The start of the school year can be a confusing time for all families,but especially for those who are new to the public school system or who have children with special needs. Enrollment centers opened today for all high school students new to New York City, as did special education enrollment centers for new elementary and middle school students who need a self-contained or collaborative team teaching class.

To help parents navigate the system, and to anticipate problems that might arise, the ARISE coalition,which advocates on behalf of special needs students, has put together a handout for those families. A list of common problems and questions are answered in a Q&A format.<!--more-->

What should you do if you're not sure where your child will be attending school beginning next week? Will the bus pick your child up on the first day of school? Those questions and others are answered, along with suggestions of who you can call to help resolve your problems.

For more information you can contact Maggie Moroff, coordinator of the ARISE coalition or check their website.

If you are new to NYC public schools, or to the special education system, let us know how the enrollment centers and registration process is working for you.