Transition Support Initiatives by Johnny Schwerk

Students: Farewell Circle

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:00:47 UTC

Leaving students are invited to participate in a farewell circle where others can formally share farewell and exchange contact info.

Students: Farewell gifts

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:02:48 UTC

School gives farewell gifts (Ghana flag and school t-shirt, which friends can sign).

Parents: PTO Farewell Party and Gifts

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:04:14 UTC

The PTO hosts a party for all leaving parents and gives some small token of appreciation as a souvenir.

Parents: PTO Network Between Schools

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:06:06 UTC

PTOs form a network across countries, which permits them to share information about leaving/arriving parents with each other, easing the transition and creating contacts to next country's parents.

Encourage others' understanding

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:23:45 UTC

Help others (students, parents, teachers) understand the different reasons for leaving, which may for may not involve an element of choice.

Staff: Public acknowledgement

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:25:05 UTC

Ensuring leaving teachers feel loved and appreciated for what they contributed to the school during their stay.

Parents: Continuity in WhatsApp groups

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:26:45 UTC

Ensure that WhatsApp groups are rolled over into the next grade so parents continue to feel connected and informed.

Staff: Included in transition support process

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:27:52 UTC

Include teachers in the conversations and support initiatives that are in place for leavers and arrivers.

Parents: Stay informed about kids' possible emotional challenges

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:29:31 UTC

Teachers/counsellors keep parents informed about social-emotional challenges that staying students may be experiencing as friends leave/new students arrive.

Parents: Clear communication channels

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:31:03 UTC

Clarify for incoming parents how/where to find relevant information about students' academics, school events, after school activities, etc.

Students: Access to counselors and support teachers

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:32:58 UTC

Counselors and support teachers reach out to and develop relations with incoming students early on so communication lines are opened.

Students: Buddy system

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:33:42 UTC

Assigning a peer to help arriving students navigate the first days of school.

Students: Welcome email prior to arrival

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:37:31 UTC

Send welcome email to arriving students prior to arrival with key info (course choices, after-school activity choices, assigned buddy, 'get-to-know-you survey', etc.)

Students: EAL Language support

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:39:45 UTC

Providing necessary language support for EAL learners

Students/parents/teachers: New family orientation

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:41:43 UTC

Giving whole family orientation to school upon their arrival (campus tour, tech integration for laptops/cell phones, introducing communication channels, etc.)

Parents: PTO New Parent Night

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:43:41 UTC

PTO organizes a night out for all new parents to get to know one another (and some of the staying parents).

Parents: Room parent social event

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:45:09 UTC

Room parents arrange a social event for all new parents of students in that grade level.

Parents: Information events

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:46:12 UTC

Provide informative events for new parents, not just about school information.

Parents: Updates on children

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:47:12 UTC

Teachers provide updates on how new students are fitting in and adjusting to their transition.

Parents: Information about common interest groups

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:48:47 UTC

Gather information from parents to create common interest groups (based on shared culture, hobbies, interests, etc.).

PTO Liaison for Transition Support

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:49:45 UTC

Include parents in the Transition Team.

Parents: PTO Bus Tour/Events

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:51:17 UTC

PTO arranges bus tour of local places of interest, invites new parents: informal, informative and fun! Host other social events for parents periodically.

PTO events outside school

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 10:53:27 UTC

Plan events outside of school involving parents, teachers and students to socialise and get to know one another (Halloween, Thanksgiving, other holidays).

Students: Review Student Handbook of new school

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:19:22 UTC

Take the time to review the student handbook, so they know what is expected of them and what they can expect from the school.

Teachers: Orientation Week

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:21:09 UTC

In addition to professional orientation, provide social orientation with social events, logistical support (shopping, internet access, etc.).

Teachers: Review Teacher Handbook

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:21:38 UTC

Take the time to review the teacher handbook so they know what is expected of them and what they can expect from the school.

Teachers: Culture/Country Handbook

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:24:43 UTC

Review a country/culture handbook that provides some background information on the host country/culture.

