By Ellen Barnes, PhD., Director

There are a number of ways in which we try at Jowonio to support staff, parents and children in their leaving us and entering new schools. We want to celebrate the growth that children have made over the years, growth that leads them to greater independence and the life in the larger community. We also want to express our investment in the loving relationships that have developed among us: child and child, teacher and child, and teacher and parent. We have shared concerns and wonderful experiences over the year. Our end-of-the-year picnic and graduation is an important event where we enjoy a good time all together and recognize those who are leaving us for new schools. Please plan to come to this! Children will also be having recognition ceremonies in their classrooms. Photographs, address books, portfolios, and personal books are souvenirs that children may bring home to help them remember their year and make contact with their friends after school is out. We encourage you to take the opportunity to give us feedback as well; talk and write notes to the staff and take some time to complete and return to Jowonio the report card on Jowonio when it is sent home.

There are things that you can do at home to support your child in a smooth transition to new classrooms and new schools. It helps children if you can:

• Focus on your child’s growth over this last year (use photos from early in the year to show how he/she is taller, looks different) and talk about what your child has learned this year.
• Acknowledge the changes that are coming and give your child an opportunity to express his/her thoughts (be an empathic listener); express your own ambivalence about leaving and different ways to say goodbye.
• Talk about the strengths your child has to meet new situations, make friends, build a relationship with a teacher.
• Talk specifically about your plans over the next two months, make a calendar for your refrigerator perhaps, indication when your child will be home, at school, at camp, on vacation, and when school will start in the fall.
• Take pictures of Jowonio friends, teachers, activities; make an album; frame the class picture; make a video of class events, graduation.
• Help your child pick out or make a card or gift for teachers to express their feelings.
• Use children’s books to help children think about and talk about separating and going to a new school; the children’s librarian can help you find some. Possible titles are:
  • Will I have a Friend? By M. Cohan
  • My Teacher Said Goodbye Today, by J. Osborne
  • Willy Bear, by M. Kantrovitz
  • First Grade Jitters, by R. Quackenbush
  • Starting School, by M. Stane
  • Nick Joins in, by J. Lasker
• Help your child maintain contact with Jowonio friends and teachers by arranging visits, placing phone calls, and helping with writing letters.
• Visit the new school, including the cafeteria, bathrooms, lockers; play on the playground in the summertime.
• Respond to next year’s teacher if he/she makes contact, so that your child has met and started a relationship and so have you!