Tips For Welcoming New Students
Easing The Adjustment For Teens Who Transfer From Other Schools
Sep 2, 2007
Make personal contact. Make sure you stand out to the student as someone they can go to for help. Find out some particulars about them: What subjects are their strengths? What kinds of things do they enjoy? In what areas might they need help? What school are they coming from? Getting to know the student on a personal level not only helps you to start building a relationship with them, but may also clue you into important information about any unusual circumstances surrounding their change in schools.
Gauge their anxiety level. Ask them to rate their nervousness on a scale of 1-10. This process helps them put their feelings into words and helps you understand how serious it is. See if they can give you specifics regarding their school anxiety. Are they worried about the workload? Having trouble staying organized? Finding their way around? Making friends? Don’t assume you know what the issue is.
Offer to help. New students can sometimes benefit from being assigned a buddy to help get them from place to place for the first few days, Choose someone who is friendly, responsible, and has a similar roster. Buddies can also introduce the new student to other kids, and give them the “real scoop” on things that they might not hear from a staff member. Or, offer to touch base with them for a few minutes each day to make sure things are going okay. They are sure to appreciate the personal attention.
Check on social adjustment. Make sure the student is finding kids to hang out with. If they are still eating alone after a week or so, and you don’t see them with other kids in the hall, you might need to try a more structured way of helping them meet people. Sometimes introducing them to another new student can be the ticket. Or, help them decide on a school club or activity to join. In class, assign them to work in groups with students who might be receptive to the idea of a new friend. Don’t humiliate the student by pushing the issue: just help provide opportunities and see what happens. New students can sometimes be a target for bullying; if you suspect this is the case, intervene right away.
Check on academic adjustment. In a week or so, try to gauge how the student is managing the academic demands of the new school situation. Have they been handing in homework? How have they been doing on tests? A meeting with the student, and possibly with parents as well, might help pinpoint trouble spots. Does the student seem like an appropriate fit for the class? Sometimes, by necessity, new students are placed in classes before all of their academic records have arrived. If a student needs to be moved, it’s best to do it as early as possible.
Follow up. Even if a student seems to be doing well, make sure you check in with them every few weeks to make sure things are still okay. Sometimes kids start off beautifully, only to have things unravel as the school year progresses.
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