At both River Oaks Baptist School and Christian Academy of Knoxville, each student enrolling in the fall is assigned a buddy over the summer. Generally they call and socialize with the incoming student well before the fall semester begins. Buddies have some assigned responsibilities that they take seriously, including sitting near or beside the new student so they are not alone during lunch or on the playground and introducing them to other students. Even if a school does not have a formal program for helping new students, there is much teachers can do. A buddy system will work in a single classroom.
Teachers can make a point to engage new students in frequent conversations.
By learning about their interests and concerns, teachers can help them meet other students with similar interests, make new friends and become part of the school family.