Suggestions for Parents When Moving To/From/Within Amphitheater District
Parents Can Help to Make a Move or School Transfer Happy!
Unfamiliar territory can be scary.
- Familiarize children with where they will be going before they leave their old home.
- Point out the location on the map
- Get information from encyclopedias, almanacs and from the Internet
- Write to the Chamber of Commerce in your new location for brochures
A move is a chance to help children realize they are growing up and parents
should emphasize the joy in this.
- If your move is local, children may be able to visit old friends.
- The Internet makes electronic mail (e-mail) a great way for old friends to communicate.
Children can also introduce their old friends to new friends using e-mail.
- Don't forget the Post Office. Children can write to old friends, teachers and so on. This
is a great way to communicate and a good way to build writing skills.
- There is always "long-distance." Children can make a long-distance phone call to an old
friend.
Parents can help children understand that memories are a way to hold on to friends.
- Take pictures of friends and some of their activities.
Advice from the School Counselors and Psychologists
- Remember that the new school is still a new environment for several months after enrollment.
Show interest and stimulate discussion with your child about school.
- We encourage parents to contact their child's new teacher 3 to 4 weeks after enrollment to
discuss the child's adjustment.
- It is very important that children establish new friendships. There are many school clubs
and extracurricular activities available at our school.
- If your child shows signs of serious adjustment problems (withdrawal, unhappiness,
behavioral problems) there are school counselors and psychologists available for assistance.
District Practice
Moving after the start of the school year may not require changing schools. Office staff can
help identify boundaries so that a new home can be located in the same school attendance area.
If the move is to the attendance area of another Amphitheater school, an Intradistrict Transfer
will allow your child to complete the year without changing schools. Additional details are
available from the office staff.
Some things to consider when enrolling/withdrawing from school
Withdrawal
- Be sure to ask for a photocopy of birth certificate, shot records, and withdrawal form.
- Make sure all school books have been returned.
- Try to let your child's teacher know at least a day in advance.
- Ask the teacher for a list of textbooks and topics that your child was working on last.
Enrollment
- Have immunization records and birth certificate. Students cannot begin school without
these documents.
- Tell new school about any special educational services in which your child was enrolled.
- Enroll your child the afternoon prior to the first day of attendance. This allows your
child to get acquainted with the school and obtain necessary books for classes.
Research Indicates
- There is no strong evidence that moving has a necessarily unfavorable effect on children.
There is evidence to suggest that the reasons for the move (divorce, new job, etc.) affect a
child's reaction to a move.
- Children moving four or more times during their school careers have more difficulties in
relating to peers than those students who move fewer times.
- Many children have some difficulties adjusting to a new school. Most children adapt to
their new location within 9 weeks.
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