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A new school year brings a sense of excitement, promise and
anticipation. As a result, this special time also brings added anxiety for
students, parents, and teachers. Fortunately, schools use the “new student
orientation” as a tool to help clear up confusion and avoid any unnecessary panic.
In today’s post we are recommending some helpful “Tips for Preparing for a New
Student Orientation.”
anticipation. As a result, this special time also brings added anxiety for
students, parents, and teachers. Fortunately, schools use the “new student
orientation” as a tool to help clear up confusion and avoid any unnecessary panic.
In today’s post we are recommending some helpful “Tips for Preparing for a New
Student Orientation.”
Who is a Student Orientation Designed for?
Typically, orientations cater to students at a new school. This
type of event encourages students to fully embrace the activities, curriculum,
and opportunities available to them. Students who participate in these types of
events and embrace its purpose most often are successful and graduate from the
school.
type of event encourages students to fully embrace the activities, curriculum,
and opportunities available to them. Students who participate in these types of
events and embrace its purpose most often are successful and graduate from the
school.
What Should a New Student Orientation Include?
What should a new student orientation include? This is not an
answer that would be the same for all music educators. Priorities, time
constraints, and site-based values will influence how an educator should
prepare.
answer that would be the same for all music educators. Priorities, time
constraints, and site-based values will influence how an educator should
prepare.
You want to prepare your students for a successful year but
not overwhelm them. If your preparation and presentation are logically
structured, you will have the makings of a quality event.
not overwhelm them. If your preparation and presentation are logically
structured, you will have the makings of a quality event.
The timing of your presentation could be limited to 10
minutes or be as long as an hour. Think of this as an opportunity to express
the basic expectations and learning objectives that you have of them as music
students.
minutes or be as long as an hour. Think of this as an opportunity to express
the basic expectations and learning objectives that you have of them as music
students.
Music Educator learning and procedural objectives may
include:
include:
- The general performance activity expectations of the music class.
- The rehearsal schedule and performance requirements
of the class.
- Lifestyle expectations as a member of your
performing group.
- Rules and policies of the school and music program.
- A summary of the required financial obligations.
- A summary of how students will be graded.
Other common topics that you may choose to include in a new
student orientation include:
student orientation include:
- Teacher and staff introductions.
- Music or name-oriented icebreaker.
- Explanation of team culture and growth mindset.
- Possible extracurricular opportunities available
to your students.
- Tips for time-management and behavioral
strategies.
Learning the System
Virtual learning strategies aided in the extensive use of Learning
Management Systems this year during CoVid-19. A brief introduction and
demonstration of the required LMS used at the school could also be a valuable
piece of information to share with students. Consequently, it is unlikely that
students would have their login information available to them at the time of
the orientation.
Recommendations for Getting the Most Out of
Student Orientations
#1 Work out the Logistics in Advance
To start out it is important to know when and where you will
be meeting your students for class. For many instrumental music teachers, this
is the same location every year. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for
everyone. Be sure to arrive early before a student orientation to prepare any
materials, set-up directional signs and greet any students that arrive early.
Remember you want your room to look welcoming and inviting.
be meeting your students for class. For many instrumental music teachers, this
is the same location every year. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for
everyone. Be sure to arrive early before a student orientation to prepare any
materials, set-up directional signs and greet any students that arrive early.
Remember you want your room to look welcoming and inviting.
#2 Understand Your School’s Orientation Program/
Process
Most schools provide students and families an agenda for the
student orientation. This notification may also include a list of items to
bring with them. Be sure to familiarize yourself with this notification so it will
not catch you off-guard. Also become familiar with any academic decisions a student
may face during the orientation time. This could include choosing an advanced
degree track that would require a student to sign-up for certain classes. In
certain cases, this could significantly hinder a music program’s enrollment. Be
pro-active and provide potential future students a sample schedule to sign-up
for so that they remain active in your music program.
student orientation. This notification may also include a list of items to
bring with them. Be sure to familiarize yourself with this notification so it will
not catch you off-guard. Also become familiar with any academic decisions a student
may face during the orientation time. This could include choosing an advanced
degree track that would require a student to sign-up for certain classes. In
certain cases, this could significantly hinder a music program’s enrollment. Be
pro-active and provide potential future students a sample schedule to sign-up
for so that they remain active in your music program.
#3 Dress Professionally
You want to provide students and or families the best first
impression possible. Dress professionally, look sharp and communicate to others
that you are there for their success. In some cases, a principal may request
teachers to wear a school shirt however, if not be sure to dress for success.
impression possible. Dress professionally, look sharp and communicate to others
that you are there for their success. In some cases, a principal may request
teachers to wear a school shirt however, if not be sure to dress for success.
