Frequently Asked Questions for
Parents New to Benedictine
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The New Parents’ Committee hopes this page will ease the transition for you and your child. We know there will be many other bits of information that you will need as time goes on, and many parents, who have been at Benedictine for a long time are more than happy to lend a helping hand. Please call with even the smallest question – we have all probably asked that same question when we were new!
Once again, Welcome to the Benedictine Family. The decision you have made for your child will bring much happiness for the whole family as you experience the magic of this wonderful school.
Adrianne Lasker: 973-335-7974, alasker@msn.com
WELCOME TO BENEDICTINE
As a new parent, you will have many questions regarding details of dorm life, classroom assignments, how illnesses are handled, and other facets of life at Benedictine. We have compiled some Frequently Asked Questions, along with the right person to contact for answers. Since each child is treated as an individual, the school tries to adapt to the needs of each student.
It will be most helpful for you to write an overview of your child’s likes, dislikes, habits, behaviors, and any thing else that may help the faculty and staff make the transition as easy as possible for your child. Make sure copies are made available to the Dorm Supervisor, Classroom Teacher, Case Manager, and the Infirmary Staff.
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CONTENTS BELOW (Please click on desired topic in this list or scroll down to desired topic in text below):
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Frequently Asked Questions topics:
Benedictine has established an active New Parents’ Committee, with representatives in each region. Within a short time, a representative will be calling to see how your transition is going, and answer any questions you may have. We have all been in the “New Parent” category and know from experience how emotional this time can be.
The Benedictine staff and faculty will be very busy getting to know your child, evaluating class and dorm placement and establishing a routine for your son or daughter. The New Parents’ Committee is anxious to help during this time, when we all have felt a little “out of the loop.” After all, you have been the main caregiver up to this point, and to relinquish that daily, intense responsibility is quite traumatic for some!
But be assured, within a very short time, you will see a difference in your child. You will also get to know the faculty, staff and other parents, and be extremely happy about your decision to have your child attend The Benedictine School! Support and friendships will develop through your active participation within your region and on the various committees available through the school.
There is also a web site for Benedictine at www.benschool.org, where information on the school, the Benedictine Foundation and the Parents Association can be found. Your comments and questions are always welcome, so please feel free to call on us. (Adrianne Lasker: 973-335-7974)
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This is Benedictine’s version of a typical parents’ school association. You will be hearing from them throughout the year.
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QWho will be my child’s main caregiver? * When returning from break, who is responsible for taking my child? * Am I responsible for unpacking my child’s belongings? * Will I be notified if someone in my child’s dorm leaves? * Will I be notified before my child’s dorm is changed? * Can I decorate my child’s room with things from home? * Can I plan a birthday party for my child? * Can I have a list of the children in my child’s dorm? * How often can I call my child?
A The type of questions outlined above can best be answered by talking with the Residence Supervisor. The Residence Supervisor is keenly aware of your child’s needs, concerns, behavior’s, moods, and achievements, and has overall responsibility for dorm activities. The Residence Supervisor will be your son or daughter’s main caregiver after classes are dismissed.
Since all children require specialized attention, it is best to discuss your child’s specific needs and your concerns, directly with the person assigned to your child’s residence. If you need more clarification of rules and regulations, the Residential Director should be contacted. (Contact numbers at the end of this page.)
Residence Supervisors are available by phone to answer any questions you may have. You are welcome to establish a mutually convenient time to call your child, discuss details of your child’s adjustment, or just to see how things are going.
We are sure you will find that the personnel assigned to your child’s residence will have direct interaction with the children, and you will be surprised at how quickly they get to know all the little nuances and intricacies of each child! Your child will get lots of love and attention from these special staff members!
To make all transitions easier, it is important that you share as much information with the residence personnel as possible. A concise write-up of likes, dislikes, little tricks of the parent trade, behavior modifications that work, and other pertinent information, will go a long way to help make daily life easier for your son or daughter. The staff always appreciates frequent and informative interaction with the parents. They are very dedicated to the children.
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After each break, and anytime in between, Parent/Staff conferences can be scheduled. These are truly important meetings, where face-to-face dialog can fine-tune your child’s program. Parent/Staff Conferences are a great time to see the work being done in class, hear about field trips, and even meet some of your child’ s new buddies!
Progress reports, samples of work completed, ITC work cards all are visual documents that allow a better understanding of the progress, or problems, encountered during day-to-day activities.
By meeting after every break, parents are kept informed of all aspects of the student’s education. A form will be sent before each break that should be filled out by the parents. Specify precisely whom you want to see; Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Teachers, Case Managers, all of whom are available after each break.
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Q What happens if my child becomes sick? * Will I be notified? * How are medical emergencies handled? * Who do I speak to about medication changes or results of doctors appointments? * Can I pack my child’s medications in the suitcase? * Is there a local dentist, doctor or pharmacy that I should have in case of emergency? * Do I need to keep a medication supply at home, or will medications be sent home for breaks?
A A fully staffed infirmary is available to provide medical assistance to the children and young adults of Benedictine twenty-four hours per day. The Benedictine nursing staff is a group of loving, dedicated, skilled Practioners who will get to know each child’s medical issues before they even arrive at Benedictine.
