Transition Time

If your child is making the transition from elementary school into middle school or from middle school into high school, take advantage of orientation opportunities offered by your school district for students. Transitioning into a new school level can be very scary for your preteen or teenager. They worry about not knowing anyone or what to wear or if their friends will be in their classes. These are legitimate concerns and going to the orientation sessions before school begins, will ease some of the anxieties your child may be exhibiting.
During the orientation, here are a few activities that your child can participate:
1. Meet administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors. It helps to know the school personnel before school begins.
2. Receive class schedules and become familiar with the procedures of a regular school day.
3. Follow an abbreviated daily bell schedule to become familiar with the school building and to navigate between classrooms.
4. Receive locker assignments and have an opportunity to practice the combination lock.
5. If transportation is a concern, many school districts will run their school buses so check with your district’s transportation director.
Once your child has gone to the orientation planning session, he/she will see other students who have the same worries and anxieties and this will help to calm the nerves a little. This is also a good bonding time between parent and child as you share in the abbreviated bell schedule system. You can help your child learn to navigate the school plant by pointing out reference spots to identify where classrooms are located. Point out the bathrooms, cafeteria, gym, nurses’ office, and the main office as references for future needs. The orientation experience will benefit your child in making the transition between elementary and middle school or into high school.