Communication is key to ease kids’ nerves for a new school, counselors say

By Leah Rainwater

As some kids make a leap to a new school this year, the transition can cause stress and anxiety, which is why district staff encourage parents to establish open lines of communication.

Whether it be transferring to a different school or making the jump from elementary to middle school or middle to high school, it can be scary for students. But experts say there are a few things that parents and guardians can do to help ease the nervous feelings for such a big step.

“As a parent, I think what we can always do for our children is just ask them, you know. Sit them down and say, ‘What are you feeling anxious about, what are you worried about?’ … and then kind of addressing those concerns that they have,” said Dr. Samantha Davis, the coordinator of counseling services for the St. Joseph School District.

Davis said the biggest worry kids have when entering a new building is whether or not they’ll fit in to their new environment.

“When we go to middle school and high school, we no longer have the same friends for the whole day,” Davis said. “So we think, ‘I’m not gonna know anybody, I’m gonna have no friends.’”

Davis said the district is working to ensure a smooth transition for kids entering middle school and high school, or even just starting public school in general.

“I think just that open communication with parents and students is what we are really trying to work for at the district level,” Davis said.

Davis said there’s a variety of back-to-school and open house events for parents and students to attend to familiarize themselves with a new environment for the next school year.

Back-to-school night is on Aug. 14 for both elementary and secondary schools within the district. St. Joseph School District classes will pick up on Aug. 21.