At this time of year, we are thinking about Spring. It is a time for new growth, a fresh start, and spring flowers. However, for some of us, this time of year brings other changes. This is also the time of year for PCSing, packing, and looking at your next home. This is a big transition for a family, but there are some things you can do to make that transition easier. 

• Help your child say goodbye. Get them a throwaway camera and bring it to school on the last day. They can take pictures of their teacher and classmates and form a scrapbook of their friends from Laurel Bay. Or, bring a small journal for signatures.
• Have a playdate before you leave. This will give your child time to say goodbye and collect contact information from their friends.
• When you get to your new home, try to keep your routine as familiar as possible.
• Help your child keep positive thoughts running through their head about the changes. For example, "I know I will make new friends" or "I will love my teacher."
• Attend open house or Meet the Teacher before school starts. Sometimes it is the fear of the unknown that causes the most anxiety. Visiting ahead of time helps out. 

If you are moving and feel that your child needs to talk about it, let the school counselor, Ms. Griffing, know. She would be happy to speak to them about the upcoming changes.

For those families who are staying, the idea of changing classes, grade levels, or even school can produce stress as well. Be sure to keep a positive attitude with your child wile talking about a new school year. Remind them that just as there are lots of changes, there are things that stay the same as well such as school expectations and rules. Another way to deal with worries is to attend our Meet the Teacher event before school starts next year.