Moving into a new neighborhood adds to the mental strain of every family member. It takes time to settle in with the new places and faces.

A new environment comes with many doubts and worries, especially for the children in the household. They feel it upon the thought of the friends they lost and the catching up they have to do with their new classmates.

So what can be done to make schools more welcoming?

Creating an ideal atmosphere can begin with good accessibility and the vibe of inclusivity. One of the most important aspects of schooling is to establish an appealing environment where students have no problem and look forward to returning the next day. After all, the well-being of students is the utmost priority; you certainly wouldn’t want to send your child to a school where they are scared and feel out of place.

First Impressions and signs

One easy way to lighten the vibe is to introduce greeters to the office staff. The goal is to assure students that their new school is a safe space like home. Another great tactic is to drop formality and create a more friendly ambiance. Lastly, signage for education is a good pick as well since it can emanate a positive aura throughout the school. It can contain instructions that save the shy type from asking strangers.

The impact of signage in a learning environment can be powerful, so we have to make sure it is conveyed properly. Here are the best practices that will create a welcoming atmosphere.

• Use clear and easy-to-read fonts and formatting
• Include multilingual support for foreign students
• Color code to specific areas (auditorium, cafeteria, etc.)
• Place directional signs at entryways (stairs, doorways, etc.)
• Encourage student input in creating the signage

Additional systems in place

While the previous methods only cover the surface level, we also need to ensure that additional systems are in place to support the entire network altogether. Here are more ways we can achieve an ideally welcoming and safe school environment.

Orientations and School Tours

What’s the best way to make our students comfortable? Well, that simply means getting to know the school itself. Orientations are a great way to make multiple classes converge together, anything from school events to informational seminars. And what way do we make new students feel at home? An interactive and fun school tour, of course!

Mentorship and Buddy Systems

Everyone needs a partner so they won’t feel alone in any way at any time. Implementing a senior-to-junior mentor system can be very helpful in improving students’ academics. A buddy system or multi-grouping will make things easier and seamless in creating and finishing school activities and projects.

Safe and Inclusive Atmosphere

It is important to maintain a positive space where establishments and decor support diversity. There will be different groups of students, and we need to make them feel respected and represented. Where everyone feels they all belong in this one space they can call their second home.