My daughter will be attending a new school next year. I am torn on whether to send her to the summer program at the old school or new one. Here are my thoughts....
Arguments for Old school
It would be easier for her to make friends at the beginning of the school year vs the summer program when all the kids already have their friends
Arguments for summer at new school
1. I could get her away from her best friend. She is a year older and bossy.. She makes up all the games they play. She has made my daughter cry twice by being unfailr and pushy. She is also one of the kids that is always getting in trouble.....and sometimes my daughter follows along and gets in trouble too. I would really like to separate them.. Really don't want them to be together another 2 months.... all day long
So bottom line, I think it would be an easier switch to do the move at the beginnning of the year, but I am really debating starting her in the summer to get her away from her dominating friend. (and yes, I know teaching her how to stand up for herself / think for herself will still need worked on , because she will "attract" the same "type:" of kids wherever she is at)
WHat do you think? Thanks!Q
New school to help with the transition. She will feel good if she is already a little familiar with the building, staff members and some kids when the new school year starts.
There will be good and bad things for both that you probably haven't thought of yet, so no answer will be perfect.
Is your daughter old enough give a well thought out opinion? If so, I would talk to her about both programs, with the clear understanding that you will make the final decision. Let her know what each one has to offer, and make the new vs. old friend a small part of the discussion. She might be ready to get away from that "friend" too. You could even slant the talk a little to encourage her towards the one you think is best. If she feels strongly one way or the other I would take that into consideration. Her attitude will make a big difference in how well your summer goes.
The new school might give her a head start with making friends for next school year. I don't know how she does with transitions, but that might be a good way to ease her into the new friendship groups at her new school. Sometimes a new school, new routines, and new friends can be a lot all at once for some kids. If she has one or two good friendships going that could make a big difference at the beginning of the year.
Good luck!!
Definitely new school. She will make new friends so the transition in
Sept. will be much easier.
New school. Let her get the adjustment period out of the way during the first few weeks of summer. Will also pave the way for her to be a leader when the new school year begins as she will be comfortable with her enviornment.
New school.
She will meet children she will be attending class with in the fall and that will help with the transition to the new school.
If she wants to maintain the existing friendship you can set up play dates - or, just let that friendship fade away.
My son switched schools in 6th grade so he attended a summer program in the new district before school started. (He had been in school with the same kids from K-5, so this was huge to him) He met several boys that summer that are still his friends. Most importantly, it helped ease the transition - even though he was the "new kid" he went into 6th knowing a few other students.
Good Luck
new! She'll make friends in summer school and have someone to cling to next yr!
New school. And if you find out how to make her stand up for herself, not follow the crowd, please post it here. Plus, she will feel more comfy the first day and they will know her and which teacher to put her with.
My son will be in 3rd grade next year and attending a new school. I enrolled him in the summer program and an art & drama camp at the new school so he can get used to the new school and meet new friends at the new school. That way when school starts he has that part behind him and can put his energy into all the other new things like, new teachers, new rules, new curriculum. Whatever you decided I'm sure your daughter will be find. Kids make friends easily and are very resilient. I hope you enjoy your summer.
