School Support Toolkit
Whether you are supporting a child, teen or young adult, preparing for school involves more than managing food, formula and medication. This growing collection brings together practical resources to help families, students and school teams plan, communicate and create an inclusive school experience.
Start with what you need today. Explore tools for introducing your student, helping educators understand their rare disorder, supporting food and treatment needs, building independence and helping students participate fully in school life.
Rare-ing to Go: Help School See the Whole Student
A diagnosis is important, but it is only one part of who a student is. Rare-ing to Go uses the F-Words for Child Development to help families introduce the whole child or young person to their school team: their family, functioning, friends, fitness, fun and future.
Complete the profile together and share it with teachers, educational assistants and other school staff who need to know and support your student.
Create Your Rare-ing to Go ProfileSTART: Getting Ready for School
Begin with the people. Think about what your student wants their school team to know, who needs information, and what will help everyone start the year with confidence.
Start Here
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Rare-ing to Go
Help the school understand the student beyond their diagnosis. -
Classroom News
Support classroom communication and understanding.
LEARN: Help the School Understand the Rare Disorder
Good support begins with understanding. These resources can help teachers, school health staff and other members of the school team learn the basics without expecting families or students to teach everything themselves.
Phenylketonuria
Learn the Science
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Amino Acids in Our Rares
A visual introduction to amino acids and linked rare metabolic disorders.
PERSONALIZE: Support This Student
No two students are exactly alike. Diagnosis-specific information should always be paired with information about the individual student's strengths, routines, communication style and support needs.
Individual Student Tools
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Rare-ing to Go
Share strengths, relationships, interests, activities and goals. -
Situational Awareness Observation Tool
Explore executive function skills through practical observation.
NOURISH: Food, Formula & Everyday Planning
Food at school can involve much more than packing a lunch. Students may need medical formula, specialized foods, planned snacks or individual dietary supports. Always follow the student's own metabolic clinic plan.
FLOURISH: Belonging, Confidence & School Life
School is about learning, but it is also about friendships, confidence, inclusion, participation and belonging. Rare should be part of a student's story, not the whole story.
Belonging & Classroom Life
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Rare-ing to Go
Start conversations with the student's strengths, interests and future. -
Classroom News
Support classroom understanding and conversation.
Move, Play & Thrive
Sports, exercise and being part of the actionRecess, gym class, school teams and everyday movement are important parts of school life. Explore resources about sports, exercise, nutrition and overcoming barriers to physical activity while following individualized medical and nutrition guidance.
Are You an Educator or School Staff Member?
You do not need to become a metabolic expert. You do need to understand this student's individual plan, know which instructions matter during the school day, and know who to contact when something is not right.
Start with the student's family-provided information and individual medical or clinic guidance, then use these resources to build your understanding.
Learn About Their Rare
Choose the student's rare disorder above and use the school-specific resources alongside their individualized instructions.
Go to LEARNWant Everything in One Place?
We're developing the CanPKU+ Back-to-School Bundle, a ready-to-use collection of printable and customizable tools designed to make school planning easier for families and students.
Coming soon!
In the meantime, all of the School Support Toolkit resources above remain freely available to families, students and educators.