June Special Education Teacher Newsletter: What to Communicate

The June special education newsletter is the last communication families receive before a summer that, for many students with disabilities, requires significant preparation and structure to navigate successfully. A well-crafted June newsletter answers the questions families are likely to have in July: Where is ESY? Who do I call if there is a problem? What should we be working on at home? What will fall look like? Getting those answers into families' hands before the year ends is a direct service to their students.

Confirm ESY details for families who have enrolled

Extended school year service logistics confuse even experienced special education families. Your June newsletter should include: the exact start and end dates for ESY services, the location (is it at this school, another school, or a community program?), the daily schedule and hours, the name of the lead teacher or coordinator, and a phone number to call if there are questions. Families who receive this information in print and email are far less likely to show up at the wrong location or miss the first day.

Address families not enrolled in ESY

For families whose students are not receiving ESY services, the June newsletter should acknowledge that many students will experience some skill regression over a long break and offer practical summer maintenance resources. "Your student is not enrolled in ESY this summer. To help maintain the progress made this year, I recommend daily reading practice at the current independent level, math fact review, and maintaining the morning routine structure your student relies on. Below is a list of free apps and activities that match the goals we have been working on together."

Share summer skill maintenance resources by goal area

Organize the resources by the goal areas in your students' IEPs: reading, math, communication, social skills, self-care. For communication goals, apps like Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, or even just daily conversation practice with picture supports are useful. For reading goals, free platforms like Learning Ally, Epic!, or the Sora app from the school library are accessible. For math, Khan Academy Kids is free and adjustable to level. Being specific about tools is more useful than general advice.

Introduce any fall changes you already know about

If staffing changes for fall are already confirmed, announce them now. Families of students with disabilities are often anxious about changes to their student's support team, and learning about a new teacher by letter over the summer is better than on the first day of school. If you cannot confirm fall staffing in June, give a realistic timeline: "Fall teacher assignments will be communicated by the week of August 15. You will receive a letter with your student's team and any schedule changes."

Template: June newsletter summer resources section

"Summer resources for maintaining IEP skills: Reading (daily, 15-20 min): Epic! free library app, Sora school digital library. Math (3x per week, 10 min): Khan Academy Kids, Math Bingo app. Communication (daily): practice using your student's AAC device or picture cards during meals and community outings. Routine: keep wake-up, meal, and bedtime consistent. This reduces the August adjustment period significantly. I am available by email through July 15 for any questions."

Close with genuine acknowledgment of the partnership

The relationship between a special education teacher and a family is built over months of trust, difficult conversations, and shared investment in a child. The June newsletter is a good place to acknowledge that. A brief, sincere closing that thanks families for their partnership and communicates your care for the student is appropriate and meaningful.

Daystage makes it easy to build this comprehensive June newsletter and deliver it to families in a format they can save and reference throughout the summer.