This newsletter offers practical guidelines to parents of children with special needs of ways to get the school year off to a good start. Such children's school-related worries as fears of getting lost or of not making friends are noted. Specific suggestions are offered to help in the areas of school separation, making friends, and school achievement. Parents are encouraged to become informed about the child's school and special education laws, and to attend school meetings. Typical wishes of parents of special children (such as knowing what is going on at school) and of teachers (such as knowing what is going on at home) are identified. In addition, do's and don'ts are listed for teachers (e.g., do set up a reliable method of communication between home and school and don't dismiss parent comments) and for parents (e.g., do encourage good work habits). Also included is a sample letter from a teacher to parents of teenagers concerning the development of self help skills and suggestions from a psychologist on helping your child adjust to school after vacation. (DB)