Need suggestions for transitioning kids to new school this late in year.

[mom2boys]

DH & I have decided to remove both our DS from their current Catholic school and place them in our local public school. We plan to do this as soon as it is feasible - this week or next. We have hinted to the boys that they will be going to the local school but have not told them when. We have said nothing to their current school. We have spoken at length with the public school & they are merely waiting for their arrival.
I want to give my boys (grades 2 & 3) an opportunity to say goodbye to their friends & teachers. DS#1's teacher likes to give departing children a book signed by the class & I have ordered personalized pencils for the boys to give their classmates.
The new principal feels it will take about a month for the boys to "settle" into the new school.
Any teachers or parents have any suggestions on helping make the transition as smooth as possible?

 

[Pembo]

My 1st grader started a new school just 2 weeks ago. We found out on a Thursday and he started on Monday. He did not have a chance to say goodbye to his friends/teachers because I was a little afraid to send him that Friday. I wasn't sure what his teacher would say to him. *She was the reason we had him removed.

He LOVES his new school. We visited for about 2 hours on the Fri before he started. His teacher was very welcoming and so were the other kids. Even though he left friends behind, he is quickly adjusting. We have let him call his friends on the phone. (only asked to do that once). And we are going to have him play with one friend during break.

So my suggestion--just go for it. I hope the new teacher(s) are as awesome as our is in welcoming your boys. Good luck!

 

[KJo719]

See if it is possible for your boys to visit their new school before their first day. I love when my new students come in a few days before hand, this way they're usually not as afraid or nervous on their first day. Talk with the new teachers about your concerns- I'm sure they will make them feel very welcome. I always talk to my class before hand and remind them how they would feel if they were the new student. This always helps the other students to be very welcoming the first day. Hopefully their teacher will do the same. Your boys are at an age where the transition shouldn't be too tough, especially the second grader. Just give them lots of encouragement and remind them that they'll still be able to see their old friends and they will make lots of new friends! The best thing to do is to work together with the teacher and most teachers are more than willing to help!

 

[tiggerlover]

We moved this month last year and I will tell you what helped with our transition. For starters talk to current teacher to see if you can have a little "goodbye" party the last day. What we did was make cupcakes and juice and bring them in and each child was able to say goodbye to DS. The teacher made a big deal and really made DS feel special. With the new school we had an advantage because we had more time to prepare, but we had DS's first class communicate with the new class via email so they could learn more about the two classes. We also brought DS to visit his new classroom a few days before he was to start, this way he was able to meet his new classmates before it was official. All of the above was really helpful in transitioning DS to his new class.

Good luck.