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4 Lancaster City Schools: Roadway to a Strong Community
rom the Superintendent
reparation Can Help Prepare Your Children For
ransition Into a New School Environment
As the “Back to
chool”adsappearinthe
ewspapers, talk among
hildren and in families turn
school. Notice how the
motions change in your
ome.
Whenyouofferedto
ke your child school
hopping, you may have
eenansweredwithacurt
ebuff–“No,don’ttalkto
eaboutthat–don’teven
ay that word!” You were
ft with the uncomfortable
Denise D. Callihan, Ph.D.
Superintendent
eling that you had crossed over an invisible line and
omehow spoiled your child’s last days of summer.
Yet, only a few days later, the same child comes up
you reminding you in injured and impatient tones,
Youpromisedtotakemeschoolshopping!Whenare
egoing?”
Children grieve the passage of time just as adults
o. The difference may be that their emotions are more
bvious.Itishardtoletgoofthepresentandturnto
cethefuture.Howmanyadultsliketoseeavacation
eek come to a close? For many children, it is hard to
ee the summer slip away – the relaxed schedule, extra
me to play with friends and lazy afternoons at the
ool, ballpark or playground.
Eventually, children become resigned to the fact
at school will soon begin. They start to think of the
friends they haven’t seen all summer. They wonder
who their teachers will be, who will be in their classes
andwhowillhavethebestlunchschedule.Whenthis
happens, they have made the transition from looking
backward to looking forward, and it makes your work
easier.
To help a child through transition, think about what
helps you. Do you talk about how it feels? List what
isgoodandwhatishardaboutchange?Methodically
makealistofthingstoprepareforit.Makeanotherlist
of things to do totally unrelated to the change, using
theanticipatedchangeasadeadline.
When working with children, remember they
approach transitions in different ways. Even in the
same child, not every transition will be alike. For
example, changing from second to third grade may not
be difficult for a child, but changing from elementary
school to junior high school may be stressful. A friend’s
movingaway,agrowthspurt,anillnessinthefamilyor
numerousotherfactorsmayhaveabearingonachild’s
ability to adapt to change.
Give children extra attention and patience as they
face these transitions. These tips will help you as well as
them.
• Let your child know that the transition is coming. If
thereisafamilycalendar,clearlymarktheeventand
the steps leading up to it – orientation, supply lists,
class postings and doctor and dentist appointments.
• Talk positively about the change; enjoy the steps
leading to it. If you dread the change, your child will
See TRANSITION, page 8
0000459835