Discussion Questions:

• What kinds of things do you want to know about your new high school? Who do you think you can get that information from?

• Do you want to make an appointment to see the layout of the school?

• Do you want to see a school counselor to talk about courses?

• What do you think will happen to the friendships you have now?

• What are you looking forward to being able to do in high school? What worries you?

• Would it help to know how I coped with starting out at high school?

• Would it help to talk to some kids who are already in high school?

Remember:
--Try to put your child in the expert role and make her an agent of her own transition to high school, rather than framing it as something that just “happens” to her. Encourage her to seek out information and solutions, then share them with you.

--High school is the time when discussions about dating, drugs, alcohol, and cigarette smoking might go from theoretical to practical. Revisit these subjects before they come up. Talking about something doesn’t increase its chances of occuring; in fact, most young people indicate that open dialogues with their parents about these issues are what kept them on “the right track.”