Your child will not be able to return to school immediately after returning home due to the immature immune system and the increased exposure to infections. The school age child should receive home tutoring until returning to school. You will need to make arrangements with your school for the home tutor. The hospital tutor can be helpful in setting this up.

When the immune system is adequate, your child will be able to return to school. Some children will be able to return on a full-time basis and others may need to return part-time and work up to full-time.

Prior to your child returning to school, it is important that you meet with the school staff. This may include the teacher, guidance counselor, principal and school nurse. Give them information regarding your child's disease, treatment and progress. Discuss with your child and teacher beforehand possible problems that may arise (i.e., having to take medications, using the bathroom more frequently).

School re-entry will be easier if you and your child have kept in contact with the teacher and classmates. This can be done with letters, cards, videotapes and phone calls.

Classroom presentations may encourage classmates to accept your child and also give them information about the disease and treatment. The presentation may be done by you, your child, a teacher or nurse.

Tips for presenting information include:

• Explain your child's illness, medical procedures, treatment and side effects.
• Keep it short and simple.
• Explain that cancer is serious, but treatable.
• Include how important friendship and support is to a child with cancer.
• Leave time for a question/answer period.

Additionally, it is important for your school personnel to inform you promptly of outbreaks of such things as chicken pox, viral illness, etc. Please stress the importance with the school staff.

Special Education Needs
Some children develop difficulties with school performance upon returning to school. This may be directly related to treatment of their illness, or a result of missing school and needing to catch up. Under federal law, all children are eligible for appropriate education. If you have any concerns about your child and learning, discuss these with your child's teacher as soon as possible. Evaluations can be done to pinpoint any problem areas. Additionally, the neuropsychology team will follow your child and may have sug

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