Members of the Infirmary accompany the groups on weekend field trips, and are instantly available to handle everything from serious seizures to the common cold – and they do it with lots of tender, loving care! This is one very special group, many of whom have been with Benedictine for a very long time.
The nursing staff will follow guidelines established by the family physician, so you will be contacted according to your wishes. It is your responsibility to make sure that complete and detailed information is supplied directly to the Infirmary. The staff understands how difficult some separations are and how serious many conditions are, so they will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable and assured.
Emergencies : A Medical Doctor is available on call, and Easton Hospital is close by in case of emergencies. Also, the Infirmary staff, and many of the faculty are educated in emergency techniques and CPR. Procedures for handling emergencies are well planned and updated often.
Pharmaceuticals : Many parents establish contact with a local pharmacy, so medications can be gotten quickly and easily. Other parents have pharmaceutical provisions from their insurance carriers, and medications are automatically sent to the school.
Medications will be sent home with your child at each break. Please be sure to have at least a five week supply at the school at all times. It is imperative that the Infirmary Staff be kept up to date on all medical conditions, changes, or deviations. Written instructions from the doctor are required for any medical changes.
PLEASE BE SURE TO CONTACT THE INFIRMARY STAFF WHEN ANY CHANGE OCCURS WITH YOUR CHILD: BEHAVIOR, SIDE EFFECTS, COLDS, FAMILY ILLNESSES, VITAMIN THEAPIES, ETC.—ANY TREATMENT/PHYSICAL CHANGES SHOULD BE REPORTED AT ONCE.
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QIs there one person responsible for coordinating my child’s school and transition program? * How do I know who to contact about behavior, dorm problems, schoolwork, and other areas of my child’s daily life? * Is there a list of Respite Care workers? * How do I know how my child is adjusting? * When my child comes home for breaks, is there anything I should know/do to continue skills or behavior techniques? * If I have a complaint or concern, whom should I speak with first? * Can I bring my child home on other than scheduled breaks?
A Each child is assigned a Case Manager, who is responsible for following progress, problems, behaviors, and achievements. The Case Manager typically sees your child once a week and continually gets reports from staff.
Routine contact with your child’s Case Manager will keep you up-to-date, and the interaction will prove beneficial to your son or daughter’s overall program.
A brief outline of your child’s likes, dislikes, and other pertinent information you feel important should be supplied to the Case Manager responsible for your child as soon as possible.
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Q Can I get a list of my child’s classmates? * Will I be able to speak with the classroom teacher on a routine basis? * How will I know what kind of work my child is doing? * Do the children go on class trips? * Can I send in puzzles, games or other educational materials ?
A Each classroom teacher is very willing to give you updates at any time on the progress your child is making. They also appreciate diversified props, games, and other classroom materials. Speak to your child’s teacher before anything is sent. Since many children are on special diets, please do not send in treats unless approval has been received.
If you have specific concerns or would like to speak with your child’s teacher, give the Case Manager a call to set a date and time that will be convenient. (Contact numbers are at the bottom of this page.)
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Some other important “Benedictine Family” activities:
- Spring Benefit Weekend THE EVENT OF THE YEAR! You will hear all about it from the Regional Representative.
- Christmas Bazaar . A Holiday Celebration the Monday after Thanksgiving break. The holiday season bursts into full bloom! Great shopping, songs, food, and friends. The Benedictine Calendar, available each year at the Christmas Bazaar, is a wonderful way to keep abreast of Dorm and weekend outings and is a good tool to use for phone conversations with your son or daughter. Contact Patti Shaffer in the Administration Office to get this year’s copy. (Contact numbers at back of this booklet.)
- Annual Regional Meetings : All the parents in your region get together for fun, Foundation updates, and friendship. You will hear from your region’s representative each September regarding these meetings.
Volunteer : This is the best way to really take advantage of the wonderful friendships that can be made by working side by side with other parents, faculty, and staff. There are a variety of things to do, so just let your regional representative know what you like to do and how much time you can devote, and they will match your skills with some fun activities.
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USE 410-634-2112 AND EXTENSIONS LISTED FOR ALL CALLS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Administration Office |
410-634-2112 |
“B” Blossoms Greenhouse |
ext. 314 |
Busy Bee |
410-634-1187 |
Case Managers |
ask receptionist |
Classrooms |
ask receptionist for room |
Delaware Open Community |
302-432-4850 |
Residence Supervisors |
ext 212 (Augustine Hall)
ext. 213 (Benet Hall)
ext. 214 (DeSales Hall)
ext. 219 (Emanuel Hall)
ext. 216 (Loretta Hall)
ext. 237 (Rose Hall)
ext. 316 (Anseim Hall) |
Foundation |
410-634-2292 |
Graphics & Printing |
410-634-1912 |
Infirmary |
exts. 218, 239 |
Jake Lee Training Center |
410-634-2753 |
Life Skills |
410-634-2112 |
Maryland Open Community |
410-634-1990 |
New Parents’ Committee |
973-335-7974 |
Office Staff |
410-634-2112 |
Parents Association (Kathy Jacques) |
410-798-0040 |
Residential Coordinator |
exts. 331, 224 |
Respite Care |
call new parents rep. |
Teachers |
ask receptionist |
(1-03-05)
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