Preparing a kid for a new school

[egoldber]

We have the option of keeping older DD at our base school or sending her to a center school. We opted to keep her at the base school this year, but we are strongly considering sending her to the center school next year. We are lucky in that the center school is very close to us, closer than many people's base schools.

If you know you are changing schools, how do you prep your kids? What would you do? She will be going to 4th grade next year.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I would probably try and find out where some of her classmates will be spending their summers and get her involved there (pool, camps...). Having a familiar face can go a long way, ime.

I hope it's a good switch for her. :)

Beth

[pinkmomagain]

Orient her in the new school while it's still in session. Would it be possible for her to buddy with someone for a few hours at the new school so she could get a feel for it? Tour the building. Take her to the playground at the new school in your spare time so she gets familiar with it. Maybe at some point have her generate her own questions about the new school and have her ask a teacher/student/administrator. You can even make it fun and make it like an interview. Any friends/classmates also making the jump to the new school? (BTW, I don't know what a center or a base school is....she says sheepishly.)

[julevizamom]

We're in Northern VA as well and DD1 switched to our center school in third grade (I assume we're talking about the same type of center here). At the time we were worried about the social stress, but we were also concerned about the academic pressures she'd have. And we're not real big on labeling either. But, all that said, it turned out to be one of the best choices we've made. She thrived both socially and academically...partly b/c those two are not mutually exclusive. Play dates started right away...and the things she learned...and the way she LEARNED to LEARN...these are skills she'll have a lifetime. If you want to make her more comfortable, maybe you could ask the school if there are other kids in the center who are in your neighborhood or closeby, and try to set up a play date or two?

If you want to talk more about it, and find out more specifics (e.g. which school we're at), PM me.

[Globetrotter]

We are doing this for dd, and the new school allowed her (and her friends, who are also transferring) to come and spend some time in the classroom and have lunch with the kids. That went a long way to relieve their anxiety!

We are fortunate that her friends are going with her. In your case, can you find out who else is going and try to arrange a playdate.

[egoldber]

Unfortunately, I doubt any other kids will transfer. This is a gifted program and our base school has a self contained gifted classroom. The center program starts in third grade and most kids who are going to transfer to the center, do so in third grade. Last year we (me and older DD) went on a tour/orientation at the center and she was very intimidated. It's a much larger school than our base (neighborhood) school. Coupled with the fact that I was going back to work, we ultimately decided not to move her last year. But it's just not working out and we think/hope the change will help.

For spring break I put her in a camp at that school (rather a brilliant flash of inspiration on my part I thought LOL ;) !) so after that she is now comfortable with the school and even told us she thought it would be fun to go there. She really doesn't have any friends at our base school and I am hoping that since the center will have twice the number of kids in her grade that there will be more opportunities for friendships.

We live very close to this school and we know a handful of kids there. She is in some camps this summer that many kids from that school attend, so hopefully she'll know at least a few kids.


I don't know what a center or a base school is....she says sheepishly

Sorry for the local lingo. A base school is just your districted, neighborhood school. A center school is a school with a special center, kind of like a magnet school.

[JTsMom]

I think the camp was a brilliant idea too, and I'd probably start talking about switching ASAP, while she still has those good feelings about it. Do have any curriculum info or anything that you could show her? Maybe get her excited about the academics? If you could find even 1 kid that she could get to know over the summer, just so she has 1 familiar face, that might be one way to make her feel a little more comfortable.

[caleymama]

I don't have any new or different advice - I think you are very much on the right track by doing what you are so far. I just wanted to wish you well. I hope it does turn out to be the school situation she needs to really thrive.

And by the way, I did a double take reading your OP. If Sarah is going into 4th grade, that means my DD1 is going into 3rd grade next year. OMG! :eek: When did they get so old??

[egoldber]

When did they get so old??

I know! Isn't it crazy!

[mommy111]

Change can be so anxiety provoking especially when they start getting a little older! I found I could change DD much more easily earlier on than I can now.
Having said that, I think the anxiety is the worst part of the equation. I think the camp at the new school was a brilliant flash of inspiration. I think any other activities at the center school will also help. I know with my DD, taking her in first to meet the teacher and very involved school principal really, really helped...DD felt like she had someone to go to in times of need. I really think that the fact that she adored the teachers made a huge difference (we're also in China, though, so it made a huge difference that teachers here are very much more overtly affectionate with the kids).
Which is just my long winded way of saying, can you take Sarah over to meet and bond with the teachers on a 1 on 1 basis? Can you invite her class teacher over (maybe to Sarah's birthday or something?) I think class teachers make or break a child's school experience and I know you've been concerned about her teacher this year and his communication issues (like the whole science fair thing....). I think opening those lines of communication between Sarah and the teacher will really help esp if its done in an outside of classroom non-stressful environment.

[KrystalS]

I don't have any advice but I'm about the go through the same situation with my DD. She is younger, going into 1st grade so I'm hoping it will be easier for her. Right now we are living with my parents while DH is deployed. He will be transferring to Ft Hood after he gets back from deployment. I plan to stay at my parents until December, DH reports Oct 1 and it will take some time to find a house, get everything set up, etc. Plus I'm due in Oct and it would just be too hard to move at that time.
Anyway, does anyone have experience moving a child mid-year? DD really isn't that attached to her current school, she has friends but just not really close ones. She is actually excited to move and go to a new school, however I know once the time gets here it will be harder for her. I'm just worried about moving her into a classroom where everyone already knows each other. I just want to know what I can do to help her adjust, anything I should do ahead of time, etc.

[AnnieW625]

I just want to say that it sounds like based on Sarah's experience at the new school during spring break has been positive and if she is open to going there then I would give it a shot. I mean she could always go back to her old school, but I bet she'll be happy at her new school. Go Sarah:cheerleader1:

[Globetrotter]

The camp idea was brilliant! can she do a summer camp there? Chances are at least a couple of her classmates will be in it.

Otherwise, definitely try to get her a tour to meet the teacher and kids.

[Corie]

Wish I had some words of wisdom for you!!

My DD is being pulled out of her 2nd grade here in Rhode Island to finish
up the last month in a brand new 2nd grade in Ohio.