Navigate Support At School with the C+F School Toolkit!
Attending school with juvenile arthritis can be a daunting thought for kids, teens and parents alike – no matter what school year you’re entering. You might be thinking, will my child get the care and attention they require when they’re in pain? How can we navigate morning stiffness and daytime medications? What if we have to miss multiple days of school for appointments? Can my child participate in gym class?
Below you will find our Elementary, Secondary, and Post Secondary School Toolkits which are designed to help your child, teen and family navigate find answers to your most pressing questions about navigating school with JA and other childhood rheumatic diseases, gain new insight into communicating with teachers and administrators, and ultimately, set your child up for a successful school year, every year.
In each School Toolkit, you will find:
• A breakdown of some of the most common challenges for students with JA
• Customizable template letters and other resources to help you communicate with your school
• Ideas for how parents, healthcare teams, teachers and even other classmates can help support your child at school
• Fun and engaging tools to help you and/or your child raise awareness of JA at school or in their class
• Stories from other youth who have shared their school experience with rheumatic disease
Écoutez l’enregistrement du webinaire en Français ici.
Looking for ways to best set up your child/teen up for success in the classroom can feel overwhelming when you’re a family affected by juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases. Our School Support webinar provides helpful tips and advice for navigating all aspects of school-life. From informing teachers and administrators about childhood rheumatic diseases to classroom and gym modifications to peer/social settings and symptom management planning, our expert speakers have you covered!
Guest speakers include occupational therapists Heather Best and Sarah James, physiotherapist Jo-Anne Marcuz, and Parent Speaker and Elementary School Principal, Colleen Castonguay.
Hear from kids, youth and parents on how they navigate school, friendships, teacher communications, physical education and more with Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
We created the “Cassie + Friends at School” movie to educate classrooms about Juvenile Arthritis, help affected kids gain more understanding at school and spread critical awareness of childhood rheumatic conditions and their impact on kids.
IEP/IPPs: When your child needs extra support
Do you have questions about Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and/or Individualized Program Plans (IPP) and whether your child is in need of additional support? Ask your child’s healthcare team if a school IEP/IPP might be a good idea for your child/teen.
What is an IEP/IPP?
An IEP/IPP is a plan developed in collaboration with a student, their parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals to set individual goals for a student and ensure they get the appropriate environment and care needed. Depending on the student’s needs, developing an IEP/IPP may involve occupational therapists, physiotherapists, doctors, psychologists, nurses, school administration staff and others. The IEP/IPP is a living document that changes from year to year based on the students symptoms, required accommodations and evolving environment (ie. Elementary School needs vs. Middle School needs).
Learn more about IEP/IPPs from our friends at Kids Health who explain this tool, considerations when accessing one and how to discuss the idea with your child’s healthcare team and school.
2023 Youth Run Ambassador Program
Are you a youth who lives with or is impacted by Juvenile Arthritis, Lupus, Dermatomyositis, Fever Syndrome or other rheumatic disease? Want to help raise funds and awareness for juvenile arthritis at your school or amongst your sports team? Learn more about hosting a kids fun run at your school and how to earn free kids registration with our Youth Run Ambassador Program.
What’s in it for you?
- Receive one free kids registration to an official Team C+F run/walk when you pledge to raise $50 or more. Official Virtual and In-Person Team Cassie + Friends run/walk events include: Vancouver, Okanagan, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Halifax, Hamilton, Toronto, London, Edmonton, Windsor and Ottawa.
- Receive a Team C+F School Awareness and Fun Run Package including sidewalk chalk and Cassie + Friends coloured ribbons to host your at-school fun run event
- Fun prizes when you reach fundraising milestones
- Raise $150 and receive fun C+F swag prizes
- Raise $500, a cupcake party for your class or sports team
- The opportunity to apply for the Youth Leader Award and your chance at a $500 prize.
Ready to get started? Email info@cassieandfriends.ca and we’ll reach out to you with resources to bring your run/walk to life!
Additional Resources for Navigating School
Want to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis (JA) and other rheumatic diseases at school? Check out our School Engagement Hub to explore some of the exciting opportunities we offer for bringing your school community together in support of a pain-free future for kids!
