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Engaging School Faculty and Staff

Communicating with your child’s day care center or school is important to ensure that your child's needs are being met. This is a critical step in advocating for your child.

Engaging School Faculty and Staff

Knowing how to contact the right person at your child's school can make you a more effective advocate. Take the time to learn who does what and how to best communicate with that person or department.

Here are some things to keep in mind when engaging with school faculty and staff:

  • Many schools are using Web sites to provide parents with information. They may also send e-mail or voice mail messages about upcoming events, testing dates, and school policies. Teachers may also e-mail you with information regarding field trips or homework assignments
  • An increasing number of schools use newsletters to update parents. They may mail them directly to you or send them home with your child
  • When you want to address a problem or concern, contact the person closest to that concern. For instance, if you have an issue with your child’s homework assignment, go directly to the teacher. If the issue is not addressed satisfactorily, try the principal or a school administrator
  • If you need to contact the school about a highly emotional issue or conflict, always allow yourself time to cool off. It may help to write out your concern beforehand. Keep in mind, the goal is to resolve the issue with your child’s best interest in mind

Communicating With Your Child’s School

At the start of each school year, gather the information in the list below. Keep it on hand so that when issues arise you can go straight to the right person.

Key Contact Information

  • School telephone number and school secretary’s name
  • Teacher e-mail addresses and telephone numbers, if available
  • Principal’s e-mail address and telephone number
  • PTA (Parent Teacher Association) president name, telephone number, and e-mail address (if applicable)
  • School Web site URL (Web page address) for additional contact information
  • Be proactive. Keep in touch with your child’s teacher. Attend parent-teacher conferences. Read your child’s school newsletters. Contact your child’s teacher by phone or e-mail if you have questions or concerns
  • Arrange to meet with school staff, including the principal, school secretary, nurse, teachers, coach, and bus driver
  • Give the school a detailed list of who to contact in the event of an emergency
  • Explain the basics of hemophilia (for example, what it is, common sites of bleeding, signs or symptoms of a bleed, treatment and products taken, what to do if there is a bleed, when to call a doctor or go the emergency room)
  • Stress that there is time to contact you in the event of a bleed at school so you can arrange treatment
  • Speak to the school about storing factor concentrate and infusion equipment in the nurse’s office if your child self-infuses or you wish to infuse your child at school
  • Supply the nurse with acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®) and clear instructions if your child needs to take pain medicine during school hours. Instruct the nurse not to use aspirin as it prolongs bleeding time
  • Inform school staff that you will notify them if your child needs to avoid physical education class or other physical activity such as running due to an infusion
  • Ask that the teacher not make a general announcement telling to the class that your child has hemophilia. Ask that they allow the child to disclose his or her hemophilia only to those he or she wishes
  • Talk about safe activities and sports and proper protective equipment, as well as the importance of exercise for strong and healthy joints
  • Visit your child’s classes. Ask questions. Don’t hesitate to have your child’s teacher provide a clearer explanation of anything you don’t understand
  • Start thinking about questions you would like to ask before a meeting or conference. Consider making a list of questions to bring with you so you don’t forget anything important
  • Let your child’s teacher know if you have any specific concerns about your child’s educational progress
  • Continue to work with your child’s teacher even if you disagree with the way services are being delivered to your child. Maintaining communication with your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team will ensure that your child’s academic and social needs are being met