Treat others the way you would want to be treated

Another year has begun and I want to commend Panther students for a smooth opening two days. Yes, there are a couple issues that still need to be worked out. Molly and Kristen, don’t worry we’ll get you the right combination for your lockers! And, for all the new students thank you for bearing with us as we figured out your schedules.

Middle school can be hard enough on kids your age, never mind either switching schools or teams. We have nine students that are new to our team and I’m sure that on some level they were a little anxious to join a group that had been together the previous year. So, I want to issue a challenge to the students who were on the team last year- make the new students feel welcome. Let me give you some suggestions how you can make them feel welcome:

- If a new student looks a little lost, they probably are. Ask them if they know where they are going, and if they don’t- help them find where they are going

- Ask a new student to sit with you at lunch- once you get a chance to talk with him/her you might just make a new friend

- Exchange phone numbers or e-mail addresses to help each other with homework reminders, or if one of you is absent you can figure out what you missed

Those are just a few ways that you could help make a new student’s transition easier, but not the only ways.

I would like you to post comments about your thoughts, ideas, or experiences about any of the following:

- What are some other ways to make the new students feel welcome?

- Have you ever been in a situation where you were the “new” person? How did it make you feel? How did the people around you treat you?

- If you are a new student, how were your first couple days?

Remember, you may post comments anonymously if you want to share something but not have you name associated with it. And, you may pose questions in the comment section and respond to other people’s questions.