The First Day of the School Year - Making the Transition Easy forParents

IWelcome to the 2015/2016 school year! Whether you are a teacher, student, parent, administrator, etc, I hope that you have fun! For some, the day can will be full of joy and happiness! For others, it may be full of angst. For me, its a bit of both.

Personally I always get a little bit anxious about the start of the new year. There are usually more questions than answers which causes me a little stress. Something I do to prepare myself mentally for the new year is to reflect on two things; why I became a teacher in the first place and how important a teacher's role is.  Thinking about these two questions actually relaxes me.

As one of my eldest daughter starts school today, I was thinking of how I could calm my nerves about her first day (from a parent perspective). Again, for my wife and I there are WAY more questions than answers (and I am a teacher!).  My current role is a special education resource teacher in a provincial;l demonstration school setting.  One of elements of our school is that we are a residential school.  So naturally, my experience brought me to the next question,

How do I help the parents of my students feel comfortable in leaving their kids with us for a full school year (minus weekends and holidays)?

Here is what I am going to do in the hour that I get to meet with the parents and students as they make their transition to Sagonaska Demonstration School...

1. Circle with the other grade 7 teacher, students and their parents. I plan on keeping the topic of this circle pretty light.
2. My perspective of the summer vacation through pictures
3. Review expectations for teacher/parent communication
4. Drawing of one of my favorite pictures about living with an LD
5. Time for questions and exchanging of contact information

I hope that your first days go well and are filled with fun and focused on building a community within your classroom and school!

I would also love to know what you do to help parents/students transition from Summer break to the first days of school? Leave a comment below!