CHAPTER 1: WELCOMES & FAREWELLS - BUILDING COMMUNITY EVEN IN TRANSITION
- Students are very likely to change schools - 61% of students have moved schools at least once (18).
- Involuntary Moves: often occur during the school year and can be more disruptive to students' educational experience (19).
- This results from: family changes, economic changes, instability in housing, poverty, migratory families, foster care, immigration, etc. (19).
- Voluntary Moves: Planned in advance and often take place in between school years to minimize the disruption of a student's educational experience (19).
- The more we know about the causes of mobility in our schools, the better able we are to meet their needs and advocate for solutions that will better provide support for our communities (20).
- For those students who are highly mobile (Ex// Military families): teachers can assist a student who is leaving by compiling resources to be given to the family and then passed on to the child’s next teacher - Include relevant information about the student’s progress and the content and curriculum that has been covered (21).
Teacher tools
Warm Welcomes:
Schwartz, Kyle. I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything For Our Kids. Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2016.
- Tell a new student “I’m glad you’re here” this will assure them they are welcome (28).
- Classrooms often have a secret code of who sits where – show your new student where to sit in the classroom. This may make them feel more comfortable, rather feeling like they may sit in the wrong spot (29).
- Solidify the new students place within the classroom – ask them to contribute. Ex// “Can I ask you a favour? Do you mind pushing in those chairs for me?” or “Thank goodness you’re here, we needed someone kind to hold the door open.” (27).
- This will help prepare you for if you get a new student throughout the year (30). Use a cardboard magazine holder and fill it with the basics a student may need; homework folder, a notebook and a name plate for the desk (31). Include copies of welcome letters from back to school and important handouts (30-33).
- When a new student arrives into the classroom, write them a short welcome note (33). This will let them know they are welcome in your classroom (33). You can go one step further and have the whole class sign it (33). This will help build community within the classroom (35).
- When a student leaves your classroom, send them home with a stack of letters from the class – students need closure when relationships end (36-37). If a student leaves your classroom without warning, still have your students write letters, and try to mail them to their new school. (38).
- Moving or switching schools can be hard, give them something they can hold onto (39). For instance, as class photo that everyone has signed, their favourite book, etc. This will remind students they are missed (39).
Schwartz, Kyle. I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything For Our Kids. Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2016.