What is the purpose of a transition team?
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To provide a forum for parents, teachers, students and community members at each school for the
dissemination of information about Master Plan benefits, the development of school-specific transition plans
and the promotion of parental and community participation in events and activities that promote a cohesive
school culture.
To assess any issues or developments that affect the school’s ability to effectively transition and/or implement
Master Plan components, and to advise district administrators of concerns and expectations among students,
parents and community members on such matters; and,
To work in ensuring the implementation of Master Plan recommendations and setting and achieving transition
goals for the school.
Who comprises a transition team?
Transition teams are to be comprised of the building principal, students, parents, teachers, partners and community
members. There are no specific size requirements or limitations. The teams should be an inclusive representation of
groups within the school community.
Central office will issue a call for volunteers to be a part of transition teams at specific school sites by means of an
interest card. Building principals can also recruit interested ones by giving them an interest card. Interest cards are to
be collected at the school building and forwarded to Jamekia Kendrix at the Board of Education building for tracking.
Interest cards will be collected April 4 -20, 2016.
Who leads the transition team?
At elementary schools, transition teams will be led by the building principal with the support of central office staff. The
principal will call any meetings and be responsible for any transition team activities. The principal will make requests for
necessary district resources in order to achieve the goals of the transition team.
At high schools, transition teams will be led jointly by the building principal and central office staff. They will jointly call
any meetings and be responsible for any transition team activities. The principal will make requests for necessary
district resources in order to achieve the goals of the transition team.
Will all schools in the district be required to have a transition team?
No. Transition teams will only function in neighborhood schools receiving 25% or more new students. The schools
include: Wendell Phillips at Attucks, Hartman, AC Prep/Southeast, Faxon, Longfellow, Troost, Banneker, Wheatley,
Garcia, and King.
Although not asked to create formal transition teams, principals at schools receiving less than 25% new students will be
given the opportunity to outline support needed from the district to facilitate the transition process. Principals may
choose to adopt the transition team structure or engage their school community via other means.
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How many meetings are transition teams to hold?
At elementary schools, transition teams should convene at least twice. The first meeting should be held after April 20th
and before their open house. This will allow transition teams to provide input regarding designing the open house and
any other necessary activities required before the conclusion of the school year. The second meeting should be held
prior to the start of school. Additional meetings may be required during the 2016-17 school year as deemed necessary
by the building principal.
Some elementary schools experiencing greater turnover may wish to convene more often to plan for additional activities
over the summer. This schedule will be determined by the building principal with support from central office staff.
At high schools, transition teams should convene once a month. The first meeting should be held after April 20th and
before their open house. This will allow transition teams to provide input regarding designing the open house and any
other necessary activities required before the conclusion of the school year. Since other activities should be planned
during the summer and in the fall, the transition teams will continue to meet into the 2016-17 school year.
What will transition teams be expected to accomplish?
The main task of transition teams is to create a simple transition plan for their school community. The transition plan
should address the following:
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Disseminating information about Master Plan benefits
o How do we make our school and the community more aware of master plan benefits?
o What are the best ways to communicate with our families about the Master Plan?
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Promoting parental and community participation in events and activities that promote a cohesive school culture
o What activities are needed to create a cohesive school culture?
o How can we our upcoming open house help us to create a cohesive school culture?
o How can we make new families feel welcome?
o How do we get new and existing families more involved in our school?
o What are the best ways to communicate with our families about events and activities?
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Assessing and advising of district administrators of concerns and expectations among students, parents and
community members on issues or developments that affect the school’s ability to effectively transition and/or
implement Master Plan components
o How do we ensure that our school attracts and retains families?
o What supports will we need to create a cohesive school culture?
o How can we involve partners in this process?
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Working to ensure the implementation of Master Plan recommendations and setting and achieving transition
goals for the school
o What needs to be done between now and the start of school?
o What school-specific goals can be set during the transition process?
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