decision maker for an 18+ student, whom you served as an SESP?
Have you been one in the past and your former appointed student is now an adult?
We want to hear from you!
rtsc@fcsn.org
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Evidence-Based Ways to Connect with Students in the First Week | |
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“The first day of school often arrives with a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and dread,” says Youki Terada. And he’s just talking about the teachers! Now let’s think about the students entering that classroom in the next couple of weeks. Teachers can have the best laid plans, but once the kids enter that classroom…all bets are off! Or are they? As we know from working with students with trauma histories, as long as the nervous system is on high alert, those young brains aren’t capable of learning. Mr. Terada’s article on ways to connect that first week are good reminders of ways to forge a great beginning with even the most challenged student, that will help lay the groundwork for a successful year for everyone.
Read the Article
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Understanding Anxiety in
Children & Teens
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When looking at children and teens with anxiety, we might tend to think that this is natural given some circumstances, like beginning a new school year. That may be true for some students, but when interferes with daily living activities, it has become a concern for caregivers and teachers alike. Anxiety in children can effect them but physically and mentally. Remember that when children’s bodies become flushed with stress hormones, which are produced during times of anxiety, they not only shut down the cognitive activities of the brain, limiting their ability to process information, but can also lead to headaches, stomach aches, and sleep issues. But there are many strategies that can be used in a variety of settings that can help a child decrease their anxiety. Let’s check them out.
Read the Article
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How to Set and Keep Wellbeing Intentions in the New Year
(and School Year)
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How often do we set intentions for the New Year? Almost everyone I know does. But what about Intentions for the new school year? The same guidelines for success applies regardless of when you begin, but isn’t now a great time to begin? The National Council for Mental Wellbeing offers several simple techniques, like “Adjusting Your Attitude”. How you think about what you are trying to establish makes a world of difference. If you are dreading the start of another year of school, then that’s likely to lead to negative outcomes. But start with a positive attitude that this is going to be a new start, a clean slate, and you can approach everything with a new, clear lens. And this will allow you to learn new skills and lessons, even when we make a mistake.
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Building Communities in Middle School
Starting off the new year well, can to some be new territory. There are things that you can do the establish a community, even in the more challenging grades or classes. Start by introducing yourself. And I don’t mean just writing your name on the board! Start by telling the students a bit about yourself, what you like, what you don’t like, say liver! Give them information that they can relate to. Do the same with each student, one on one. Maybe through a survey, or spend some time talking with each student to get to know them. Give them each a chance to get to know each other, even if they think that they already know one another. Try “Two Truths and a Lie” and make them think about their answers. But don’t forget to balance all of this fun activities with subject matter that will get them engaged in your class.
Read the Article
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Back to School Dos and Don'ts
So it’s happening, whether kids want it to or not. School’s coming back into session. With this can be a lot of mixed emotions about returning to classes. Eager to see friends, not so eager to have Mr. So-and-So, cause “he gives a lot of homework.” But there are things that we can do to help ease that transition, but also some things that we might want to avoid doing that will help this go a little more smoothly. Check out some ideas from the Child Mind Institute.
Read the Article
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Useful Tools, Media, and Resources
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Mental Wellness During Stressful Times: Your Questions Answered!
Join Julie Beem & Ginger Healy as we explore the trauma-informed, attachment-focused concepts of Regulation (self-regulation/co-regulation) and Relationship (building connection) and how we can help children build resilience and emotional health through the ways in which we parent, teach and care for children.
Listen to the Podcast
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Trainings and Learning Opportunities | |
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SESP Support Sessions!
Join one of your support specialist (Mary-Beth Landy, Gail Merriam, or Lee Anne Todd) for a one hour open forum to network with other SESPs and to get your questions answered to help you support your students. All SESPs with active cases are invited and encouraged to join us. All session are confidential and must not contain identifying information. We look forward to seeing you again!
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The Network Series
Join us we gather again for our monthly sessions!
September 14th, from 12:00-1:00
Learn about MRC’s NextGen opportunity for students 17-30,
brought to you by FCSN's NextGen Team!
It is open to all active SESPs, graduates of the Parent Consultant Training Institute, and Special Education Advisory Councils (SEPAC) Chairs. The Meeting are monthly (except for July and August) and address pertinent topics surrounding special education.
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Supplemental Training Opportunities | |
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Transition Training for Students Experiencing State Custody
Friday, September 15th, 9:00am-11:00am
Thursday, November 9th, 9:00 am-11:00am
This presentation provides an understanding of the transition planning process, including why transition planning is important, services that could be included, who is eligible, student and parent/SESP roles in transition planning, and the role of student’s vision. We will discuss how to prepare for a transition planning meeting, using the transition planning form, the age of majority, the anticipated graduation date, and the options when the Team does not agree, including procedural due process rights.
The Educational Impact of Trauma on Students in DCF Custody
and the IEP for (SESPs)
Tuesday, September 12th, 3:00-5:30 pm
This training will offer a systematic approach to looking at Developmental Childhood Trauma as it impacts our students in the child welfare system. This interactive training will study trauma’s effects on the academic and social/emotional learning of a student and the impact on their IEP.
Discipline and Suspension Training for Students
Experiencing DCF Custody
Thursday, October 12th, 2:00-4:00 pm
This training describes different types of disciplinary offenses, the school responsibilities for discipline, range of consequences for rule violations, the difference between suspensions, expulsions, and emergency removals, different categories of suspensions, procedures for out of school suspensions and expulsions, and legal protections for students on IEPs.
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Developmental Childhood Trauma for Caregivers
A training for foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers
Presented By Mary-Beth Landy
Senior Trainer, Trauma, and Support Specialist
- Learn about childhood trauma and how it shows up in the classroom and on the playground
- Come away with an understanding of challenging school day behaviors which can help you and school personnel develop better education services for your child
- Discuss social and emotional learning which is essential for positive life outcomes
Tuesday, September 19th, 6:30-9:00 pm
Wednesday, October 11th, 6:30-9:00pm
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(800)331-0688 or (617)236-7210
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A direct and compelling headline | | | | |
