THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 16, 1994 TAG: 9410140217
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Education
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
SINCE THEY STARTED their new ``jobs,'' nearly 70 students at King's Grant Elementary School have had to be on their toes.
With work arriving in spurts, roughly six or seven new cases each month, these boys and girls always have to be ready to carry out their duties.
As participants in the school's Student Host and Hostess Program, these children are responsible for familiarizing new students with the building, faculty and other students. There is one host and one hostess in each classroom.
``We help the new kids around the school and make them feel comfortable,'' said Brittany Onhaizer, 9, who is a fourth-grade hostess.
Making new students feel comfortable means introducing them to their classmates, answering questions about King's Grant, eating lunch with them during their first week and making sure cafeteria rules and procedures are clear.
Marked by special badges, the hosts and hostesses take new students for a tour around the school and make sure they understand the procedures of the clinic and bookstore, as well as what is expected during special classes such as art and music.
Developed and organized by the guidance department, the program has a variety of goals.
``We want to make the transition easier for the new students,'' said guidance counselor Rose Frank.
``It's very stressful for children when they're thrust into a new situation,'' added guidance counselor Marge Stouffer. ``They have no control. This is one way to increase their comfort level and help them see the world as a friendly place. A student who feels comfortable will have a better chance for academic success.
``It also helps students get to know each other better,'' Stouffer said. ``This is a form of peers helping peers.''
In most classes, the hosts and hostesses were chosen by their teachers based on kindness, friendliness, honesty, dependability and ability to follow directions. Others were elected by their peers. They attended one training session before the program was implemented in September, where they ``met and discussed responsibilities,'' according to Stouffer.
Although the program is in its second year, the counselors added a new dimension this year by implementing the use of coupon books to make the process of meeting faculty members just a little bit easier.
During their tour, new students are given paper booklets, which list the titles of key staff members in the school, such as the principal, librarian and school nurse. When students present their paper booklets to the faculty members, they receive surprises, such as pencils, stickers and bookmarks.
``I thought it was such a neat idea,'' said Frank, who borrowed the coupon book concept from Green Run Elementary School, where she taught last year. ``We felt we needed to give the program some more substance and this is the way we did that.''
Besides helping the students get acquainted, the coupon books give the faculty a chance to learn new faces and names. ``As principal, this has been great for me,'' said principal Janet Duff. ``It helps me to have a few minutes personally with every student.''
Teachers are equally excited. ``I think it's a wonderful thing for new students,'' said fourth-grade teacher Patsy Ciechon. ``They get a chance to bond with someone in the classroom. Just that added attention helps them out.''
The hosts and hostesses especially enjoy the grand tours, since they get to use their knowledge and experience to help others. ``I think it's fun to tour people around the school,'' Brittany added. ``If I was new, I'd be really scared if there wasn't anyone to show me around.''
Other hosts and hostesses can relate to new students' fright. ``They would have no idea where to go to lunch,'' said Alex Sheard, 9, a fourth-grade host. ``They wouldn't know where anything is.''
``They wouldn't even know how to check out library books,'' added Steven Obal, 9, another fourth-grade host.
Seven-year-old Alyssa Piggott, a second-grade hostess, has been in those shoes before and knows how it feels. ``When I was in first grade, I was scared because I didn't know anybody,'' she said.
Katayune Kashanifar, a fifth-grader who recently transferred to King's Grant from Brookwood Elementary, said she felt more comfortable after hanging out with her hostess, 10-year old Kathryn Liszka, another fifth-grader. ``I'm still learning my way around, but it hasn't been that hard,'' said Katayune, 11.
Making things so they are not ``that hard'' for new students will be the running theme for the program throughout the year. ``I think it's part of a good guidance program in the school,'' Stouffer said. ``I certainly hope we keep it around.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by HOLLY WESTER
Fifth-grader Kathryn Liszka, center, introduces Katayune Kashanifar,
a new student at King's Grant Elementary, to principal Janet Duff.
Rose Frank, left, and Marge Stouffer are guidance counselors. ``This
is a form of peers helping peers,'' Stouffer says of the program.
by CNB