Back to school, ring the bell
Brand new shoes, walking blues…”
A cool wind wisps’ through the warmth of the day and fall can be felt closely at hand as the lyrics of Jack Johnson’s “We’re Going to Be Friends” floats on the breeze, carrying the words on the minds of both young and old. Back to school shopping becomes a serious hunt for the perfect new notebook or the cute new shirt that is a must have for the first day of school. Kids worry about who their teachers will be and whether or not their friends will be in the same classes. Nervousness can be felt in the air alongside the music and the smell of fall carried on the wind. Soon, big yellow buses roll around the block picking up their new passengers for the new school year.
“…Climb the fence, books and pens
A cool wind wisps’ through the warmth of the day and fall can be felt closely at hand as the lyrics of Jack Johnson’s “We’re Going to Be Friends” floats on the breeze, carrying the words on the minds of both young and old. Back to school shopping becomes a serious hunt for the perfect new notebook or the cute new shirt that is a must have for the first day of school. Kids worry about who their teachers will be and whether or not their friends will be in the same classes. Nervousness can be felt in the air alongside the music and the smell of fall carried on the wind. Soon, big yellow buses roll around the block picking up their new passengers for the new school year.
“…Climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we are gonna be friends…”
Even with the thrill of school starting, nervousness and excitement accompany many students as they transition to a new grade or a new school.
According to Kid Source Online, students, “look forward to having more choices and making new and more friends; however, they also are concerned about being picked on and teased by older students, having harder work, making lower grades, and getting lost in a larger, unfamiliar school.”
A study, performed by the Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, found that not having friends, an unfamiliar school, and harder work are only a few worries that create stress for students during their transitions.
Others included: feeling lonely, feeling lost, being small, not knowing anyone, coping without a best friend from a previous school, rumors about teachers in the school, fear of other ‘horrible students, fear of being bullied, catching the wrong bus, detentions, doing homework, being late, tackling new subjects, and tests.
“…Here we are, no one else
Even with the thrill of school starting, nervousness and excitement accompany many students as they transition to a new grade or a new school.
According to Kid Source Online, students, “look forward to having more choices and making new and more friends; however, they also are concerned about being picked on and teased by older students, having harder work, making lower grades, and getting lost in a larger, unfamiliar school.”
A study, performed by the Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, found that not having friends, an unfamiliar school, and harder work are only a few worries that create stress for students during their transitions.
Others included: feeling lonely, feeling lost, being small, not knowing anyone, coping without a best friend from a previous school, rumors about teachers in the school, fear of other ‘horrible students, fear of being bullied, catching the wrong bus, detentions, doing homework, being late, tackling new subjects, and tests.
“…Here we are, no one else
We walk to school all by ourselves…”
The nervousness of students is not the only fear accompanying the faint strains of music in the air this fall. Parents, too, are considerably worried about the transitions of their children within schools.
Patrick Akos, Professor of School Counseling at the University of North Carolina, executed a study focusing on the perspectives of students, parents, and teachers.
“Parents [are] concerned about the difficulty of the classes and the amount of homework.”
Though teachers are concerned about the transition of their students there is little information according to studies as to the perspectives that teachers hold on the subject,
Mr. Akos’ study also indicated that, “If they [teachers] are knowledgeable and sensitive to potential stumbling blocks for students and parents, they are in a pivotal position to provide the necessary academic and social support that is essential to addressing these challenges successfully.
Students also feel that teachers play a critical role in their educational transitions.
Kids Source Online report that students have, “indicated that if their middle school teachers had held [them] more responsible for their learning, taught them more about strategies for learning on their own, and provided them a more challenging curriculum, their transition to high school would have been eased.”
Marei Kubiak, a mother of five from Holly, Michigan, has worried about her own children’s transitions when they transferred school districts a few years ago.
“It was a new place, with new people. We had faced some difficulties with teachers and fairness in our last school district and I wanted things to be better for my kids, so we decided it would be best to transfer to a new school.”
Pondering the challenges of the move, Mrs. Kubiak shared one of the main challenges, as well as one of the largest blessings that faced her children.
“The hardest part [was] friends. True friends. They don’t want to be made fun of; they want to be accepted. [My kids] were nervous when they transferred schools. Friends make the difference. They don’t seem as scared then. They have someone to work with when they have group assignments.”
“…I can tell that we are gonna be friends
The nervousness of students is not the only fear accompanying the faint strains of music in the air this fall. Parents, too, are considerably worried about the transitions of their children within schools.
Patrick Akos, Professor of School Counseling at the University of North Carolina, executed a study focusing on the perspectives of students, parents, and teachers.
“Parents [are] concerned about the difficulty of the classes and the amount of homework.”
Though teachers are concerned about the transition of their students there is little information according to studies as to the perspectives that teachers hold on the subject,
Mr. Akos’ study also indicated that, “If they [teachers] are knowledgeable and sensitive to potential stumbling blocks for students and parents, they are in a pivotal position to provide the necessary academic and social support that is essential to addressing these challenges successfully.