Teachers: Early arrival

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:25:49 UTC

Encourage teachers to arrive early to experience the country a bit before getting caught up with work.

Teachers: Buddy System

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:26:48 UTC

Assign a returning teacher to arrivers, who will help to orient them to the new country and school in the first few weeks.

Teachers: Social Events/Trips

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:27:49 UTC

Arrange social events our trips for arriving teachers to socialise and bond with each other (perhaps without administrators present?).

Parents: Meet the teaching team

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:37:03 UTC

Arrange an (evening?) event for parents to get to know the teaching team and open up communication channels.

Parent WhatsApp Group

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:38:13 UTC

Create and maintain a parent WhatsApp group for sharing information - with clear boundaries of what is acceptable to post (and what isn't).

Parents: 1:1 Meeting with Head of School (HoS) and/or Principal

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:40:05 UTC

Arrange an individual 5-10 minute meeting with new parents and HoS.

Students: Use stayers' institutional memory to orient arrivers

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:42:30 UTC

Stayers have institutional memory that is invaluable - use it and give stayers recognition/responsibility!

Students: Stayers speak about leavers

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 11:43:35 UTC

When a student leaves, have stayers speak about leavers and what they have appreciated about them.

Students: Class Party for Leavers

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:36:00 UTC

Arrange for a farewell party near the end of the school year (and the end of the semester?) to send off leaving students appropriately.

Staff: Stayers as buddies

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:36:47 UTC

Ask stayers to be social buddies for arriving teachers.

Staff: Farewell to leavers

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:37:39 UTC

Give stayers an opportunity to bid a proper farewell to leavers, perhaps in a social setting.

Parents: Parent Partnership meetings

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:38:07 UTC

Students: Communicate with new school

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:39:58 UTC

Share info with new school about transition challenges that leaving students may be facing (how long at previous school? attendance at transition support events? social-emotional challenges? how to support arrival?).

Students: Counselor check-in

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:40:46 UTC

Individual check-ins with leaving students to support their transition (farewell book? RAFT?)

Students: Farewell assembly

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:41:34 UTC

Near the end of the school year, schedule an assembly where leavers are individually and collectively recognised.

Students: Transition group

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:42:55 UTC

Host a series of group meetings with leavers and stayers (friends of leavers?) to prepare transition: friend book, RAFT, etc.

Staff/Students: Handprint at school

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:43:59 UTC

Create some mark at the school for leavers to commemorate their stay at the school (handprint, brick, plaque, etc.)

Staff: Exit interview with Head of School (HoS)

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:45:15 UTC

Offer leaving teachers an opportunity to meet individually with HoS to discuss transition and suggestions for improvement of transition process.

Students/Parents/Staff: Exit interview with counselor

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:46:24 UTC

Offer an opportunity to debrief with counselors about the transition process and what can be done to improve it.

Staff: Celebration of Leaving Staff Assembly

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:47:41 UTC

Hold an all-staff assembly to celebrate the contributions that teachers made during their stay. Permit stayers to bid farewell publicly.

Staff: Transition Group

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:48:22 UTC

Host a series of group meetings with leavers and stayers (friends of leavers?) to prepare transition: friend book, RAFT, etc.

Parents: Transition Group

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:49:04 UTC

Host a series of group meetings with leavers and stayers (friends of leavers?) to prepare transition: friend book, RAFT, etc.

Students/Parents/Staff: Invest in your NEST

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:54:00 UTC

N: Navigate your RAFT

E: Express emotions

S: Stay connected

T: Trust your toolbox

Parents: 1:1 meeting with Head of School (HoS)

jschwerk — 2023-10-31 12:57:49 UTC

Offer an opportunity to meet briefly with the HoS to discuss transition and what can be done to improve it.

Parents: Counselor Check-Ins after leaving

jschwerk — 2023-11-10 09:35:00 UTC

Offering parents who have left to continue attending those occasional parent transition talks that are offered online so they can continue to feel connected to their previous community.

