switching schools Hi all, We have decided to move DS to a different school within our school district.  He behaviors have become worse at our home school, and the staff was not working well with him, so we are moving him to a BD self contained classroom.  He will go to specials, lunch and recess with the mainstream kids and work his way into the general ed room.      (Oh, he is 8 and in the 3rd grade.  He has attended this, our home school since preschool.) My question for all you experts  is how to best tell him?  His current school said to wait and tell him on Thursday, that Friday would be his last day.  I think that is kinda cruel, so I think I will tell him on Wednesday.  The current school said they will have a party for him, I don't know about that....  I was thinking of sending his current school logo t shirt and let the other kids sign it... what do you all think about having a party or the shirt thing? Thank you so much!!    I expect him to be very sad and somewhat mad about the switch.  But it is for the best for his future. Also, hwat is the best way to communicate his likes/dislikes to the new teacher?  I have heard about "letter to a stranger" but is that written in 1st person or 3rd?   ksurocks40197.3466203704When I have heard "Letter to a stranger" it has been in the context of writing a letter about a dispute with a school.  It is assumed that the person that the letter is addressed to will not be making the decision, but instead the letter will be handing it off to a stranger on the street.  So you drop all the emotion and just tell the story and lead to the conclusion that you want.  They reader is not supposed to need any supporting information, it is all there.  I would assume a 3rd person "Letter to a stranger" of this sort would sound strange. Since the teacher is presumably someone who you want a good relationship with, it might be best to use 1st person. Thank you Micki!! I like th idea of asking him what to tell his teacher.  DS is a worry-er so we wanted to delay telling him, so he will not be able to visit the new school until Friday.  His Autism specialist wrote a social story for him.  I have not seen it yet, but I asked her to include pictures of his new teachers and aides.  We live in KS and all the snow we got is finally melting, so the playground visit is not an option before he starts there, but I like that idea too. Thanks again for the advice! Thanks!!  I guess I  am thinking of something else than "letter to a stranger". My son has had several school changes. I think you know your son best and how he needs to be involved or told of changes. Your change is coming up fast but what I have done is asked that I can visit the school prior with my son so that he gets a mental picture. I would also take him a few times to the outside playground to become familiar. It might be different with your kid but with mine it helps to sit down and just be completly honest of why you think his current school was no longer working and what you hope for from his new school. For example: 'Kids with AS learn diffferent ways than kids without AS. Your new school will have a teacher who knows how kids with AS learn, your old school did not have a teacher like that.' I think our kids have a hard time gageing the world and why things are happening and my son always does better when I explain to him and get his buy-in. You can then talk with him about what he thinks his new teacher should know about him. I have always written letters to the teachers at the beginning of the year. They have had mixed success (I think some teachers need to know the kid before the letter makes sense to them) but at the very east it gives the message that they will have an involved parent. Hi, I am confused at your comment about your child "....having to earn his way into the mainstream classroom...."? Behaviors aside, no child should have to "earn" his way into a classroom. Ask for a copy of the social story to keep at home. Good luck with all the changes! momof3kidz He is going into the BD self contained classroom, and when he shows he can control his behavior he will be moved to the general ed room, a little at a time. We told him last night and he is SOOO sad!  breaks my heart   But it is for the best.  The social story is just what I wanted for him, and we  have a copy at home. Thanks!
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