Changes
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about change – probably because recently I’ve been experiencing a significant amount of it in my life. In the past few months I’ve retired from being a middle school principal and taken this new position with NASSP, left a state I’ve lived in all my life and moved 3000 miles to the “other” coast, sold (well, am trying to sell) a house I’ve lived in for 20+ years and moved into a townhouse, and given up the security of a longtime circle of friends and family and am establishing a new network here in the east. Plus, I now have to go about the business of finding replacements for all the professionals and services I used on a regular basis – doctor, dentist, optometrist, grocery store, pharmacy, hair stylist, nail technician, and the list goes on and on!
This morning as I was driving to work, the two DJs on the radio were discussing their memories of starting school. As they reminisced over their experiences, it was a good reminder that students also experience a great deal of change at this time of year – especially those coming into middle school for the first time. They’re leaving the security of familiar faces, places, and procedures and, along with their parents, are entering a whole new world.
As a middle level leader, we have the responsibility to help ease this time of transition. At my former school, the first day of school was a half-day just for students new to the school. This allowed them to pick up their schedules, meet their teachers, try out their lockers, and walk through their classes in a much smaller setting. That evening we held a back-to-school night for these students and their parents – the first half hour was a group meeting in the gym that allowed us to introduce a few key staff members and share some tips for a successful year; the second half hour gave the students an opportunity to walk their parents through their schedule, introduce them to their teachers, and once more practice opening the all-important locker; the last half hour we served root beer floats in the cafeteria. All in all, it was a great way to introduce the students and their parents to middle school life.
In the words of Yogi Berra, “Sometimes change means doing things different.” What changes will you be making this year that will help your students and staff be more successful?
