Teacher Newsletter Special Services: Introducing Support Staff to Families

Many families with students receiving special services are not entirely clear on who does what. They know their student has a speech therapist, but they are not sure what the speech therapist does in relation to the classroom teacher. They know there is a paraprofessional in the room, but they are not sure what that person's role is or how to contact them. A newsletter that introduces the special services team clearly solves this confusion and gives families a clearer picture of who is supporting their student.

Introduce each role with functional language

Describe each role in terms of what it means for student participation in school. Not job-title language. "Our school psychologist conducts educational evaluations and provides mental health support for students and families. If you have concerns about your student's learning profile or social-emotional wellbeing, the school psychologist is a good first contact." "Our speech-language pathologist works with students on communication goals: articulation, language development, and the social communication skills needed for peer and classroom participation."

Explain the relationship between services and the classroom

Families often wonder whether services happen in addition to or instead of classroom instruction. Clarify the model. "Most services are pull-out, meaning students leave the classroom for a scheduled session and return. Some services are push-in, meaning the provider works with the student in the general education classroom during instruction. In both cases, the service provider and classroom teacher communicate about what is being worked on so we can reinforce goals consistently."

Occupational therapy and physical therapy: the difference

Many families confuse OT and PT. A brief distinction is useful. "Occupational therapy focuses on fine motor skills (handwriting, scissors, tool use), sensory processing and regulation, and daily living skills. Physical therapy focuses on gross motor skills, mobility, balance, and movement. Some students receive both; most students receive one or neither. Both therapists work within the educational setting toward goals that affect school participation."

The role of paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals are valuable and often invisible members of the special education team. Name them explicitly. "Paraprofessionals provide direct support to individual students or small groups under the supervision of a licensed teacher. They are not babysitters or informal helpers. They implement specific instructional strategies, support communication device use, help students manage transitions, and assist with daily living skills. Students who have paraprofessional support have it because their IEP team determined it was needed for them to access their education."

Template: special services introduction section

"Meet Our Special Services Team [Name], School Psychologist: Educational evaluations, mental health support, family consultation. Reach [Name] at [email]. [Name], Speech-Language Pathologist: Communication goals, language development, articulation, social communication. Reach [Name] at [email]. [Name], Occupational Therapist: Fine motor skills, sensory strategies, handwriting, daily living skills. Reach [Name] at [email]. [Name], Special Education Teacher: IEP coordination, specialized instruction, family communication. Reach [Name] at [email]. All team members communicate regularly to coordinate support for your student. Questions about who to contact for what? Start with your student's classroom teacher."

Give families contact information for each person

The introduction newsletter is only useful if families know how to reach each person. Include direct email for each service provider. This reduces the bottleneck of every family question flowing through the classroom teacher and empowers families to go directly to the right person. It also signals that the school welcomes family communication with all team members, not just the classroom teacher.

Daystage makes it easy to build a special services introduction newsletter with direct contact links for every team member so families know exactly who to reach and how.