Education Tips for Foster Parents

Here are Some Important Education Tips and Reminders for Foster Parents

Know what personal information you can share with the school. You don’t want the child’s family problems to become gossip in the teacher’s lounge.
Share only information the school needs to best serve the educational needs of your student.

Establish a personal relationship with school personnel and especially make friends with the school secretary. Visit the school. Don’t be a stranger. Volunteer, attend PTO meetings etc. Ask for help from the school and offer to help the school as you are able.
Let the school know you are interested in the child’s progress. Attend parent teacher conferences.
Communicate with the school even when there is no problem.
If you believe the school will not listen and that your child’s rights are being violated, contact your case manager, who may then contact a DCS education specialist for assistance.

Read, read, read. Read to students, especially younger children, and have them retell you what you read. Let older students read to you. Read fun material as well as school materials. Get students a library card.
Have a designated homework time in a quiet place. Use the homework hotline if available in your school system.
Check to see if you student’s teachers have on-line means of communicating homework or class activities.
Be sure you are aware of how your student is doing in school. Contact the school if you are unsure.
With younger students, make sure they know their name, address, and phone number. If students ride a bus, make sure they know their bus number.
With younger students, practice skills like crossing the street, stopping at stop signs—don’t assume they already know.
Discuss safe rides—make sure students know who can give them a ride.
If you have students in high school, make sure you understand the school system’s graduation requirements.
Be sure you know the school calendar, especially vacation days, testing days and report card days.

Children in foster care, who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income. School fees may also be waived.
Any foster child in the household is eligible for free lunch regardless of income and remains eligible for the entire school year regardless of whether they move or exit custody.
As a foster parent, your own children may be eligible for free lunch in addition to the foster children in your home. More information is available from the local school system.