How to Proactively Get Ready for the Next School Year: A Parent’s Guide to Staying Ahead of the System

msrovet
Jun 8
3 min read

The final bell of the school year hasn’t even rung yet—and you’re already thinking about next year. If that’s you, you’re not alone—and you’re on the right track. Families who plan ahead are the ones who are better equipped to advocate effectively, respond calmly to challenges, and ensure their child’s needs are met.

Here’s how to proactively prepare for the upcoming school year, whether you’re navigating the public or private system in Ontario:

1) Review This Year's IEP, Reports, and Communication Logs:

Before the school year wraps up, request copies of:

Your child’s IEP and any recent updates
Report cards and progress reports
Teacher notes and incident reports
Print off or save any email correspondence with your child's teachers and the school administration.

Use this End-of-Year Review Checklist to guide you:

Did the school implement all IEP accommodations
Were IEP goals met or partially met?
Are there patterns of missed supports or services?
Were there any disciplinary actions or behavioural issues flagged?
Is there evidence of regression or lack of progress?
What concerns or strengths emerged?

2) Organize Your Documentation.

Set up a dedicated advocacy folder (physical or digital, or both) with the following sections:

IEPs & Amendments
Psychoeducational Assessments
Report Cards & Progress Reports
Emails & School Correspondence
Incident Reports & Behaviour Logs
Work Samples (if relevant)
Notes from Parent Observations or Team Meetings.

Organizing now = advocacy power later.

3) Draft Your Advocacy Plan.

Use this Summer Advocacy Checklist to clarify your goals:

What supports or accommodations did my child need but not receive?
Are there any new assessments or diagnoses to share?
What specific goals should be set for next year?
How can I ensure consistent communication with the school?
Are there transition concerns (e.g., new teacher, new grade, new school)?
What are my non-negotiables for my child’s success?

Write it down. This is your game plan for September.

4) Communicate Early (when the time is right).

Use this Back-to-School Email Template as a starting point for reaching out to your child’s new teacher in late August or early September:

“Hi [Teacher’s Name], I hope you’re having a great summer. I’m the parent of [Child’s Name], who will be in your class this year. I wanted to take a moment to introduce [Child] and share a few key things that help them thrive in the classroom. Attached is a one-page document summarizing their strengths, challenges, and accommodations. I look forward to collaborating with you to support [Child’s Name]’s success this year. Sincerely, [Your Name].”

Attach a “Student Snapshot”:

Child’s strengths
Learning profile (any diagnoses, if applicable), including your child's strengths and challenges to ensure a positive learning environment
Key accommodations
Sensory/behavioural needs

5) Book a Call with an Advocate.

Don’t wait for problems to escalate. A summer coaching session can help you:

Understand your child’s rights under Ontario’s Education Act
Learn how to navigate IEP meetings with confidence
Strategize for tricky issues (behaviour, discipline, and/or academic challenges)

Signs that an Advocate can help you:

You feel unheard in IPRC and Team Meetings
Your child’s needs aren’t being met
You don’t know where to start
You’re tired of fighting alone

We’re here to help. Ready to create your advocacy plan? Book a summer session with Rovet Educational Advocacy Group HERE (Beatrix can hyperlink to the "contact us" page) and go into the fall ten steps ahead.