For Schools
Back to school.
Back to support.
The start of a new school year brings new routines, new classrooms, and for many students, new challenges.
Anxiety, school avoidance, social stress, and emotional struggles often surface in the first few weeks—when students are most visible and most reachable.
Cartwheel can support your students and families this year.
A Practical Guide for School Teams
Supporting Students Through Back to School
The beginning of the school year brings excitement, opportunity, and change. This guide is designed to help you notice early signs, start conversations with students and families, and connect the right students to support at the right time.
A few examples of students who may benefit from a check-in this fall:
- Students showing signs of anxiety or school avoidance—frequent nurse visits, reluctance to attend, difficulty separating from caregivers
- Students whose mood, behavior, or engagement has shifted—withdrawal, irritability, emotional outbursts, or something that feels "off"
- Students navigating a significant transition—new school, new grade, recent family changes, or returning after an absence
- Students whose families have shared concerns over the summer
- Students who seem "not quite themselves"—even when you can't yet name a specific concern
Additional Back to School Resources
Guide
Resetting Screen Habits for the School Year
Helping families transition from summer screens to school-year routines — without overhauling everything at once.
Guide
Easing the Back to School Transition
Practical strategies to help kids settle into new routines, manage mixed feelings, and start the year feeling more prepared.
Guide
Big Feelings, Big Reactions
How to support a child through emotional ups and downs — and when big feelings may be a sign they need extra support.
Guide
When Anxiety Gets in the Way of Going to School
Understanding what's behind school avoidance and refusal — and how to help a child take small steps forward.
Guide
Friendships, Fitting In, and Big Feelings
How to support your child through the social side of the new school year — from friendship conflict to finding where they belong.
For School Teams
Cartwheel Care Programs
This year, Cartwheel has expanded what's available for students with specific challenges — including school avoidance, screens and social media stress, and intense emotions and behavior challenges. These expanded Care Programs are available for every student in addition to therapy, parent guidance, and family support.
Parent Resource
When Back to School Feels Hard
Not every child hits their stride right away and it can be hard to know whether what you're seeing is a typical adjustment or a sign your child needs more support. This resource walks parents through what's expected, what to watch for, and when it may be time to reach out for help.
Upcoming Webinar · August 19, 2026 at 7:00pm ET
When School Feels Hard: Understanding Anxiety & Avoidance in Kids
Cartwheel hosts free monthly webinars for parents, caregivers, and school staff throughout the year. This month: what's driving school anxiety and avoidance in kids, when it may signal a need for additional support, and practical strategies to help children feel more confident, connected, and ready to learn.
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