Welcoming New Students
Jenny Noteboom
As a new school year begins, your school is probably welcoming some new faces. Helping new and transient students feel at home is a common issue in our schools. Research shows that feeling connected to the school is an indicator of student academic success. I use a program I call "Student Ambassadors" to help new students transition into being 'one of the gang'. I have used this program in the elementary school, but I think it could be modified to work in a middle school or high school setting, as well.
Before the school year begins, I select one boy and one girl from each classroom to be invited to be a Student Ambassador. My criterion for selecting Student Ambassadors has nothing to do with grades. I look for students who are friendly, who like to help others, and who are brave enough to step out from the crowd and befriend someone who might be different than them.
I meet with my Student Ambassadors as close to the start of the new school year as possible, within a day or two. I explain the purpose of Student Ambassadors, to help new students feel welcome in our school. I tell them that their job will begin when a new student of their gender is placed in their classroom. I stress that the two most critical times to help new students are at recess and at lunch. I teach the Student Ambassadors how to introduce themselves to new students, how to ask new students to play at recess, and how to ask new students to join them for lunch. We also discuss how to handle it if a new student says 'no' or just looks at them like they're crazy and walks away. We talk about the reasons why new students might not appear friendly at first. We talk about how the new students might be shy or nervous and are just trying to hide it. We practice responding to new students saying 'no' by saying something like, "Ok, but if you change your mind, we'll be over here." We also talk about how Student Ambassadors can't give up with one 'no'. Student ambassadors need to try five times, and then talk to me about it.
Student Ambassadors are utilized in the classrooms by teachers to help new students get settled in. They are also often called down to the office to assist with giving new students and their families a tour of the school.
I have found the Student Ambassador program to be a very effective way to help new students feel welcome and included in our school. If you are interested in implementing the program, or have any questions, please feel free to contact me at jenny.noteboom@k12.sd.us. Have a wonderful school year!