#4 Use the Opportunity to Meet New People
Often when students come to a school, they tend to interact
with people they know. Rather, use this opportunity to help students become
familiar with people they do not know. New interactions could include meeting unfamiliar
staff, students in the class and parent volunteers. Students will be spending a
lot of time with these people. The sooner everyone is comfortable, with each
other, the sooner collaborative projects can take flight and future friendships
can be forged.
with people they know. Rather, use this opportunity to help students become
familiar with people they do not know. New interactions could include meeting unfamiliar
staff, students in the class and parent volunteers. Students will be spending a
lot of time with these people. The sooner everyone is comfortable, with each
other, the sooner collaborative projects can take flight and future friendships
can be forged.
#5 Don’t Be Afraid to Step Outside Your Comfort
Zone
Teachers and students alike should try to step out of their
comfort zones. This includes being open to trying new things and meet new
people. If your student orientation includes some sort of activity fair, go out
of your way to meet new students, and encourage them to join your program or
club. In many secondary music programs, we often have students who have been
enrolled in previous feeder programs. Taking a step out to meet new students during
an activity fair may be just the nudge needed to build your program even more
and be a way to reinvent the way you recruit.
comfort zones. This includes being open to trying new things and meet new
people. If your student orientation includes some sort of activity fair, go out
of your way to meet new students, and encourage them to join your program or
club. In many secondary music programs, we often have students who have been
enrolled in previous feeder programs. Taking a step out to meet new students during
an activity fair may be just the nudge needed to build your program even more
and be a way to reinvent the way you recruit.
#6 Understand that there will be Downtime
Understand that not all schools treat student orientations
the same. Sometimes there are activities or transition times that you will not
be apart of. This could be due to students getting ID pictures taken or even a mass
presentation by the school’s principal. Take this opportunity to mingle, read
your favorite book or whip out the laptop to get ahead on a lesson plan.
the same. Sometimes there are activities or transition times that you will not
be apart of. This could be due to students getting ID pictures taken or even a mass
presentation by the school’s principal. Take this opportunity to mingle, read
your favorite book or whip out the laptop to get ahead on a lesson plan.
#7 Get to know Your School as if You Were a
Student
For many music educators, understanding a student’s perspective
is not as simple as you may think. The “orientation” is an excellent time to
walk in the footsteps of your students. Walk to each of your school’s activity
hubs such as the cafeteria, gym, library, office, or any area of interest.
Orientations often provide campus maps and having this resource will better
help you, help your students.
#8 Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Before, after, or during an orientation ask questions, lots
of them. The better versed you are in policies and procedures, the better you
can communicate them with students. Students love asking questions and you do
not want to be that adult who responds with “because” or even worse “I don’t
know.” Students tend to follow rules, policies, and procedures if there is a clear
answered “why statement” connected to a policy. Obviously, there are exceptions
to this point, but students want to trust and feel safe around teachers. By
providing logical responses to questions, it helps put student minds and
emotions at ease.
of them. The better versed you are in policies and procedures, the better you
can communicate them with students. Students love asking questions and you do
not want to be that adult who responds with “because” or even worse “I don’t
know.” Students tend to follow rules, policies, and procedures if there is a clear
answered “why statement” connected to a policy. Obviously, there are exceptions
to this point, but students want to trust and feel safe around teachers. By
providing logical responses to questions, it helps put student minds and
emotions at ease.
#9 Have Fun and Share the Energy!
Even though you are dealing with school business it does not
mean it can’t be fun. Keep the energy positive and avoid additional stress by being
proactively organized. Student orientation is a wonderful time to envision all
of the great times you will have with your new students.
mean it can’t be fun. Keep the energy positive and avoid additional stress by being
proactively organized. Student orientation is a wonderful time to envision all
of the great times you will have with your new students.
Final Thoughts
A new student orientation serves as an excellent opportunity
to get the year started out right. If you approach the event in a professional,
success-oriented, and positive manner, then often that is how it will be interpreted.
Encourage your best student musicians to participate and help make an even
stronger connection with your new students. Hopefully, these tips will provide you
a helpful insight into having a successful beginning of the year “new student
orientation.”
to get the year started out right. If you approach the event in a professional,
success-oriented, and positive manner, then often that is how it will be interpreted.
Encourage your best student musicians to participate and help make an even
stronger connection with your new students. Hopefully, these tips will provide you
a helpful insight into having a successful beginning of the year “new student
orientation.”
Sources
10 Ways to Make the Most of Your New Student Orientation. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. (2020,
April 8).
Morven%20Park%20Students%20Saying%20Thank%20You_1-176435-edited.jpg
Barnes, P. by L.
(2020, August 14). What Should Be Included in a New Student Orientation?
Milady.
https://milady.cengage.com/blog/what-should-be-included-in-a-new-student-orientation.
Engelman, H. (2019, December 23). 10 Tips to Conduct a
Great Student Orientation Program. Involvio.
https://www.involvio.com/blog/10-tips-to-conduct-a-great-student-orientation-program.
