Students who have overcome learning and other challenges look to their upcoming high school graduation with excitement and a well-earned sense of achievement — mixed with a bit of trepidation about life after high school.

Schools for Children is proud to present three evenings of panel discussions designed for families with students ready for what happens next after high school — and wondering how to manage the process of taking these next steps successfully.

Who Should Attend: Families looking for information and vetted transition resources, school district professionals responsible for supporting students through transition, educators/counselors seeking information to better support students through transition, providers looking to expand their networks

Taking the Next Step

Everyone has big hopes and aspirations. Everyone has fears. And the COVID-19 pandemic has only added additional complications and concerns.

From college choices for students with challenges to vocational programs and alternative paths, this free series of conversations with experts will give you valuable insights on how you and your student can make the most of this extraordinary milestone and enter adulthood with a plan for success.

You must sign up in advance. A link to the online presentation will be sent to you two days prior to the presentation.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Session 1: Who Will I Become?

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2020, 7-8 pm EST: From college choices to gap years to developing professional skills, students graduating from high school face major life transitions and have many opportunities to choose from. For students with learning challenges and their families, these decisions can be complex and anxiety-producing — especially during a pandemic. Figuring out what’s most important to you, what you truly need, and who it is you want to become aren’t questions most of us are able to answer easily.

• What interests do you have?
• What impact can you have on the world?
• What kinds of supports will help you succeed? And what else do you need to learn?

Listen in and bring your questions. Our panelists will inspire you to see this period of self-definition as a unique opportunity for great personal growth and explore the options in front of you.

Moderator: Elon Fyfield, Director, Qualls Academy; educator; community activist

Our Expert Panelists:

Leslie Thatcher, Thatcher Education and Director of College Success@Perkins

Eileen Brody-Burke, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

Angelique McGrue, Special Education Coordinator with YouthBuild in California

Andrew Selby, Team Lead, Bridges from School to Work, Marriott Foundation

Learn more about our speakers.

Questions: Contact Denise Moorehead at info@schoolsforchildreninc.org

___________________________________________________________________________________

And don't forget to sign up for the other discussions in our Conversations on Transition series:

Dec. 3, 2020 — College Bound with Challenges

Jan. 12, 2021 — Learning and Doing: When College Isn’t Your First Next Step

Cohosted by

Bridges from School to Work, Boston

Dearborn Academy

Seaport Academy

Dearborn STEP