Transitions

== //The goal of this team will be to establish some traditions around our transitions between grades 3-4, 5-6 and 8-9. The team will also look for ways to acknowledge students who are new to our school and students who transition out of our school.// ==

**Monday, November 30, 2009**
Members Present: Charlotte Berger, Greg Kalesnik, Laurey Mauck, Nancy Rote, Carole Whelton,

Our team reviewed the history of HMS transitions and recommendations from last meeting.


 * 3-4 Transitions**, **Current Practices:** Students visit fourth grade during move up day. Parents meet w principal and team leaders to learn about school and fourth grade team goals, visit lockers, classrooms. At one time students took a tour of whole school. Fourthgrade teachers visit primary school to meet 3rd grade teachers. Sometimes visit students by invitation, sometimes review IST notes as needed. How can teacher be notified on IST Students and keep confidentiality plus allow student to start year fresh?

- Include specialists in tours -Create tools to obtain information from 3rd grade teachers. What do we want to know? What will be most helpful? How do build trust and connections for dialogue? Do we need a common dialogue or would this be purview of academic task team?
 * Future considerations:**


 * 5-6 Transitions:** The sixth grade created a PowerPoint presentation for parents of fifth graders entitled "What's The Difference?" last June. They interviewed sixth grade students and used their quotes in developing a clear difference between fifth and sixth grade. The PowerPoint also describes the curriculum goals for grade six. They meet with parents during a 50 minute block sometime in mid June to present the PowerPoint and field any questions (Turnout?)

The sixth grade team also created a handbook for sixth grade students and parents. They gave this out to parents in mid June at the parent meeting and also gave students a copy on the first day of school. The handbook, which is several pages long, is also attached to the sixth grade faculty page and can be accessed on line.

The sixth grade team also created a PowerPoint to share with students on Move up Day. It again highlights the differences between fifth and sixth grade and also presents the goal of community building to students. The handbook is also presented to students on Move Up Day.

Sixth graders decorate lockers with autobiographical material so they can get to know each other. This helped teachers get to know the kids and let them maintain contact with kids. They know where everyone's locker is and can leave post it notes if they need to see a student at the end of the day. They decorate kids' lockers on birthdays, write goodbye notes on the locker the day a students leaves, and in general, use the lockers as a festive means of communication.


 * 8-9 Transitions, Current Practices:** Shawsheen guidance counselor and students visit with slide show presentations. Bedford High School team of guidance counselors and students introduce high school culture, schedule, sports, and answer student questions. This occurs late fall, early winter. Noth schools schedule open houses for parents in evenings in the late winter. Students visit Bedford High School in June. Our students are interviewed by Shawsheen if they want to go there. HMS teachers make course recommendations in January-a big team effort which takes much team time and more. There is time set aside for parents to talk with the team about their recs for student choices. Brian DeChellis is the Hansom Advisor at Bedford High School. He reaches out to kids once they get to the high school. Last year he came to HMS and met with 8th grade team and kids.


 * Future Considerations:**

Acknowledging new students:

-Meet and Greet K-8-a successful celebration; Should it be an enlarged event?

-How do we celebrate changeovers. As we define our culture, this needs to be a part of our thinking.

-Use of Photographs to include/welcome students and staff

- now: buddy system where pair up students - consider: Have a teacher call to check in on new students after a few weeks to see how it is going. Do this also for mid year students. Give number to call or website for email. At grade 4, do this but not consistently -welcoming library bags: "Read, Return, Repeat" build responsibility, community sharing -lunch support groups-

-Staff to evaluate academic level of student so as to support academically

Nancy Rote, Scribe, 11/30/2009

Janice Fairchild suggested an end year events that she experienced at her school in Ohio: Students had dress up day the last day and various celebrative events occurred during the day. (posted by Nancy Rote 12/2/2009)

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= **January 14, 2010** = Members Present: Charlotte Berger, Lisa Falcone, Greg Kalesnik, Jessica Haynes, Nancy Rote, Carole Whelton, =**We want to decide on important ideas and make them happen!**= •How help kids with increased independence expectations of 4th grade? Should we look at 6th grade power point to see what they cover?. •Could we have several smaller visits; Satisfy need to see and feel place. See teachers and space. Talk to third grade teachers so that they stress needs for independence in their next year •Should we consider a 4th grader sending a letter to a third grader to arrive during the summer? Equivalent of 6th grade bulletin board of what it like to be a sixth grader. How acquire more information. Can we take info w/o invading confidentiality. Carol and Jess will find out this policy.
 * Grade 4**


 * Grade 6-** We feel they are happy with their program, and it is working well on many levels.

•Could there be a longer visit to Shawsheen and BHS rather than quick tour? Greg will speak with Brian D to consider the topic in May. Logistics? •Can we provide a bus to BHS summer picnic so our kids can go? (gr. 9-12, older HAFB escorts) •Idea of activity like a dance with John Glenn as happened years back? •Reinstate Panel of ninth graders come over to present challenges of high school: ie. How to balance outside activ. and increased work load, etc.
 * Grade 8**

•When a child leaves, we would like to give kids a momento (falcon, suggestions? PTO $?). Erich would announce departure on pa and wish them well and come to the office to receive their gift. In announcement, he would include where going. •Aims web; web based assessment for all kids is something Lisa is looking into. It is not expensive and would provide a print out of where a kid is academically. One Way to track progress. Look on Google for background. (posted by N. rote, 1/14/2010)
 * For All:**

**May 24, 2010**
Hi Nancy,

I checked with my team about the transition ideas from third to fourth:

