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Back to School Tools "When I went back to school, the kids would clear out of the hallways whenever I showed up. Some of them they were afraid they might catch my cancer." Going back to school after cancer treatment is often difficult for children. The child may have fallen behind the rest of the class academically, be too fatigued to perform optimally while in school, or be singled out for ridicule by other children. Even teachers are often poorly prepared to help the child with the transition. The Trish Green Back to School Program for Children With Cancer offers parents and educators several resources to help integrate children back into the classroom following cancer treatment. Included in the program are videos and printed materials that help explain to classmates and teachers how kids with cancer feel, why they may look different, what type of treatment they've undergone and special needs they may have on their return. The materials can be adapted to address the needs of children transplanted for diseases other than cancer as well. "There are lots of horror stories about children's experiences returning to school after cancer treatment," says Cheryl Bradley, Patient Services Field Manager for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. "This program helps parents, teachers and classmates understand what's happening to the child and helps dispel common myths and fears." A 24-minute video entitled "Why, Charlie Brown, Why" tells the tale of a classmate who develops leukemia. Using Charles Schulz's lovable Peanuts® characters, the video helps children understand what leukemia is, how it is treated, and how a child recovering from leukemia feels. When a classmate teases the girl because she has no hair, her friends rally around her and help the other child understand why his remarks were inappropriate. "With a Little Help From My Friends" is designed for teens. Through interviews with several teenagers who had different types of cancer, viewers learn what it feels like to be a teen with cancer. The survivors respond to questions from classmates, and clear the air about several common cancer misconceptions. This video highlights the importance of making sure that everyone at school, including the faculty, understands what is happening with the child, as evidenced by one boy's story of a teacher who publicly berated him for wearing a cap on his bald head. A third video, "I'm Still Me," deals with a young child's apprehension about returning to school after cancer treatment. She's afraid she'll be teased, afraid she won't be able to do the work, etc. Through a dialogue with a friend and her mother, the child realizes that she can help her friends understand that she's still the same person she was before she got cancer. Cancervive Teacher's Guide for Kids With Cancer helps teachers understand cancer and suggests classroom activities that will prepare a child's classmates for his return. Written by Susan Nessim, a childhood cancer survivor, and Ernest R. Katz Ph.D., a psychologist, the book covers a myriad of topics including the emotional impact of childhood cancer on the child, the family, classmates and teachers; the teacher's role in helping children with cancer; common misconceptions about children with cancer; and coping with a medical crisis or a child's worsening health. Parents will find Emotional Aspects of Childhood Leukemia: A Handbook for Parents a helpful resource. The book offers practical suggestions for integrating a child back into normal family and school routines, and discusses issues such as the emotions siblings may feel. "We surveyed parents after rolling out the Trish Green Cancer Program and got an enthusiastic response," says Bradley. "One mother reported that when her son returned to his 5th-grade class, they were well prepared for him, and all of the boys had shaved their heads to show their support!" Pediatric hospitals in most major cities have the Trish Green Back to School Program materials, says Bradley. "Those that don't can request them from the local chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society." The videos, and some of the printed materials, are available in both English and Spanish. Parents and teachers can also access these resources if their child's hospital does not have them, by phoning 800-955-4572. "Our goal is to get health-care professionals, parents and the school to work together as a team," says Bradley, "so that everyone knows their roles and respects the child's and each other's needs."
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