Planning for School Success
September 2, 2025
As children and youth around the state begin the school year, keep in mind that success looks different for every child. Here are some things to consider to help the children and youth in your home thrive during this academic year.
Comfort Helps Us Learn
First, remember that home sets the stage for learning everywhere else. For many young people, especially those with trauma histories, making your home a place of comfort, where they can relax and be themselves outside of school hours, is very important. Talk with your kids about what helps them relax. Maybe there are certain foods, music, scents, activities, or just cozy places to rest that will feel supportive or give them a sense of well-being.
Also consider what the children in your care need in a school setting. Depending on their ages and developmental stages, you can include them in your brainstorming. Think about what has helped or hindered them in previous years. Could those things have similar impacts this year? If yes, how can you help the school put them in place? If no, what is different for each child this year?
Connect with Teachers and Others at School
For younger children, the connections you develop connections with their teachers can be very helpful. Doing this at the start of the year, before challenges arise, can go a long way toward supporting the young people in your care. Start with sharing each child’s strengths and ways to support them. Ask the teacher about their teaching style and how they run their classroom. When you see ways that a teacher is supporting your child, let them know that you see and value what they are doing. In some cases, having regular meetings with a teacher will be helpful. In others, emailing regularly may be the best way to connect.
Some youth in middle or high school may be able to work with teachers well on their own, and don’t need or want your intervention. They are also more likely have many teachers, so making those connections at the start of the year is not always easy. There may be a guidance counselor or another staff member your youth sees regularly who can be an initial point of contact, if needed, to help you ensure that teachers understand the young person’s tendencies and needs.
The children in your care may also have regular Educational Support Meetings, 504 Meetings, or IEP meetings. These are also times when you can encourage others to notice and build on the child’s strengths.
Also see these tips for connecting with a child’s teachers:
- 7 Tips for Building a Relationship with Your Child’s Teacher
- Foster Parent College video, Working with Schools (There is a small charge for Foster Parent College videos. If you are a licensed foster parent through DCF, you can watch this video for free by asking your Resource Coordinator for credits.)
Support for Educational Challenges
The Vermont Family Network offers someone you can talk with about the child’s educational needs—and they can guide you toward a wide variety of resources. These conversations are confidential and their services are free. They also offer webinars and articles related to education. Visit their website at https://www.vermontfamilynetwork.org/
Remember to Take Care of Yourself
It may take a lot of time, effort, and energy on your part to help children and youth as they navigate school. Aim to give yourself time to rest, connect with friends, and do other things that help you feel supported along this journey.
- Caregiver Training & Resources – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- Podcast Library – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- Trauma Informed Practice/Parenting – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- Adoption – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- RPC + – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- VT-CWTP Publications, Annual Reports, and Newsletters – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
- On-Line Learning – Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