Staff: Canceling GH docs

2024-02-27 16:02:56 UTC

Providing 1/2 to 1 day for leavers to be able to have a business day for canceling bank accounts, visas, etc...

Staff: A physical take away from the school

2024-02-27 16:03:23 UTC

ES Students

2024-02-27 16:03:35 UTC

Students receive a stuffed animal - Lincoln Lion and a goodbye book which people can sign. We also recognize the student in our closing circle.

Staff: handbook for leaving

2024-02-27 16:03:43 UTC

Create a logistics handbook that includes a timeline of tasks to be completed before leaving (flights, vacate apartment, police check, bank account closing). Could also include links to resources for emotional support

Staff: Visas/Medicals/etc.

2024-02-27 16:03:51 UTC

Transportation or arrangements made at school for visa and medical check renewals.

Staff - Alumni Card

McPadlet — 2024-02-27 16:04:07 UTC

Have something to use when you come back to campus you are always welcome and it's staying active even if you are gone. I personally like keeping my ID's of the places I've worked.

Students: Small groups

2024-02-27 16:04:35 UTC

Running weekly lunch/check-in sessions for grades at the beginning of the semesters for 4-6 weeks

ES Students

2024-02-27 16:05:19 UTC

ES counselor checks in with student right when they arrive and then every 6 weeks thereafter for the remainder of the school year.

Staff: Access to previous events/groups

2024-02-27 16:05:50 UTC

Making sure workout groups, activities, etc. are sharable and open to all.

Go Paperless

2024-02-27 16:06:01 UTC

Online yearbook

digital portfolios

Difficult to move with "stuff"

Staff: appreciation card/poster

2024-02-27 16:06:37 UTC

A card or poster where colleagues are encouraged to write something they appreciated about the person leaving.

Staff: Able to show appreciation or goodbye

2024-02-27 16:07:03 UTC

Divisional or all-staff gathering....grade levels or someone is in charge of a goodbye

ES students mid year arrival: welcome email to faculty/staff introducing student

2024-02-27 16:07:32 UTC

Here is an example of what we do in the ES:

New Student Info Sheet

Staff: Farewell bio

2024-02-27 16:08:08 UTC

Update & re-publish a bio of the leaver (voluntary) that highlights their contributions and tells where they are going. Publish on the website, maybe social media.

Assigned Seating - G&G, Events, etc...

2024-02-27 16:09:46 UTC

To provide the opportunity for staff to get to know others from different departments, have assigned seating or ice breakers before meetings.

Staff: Therapy reminders

2024-02-27 16:10:04 UTC

Truman Group - reminders about our insurance and access to social/emotional support

Staff: Ask about access or continuation of services

2024-02-27 16:10:47 UTC

Truman group, therapy/counseling

Staff: Lessons on how to....

2024-02-27 16:11:17 UTC

Opportunities to sit with a real person to learn how to best use our insurance, who to call, etc...

Reading through all the paperwork is overwhelming!

Students & Staff: End of Year #'s

McPadlet — 2024-02-27 16:11:32 UTC

Count down who has been at the school the longest at graduation. We would honor those graduating but all students and staff were able to start standing and they would go down in series of 5 year.

ALL

2024-02-27 16:11:42 UTC

Choose a select group of students, faculty, and parents and survey them at the end of the school year about their "stayer" experience. Ask what we could do better to support them.

Teachers: Buddy System

2024-02-27 16:13:38 UTC

Be clear about guidelines and expectations of professional and personal buddies.

Staff: Ask Stayers to...

2024-02-27 16:20:25 UTC

Host a quiz show or write stories about LCS to share with others, especially the arrivers

Staff: Stayers Stories -

McPadlet — 2024-02-27 16:21:06 UTC

Having a historical sharing session for stayers to remind them where they've been and remember things.

Students: Advice/resources about new school

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:24:23 UTC

Helping leaving students learn about their new school before leaving, choosing courses, etc.

