POWERFUL NEW STUDENT PRACTICES�
Franciene Sabens, M.S. Ed., LPC, NCC
Leslie Goines, M.S. Ed.
Saturday, July 9, 2022
4:00 - 5:00 pm
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Meet the Presenters
Leslie Goines, M.S. Ed.
@lesliegoines
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Masters + 45)
McKendree University, Principalship
Experience: 15 years
Franciene Sabens, M.S. Ed., LPC, NCC
@FSabens
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (Masters + 21)
Experience: 14 years
Giveaway Alert!
Tweet us & share your biggest “Powerful Practice takeaway” for a chance to win a free book.
Tag us @FSabens & @lesliegoines and @ASCATweets
and use #PowerfulPractices #ASCA22 #NoLimits #SCCHAT
Session Overview
A transition to a new school can be a stressful event for a student, but it doesn't have to be. School counselors are in a prime position to reduce new student concerns; support students through the transition process; reduce negative effects on student achievement; and foster academic success, social/emotional health and overall wellness. Learn about practices that foster new-student connections to the school community and programming that empowers new students to feel informed and more confident navigating their new school.
Learning Objectives
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The importance of new-student
programs and practices
A workshop conducted in 2009 by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine found that a single move could adversely impact an elementary school student’s reading and math scores, as well as increase dropout rates for older students—impacts exacerbated by multiple moves. The data also shows that transience disproportionately impacts low-income students and students of color, deepening pre-existing inequities in education.
Edutopia, 2021
A sense of belonging is the building block of productive academic environments.
Goodenow, 1993
Types of “New Students”
Transition
Anticipated
Developmentally Appropriate
Move-in
Unanticipated (generally)
Can happen at any developmental stage, for any reason (custody issues, safety concerns, expulsion, a new job, homelessness)
Transition
Programs & Practices
Transition Programs & Practices
Program Examples
Transition Tools/Lessons
Move-in
Programs & Practices
Welcoming Students New to Building
Powerful Practice
Ensure that new students understand the expectations of their new school, “why” programs are developed in the way they are, what they need to hear on tough days, and they can identify a support system.
School Counselor:Student Connections
During registration process - while parents/caregivers are completing enrollment paperwork.
Student completes a survey about him/herself.
School Counselors are able to use this information when making preliminary scheduling decisions & early connections with student.
School Counselor:Student Connections
Set aside time for brief chat sessions
Sample questions:
Student:Student Connections
Appoint/Utilize Student Ambassadors
New student groups
New Student Club
New student lunch/breakfast - invite student leaders to attend - facilitate connections
Link Crew - high school transition program
Student:Staff & Faculty Connections
Make sure teachers are aware of new student enrollment
If possible - try to personally introduce student to faculty/staff (student ambassadors can assist with this)
Use guiding questions to connect student with club sponsors - coaches
Consider times when student may be overwhelmed - ex. lunch discuss/recommend possible solutions
Parent/Caregiver Connections
Make sure parent/caregiver is aware of communication methods & key contacts (remind, newsletters, etc)
Personal reach-out to introduce yourself
Teacher/Staff connections in unique situations
Student information system - parent portal
More than 6.5 million K–12 students in the U.S. change schools during the academic year.
Edutopia, 2021
Millennial High School Counseling Department New Student Group
Each year, students transfer into MHS. Students transferring in as ninth-graders have multiple support systems available, as well as being part of large groups of student new to the high school. However, those who transfer into 10th, 11th, or 12th grade have fewer supports available at the school. Many experience a drop in course grades in the content areas and do not become involved in the extracurricular activities available. Last year, 40 new students enrolled in 10th, 11th or 12th grade during September. Of those 40, 74% (30 students) demonstrated the same lack of involvement and decreased academic performance. This trend became even more evident when reviewing historical data.
Adopted from ASCA National Model Implementation Guide, 2019
Millennial High School Counseling Department New Student Group
School Counseling Program Plan
Mindsets & Behaviors Data Assessments
4-point Likert Scale
Adopted from ASCA National Model Implementation Guide, 2019
Millennial High School Counseling Department New Student Group
Participation Data
Outcome Data
Adopted from ASCA National Model Implementation Guide, 2019
Move-in Programs & Practices
Powerful Practice
Share data you collect about new students with teachers: pronouns, where they are coming from, who they live with, their learning style, interests, goals, favorite classes etc.
Toolbox for Move-In Student Programming
Powerful Practice
Help caregivers understand:
Powerful Practice
A handwritten note goes a long way.
Send a personalized postcard via snail mail to the family to welcome them.
Send a follow-up postcard via snail mail with a positive message about the new student.
Session TakeAways
Giveaway Alert!
Tweet us & share your biggest “Powerful Practice takeaway” for a chance to win a free book.
Tag us @FSabens & @lesliegoines and @ASCATweets
and use #PowerfulPractices #ASCA22 #NoLimits #SCCHAT
Please remember to complete the session evaluation in the Conference App!
Franciene Sabens
FrancieneSabens@gmail.com
@FSabens
Leslie Goines
leslie.goines@gmail.com
@lesliegoines
Resources