Ed Weekly Blog #6, 2-15-11

The following is a response to the article titled "How to help Transfer Students Adjust" from article number 18, volume 30.

This article focuses on 'the new kid' and how important it is for them to feel comfortable and welcomed when they first come to a new school. The beginning of the article talks about a young man who was struggling with being the new student at Lincoln Southwest High School in Nebraska. His frustration led to him shooting and killing the assistant principle, wounding the principle and later fatally turning the gun on himself. Those around the situation blame his not fitting in at his new school for the tragedy. From this stemmed a need for a program and procedures to help new or transfer students feel comfortable in their new school environment. This procedures include assigning a welcoming group of peers to the new student. The new student and their family should receive a transfer student handbook that outlines the important and neccesary aspects of their new school, including schedules, teachers, classes offered and activities during and after school. Another part of the transfer procedure is assigning a transfer committee to address all new students progress, iondividual physical and emotional needs. Once a month each new student should meet with the school counselor to talk about their adjustment, including how they are doing socially and academically. Lastly, it is suggested there be special activities planned each semester to give transfer students identity and comfort.
I can really relate to this article because I have been a transfer student about ten times in my academic life pre college. I went to 5 grade schools, 3 middle schools, 1 high school and 6 colleges. I would have appreciated a program during my school years to help me adjust. All I could depend on was my personality and all I was concerned about was making new friends. I became very gregarious in elementary school and am to this day. I can morph comforatbly into new situations with new people. But, there are many students out there who are shy or just not extraverted and they struggle tremendously with transfering schools. This is when the transfer program talked about above would be essential.