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School-Related Issues to Consider
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How should a parent pick a new school? What should they look for?
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Parents should first take a look at their child’s specific
activities, talents and interests. Then they need to take the initiative to evaluate the
various schools in their new community. Visit the school, and ask questions about
teacher/student ratios, performance test scores, special programs, and other resources
that they feel are important for their child’s education. |
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Is it best to move during the school year, or when school is out?
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The reality is that families move when they have to move, and they
don’t always have the opportunity to choose exactly when that will be. If they do
have a choice, it’s generally better to move during the summer so that children can
get acquainted with the new neighborhood and then focus on starting school with their new
classmates on the first day of school rather than having to adjust to both a new
neighborhood and a new school at the same time. |
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How long does it usually take for children to adjust to a new home and
school? |
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It’s important for parents to be patient and realize
that every child will adjust to a new home on his/her own personal schedule, and many
children will go through a grieving process. One child in the family may be totally
excited about getting a room of his own and adjust easily, while another may take
significantly longer because of the sadness of leaving close friends. Kids lose their
home, their school, their friends -- most of what children hold important to them will be
lost.
The adjustment period may take anywhere from six months to a
year-and-a-half depending on the age of the child, friendships outside the family, the
reasons for the move or simply the child’s attachment to his old home. Helping
children acclimate themselves quickly to their new neighborhood and school will speed up
the healing process. |
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Do companies or schools have programs in place that help a
child with a move?
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Many companies that are concerned about employees and their
families have excellent employee relocation programs while other do not. The same is true
of schools. Some schools have special "New Kid" programs to help children adjust
to their new classrooms while others don’t. |
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