Hello families,
I'm writing to talk about an umbrella skill that our middle school students need explicit support with in order to be successful. This skill is executive functioning. Our students need more support learning to manage their many responsibilities as students.
Because middle school is a transition that requires new skills, our students need tools to help them develop these executive functioning skills. Many of our students have specific IEP goals related to executive functioning, yet there are no specific tools that help students learn these executive functioning skills.
I have partnered with a company called Banana Planners, which focuses on supporting neurodivergent students develop executive functioning skills. (https://www.bananaplanners.com/middle-school-adhd-planners) Their planners are developed to be a bridge between school and home and provide aspects for teachers, students, and parents to engage with.
I have a quote for a customized planner for the whole of 2026 that follows the unique weekly school schedule at OSA. Students could use this at the beginning of next school year, and if this pilot is successful, we may be able to create a lasting partnership to provide all students with this kind of tool. The quote lists a customized daily planner for all students on my caseload, and I need your help raising money to purchase this tool.
How will it be used? How will this tool help develop executive functioning skills? My aim is to establish a cycle of weekly classwork to homework:
- By working with students to track assignments,
- receive credit for do-now and exit-tickets by using the tool,
- increase clear communication between students, teachers, and resource services,
- and finally to communicate unfinished work at the end of the week with families for weekend homework.
The cycle of assignment engagement and completion will help teach:
- the skill of responsibility,
- accountability,
- time management,
- communication to adults,
- assignment tracking,
- in addition to learning about their accommodations, extensions on assignments, and accommodated materials.
I'm available for further questions, comments, or concerns so please don't hesitate to email me.
Please consider donating to help us purchase this tool and help support our students to develop these crucial skills for middle school success.
Thank you and take care,
In partnership,
Ms. Katie Issel Pitre, MA, MEd
Education Specialist, Oakland School for the Arts