Smooth SAILing Program Helps Transfer Students Adjust to SHS

Establishment of a Transfer/Mentoring program at Scituate High School is moving forward. “Smooth SAILing,” which was developed by SHS students who transferred to Scituate, is designed to enhance the lives of transfer students through one-on-one interactions. The program is also intended to make the transition from a new school easier.

One of the most important aspects of the Smooth SAILing program is the involvement of the Scituate community (specifically students at Scituate High), with the new students who are just arriving.  Current SHS students who are welcoming and open to becoming friends with new people will be chosen as front-runners for the program. Though potential mentors have not yet been chosen, their future responsibilities are being thoughtfully crafted.

Mentors involved in the program would provide the following: a tour of the SHS campus, a companion to sit with during lunch block (when schedules allow or help to coordinate a substitute companion), constant availability (via text messages, email, and phone calls) to answer any questions, a lesson in deciphering the rotating class schedule, Aspen, and Google Classroom. The new student would also have an opportunity to shadow his or her mentor for a day. All of these aspects are designed to help new students have a comfortable, efficient, and meaningful introduction to the school.

During the 2017-18 academic year, Scituate High School has enrolled over 30 new students. Sophomore Eloise Dumet moved from North Carolina over the summer and is already quite satisfied with her life here in Scituate. Dumet said, “About five years ago, I moved to the United States from Belgium.” She spent most of her life in Europe with her family, and currently knows three languages (English, French, and Dutch). Although moving to the United States was a struggle at first, Dumet said she was quickly able to meet new friends in North Carolina.  “Most of my family lives in Belgium, so my friends were the only ones I had in North Carolina.”

When Dumet moved to Scituate, she thought SHS was very small compared to her old school in North Carolina. “It felt very small and I was afraid no one would include me but it turned out everyone was welcoming,” she said. Being new and making new friends can be challenging, but Dumet found it to be very easy: “I made most of my friends over the summer, during band and sports, and it totally helped me going into the school year.”

Prior to starting her school year, Dumet attended one of the new orientations created specifically to meet the needs of transfer students. This orientation was run by SHS students who had been new to the school in previous years. Dumet got her Aspen and Google account information, as well as a rundown on her schedule and the layout of the school.

Sophomore Taylor Lunt moved to Scituate last year from the small, western farm town of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Lunt grew up in Deerfield for the majority of his life and attended private school from first to ninth grade.

“I was expecting the worst” Lunt said, “I came from private school, and I heard so many stories about public school. I expected low but became pleasantly surprised.” Lunt said he misses his friends as well as the “small” vibe of his former school. “There were 220 people in my school. I knew everybody, and I continue to keep in touch with friends through social media and texting,” he said.

Moving to Scituate encouraged Lunt to meet new people and make himself known in the community. He is currently a member of the SHS golf team and  likes to show off his artistic abilities through drawing and painting. Growing up, Lunt spent most of his summers in Scituate and Cohasset, which helped him when he officially moved. “I came here with some familiarities of the town and everything around it, but it was mostly just getting to know people,” he said.

Transitions are never easy, but they can come with reward. The “Smooth SAILing” transfer program will help students feel welcome in their new home, connect with other kids, and feel safe and happy in the high school setting.