College Counseling : April 2022
19 April, ISD welcomed the first in-person university visitor to campus since the pandemic began in Spring 2020. Representatives from Iowa State University, including Bangladeshi Muhammad Moinuddin and Mr. Jorge Caldron, joined ISD students in Grade 9-11 in the Design Center.
The visit was timely as current Grade 10s, our Class of 2024, were given the option of taking IBDP Design Technology next year in Grade 11-12. Students interested in STEM-related fields such as engineering, design, and construction may benefit from continuing their design classes into Grades 11-12.
Senior Assembly in the Auditorium
Before enjoying an afternoon free of classes, secondary students and faculty were entertained by the Class of 2022, who gave the first senior assembly since the pandemic.
The Class of 2022 entered the stage to the song Wavin Flag by K’naan; the class taking the music literally brought in their large class flag. MCs entertained the audience with jokes about the class and memories. The audience and students on stage got to see some familiar faces, including former faculty Ms. MeeHee, Mr. Christoph, Mr. John Drury, and Ms. Polak.
Transitions with RAFT
While students spoke to one another on stage, slides sharing the student’s future destinations reminded the audience that education is to prepare students for prospective study and career options. Then, on stage, students may not have realized, but they practiced a recommended method to use in times of transition when students spoke about past experiences they had and misunderstandings they reconciled before moving on. Students shared positive words about their classmates, affirming their shared connections, and the assembly overall was a way to say farewell to the students in the final week before they end their time on campus on 27 April.
Seniors are not the only ones transitioning from ISD; each year, we bid farewell to families and teachers at ISD and plan to welcome incoming families and faculty. The RAFT model for preparing to transition reminds us that transitioning is a process with different pieces making up a whole. RAFT, developed by David Pollock and Ruth van Reken identifies four components of the transition process:
Reconciliation
Affirmation
Farewells
Think Destination
Reconciliation is an opportunity to be intentional about repairing relationships before your leave. While it may seem easier to ignore conflicts, the RAFT model encourages people in a transition to address any outstanding disputes they may have in the place that they are leaving. This with the understanding that reconciliation leads to peace.
Affirmation is an opportunity to reflect upon how different people and relationships matter. Those leaving may use this time to clearly express their appreciation for fellow students, staff, family members or anyone else who has impacted their lives. It is also a chance to let those who are near and dear know that they are valued and essential, and this will not be affected by the impending physical separation.
Farewells speak to being intentional about saying “goodbye.” Goodbyes can be expressed through words, actions or a meaningful gift that will remind those remaining behind of the times you shared and the memories created. Farewells may also look like visiting places with special meaning in the individual’s life.
Think Destination – even while attending to the current needs and taking care of the exiting checklist, leavers must have their focus on the next chapter. Some things to think about include familiarizing yourself with the new destination, establishing some connections, and identifying items that will make the transition easier, e.g., a coffee shop or a neighborhood park to walk in. Moves are a challenging time, and as one may be excited for what’s to come, grief, doubt, and myriad other emotions are likely to creep in.
Regardless of the RAFT model stage, It is essential to be kind to oneself. Be intentional about self-care, be patient with yourself and ask for help when needed.
