May Special Education Teacher Newsletter: What to Communicate

May is the most information-dense month of the school year for special education families. ESY decisions need to be communicated. IEP progress needs to be summarized. Transitions to new grades, new schools, or new service configurations need to be explained. A well-organized May newsletter gives families the information they need to close out the year confidently and prepare for summer and fall.

Start with the student: acknowledge the year's growth

Before getting to logistics, name what students have accomplished. Keep it genuine and specific to your class rather than generic. "This class spent the year working toward goals in reading fluency, functional math, social communication, and self-advocacy. Watching students grow in their ability to ask for help and communicate their needs has been the most meaningful progress I have seen this year." That kind of opening builds goodwill and reminds families that behind the paperwork is real learning.

Explain extended school year eligibility clearly

Many families do not understand ESY eligibility, even after years in special education. Explain it plainly: "Extended school year services are additional special education services provided during the summer for students whose IEP team determines they would experience significant regression of skills without continued services. ESY eligibility is determined individually and is written into the IEP. If your student has been recommended for ESY, you received a notice from the case manager. If you did not receive a notice and have questions, please contact me directly."

Review IEP progress and reference the progress report

The May newsletter is not the place to detail individual student progress, which is confidential. But it is the right place to remind families that written progress reports have been distributed and to offer follow-up conversation. "Progress reports for the third quarter were mailed in April. If you have not received yours or have questions about your student's progress toward IEP goals this year, please email me or call the front office to schedule a call before June 10."

Address transitions explicitly

For students moving to a new school, a new grade, or a new service delivery model in the fall, the May newsletter should name that transition and describe what it will involve. "Students who are moving to the middle school in the fall will have their IEP transition meeting scheduled in May or June. The receiving school's special education team will attend. Families will receive a meeting notice by email and mail." Naming the process gives families confidence that the transition is coordinated and not ad hoc.

Template: May special education newsletter section on summer

"Summer can be a challenging time for students who benefit from routine. Research shows that many students with disabilities experience skill regression during extended breaks without practice. A few things families can do over the summer: daily reading practice at the student's current level, math fact practice for 10-15 minutes several times a week, and maintaining the daily routines that help your student feel secure. I am sharing a list of free apps and resources below that align with the goals we have been working on this year."

Close with fall contacts and a note of gratitude

Families deserve to know who to contact over the summer if questions arise. Provide the special education office phone number and email, the dates when school staff will be accessible, and the anticipated first day of fall services. Close with genuine gratitude for the family's partnership during the year.

Daystage makes it easy to build this multi-section May newsletter and send it at the right time, with enough lead time for families to act on ESY enrollment and summer planning information before the school year ends.