Season 4, Episode 13 – Decoding Learning Differences

Letters to the School

Letter to gen ed teachers at the start of the school year:

Dear ____,

My child is __[Child’s name]__ and is new to your class this year. I wanted to be sure that you are aware of a few things about my kiddo.

[Child’s name] loves ___________.

[Child’s name] participates in ___________.

[Child’s name] is interested in __________.

[Child’s name] has been identified as having ____[name of “disability”]___ and is on an IEP to ensure access to the general education curriculum.

I want you to know that I have realistic expectations about my child’s abilities and I know that it will take a team effort to help my child have their best year ever this school year. Please let me know if there is anything I can do at home to better support my child’s learning and if there is anything else that needs my attention.

I also want to be sure that you are aware of the IEP accommodations my child requires. These include:

[first accommodation, simple terms]
[second]
[and so on…]

Please see the IEP case manager __[case manager’s name, if you know it]__ for more information on how best to implement the accommodations.

While the accommodations are the most critical piece for you to be aware of and implement, it is probably also beneficial for you to know that my child’s IEP goals include working on: _______

Thank you so much for taking this time to get to know my child. I truly appreciate your participation in my child’s IEP team and most importantly, in my child’s continued growth, success, and confidence!

Feel free to contact me by _[phone, email, text, etc.]_ at ____.

Thank you!

Letter one month after the start of the school year:

Dear ____,

I wanted to check in and see how things are going with __[Child’s name]__ in your class.

What has been going well?

What has been a struggle?

How have the accommodations been working out for [Child’s name]?

{If possible, enter specific questions here about some or all of the accommodations to ensure they are being utilized. Example: Have you been able to provide read-alouds of the grade-level texts to [Child’s name] in a way that is private while also not singling them out?}

Is there anything I can do to support you further?

Thanks!

Follow up with similar letters every month, or at minimum every trimester, if things seem to be going well. You can also ask for a phone call with the teacher once/month or so.

Letter to IEP case manager at the start of the year (if new to the student):

Dear ____,

My child is __[Child’s name]__ and is new to your roster this year. I wanted to be sure that you are aware of a few things about my kiddo.

[Child’s name] loves ___________.

[Child’s name] participates in ___________.

[Child’s name] is interested in __________.

I’m sure you will be orienting yourself with all of the IEPs, but I wanted to just highlight a few things.

_[Child’s name]_ has been identified as having ____[name of “disability”]___ and is on an IEP to ensure access to the general education curriculum.

I also want to be sure that you are aware of the IEP accommodations my child requires. These include:

[first accommodation, simple terms]
[second]
[and so on…]

_[Child’s name]_’s IEP goals include working on: _______

I would like frequent information regarding how well the accommodations are working, and if the goals seem to be appropriate. I am curious to know how you plan to work on each of the IEP goals and would love to hear more about it either via email, in-person, or over the phone!

Feel free to contact me by _[phone, email, text, etc.]_ at ____.

Thank you!

For any service providers new to the student:

Dear ____,

My child is __[Child’s name]__ and is new to your roster this year. I wanted to be sure that you are aware of a few things about my kiddo.

[Child’s name] loves ___________.

[Child’s name] participates in ___________.

[Child’s name] is interested in __________.

I also want to be sure that you are aware of the IEP accommodations my child requires. These include:

[first accommodation, simple terms]
[second]
[and so on…]

_[Child’s name]_’s IEP goals include working on: __{goals specific to this service provider}_____

I would like frequent information regarding how well the accommodations are working in your setting, and if the goals seem to be appropriate. I am curious to know how you plan to work on each of the IEP goals and would love to hear more about it either via email, in-person, or over the phone!

Feel free to contact me by _[phone, email, text, etc.]_ at ____.

Thank you!

For any service providers part of the IEP team previously:

Dear ____,

I hope you had a relaxing summer break! _[Child’s name]_ had a great summer! I just wanted to take a moment to update you on a few things about _[Child’s name]_ .

[Child’s name] loves ___________.

[Child’s name] participates in ___________.

[Child’s name] is interested in __________.

If you’ll humor me, a quick reminder of the IEP accommodations my child requires include:

[first accommodation, simple terms]
[second]
[and so on…]

Thank you so much for your participation in my child’s IEP team and most importantly, in my child’s continued growth, success, and confidence!

Feel free to contact me by _[phone, email, text, etc.]_ at ____.

Thank you!