Schools As Resources
Who Should You Talk To?
- Someone who specializes in children and divorces and/or exploration of feelings.
- Someone who can be available to the child and with whom your child feels comfortable.
- Someone who knows your child or can come to know your child as an individual.
- Possibilities: counselor, psychologist, classroom teacher, and special subject teacher.
What Should You Tell Them?
- Information which will assist them in helping your child in his/her adjustment. Again be careful to not blame the other parent.
- Information related to logistics, such as who is to receive report cards, conference notifications, etc.
- Observations you have regarding your child as they affect school attitudes, behaviors, and achievements.
- Questions regarding school or community resources.
- Areas of which you wish to be informed, such as changes in behavior, tardiness, etc.
When Should You Share The Information?
- When you have specific information that can be used by school personnel to help the child.
- Don’t hesitate to enlist the school’s help during the divorce.
- During a scheduled conference with the stated purpose being to discuss the divorce situation (see “Where?”). Seek both parents at this meeting.
Where Can You Talk About It?
- In a private conference with one teacher, counselor, etc.
- In a group conference with several involved school personnel.
How Can School Personnel Help?
- Watch for and report to you any changes in performance or behavior.
- Be supportive of your child.
- Be a listening ear; give child permission to share feelings.
- Be a consistent person in the child’s life who will monitor the whole child.
- Assist with referrals, consultations or follow-up.