Community Corner
Moms Talk: New Kids at School
The start of school is tough for those who are new to the school district.
For the most part kids on the rock are with the same kids from kindergarten to graduation, meeting a few new faces when they hit the middle school. So new kids can feel like outsiders when they encounter well-established friendships and cliques.
Even kids that have lived here before and return, find that things have changed because others have moved on to a comfortable routine, that at least at first, does not include them. One parent of "returning" kids said when they were at an International school it was a much easier transition because everyone there was used to being new themselves. Since the bulk of our students haven't experienced being new in school, they are not as aware of what it feels like to be new.
Joining new clubs and sports teams can certainly help establish friendships, but growing friends takes time.
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For those of us whose kids aren't new, remind them to look out for a new kid -- a smile and a hello can work wonders, and introductions and inclusion can make a huge difference.
Tell us what has helped your kids in tough transitions. There are moms and dads out there who would love your advice right now!