-- They like the idea of finding a way to meet together (as a large group of third graders with teachers, perhaps even with specialists) and break into small groups for a tour (including specialists' rooms). -- Lunch together sounds like a possibility. They brought up questions/concerns about logistics. -- There was a split about letters to third graders and keeping that connection into the fall. Concerns: matching up moving students, possibility of negative/inappropriate comments that would not be a good way to start off new year Benefits: a more personal connection -- New idea: "graduation" & welcome informal ceremony (shaking fourth grade teachers hands, small gift -- bookmark, t-shirt, etc.) -- Concern about procession in hallway welcoming students was raised

Did I miss anything? Carole

=May 24, 2010=

**Grade 4** -
===•We recommend that third grade visit the fourth grade classrooms to meet the teachers and learn about fourth grade during move up day. Third grade will tour the middle school and meet the specialists as well as see their classrooms. Third grade parents will meet with the principal and the fourth grade team leader to learn the transitions. Fourth grade teachers will provide a packet for parents which would include a description of the fourth grade organizing agenda.===

•Behavioral concerns in our narrow hallway caused us concern about the warm idea of a processional welcome.
===•Each fourth grade will write a class letter to the third grade highlighting fourth grade events; each child will sign it and illustrate a favorite grade moment. Letters will be displayed in the hallway.===

•**How can teacher be notified on IST Students and keep confidentiality plus allow student to start year fresh? Exchange of information is critical to transitions.**


 * Grade 6-** We feel they are happy with their program, and it is working well on many levels.

•Could there be a longer visit to Shawsheen and BHS rather than quick tour? Greg will speak with Brian D to consider the topic in May. Logistics? •Can we provide a bus to BHS summer picnic so our kids can go? (gr. 9-12, older HAFB escorts) •Idea of activity like a dance with John Glenn as happened years back? •Reinstate Panel of ninth graders come over to present challenges of high school: ie. How to balance outside activ. and increased work load, etc.
 * Grade 8**

•When a child leaves, we would like to give kids a momento (falcon, suggestions? PTO $?). Erich would announce departure on pa and wish them well and come to the office to receive their gift. In announcement, he would include where going.
 * For All:**


 * Future Considerations:**

Acknowledging new students:

-Meet and Greet K-8-a successful celebration; Should it be an enlarged event?

-How do we celebrate changeovers. As we define our culture, this needs to be a part of our thinking.

-Use of Photographs to include/welcome students and staff

- now: buddy system where pair up students - consider: Have a teacher call to check in on new students after a few weeks to see how it is going. Do this also for mid year students. Give number to call or website for email. At grade 4, do this but not consistently -welcoming library bags: "Read, Return, Repeat" build responsibility, community sharing -lunch support groups-

-Staff to evaluate academic level of student so as to support academically

Nancy Rote, Scribe, 11/30/2009

Janice Fairchild suggested an end year events that she experienced at her school in Ohio: Students had dress up day the last day and various celebrative events occurred during the day. (posted by Nancy Rote 12/2/2009)

= **Final Report May 24, 2010** =

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** Grade 4 ** **-** **•We recommend that third grade visit the fourth grade classrooms to meet the teachers and learn about fourth grade during move up day. Third grade will tour the middle school and meet the specialists as well as see their classrooms. Third grade parents will meet with the principal and the fourth grade team leader to learn the transitions. Fourth grade teachers will provide a packet for parents which would include a description of the fourth grade organizing agenda.** **•Our discussions have included interest in some sort of social activity between fourth and third grade, perhaps a lunch or beach day at HPS; there is concern about logistics, but the spirit is there!** **•Behavioral concerns in our narrow hallway caused us concern about the warm idea of a processional welcome.** **•Each fourth grade will write a class letter to the third grade highlighting fourth grade events; each child will sign it and illustrate a favorite grade moment. Letters will be displayed in the hallway.** •**How can teacher be notified on IST Students and keep confidentiality plus allow student to start year fresh? Exchange of information is critical to transitions.**

** Grade 6 **
 * • ** **We feel they are happy with their program, and it is working well on many levels.**

**•Could there be a longer visit to Shawsheen and BHS rather than quick tour? Greg will speak with Brian D to consider the topic in late May.**
 * Grade 8 **
 * •Can we provide a bus to BHS summer picnic so our kids can go? (gr. 9-12, older HAFB escorts)**
 * •Idea of activity like a dance with John Glenn as happened years back?**
 * •Reinstate Panel of ninth graders come over to present challenges of high school: ie., How to balance outside activities and increased work load, etc.**

** For All: **

**•When a child leaves, we would like to give kids a momento (falcon, suggestions? PTO $?). Erich would continue to announce departures on pa and wish them well and come to the office to receive their gift. In announcement, he would include where going.**

** Future Considerations: **
 * Acknowledging new students:**

**•Meet and Greet K-8-a successful celebration; We recommend the event be enlarged.**
 * •Continue to we celebrate changeovers. As we define our culture, this needs to be a part of our thinking.

•Increase use of Photographs to include/welcome students and staff

- now: buddy system where pair up students • consider: Have a teacher call to check in on new students after a few weeks to see how it is going. Do this also for mid year students. Give number to call or website for email. •welcoming library bags: "Read, Return, Repeat" build responsibility, community sharing •lunch support groups-**

**•Janice Fairchild suggested an end year events that she experienced at her school in Ohio: Students had dress up day the last day and various celebrative events occurred during the day.** **Nancy Rote** **Scribe**