Starting a new school can be intimidating to any child. When the first day of class is in the middle of the year it can seem overwhelming for the whole family. There are strategies parents and teachers can apply to make the transition smooth and comfortable.

The most common reason for a child to switch schools is family relocation; however, other factors such as changes in family structure due to divorce or death or school/child incapability may also motivate a move.

Educators agree that there are specific challenges to starting a new school in mid-year. "It is harder to move a child after the school year has started," says Kathy Simons, MS, co-administrator of the MIT Family Resource Center. "It is out of sync with the child's sense of pattern, rhythm and flow of the year.

"When school begins in September it's 'get acquainted' time for both the students and the teacher. By mid-year the class is past this stage. What's missing for the new child is the adult-directed activities around helping kids adjust. The new student must immediately move out of a getting acquainted time into a work time frame."

When Mark and Maura Lally, who had previously homeschooled their son, Justin, decided to place him in the second grade of the Charles A. Bernazzani School in Quincy, Massachusetts in April two years ago, they knew it would not be easy.

"Here we were placing our son into a group of kids who had worked together all year long, and Justin might displace someone or disrupt the order of the class," recalls Maura. Teachers will sense the disruption in the classroom.

As Simons explains, "Some teachers may resent a new child. The classroom will be out of phase. It throws off the social order and it's more work for them to assimilate this child into the class."

On the other hand, there are some pluses for the new student, says Patty Marquis, LICSW, with a private practice in Lexington, Massachusetts. "Sometimes the novelty of a new student is just what the classroom needs. Even though the daily routine has already been formed, when someone new comes in it breaks up the monotony."

"We enrolled Justin in school right after the spring vacation when everyone would feel new," says Maura. "We thought it would be an easier transition for the whole class."

Parent/Teacher Interaction

Interaction between parents and teachers can help with the transition and should occur even before the move has taken place. The Lallys, who began considering placing Justin in the Bernazzani school in January, first met with the principal and then observed in the classroom before introducing their son to the school. Parents of children transferring from another school should inform the current teacher that a move is being contemplated as early as possible.

Nancy Lauter-Klatell, Ed.D, Associate Dean for curriculum in the Graduate School at Wheelock College, stresses the importance of good communication between all parties.

"You should be honest with the first school while you are in the process of making a decision. If you're changing schools because of an issue of incompatibility, it may be hard to go to the teacher to say that this is in the best interests of your child, but you should be open with them.

"Parents should give the receiving school as much information as possible. The worst thing to do is drop a child into a classroom without the teacher having any prior knowledge of who he or she is."

Simmons recommends that the parents be the ones to transport old school records to the new school. "Be sure to review your child's school records first. There may be information there that is inappropriate, unfair or not relevant to share with the new school."

Marquis recommends that parents share information on their child's strengths, vulnerabilities and learning style. Although it is uncommon for a parent to choose which classroom their child is assigned to, Maura Lally was able to pick Justin's class after spending time in both second grade rooms. "I didn't let them intimidate me," she says. "Even though the principal said it was the school's choice where Justin would go, as a parent I knew how my child worked and which setting would be best for him."

A review of the new school's curriculum is also a good idea. "Parents should be aware that there are differences in curriculum from school to school," says Simons. "Try to work with the school towards reasonable expectations." An individualized plan may be necessary to bring the newest member up to date with the class.

"Knowing the curriculum in advance will allay a child's fear," says Marquis. "And parents should do all they can to diminish their child's fear of failing."

Visits to School

Most children are nervous entering a new environment. Marquis says, "Parents should not minimize a child's worries. Some kids worry about if everyone is going to stare at them. Are their clothes right ? Do they have the right backpack ?"

Experts agree that visits to the school prior to beginning classes are helpful.

"One of a child's biggest fears is getting lost," says Marquis, who suggests, "You and your child should go to school when no one else is around. Get familiar with the building."

"You might want to bring your child to school while in session to get clear answers about classroom behavior, how kids dress, where the cafeteria is, and where to wait for the bus," adds Simons.

A week before he entered school, Justin accompanied his parents to a special event taking place in the auditorium. They stayed for an hour to help Justin begin acclimating himself to his new surroundings. "I was concerned that kids might not think Justin was cool," says Maura. "So I bought him the same type of backpack and lunch box as the other children had."

Saying Goodbye

A child needs to say goodbye to the old school as a first step in adjusting to the new one. If leaving the first school is rushed and proper attention is not given to saying goodbye, the child's ability to make attachments at the new school may be interfered with, according to Simons.

Lauter-Klatell recommends, "Two weeks to one month prior to the move, parents should get together with the child's teacher or principal and ask, 'How will this be handled in the classroom ? How will friends say goodbye?' Rather than having a party I think classmates should write a story or letters the child who is leaving can take along."

"Children will feel the loss of their old classmates deeply," says Marquis. "In part it is a loss of their own identity. They worry that if they make new friends will they lose their old friends. If possible you should maintain contact with old friends in the former school."

First Day Jitters

Changing schools is a very significant event in a child's life. "For some kids changing schools is wonderful," says Marquis. "They have no baggage and they gain a new sense of self."

How well a child adapts depends on many factors. "Sometimes we forget to talk to children about the implications of this major change in their lives," says Lauter-Klatell. "They adjust in different ways. Children may be angry and those feelings should be validated. They may be fine in school, but they act out at home. Parents need to be anchors during this time and give kids coping strategies to help them feel secure."

Justin's entrance into his new school was heralded by the arrival of his entire family. Maura, Mark, and Justin's sister, Leah, all escorted him into his new classroom on his first day. "we didn't want to embarrass him," Maura relates. "We wanted to support him."

Children who are having difficulty adjusting may be mourning the loss of old friends and the routine of their former school. Simons describes some warning signs of trouble. "If a child has little positive to say about school or classmates and if they don't want to go back these are symptoms of missing their old environment."

Maintaining Contact

Besides talking with the child about entering a new classroom, parents should seek out help from the teacher. "Even before the new child enters the class, teachers should have preliminary discussion to prepare the other students," says Lauter-Klatell. "And after the new student has arrived there should be some discussion about rules and routine."

Most teachers will pair a new child with a buddy to encourage friendships, but parents should ask teachers to point out potential friends as well. "One reason why I wanted to choose Justin's classroom was because I wanted to pick a friend to buddy up with him," says Maura. "I saw one boy who had a similar personality and they did become good friends."

"It is important for parents to stay in touch with the new school and vice versa," stresses Lauter-Klatell.

Periodic phone calls or conferences may be valuable in establishing a good relationship between home and school. Close communication is just as vital at the preschool level.

Karen Donaher, director of the Bright Horizons Children Centers at the Prudential Center in Boston asserts that communication is the key ingredient to a good adjustment. "Parents and teachers should be talking constantly," she says. "The parent should plan on attending the first day at a new preschool or day care center with their child. Make it a shorter than usual day and then work up to a full-time schedule." Donaher also recommends sending in a family picture for the child to place in his or her cubby and a special something to hold on to during nap time.

"A child in a new school can feel out of control," says Simons. "Support him or her during this time. Model a long range outlook. Remind your child that with any change there are opportunities to develop new skills, make new friends, become involved in a new community. These are all good for their future development."