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For Patients and Families

Back to School Program

Back to School Program

What is the Back to School Program?

Children's Hospital Boston's Back to School Program aims to meet the needs of children and their families who are transitioning back to school after treatment for a serious illness. This program is designed to address common concerns that children and families may have about returning to school.

Child Life Specialists, Pediatric Nurses and Social Workers develop an individualized based program depending on the age and developmental level of the child while taking into consideration the school population and setting. Children's staff work with families and schools to design an optimal back to school program for each child's particular situation.

Read a first-person perspective about RJ Agostinell's return to school after treatment for leukemia and watch a video (below) of his first day back.


	Learn more about the "Back to School" program on our blog, Thrive.

How does the Back to School Program Work?

This program may include a phone consultation with the school, an information packet which can be sent to the child's teacher or a school visit from your child's care team. These visits are designed to alleviate any anxiety the classmates may feel about the child's return and to encourage the sensitivity and support of the child's classmates, teachers and other school personnel.

Each school visit is arranged with the child's health care team. The team tailors the presentation to the child's classmates and school staff.

During the presentation, we discuss disease, treatment, side effects and medical procedures and the emotional aspects of having cancer. We also attempt to remove any myths or misconceptions about having cancer.

Our teaching tools vary, depending on the developmental level of the children. Options include:

Videos
Power point presentations
Puppet shows
Teaching dolls
Written materials

Programs Offered

BTS visits

Visits offered to families living 1-2 hour distance drive from Children's Hospital Boston
Informational packets offered to those famalies unable to schedule BTS visits, along with phone consultations
Consultation with School Administrators
Phone consultations to educate and advocate for educational services with school environment
School visit may be available for specific individuals
Hospital Educational Services
Tutoring is available through Education, Inc. contact Child Life Services for more information (617-355-6551)