The school transitions are exciting times! Along with the excitement come many concerns and questions. The following timeline provides directions on how you can help your child have a positive transition.
Pre-school to Kindergarten
January/February
- Registration
- Attend the Parents’ Information Night at the Center for Ability and meet the professionals who will help to support your child’s transition into Kindergarten.
- Register your child at your neighborhood school to ensure there is a place for your child in September. At this time, ask who the case manager will be.
- Ensure copies of relevant medical reports and assessments are at the school.
- Expect a phone call from a District Learning Support Teacher to request permission to visit your child at the daycare, preschool or home.
March/April
- Meetings and Visits
- Begin discussions with your school’s case manager. Topics for discussion may include: specialized programs, support teachers, therapy services, transportation, educational assistants, and/or specialized equipment.
- Check with the school’s principal to see if you can visit the school. It may be possible to meet the teacher who will be enrolling your child next year, and to visit the kindergarten classroom.
- Ensure that you have signed a Support Services Consent Form so professionals who have worked with your child can share important information. The school needs this information to determine the best supports for your child as well as to ensure appropriate Ministry funding is in place.
- Collect information that you may wish to share with the school. This might include: -videos of eating routines or play times, and/or -a ‘Who Am I?’ scrap book that includes information about: dreams, worries, likes/dislikes, strengths and needs, pictures of your child doing activities he/she enjoys or excels at…
Elementary To Secondary
November/ December
- Meet with your child’s school to discuss the transition process from elementary to secondary school.
- Meet with the school to develop IEP goals for the transition process.
January
- Begin discussions with your child about the upcoming transition to secondary school (see www.gov.bc.ca for ideas and/or ask your school for the resource “Making the Transition: A Guide for Helping Professionals”
February/ March
- Call school to determine when Individual Transition Planning meeting will be held.
- Attend Grade Seven Parent Night at the secondary school.
March/ April
- Attend Individual Transition Planning Meeting. Determine activities and responsibilities to support the transition.
- Discuss placement of your child at the secondary school.
- Sign District Consent Form for placement in special program if appropriate.
May/ June
- Review and sign your child’s IEP goals for secondary school.
August/ September
- Expect to receive a letter from the Secondary School, which will explain what the first week will look like.
- Contact Learning Support Services if you do not receive a letter.
- Read the school calendar to help your child decide which extra-curricular activities/clubs he or she would like to take part in.