Student Resources
Preparing for School
What to bring
- Backpack
- Water bottle filled with water
- Snack (no candy, soda or nuts please)
- Home Lunch (if not eating school lunch) *no soda please
- Change of clothes/underwear (in case of toileting accidents, illness, spills, etc.)
Write your student's name on all personal items with a sharpie. Many items get left on the playground daily. Lost items are moved to the lost and found bin at end of day.
Optional Items
The school will supply your student with pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, notebooks, etc. as needed. You are also welcome to bring your own or donate to your child's teacher.
- Ticonderoga pencils
- Crayola crayons/markers/colored pencils
- Scissors
- Pencil box
- Crayola watercolor paint
- Notebook
- Glue sticks
Donations Welcome
- Baby wipes
- Ziplock bags (all sizes)
- plastic grocery bags
- tissues
- small paint brushes
- headphones
- new socks and underwear (for ages 4-10)
- new or gently used leggings/basketball shorts (for ages 4-10)
- individually wrapped store-bought snack foods (non refrigerated) - crackers, popcorn, snack bars, etc.
Preparing your child
Transitioning Into School
- Talk about "getting to go to school" rather than "having to go to school"
- Talk about what to expect and any anxiety they may be having
- Lay out clothes the night before
- Practice early bedtime routines
- Make a designated spot for backpacks and school materials
Self-Help Practice
- How to open and close reusable containers for snack/lunch time
- How to open snack bags, ketchup packets, etc.
- How to put a straw into a juice box or open a carton
- How to put on and take off a jacket
- How to zip, snap or tie pants and shoes
- Using a public bathroom (closing the door, washing hands, etc.)
Social Skills
- How to wait and take turns
- How to share and compromise
- How to follow 2-step directions
Language
- Help build vocabulary - use big words and explain what they mean
- Help build language and memory through reflection (i.e. tell them what you need at the store and when you get there ask them what you came for)
- Help them learn to ask for things they need (self advocacy)
Coping Skills
- Talk about strategies to deal with emotions (i.e. when you're feeling scared, let's try taking deep breaths)