TWO Things to Remember

Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall

Sharon Sedlar | September 1, 2026

If you replay one phrase through the school year, it’s this:

You know your child best. Don’t let anyone make you doubt your inner voice as a parent.

You are your child’s best advocate. Asking questions is not an inconvenience. It is reasonable to ask for clear explanations about school policies, services, decisions, and next steps. A good place to begin is usually your child’s teacher. From there, the typical chain of command is the principal, superintendent, and then the school board if you still have questions or concerns. School board meeting information is typically shared on district websites. It’s a good thing to get issues on the public record – and the attorney is usually present at these meetings as well (so if something needs to be addressed, the response time is usually pretty quick).

Second, it is never too late to rethink your child’s learning environment. District schools are the most common choice for Pennsylvania families, but they are not the only path. Families may also explore public charter schools, public cyber charter schools, private schools, or homeschooling. Each option has its own enrollment steps, timelines, costs, and considerations, so it can help to review information directly from the school, district, or Pennsylvania Department of Education before making a decision. (Or call us! 🙂)

Changing schools or learning models can feel big, especially if your child receives specialized services or has supports that may need to be discussed or planned for. Still, families are not stuck. If the current setting is not helping your child learn, grow, or feel safe, it is worth asking what else is possible – whether 2 days, 8 weeks, or 6 months into the school year.

This is a process, so remember that you do not have to solve everything in one meeting or make every decision overnight. Start with one question, one email, one conversation, or one visit to another school option. Small steps can open new doors – and, many times, one steady parent voice is exactly what a child needs most.

Have questions? We have so many ways to get in touch!  And yes, our support is free!  We are a non-profit simply interested in helping families get their child where they need to be – district, charter, private, or homeschool. We’ve been there.  We get it. And we want to help.

All kids.  All options.  All the time.