November 2025
“Big Changes, Big Feelings: Supporting Smooth Grade-Level Transitions”
Theme: Navigating Key Transitions (Pre-K–K, 4th–5th, and 7th–8th Grades)
As we wrap up Trimester 1, our schools are already looking ahead, not just to winter break, but to next year’s transitions. Planning for the 2026–2027 school year begins now, and with it comes one of the most important parts of the student journey: navigating key grade-level transitions.
At Deer Path Middle School, planning is already underway for our 8th graders who will soon become Lake Forest High School Scouts. This month, students are taking the PreACT assessment at the high school which is an early step in the transition process. In January and February, our teams will host transition meetings to help families and students select high school courses.
Additionally, in January, students will attend The Scout Experience, where they’ll explore high school life, meet staff, and start imagining themselves in new roles and routines. For those new Scout families who would like to hear from the administrative team, the high school will host LFHS 101 in February. More details to come soon.
“When I think of going to high school, I look forward to certain things, like the possibilities for more activities and meeting new people. Throughout middle school, you get choices for what you want to do, but they are guided. I am excited to find a way to make my choices my own and express myself the way I see fit.
I am also excited to see what new friendships I can form, because while there will still be many people I know, there will also be many to meet and become friends with. Overall, I am enthusiastic about what I have in store for me in high school, and content with what I have already experienced while in middle school,” - Daphne Qualm, current DPM 8th grader.
Together, these intentional touchpoints, including assessments, course planning, and preview days, are designed not only to provide information but also to build confidence and a sense of belonging.
Transition planning doesn’t stop once our 8th graders begin preparing for high school; it extends all the way down through the district as we continually refine how students experience each major step along the way. One of our biggest areas of focus last year was strengthening the transition from 4th to 5th grade; another critical developmental milestone where students begin stretching their independence and adapting to new routines.
In late spring, our teams will hold transition meetings between 4th- and 5th-grade staff to review student strengths, needs, and supports. The emphasis this past year was on learning from one another. Fourth-grade supports often look different from fifth-grade supports, and having time to talk through those differences has been invaluable.
Assistant Principal Carly Harvey, who previously served at Cherokee, helped lead this work.
“Our goal was to create a bridge, not a gap, between 4th and 5th grade,” said Carly. “We focused on making fifth grade a true transition year—streamlining schedules, reducing the number of teachers and transitions, and ensuring consistency in how materials and routines are organized. Those small, intentional choices make a big difference in helping students feel successful as new middle schoolers.”
One major outcome of that collaboration was the addition of Extended Learning in the 5th-grade schedule, providing more structured touchpoints between homeroom teachers and students. This shift aligns closely with the 4th-grade model and gives students more opportunities for connection and support during the day.
Just as our upper grades are refining transitions to middle school and beyond, our earliest learners are also getting a strong start. Transition planning begins early in our Community of Learners Preschool, where we want our littlest learners to feel confident and ready before they walk through the doors on the first day of kindergarten. Our Early Childhood team and kindergarten teachers work closely together by visiting each other’s classrooms, sharing observations, and meeting several times to plan for a smooth start. This teamwork ensures that every child’s needs are understood and supported from day one.
A Few Ways to Help Your Child Navigate Transitions Confidently:
Normalize the feelings. Let your child know that it’s okay to feel excited and nervous at the same time. Transitions often bring both emotions.
Focus on routines. Predictability builds security. Establish consistent routines for homework, sleep, and after-school time to help your child feel grounded.
Encourage self-advocacy. Practice small moments of independence such as emailing a teacher, packing their own materials, or asking for help when unsure.
Stay connected. Attend school events, read newsletters, and ask questions about upcoming transition activities. Feeling “in the know” helps both parents and students feel calmer.
Celebrate growth. Transitions aren’t just about change; they’re about progress. Take time to reflect on how far your child has come since the start of the year.
Each transition is more than a move to a new grade. It’s a milestone in a student’s development and identity. When families, teachers, and schools work together, we give students what they need most: confidence that they belong, no matter where they’re headed next.
Our next issue will be released in January as we continue highlighting stories of growth, belonging, and learning across District 67.