Students also feel that teachers play a critical role in their educational transitions.
Kids Source Online report that students have, “indicated that if their middle school teachers had held [them] more responsible for their learning, taught them more about strategies for learning on their own, and provided them a more challenging curriculum, their transition to high school would have been eased.”
Marei Kubiak, a mother of five from Holly, Michigan, has worried about her own children’s transitions when they transferred school districts a few years ago.
“It was a new place, with new people. We had faced some difficulties with teachers and fairness in our last school district and I wanted things to be better for my kids, so we decided it would be best to transfer to a new school.”
Pondering the challenges of the move, Mrs. Kubiak shared one of the main challenges, as well as one of the largest blessings that faced her children.
“The hardest part [was] friends. True friends. They don’t want to be made fun of; they want to be accepted. [My kids] were nervous when they transferred schools. Friends make the difference. They don’t seem as scared then. They have someone to work with when they have group assignments.”
“…I can tell that we are gonna be friends
Yes I can tell that we are gonna be friends…”
For the Kubiak family, each new school year brings familiar and added challenges; moving schools was just one.
This year, the Kubiak’s faced their newest challenge: a daughter diagnosed with learning disabilities.
“With my daughter going into eighth grade it mean’s things are going to be a lot harder. Transition-wise she was able to make more friends this year, but as far as a learning standpoint, it has taken most of the school year for her to adjust. I’m kind of anxious but at the same time I’m not.”
According to the National Middle School Association, “transition is receiving increased attention due to the fact that ninth grade course failures and high school dropout rates exceed all other grade levels.”
Though transitioning is difficult, there are many ways to help students with the changes they face.
A few of the biggest helps students have expressed to aid in their transitioning are friends, family, and teachers.
One son of Mrs. Kubiak, Keith, age 15, is thankful for having friends and family around.
“My friends, and also my family helped me out, because they would tell me now don’t mess up like I did when I was in high school; don’t blow it and don’t wait until the last moment for tests and stuff.”
Kathleen Kubiak, 7, shares with anyone who will ask her about school the love that she has for it.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!!! I like my friends. I really like my teacher so much! I give her presents.”
“…Numbers, letters learn to spell
For the Kubiak family, each new school year brings familiar and added challenges; moving schools was just one.
This year, the Kubiak’s faced their newest challenge: a daughter diagnosed with learning disabilities.
“With my daughter going into eighth grade it mean’s things are going to be a lot harder. Transition-wise she was able to make more friends this year, but as far as a learning standpoint, it has taken most of the school year for her to adjust. I’m kind of anxious but at the same time I’m not.”
According to the National Middle School Association, “transition is receiving increased attention due to the fact that ninth grade course failures and high school dropout rates exceed all other grade levels.”
Though transitioning is difficult, there are many ways to help students with the changes they face.
A few of the biggest helps students have expressed to aid in their transitioning are friends, family, and teachers.
One son of Mrs. Kubiak, Keith, age 15, is thankful for having friends and family around.
“My friends, and also my family helped me out, because they would tell me now don’t mess up like I did when I was in high school; don’t blow it and don’t wait until the last moment for tests and stuff.”
Kathleen Kubiak, 7, shares with anyone who will ask her about school the love that she has for it.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!!! I like my friends. I really like my teacher so much! I give her presents.”
“…Numbers, letters learn to spell
Nouns and books and show and tell
Play time, we will throw the ball
Then Back to class through the hall…”
Transitions can be difficult on everyone involved but through careful observation and sensitivity to the subject students can succeed well in school.
The National Middle School Association has provided tips in making a child’s transition in school a little less painful. Some ideas include:
Well-planned ongoing transition activities such as programs that provide students and parent’s information, provide social support, as well as bring educators together.
Having the student play a major part in transition activities such as being on a team or being assigned a mentor.
Remembering the school may be different but the child is not! Schools should adjust for to the needs of the students, not the other way around.
The Kubiak family is preparing for a new school year; confident that things will go well as they continue to help each other adjust as a family, to work alongside their children, and to work with the teachers in their children’s classes.
“…There's dirt on our uniforms
Transitions can be difficult on everyone involved but through careful observation and sensitivity to the subject students can succeed well in school.
The National Middle School Association has provided tips in making a child’s transition in school a little less painful. Some ideas include:
Well-planned ongoing transition activities such as programs that provide students and parent’s information, provide social support, as well as bring educators together.
Having the student play a major part in transition activities such as being on a team or being assigned a mentor.
Remembering the school may be different but the child is not! Schools should adjust for to the needs of the students, not the other way around.
The Kubiak family is preparing for a new school year; confident that things will go well as they continue to help each other adjust as a family, to work alongside their children, and to work with the teachers in their children’s classes.
“…There's dirt on our uniforms
From chasing all the ants and worms
We clean up and now it's time to learn…”