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PREPARING page 89

going to elementary school with
her big sister.

First Grade
Jordan Shifman knew what to
expect when she started first
grade at Hillel Day School. Her
cousins, already students at the
Hebrew day school, talked about
it with her incisively.
At the same time her mother,
Cindy Shifinan, said the family
did what they could to make it ex-
citing for her to start a new school
(she went to public school for
kindergarten).
"We drove by there all the time
and made a big deal about it be-
ing her new school," Mrs. Shifman
said.
Although the school was under
construction last summer, the
Shifmans took a tour, easing some
of Jordan's anxieties.
Jordan's teacher, Margie
Hirsch, said a school tour will help
any child feel more comfortable in
his or her new surroundings.
"It's important for them to
know where places like the bath-
room and lunch room are," Mrs.
Hirsch said.
Mrs. Hirsch tells parents to ex-
pect separation anxiety in the be-
ginning. Almost every year, at
least one of her students cries dur-
ing the first couple weeks of
school.
"As hard as it is on the child,
it's equally hard on the parents,
but they have to be able to leave
their child in the classroom. Ulti-
mately, the child will realize
school is fun and that mom is go-
ing to come back at the end of the
day to pick them up."
Mrs. Hirsch recommends aca-
demically preparing a child for

first grade as well.
"Make sure they know their
numbers," she advised. "Give
them experiences by taking them
to places like the zoo or the library
and, most important, read with
them."

Sixth Grade

An incoming middle school stu-
dent's biggest trauma is that he
or she will not be able to open the
locker, according to Farmington
teacher Susan Lynn.
Mrs. Lynn, who teaches math,
English and family life at Dunck-
el Middle School in Farmington
Hills, suggests parents help ac-
climate their son or daughter by
taking him or her to school before
the start of the school year.
'When you're there, open and
close their locker several hundred
times," jokes Mrs. Lynn.
She also suggests comparing
the student's class schedule to
fiends' and neighbors' so the stu-
dent knows in advance someone
in his classes.
Students often receive a list of
necessary supplies before the first
day of school. Parents, she said,
should purchase these items
ahead of time, to avoid a last-
minute rush.
Her school gives each student
a daily planner for the year. "Get
one if they are not supplied," she
said, "so you and your child's
teacher can always stay current
with what your child is doing."
One thing students and their
parents will find at middle
schools, which the elementary
schools lack, is a guidance coun-
selor. Mrs. Lynn said students
should know they can always talk
to their counselor.