Students: Advice on saying farewell

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:26:52 UTC

Provide support and advice on how to say farewell to leavers

Students: Goodbye Video/Card

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:27:14 UTC

Students: Bonding activity for stayers only

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:28:12 UTC

Laser tag or pizza party

Students: Pre-addressed post cards

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:30:59 UTC

Hand out post cards with the student's new address already printed on it.

Students/Staff: Recognise community contributions

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:34:22 UTC

Publicly recognise the contributions that they have made to the LCS community

Students/Staff: Photo Album

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:36:06 UTC

Create a photo album to give as a farewell gift, so the memories stay fresh.

ALL: Create common interest clubs

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:40:35 UTC

Chess club, book club, Rubik's cube club, Board Games Evening

ALL: End-of-Year Parties/Social Events

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:56:54 UTC

Parents: Platform to share ideas

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:58:08 UTC

Give parents an opportunity so share thoughts for parents (and their kids) during the transition phase

Parents: Discussion groups on how to raise a TCK in Ghana

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 14:59:48 UTC

Invite Ghanaians (and others) to share their experience raising TCKs in Ghana, highlighting challenges and opportunities

Parents: Ask local stayers where they build community

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:02:04 UTC

Parents: Discuss Pinto vs. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:03:58 UTC

Compare and contrast different ways needs can be met, depending on cultural context

Parents: Belonging under DEIJ

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:05:57 UTC

Have a parent in charge of belonging/outreach under the DEIJ umbrella, available for other parents to talk to

Parents: Committees of Interest

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:07:06 UTC

Institutionalise committees of interest within the PTO structure

Parents: Book Club

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:07:46 UTC

Parents: Talent Pool

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:08:20 UTC

Create a padlet of parents' talents: Who are we? What do we know? How can we help?

Networking, career development, upskilling (strengthens belonging and provides helpful resources)

Parents: Regular "check-in" lunches/breakfasts

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:09:09 UTC

Coffee mornings for stayer families to guide them on how to deal with the changes happening

Parents: Bulletin Board advertising upcoming events (school-related and otherwise)

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:09:58 UTC

Parents: Buddy system for new parents

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:12:06 UTC

Social buddy, school buddy (made up of stayers)

Parents: Regular social events/parties

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:13:29 UTC

Create something for parents to look forward to.

Perhaps at school pool?

Parents: Greater connections to host culture

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:14:14 UTC

Make the visiting parents' stay feel purposeful, enjoyable and meaningful

Parents: (Pool) Party for Leavers

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:15:34 UTC

Parents: Family gathering for arrivers

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:16:45 UTC

To create connections; share info and ideas for enjoying Accra

Students/Parents: Community Clubs

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:18:00 UTC

Coffee/snacks for parents while students engage with each other over shared interests

Parents: Language/culture affinity groups

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:20:15 UTC

Provide opportunities for parents to meet whose primary language may not be English

Parents: Offer ASAs

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:22:18 UTC

Ask parents to offer ASAs that align with school goals/skills/competencies

Parents: Kindness Kards

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:23:03 UTC

Coordinate annual (semi-annual?) opportunities for parents to give each other Kindness Kards

Parents: "Friends of PTO"

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:24:03 UTC

Create opportunities for parents to get involved in activities/events, even if they are not members of the PTO

Parents: Coffee/lunch/dinner outings for leaving parents

jschwerk — 2024-03-27 15:25:22 UTC

Staff & Students: Farewell letters

eboakye3 — 2024-05-04 00:05:16 UTC

Similar to the NHS letters of kindness, members of a grade / friends can write pre-formatted letters which will be distributed at the last week of school

Staff & Students: Welcome letters

eboakye3 — 2024-05-04 08:16:07 UTC

People from the same grade level can write pre-formatted letters to new members of the grade level to make them feel less nervous/out of place

Students/Staff: Billboard with pictures of leavers

jschwerk — 2024-05-22 11:11:45 UTC

Display a billboard with a head shot of each leaving person and where they are going. Find a visible location to display it, so many people see it.