Back to School Supports

Transitioning children back to school comes with a flurry of emotions and logistics that can challenge any caregiver, let alone those parenting children in foster care or adoption. Making back to school healthy, trauma-aware and successful requires us to thoughtfully prepare ourselves, our children, their teachers and their schools. It's a big job but together we can do it! Please reference our ADHD & Dyslexia, Autism, Bullying, Early Childhood, Education, FASD, Sensory Supports, Neurodiversity & Differing Abilities, and Technology & Kids pages for more resources.

Recommended Books & Articles

5 Elements of a Good-Fit School by Bright & Quirky
6 Ways to Get Your Kid's School Year Off to a Good Start by The Honestly Adoption Company - authors in ORPARC's library
8 Things I Wish My School Knew About Me by Eileen Devine - trainer in ORPARC's library
Adoption & Trauma in the Schools - refer to ORPARC's Education Resource page
Advocacy & Education - refer to ORPARC's Education Resource page
Back to School Grief by Children's Bereavement Center
Back to school tips for foster parents by Cayuga Centers
Back to School: Tips for the Transition by Eileen Devine
Child Mind Institute's Back to School Series:
- Anxiety by Caroline Miller and Dr. Rachel Busman & en español
- Do's & Don'ts by Dr. Jerry Bubrick & en español
- Talking to Kids About Back To School Worries by Rae Jacobson & en español
- Tips for Kids Who Are Struggling by Rae Jacobson & en español
- Tips for Parents by Dr. Howard Koplewicz & en español
Effective Back to School Strategies for Parents by Heather Forbes of Beyond Consequences - author in ORPARC's library
How to Get Through the School Year as a Trans Parent by Lara Americo
How to Help Students Feel Powerful at School by Amy Eva
Is your child anxious about starting school? Here's 10 ways to help by Hand in Hand
Navigating Back to School Nerves by The Foster Care Charity
Partnering with School to Help Your Child Succeed by Creating a Family
Preparing for Back to School as a Foster Family: Setting the Stage for a Successful Academic Year by Palmer Home for Children
The State Library of Oregon - youth services and programming year-round
Traditional Back-To-School Activities Can Be Hard For Many Kids by Amber Leventry
Supporting Transitions by Beacon House
What "Back to School" Means for Kids in Foster Care by Natalie Hetro (faith-focused)
What is Back to School Like in Foster Care by Sarah McCubbin, Foster Parent
Why I'm Not Excited About My Child Going Back to School by ADDitude

Culturally specific

How Do We Ensure That Students of Color Feel Respected? by Pfister et al
How I Chose a School for My Black Children by Autumn Arnett
Perspectives: How to make sure families of color are heard by the school by Tara Drinks
When BIPOC Kids Are Excluded At School by Christina Estel

For educators

How to Support Students of Color: Advice for Teachers by UMass Global
A New Student Made Me Rethink My Classroom Culture — and the Ways It Marginalizes Students by Sachin Pandya

Social stories by Autism Little Learners

Videos & Podcasts

Back to School Resources from the Center for Adoption Support & Education (includes access to multiple webinars)
Back to School Teacher Stress by Jessica Sinarski of Brave Brains (video)
Class of 2025 by Rob Manning (article + audio)
- Meeting the challenge of childhood trauma with ‘extra love’
- How a sense of control can help students with childhood trauma
How Do Teachers Understand Adoption (and What Can Parents Do About It?) by Creating a Family (podcast)

Featured Favorites

Riley the Brave Makes It to School by Jessica Sinarski + Activity bundle!

I Can Do Hard Things by Gabi Garcia & en español

Slumberkins First Day of School by Kelly Oriard

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Helping Foster Children In School by John DeGarmo