Switching schools mid-year - Wracked with guilt - Please help!

[Anonymous]

Our family is moving to MoCo from DC in a few weeks and we just learned that our Kindergartner will need to switch schools with the move. We had hoped that she could finish out the school year at her current charter school (I'd drive her to school and we'd pay non-resident tuition) and start her new school in the fall. But that didn't work out. She's very anxious about the move and we haven't addressed the school issue with her yet as we'd planned to save that discussion until she was more settled. Any advice on how to prepare her (and ourselves) for the transition? Are we terrible parents for doing this to her?

[Anonymous]

No you are not terrible. Can you visit the new school/class ahead of time..or maybe go in and meet the teacher after school one day. Hopefully she will be excited and luckily it sounds like playdates with old friends will not be too hard. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Call her counselor and share your concerns. They will usually set up a tour and a time to meet the teacher.

People have to move. Don't beat yourself up.

[Anonymous]

I teach K--she will be fine. If you have major concerns about her shyness or anxiety level, talk with the counselor ahead of time and see if you can get in touch with some parents and/or the teacher in advance. If this happened in my class, I would probably assign a particularly friendly student to be a "welcome buddy" to your child and help her get through the first few days.

Don't beat yourself up about this, it really does happen all the time. Your daughter might actually be the cool novelty new kid. One year, I had a new student come during the very last week of school. We had end-of-year wrap-up collages going, so I had to quickly assign her some brand new BFFs and had a volunteer take them out to the playground and snap some pictures, and then we took a new class photo in the classroom so she could be in it. The kids got into it and wanted to re-take previous pictures with the new girl so she would feel included. In K, the kids are really welcoming. She may be understandably anxious now, but rest assured that she will be fine once she gets there.

[Anonymous]

Have you already chosen a new school? When my friend relocated, they were able to start midyear at their church's school. Maybe a smaller school (it seems you are willing to pay tuition) near your new home will have an opening and allow you to have a smaller community.

[Anonymous]

You are probably more nervous than she will ever be. The first day in her new school will be tough but she will fit right in and make friends right away.

Kids will adapt.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thanks so much for your reassuring replies. I've spoken with the school guidance counselor who agrees that a swift transition is best and possitive messaging will be important. We've scheduled a tour and a meeting with her new teacher over the next week. So now I guess I need to check my own anxiety level and try to convey how exciting this change will be for her and for all of us. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

We moved to another state mid-year and it actually was great timing. She wasn't just one of lots of new kids like from over the summer but was special (who isn't curious about meeting the new kid?!). Plus her new teacher went out of her way to make her feel welcome.

[Anonymous]

Mid year is a much better time to be the new kid than the start of the school year.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thank you thank you thank you! I'm feeling much better about the mid-year timing. Not feeling great about leaving a school with 20:2 ratio for 27:1 but that's the next hurdle (and another thread). Thanks again!