Successful Student Transitions

Students and families regularly change the location of their residency. The reasons for the movement are varied. Sometimes the movement is between schools within Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division. At other times the students move between provincial school divisions or between provincial and federal educational systems.

Regardless of the reasons for the change of schools, it is in the best interest of students and families for the move to occur as seamlessly as possible. A process with two key protocols enables the smoothest transition.

Relationship protocols – Change is never easy regardless of age or experience. A change of schools for students causes many stresses. It is vital that the arrival into a new classroom and school occurs with as much comfort and as little conflict as possible.
Communication protocols – The educational history and needs of a student cannot be fully captured in a cumulative file or in their assessment results. Students entering a new school will have a softer landing if they are confident in their learning in their new setting.

The rubricsthat follow are meant to be an assessment tool for schools to self-report their level of success in supporting students and families shortly after a move occurs.

The school’s self-assessment is to be completed by the school administrationto early in the school year to plan for successful transitions that occur mid-year and again shortly after a student has arrived in their school to refresh the administrator’s perspective of student transitions.

Relationship Protocol Rubric

Acknowledge / Accept / Engage / Embrace
Welcome / The student and caregivers are greeted up on entering the school.
The ancestral language is acknowledged. / The student and caregivers are welcomed upon entering the school.
The ancestral language is accepted. / The student and caregivers are welcomed and conversations are initiated upon entering the school.
The ancestral language and cultural protocols arevalued and respected with a translator available to assist if necessary.
The school’s beliefs respecting and valuing families is communicated directly.
School related information about programs, extra-curricular opportunities is shared with the student and caregivers. / The student and caregivers are welcomed by every staff they meet. Conversations are initiated upon entering the school.
The ancestral language and cultural protocols are valued and respected with a translator present if needed.
A welcome package is prepared and there is a smooth and comfortable process to be followed for newcomers.
The school’s beliefs respecting and valuing families is apparent within the school environment and communicated directly.
Opportunities to be involved are discussed with the student and family asthe information about the school is shared.
Orientation / The student and caregivers are provided a Student Handbook or other materials about the school rules and responsibilities. / The student and caregivers are directly provided a Student Handbook and verbally given school information.
The student and caregivers are invited to have a look around. / The student and caregiver are provided a Student Handbook information and an opportunity to ask questions about the school and community.
A current student is introduced and provides a school tour to the student.
Caregivers are invited to attend assemblies and school events. / The student and caregivers are provided a Student Handbook and on-going mentoring and orientation as needed based on readiness.
A SCC member makes contact with the caregivers to welcome them and to invite and inform them about the upcoming activities and meetings.
Thestudent is given a peer partner for informal and informational support.
Follow-up Conversation / The student and caregivers are contacted informally and asked general questions about how things are going. / An optional meeting is offered by the administration or the classroom teacher(s) after a period of 3 weeks to a month. / A meeting is arranged with the student to discuss or review distinct meaningful topics for conversation.Caregivers are able to communicate easily and directly with the school. / A meeting is arranged with the student and the caregiver to discuss or review distinct meaningful topics for conversation.
Concrete and honest information is shared by both the school and the student and caregivers.
Immersion / The student and caregivers are made aware of school procedures, practices and programs.
Students are invited to participate in academic and social activities. / The student and caregiver are provided opportunities to contribute to the various programs and ask questions about the practices.
Students are invited to compare and share the activities from their previous school. / Students attend daily and access help without a staff referral.
The student and caregiver are encouraged to engage with a review of the existing programs and practices.
Students are provided voice and opportunities to lead and participate in the social and academic activities. / The studentand caregivers are leading in the school.
Caregivers are comfortable asking questions and accessing supports.
Caregivers have developed a trust in the school and will disclose their needs for support.
Evidence of belonging without judgment is apparent.

Communication Protocol Rubric

Acknowledge / Accept / Engage / Embrace
Registration Process / Parking, entrances, guest and office areas are clearly marked and understandable by all. The guestarea is identified and is away from the main office area.
Caregivers are given a registration form and the student is assigned to a class. / The guest area reflects the school’s beliefs respecting and valuing families as partners in the success for students.
The waiting area has displays that connect with or relate to FNMI heritage. / The student and caregiver are with a staff member while the registration form is being completed.
The registration process is relaxed and conversational with FNMI heritage apparent when applicable.
Children’s books, magazines and a bin of baby/toddler toys are available to accommodate potential caregiver needs.
The school affirms indigenous identity by providing respectful, culturally responsive environments. / The student and caregiver are involved in a conversation with an admin or staff member. Attempts are made to provide common ground – previous community, people from the same location, interests, etc.
The registration process affirms FNMI culture when applicable as well as the school’s respectfulness and valuing of the home and school partnership.
The registration form is completed together with a counsellor or an administrator to ensure form is understood and complete
Conversation/
Connection / A conversation between the student, caregivers and school staff occurs with the purpose of having students placed in a classroom as quickly as possible. / The conversation between the student, caregivers and school staff occurs to establish a potential connection and to determine when the student will begin to be placed in the classroom. / The conversation between the student, caregivers and school staff occurs to establish a relationship and to identify the first steps in an academic success plan.
The context or cause of the need to change schools is discussed and a decision is collaboratively made for when the student will begin attending. / The classroom teacher is introduced as early as possible and info is shared related to strengths, academic supports previously utilized, needs, triggers, family connections and interests. This conversation occurs before the child is placed in the room.
Prior to the arrival of the new student their new good fitting desk or table is set-up for them with tokens or gifts of welcome for them to feel connected.
Basic school supplies are available and in place where needed.
Previous
School Sharing / An email is sent or a phone call is made by the school secretary requesting a cumulative file the day the registration form is completed.
The sending school mails the cumulative within a day of receiving the request. / An email is sent by the school secretary and a phone call is made by the school Ed Support Teacher requesting pertinent information related to the current academic achievements of the student the day the registration form is completed.
The sending school mails the cumulative within a day of receiving the request. / An email is sent by the school secretary and phone calls are made by the EST and a school administrator during the morning or afternoon of the day the registration form is completed.
A standard form is used to organize the information and the conversations provide background academic achievement information.
The sending school mails the cumulative within a day of receiving the request. / An email is sent by the school secretary and phone calls are made by the EST the morning or afternoon of the day the registration form is completed. The most recent formative reading, writing and math assessment results are a part of the conversation.
The school administrator connects with the sending school preferably with the caregivers as a part of the conversation.
A standard form is used to organize the information and the conversations provide background academic achievement and personal interest information.
The sending school sends info the same day.
Ethical and Pertinent Information Sharing / The classroom teacher receives a report from the secretary that the student cumulative file has arrived. / The classroom teacher receives a verbal report from the EST and is told when the cumulative file arrives. / The entire school community is made aware of the arrival of the new student.
The classroom teacher receives a detailed report of the background of the child as a student.
School division support staff are made aware of the new student. / The entire school community is made aware of the arrival of the new student.
The classroom teacher receives a detailed report of the student’s academic, social and emotional growth and pertinent personal information.
Appropriate connections are made with all school division supports and info is shared.