The Foreign Service Journal, June 2006

J U N E 2 0 0 6 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 83 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT CLOs know nothing, especially if they’re new.” Peggy Matsuya, who has gone through the bidding process three times, has a system that works for her. “Each time, I take the list of available posts that have positions within a real- istic grade range (at grade, one up and one down). I then get a copy of the Bidding Tool and highlight all posts that appear to have a school that deals with special needs.” Most FS special needs parents find they must be proactive in doggedly researching every school. Matsuya adds: “Once I have my list of possible posts, I get the Office of Overseas Schools CD-ROM from CLO/FLO. I begin making my own list of possible posts and schools. I Google, e-mail and call schools to narrow my list. When I get some- thing confirmed from a school, I get it in writing or e-mail and send that to MED and my Career Development officer. I make sure they all know that my assignment is contingent upon schooling for my son, and I also e-mail them any information about and confirmation from schools that have agreed to accept my son. It does take time, but it has worked for us.” Matsuya’s final advice is to be sure to list bids in the order of preference on the final bid list, including com- ments such as “perfect match for both personal and career reasons,” or “no school for my son.” “Don’t forget to inquire about schools within the corporate commu- Most FS special needs parents find they must be proactive in doggedly researching every school. Continued on page 86