Student Transition Program (Inbound & Outbound)

Program Overview

At DoDEA Pacific, military-connected children are at the heart of all we do. We recognize our military children move three times more often than their civilian peers, with many students attending six to nine different schools during their K-12 years. We also know frequent moves may cause stress and anxiety, adversely impacting students’ academic, social and emotional well-being.

Program Details

DoDEA Pacific’s Student Transition Program is designed to assist newly arriving elementary, middle and high school students with finding community within their new school.

Each Student Transition Program is served by a Program Coordinator and Student Ambassadors and provides:

  • A lunch buddy and/or a dedicated place to hang out during lunch
  • A personalized school tour from a Student Ambassador, who can answer questions about classes and programs from a student perspective
  • Local culture trips where you can experience local food and customs
  • A college and career planning tool for middle/high school students to explore interests
    • Information about after school activities, clubs, and social events. High school activities include competitive Far East athletic and academic events in areas such as Journalism, Culinary Arts, Music, STEM, JROTC, and more!
  • Resources to assist with social-emotional wellness following a PCS move

Student Ambassadors

Generic images for the Pacific Student Transition Program MS and HS

Each new student is assigned a student ambassador, whose main responsibilities are to escort new students for a week, eat lunch together and provide informal on-boarding (go over the content of the welcome pack, answer questions, hang-out and become a “buddy”).

Onboarding Sessions

Generic images for the Pacific Student Transition Program MS and HS

The transition program delivers four one-hour sessions once a week (every Wednesday/Thursday- whichever is a B day) every month for new students or when needed. Sessions take place during school hours (advisory period).

PCSing Celebration Sessions

Generic images for the Pacific Student Transition Program MS and HS

Student ambassadors support the transition coordinator and actively participate in all other transition activities including monthly welcome and farewell events and social and cultural trips.

Meeting & Event Schedule

START is a new-student welcoming committee. We meet our new students, tour them, and spend time with them at lunch and in between classes during the first week of school. We also hold new student luncheons. It's a great way to meet new people and to give back to our school community since we have so many students coming and going at KHS.

Meets on: First Day of school and the first B-day of every month during Seminar.

Meeting Time: TBD

Activity schedule

  • Kamakura trip November 2024
  • Tokyo trip February 2025

Point of Contact

Name: Stan Hovell

Contact the STP Coordinators:

The Student Transition Program counselors and ambassadors assist newly arriving students with finding community within their new school. Learn more about the Pacific Region’s Student Transition program. 

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