Getting a new student. Always an exciting event for the class. Getting a "new" student from someone else's classroom...a potentially complex situation for everyone involved. Either way, the new arrival marks a transitional period for you and your class...one that should not be taken lightly.Kids are much more resilient and flexible when it comes to events like this than we give them credit for. It doesn't take them long to understand what is happening...to put "2 and 2 together." If like me you've ever been asked to take on a student who is not having a good experience in a colleague's classroom...you know what I'm talking about. How do you address this with the class? How do you talk to the "new" student in an effort to help him or her begin to feel like he/she is going to be a part of your community? These are just a few questions that you will need to think through (or have thought through...if you've experienced this before).I have always taken the approach that these events are opportunities...an opportunity for the "new" student to re-invent him/herself. A chance for the students in the receiving classroom to show the "new" student an image of what can be possible through their kindness and compassion. The "new" student has to be willing to put forth the energy required to adapt to a new environment. That said, there will be good days, so, so days, and not so, so days during this transition. That's normal. As long as you (the teacher) are transparent with the class and the "new" student...letting each know what is working and what is not...this transition has the potential to bring all of you closer as human beings engaged in the work we do with each other...teaching and learning...on a daily basis.