In August, KidNews asked readers to interview a new kid at school, so we could spotlight our fave old kid/new kid combo. We received lots of great entries. But nothing topped the package we got from 6th graders at Belding School on Chicago’s northwest side. In all, 16 old kids interviewed four newcomers. Meeting the new kids turned into a class project!
“It was a chance for the new kids to get center stage,” teacher Scott Merrill said at the pizza party KidNews threw for his class (turns out all the new kids love pizza). The new kids are loving life at Belding. We caught up with Donita C., Nathan M. and Raful F., all 12. (New girl Candy M., 12, was out sick when we showed up. We missed you, Candy!) Here’s how they answered the question “What’s new?”
STARTING OVER
Nathan and Raful found the first week nerve-racking. Nathan was anxious about “learning the school, the teachers and stuff.”
The change was bigger for Raful. Born in South America, he moved to New Jersey two years ago before coming to Chicago. His big challenge? “English,” he said. (He now speaks it perfectly.)
“I’m used to changing schools,” Donita said. “I used to be in foster care. Now I’m living with my mom again, so things are easier for me.”
WHAT I LEARNED IN SCHOOL
So how would Donita, Nathan and Raful approach a fresh face?
“I’d tell them that they’re welcome in the school,” Donita said. “I’d ask them their name, if they like it here, and try to be friendly.”
“I’d get them into activities and have them switch partners,” Raful said. “It’s a good way to get to know people.”
“I’d ask them what they like and try to get to know them better,” Nathan said. Nathan, a hoops nut, said he’d invite new kids for a game.
TEACHING AN OLD KID NEW TRICKS
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For the old kids, interviewing new kids was a big-time learning experience too.
“It’s stressful” being the new kid, said Patty B., 12. “You can be shy.”
“It’s rough because you’re going to a school where no one knows you,” said Daniel C., 11.
Daniel eased Nathan’s transition by getting him onto the basketball court (sounds familiar, doesn’t it?). Now, Nathan impresses his classmates with his hoops moves.
“I thought it would take awhile before I fit in,” Nathan said. “Probably toward the end of the year. Now, it’s not even the end of the first quarter and I feel like I fit in.”
THE 411 ON 3 NEW KIDS
Here’s stuff we learned about Donita, Nathan and Raful from their interviews.
Raful F.
He plays soccer, likes to race bikes — and has met the New York-New Jersey pro soccer team. He also likes his 17-year-old sister because they fight for fun!
Donita C.
She’s the baby of the family –her sisters are 19 and 20, and her brother is 18. She has met R. Kelly. She says that not only has she never been grounded — she never gets in trouble!
Nathan M.
This hoops-playing kid goes to Grandma when he wants something, because she controls his bank account. (We hope she’s OK with his millennium plans: He wants to take his money out of the bank!) He says he has never been grounded.
PIZZA? YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN!
From fave foods to dastardly deeds, other new kids revealed that they have loads in common! Here’s what we found from the scads of other interviews sent to us:
When it comes to asking Mom or Dad for stuff they want, new kids definitely had a feel for which parent was the biggest pushover. About half went for Mom (“she always says yes,” some said) and half Dad (“he won’t yell as much,” one kid said).
The food new kids could eat forever? PIZZA! Other choices included:
-Arby’s roast beef
-fries and gummy worms
-green peppers
-mac and cheese
– enchiladas
Gobs of new kids got grounded for fighting with sibs or having pig-sty rooms. Other reasons for getting grounded:
“Cutting my sister’s hair”
“Putting glue in my brother’s hat and trying to put it on his head”
“Sneaking a boy into the house without asking”
“Not giving my aunt a kiss”
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The last minute of the millennium will be one big PARTAY! Bunches of new kids plan to party; others will be:
“Saying bye to all my friends”
“Screaming hysterically because the world is ending”
“Laughing cuz the world didn’t end”