Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center

Steps to Follow When Talking to the School

It is important to communicate with school staff to work together to meet your child’s educational needs.

We recommend having a parent/school meeting after diagnosis, when returning to school in person, and at the start of each school year. Be sure to include the principal, counselor and teachers in the meeting.

Conversation upon diagnosis

New diagnosis and treatment plan

• Discuss any medical information you and your child feel comfortable sharing.
• Provide the length of hospital admission and/or treatment plan.

School options during treatment

1. Homebound services
   • Discuss if your child qualifies and start process, if necessary.
   • Homebound teachers provide 504/IEP supports during instruction.
2. Hospital School
   • Enroll in the Hospital School.
   • A hospital school coordinator will assist with this process.
3. Continue current school enrollment
   • School collaborates with hospital school coordinator for assignments.

Absences from school

• Discuss planned or unplanned hospitalizations and potential clinic visits.
• Decide how to handle missed/make-up work.
• Ask for needed documentation to excuse absences.
• Create a plan for extra tutoring or academic support.

Conversation when returning to in-person learning and at the start of each school year

Medical concerns

• Discuss the risk for infection and need to contact you if your child has a fever.
• Ask school to inform you of infectious disease outbreaks on campus, such as chicken pox, COVID, flu, etc.
• Share concerns with a central line or port, including infection.
• Ensure the school is equipped for students with mobility needs.

Attend or Request school meeting for Individualized Health Plan, 504 Plan or IEP

• Explain treatment or medication side effects, such as physical or academic concerns.
  • See information from Children’s Oncology Group on Learning Problems after Treatment.
• Discuss any need for accommodations or modifications based on treatment effects.
• Share school recommendations from most recent neuropsychology evaluation report.

Absences from school

• Discuss planned or unplanned hospitalizations and potential clinic visits.
• Decide how to handle missed/make-up work.
• Ask for needed documentation to excuse absences.
• Create a plan for extra tutoring or academic support.