Counselor’s Corner – May 17, 2019

Smooth Transitions: (for primary and secondary parents)

Is your family moving? Though we are sad to see you go we definitely want your transition to be a smooth one. To help with this, I am meeting with all students departing BIS at the end of this year and giving each of them a RAFT. Each student will meet with me to talk about how they feel about moving and will be given a RAFT booklet. The RAFT concept can be used by the whole family and helps transition to our new home without feelings of regret or unfinished business. The R stands for Reconciliation; is there anyone in your life here you need to apologize to or have a heart to heart with? This is the time for reconciliation. The A stands for Affirmations; are there people here you’d like to thank for helping and supporting you? Now is the time to show them your appreciation. The F stands for Farewell; Are there people, places, pets, or possessions you’ll be saying goodbye to? Now is the time to visit those special people and places one more time and relinquish pets and possessions to new owners with whom you know they’ll be in good hands. The T stands for Think Destination; What are you excited about and looking forward to in your new home? Now is the time to Talk about your new school, your new home, and the new opportunities that will be available to you there. We wish all departing families a smooth transition to your new homes and will continue to hold you in our hearts here at BIS, where you have each left a positive imprint.

Here are some good books about moving and transitioning:

Curious George Goes to School by Margret Rey

• The Berenstain Bears Go To School by Jan and Stan Berenstain
• Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
• Benny & Omar by Eoin Colfer
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• Moving day by Ralph Fletcher
• Hey, New Kid! By Betsy Duffey
• Footsteps Around the World, 2nd Ed. : Relocation Tips for Teens by Beverly D. Roman
• The League of Super Movers: My Moving Adventure by Beverly D. Roman
• Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds by David Pollock & Ruth E. Van Reken

Below are books on transitions that you can check out from our library:

• Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere, 636.7 BUS, Secondary Nonfiction
• The Mindful Teen, 155.9 VO, Secondary Nonfiction
• Cliques. Phonies & Other Baloney, 158.2 ROM, Primary Nonfiction
• Guide to Mastering Middle School, 373.2 MAT, Primary Nonfiction
• Surviving Middle School, 373.18 REY, Secondary Nonfiction

Opportunities for BIS Students (for Primary & Secondary Parents)

Dear Parents, Please continue to check the Opportunities for Students to view the college visits calendar and learn about upcoming college fairs, summer programs, camps, and scholarships for BIS students of all ages. This document is updated daily as new opportunities come in.

Looking for work experience? Check out these options posted on UCAS to find paid and unpaid internship placements:

• vinspired – volunteering charity for 14 – 25 year olds.

• Fair Train – charity which promotes and champions all forms of work experience, volunteering, and internships.

• Student Ladder – work experience placement information.

• Whizz-Kidz – a charity which organises placements for wheelchair users aged 16 – 25 in all sorts of different sectors.

• Prince’s Trust – this charity offers the ‘Get Into’ programme for 16 – 25 year olds to get work experience and training.

• Read about NCS graduate Georgie’s volunteering journey.

• International Citizen Service (ICS) – government funded international volunteering placements for 18-25 year olds in the UK.