The Back to School Program
Today, children with cancer receive much of their treatment in the outpatient setting. This allows them to continue to participate in school programs and to grow intellectually and socially. However, treatment often involves frequent clinic visits, radiation, surgery, or hospitalization, causing most children to miss some school. For many, returning to school can be a frightening and emotional experience. The Back to School program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital is designed to ease the child's transition back to the classroom. The program provides:
Student and family support
To prepare the child for the return to school, we provide individual counseling and family guidance.
Classmate understanding
At the school, we teach classmates about cancer and encourage social support of the returning student.
Guidance for school personnel
We seek assistance from teachers and other school personnel with our classroom visit, and we provide special programs to increase the understanding of educational and psychological issues faced by children with cancer.
Complementary components
As highlighted below, our program consists of several components that all work together to help children who are living with cancer.
- Back to School Visits
- Workshops for School Personnel
- School Liaison Program
Back to School Visits
Our specially trained staff is available to visit the school when the child is ready to return to the classroom. These visits are designed to alleviate any anxiety the classmates may feel about the child's return and to encourage the sensitivity and support of the child's classmates, teachers, and other school personnel.
Each school visit is arranged by the health care team directly involved in the child's care. The team tailors the presentation to meet the needs of the student, classmates, and school staff. During the presentation, we discuss the child's disease, treatment, side effects, medical procedures, and the emotional aspects of having cancer. We also strive to dispel any myths or misconceptions about having cancer.
Our teaching tools vary, depending on the age of the children. Options include:
- Puppet shows
- Teaching dolls
- Slide presentations
- Videos
- Written materials
The presentations are followed by a question-and-answer period. Our overall goal is to encourage social support for the child returning to the school community.
Workshops for School Personnel
Twice a year, we hold a special workshop for teachers, school nurses, guidance counselors, and school administrators. At the workshop, we explore the challenges faced by children with cancer. In addition, we strive to increase understanding and communication between the child, family, and school personnel. Our workshops also focus on the possible long-term challenges faced by children treated for cancer.
School Liaison Program
The School Liaison Program is designed to assist children whose cancer or cancer treatment has resulted in learning difficulties or other problems affecting their school experience. Children eligible for this program include those in the first grade or beyond who have been diagnosed with leukemia or brain cancer.
School Liaison services include:
- Educating school personnel about cancer, its treatment, and the long-term effects of cancer treatment
- Facilitating neuropsychological evaluations of children in conjunction with Children's Hospital
- On-going consultation with families and school systems to address educational needs
- Educating communities about long-term effects of childhood cancer treatment
Back to School Contacts
For more information about Back to School Visits, contact:
Kathy Houlahan
7 WestChildren's Hospital
(617) 355-7665
Lisa Scherber
Jimmy Fund ClinicDana-Farber Cancer Institute
(617) 632-3278
