By Melissa McWilliams, AGSS Program Manager

Another summer has gone by too quickly, and we are now into August and all things back-to-school. Here in Northeast Indiana, school starts a bit earlier than I remember from my childhood, with the school district I live in heading back to school on August 6! Although summer always feels way too short, I am looking forward to the routine that being in school offers, and to seeing familiar faces at drop-off/pick-up and other school events.

As we look at back-to-school, let’s not miss an opportunity to connect with our teachers and administrators regarding the need for adoption awareness and competency in our schools and classrooms. Here are some resources that I ran across to help support this need, as well as a few resources for parents as well! 

Resources for Teachers:

• Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms | What to Consider
• 7 Ways Teachers Can Support Adoptive Families and Children | Considering Adoption
• Including Adoption in Everyday Teaching
• SAFE AND SOUND: Responding to the Experiences of Children Adopted or in Foster Care: Teachers.pdf

Resources for Parents:

Downloadable PDFs: 

School Support Resources to help a teacher know your child & family: Downloads – Empowered to Connect (scroll towards the bottom of the link to locate)

Helpful Webinars:

• Helping Kids with Trauma Histories Get Through Their School Day — C.A.S.E.
• W.I.S.E. Up!® is “an empowerment program designed to create a safe space for children to express their feelings about being adopted and prepare them for intrusive questions and insensitive remarks from peers and others”: W.I.S.E. Up!® Empowerment Program

I will be praying for your family’s back-to-school season, and that this transition goes well!