Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California has published a Guide to School Re-entry for teachers, administrators, counselors, nurses and other school personnel who deal with children returning to school with physical limitations that may impact their school experience.

At our Shriners Hospital in Sacramento we care for children whose lives have changed dramatically as a result of a traumatic burn, accidental loss of limb or spinal cord injury.

Some are paralyzed and some are scarred. During their hospital stay, these children attend the Shriners Hospital School where they are taught to be independent in the classroom, says Margaret Kugler, Educational, Vocational & Transition Services Coordinator.

As these children transition back to their communities and home schools, we have found that ongoing communication with their teachers, counselors and administrations is vital to a student's success, Kugler adds.

We organize school re-entry programs for patients to re-introduce them to their teachers and peers.

We believe the Guide to School Re-entry will help foster continued to success by providing an organized and straightforward reference.

The comprehensive guide discusses the role of the teacher in preparing for a student's return and outlines considerations that must be made in dealing with children returning after burn and spinal cord injuries.

Special sections cover  use of adaptive devices in the classroom.

The Shriners Hospital School is a joint project of Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California and the Sacramento City Unified School District.

The school provides bilingual regular and special education to patients in grades K 12 to ensure that children maintain continuity in their education while in the hospital.

Teachers and school personnel interested in obtaining a Guide to School Re-entry may contact Margaret Kugler by calling 916- 453-2109 or sending email to ncalinfo@shrinenet.org.