Mr. Jim Miller, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
for Shelby County Schools describes the ending of a school year as that of “a
business being shut down and then reopened all within two and a half
months.” I thought this was a great
metaphor! A lot of work is involved in
shutting down a business and even more work is involved in opening a
business. Imagine doing both of these
things all within two and a half months, every year! That is exactly what it is like for
administrators and teachers.
While it is common to think teachers get a three month
summer vacation, this is simply not true.
During these three months “off”, teachers are attending workshops,
planning lessons, meeting with colleagues, and working diligently in their
classrooms so they are prepared for the next school year.
The following link describes what all has to be done for a
successful closing of a school year: http://teaching.about.com/od/admin/tp/End-Of-The-School-Year.htm?r=twitter
I really like the idea of an administrator keeping a
notebook of ideas or suggestions that may be used to help make the close of the
next school year even better. I always
think I can remember a great idea when one is presented to me, but I have found
that if I don’t write it down, it is lost forever!
Not only is it beneficial for administrators to think about
ways to improve for upcoming year, but also for the parents and students to
think about these things.
The following is another link that talks about the
importance of reflection on a school year gone by: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-news/reflections-on-the-end-of-another-school-year-772505.html
In order for all of these things to be completed in a timely
manner, we at Chelsea Intermediate School provide a “Check-Out Procedure”
packet for each of our faculty and staff members. This check-out packet contains forms that
must be completed, procedures for completing these forms, and deadlines to
submit necessary paperwork.
On the last day of school for teachers, everyone signs up
for a time to meet with the administration so that all of these items can be
signed off on.
This process seems to be pretty seamless and productive as
it helps to keep everyone organized and on a schedule during a time that can be
extremely harrowing!
Stevi,
ReplyDeleteWe also follow the check-out procedure at the end of the school year to close out all student and teacher activity for that year. But for us as administrators we begin immediately planning for the next year. A list of end-of the year activities would be a good place to organize for the next year. We do many of the things listed. The information given in check-out such as textbooks owed or lost lets me know what I need to order for the following school year. We also interview and hire for the new year. Additionally, we plan for summer meetings with the school leadership team to set goals for the upcoming year.
Hi Stevi, Checkout time is here....for us as well at Montevallo. We must follow a checkout procedure at SCHS too. Things must be packed away in our rooms too. Our texts and personal books are stored away for the summer cleaning. It is a very hectic time of the year. As a high school teacher this time of the year is bittersweet. The young adults are leaving us and going out into the real world. So we pack up and check out to return to a differnt group and start anew.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how much time we spend taking down and building our classrooms each year. Although it is necessary, I think many of use dread it. Staying organized and planning ahead make the whole experience easier. Happy packing:)
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about school, though, is this rather odd process of renewal we go through each year. We end the year tired and cranky, and we take our rooms apart and prepare to leave everything behind. Then we come back in the fall (after those 2.5 months), and we're refreshed, excited, and energized. We put our rooms back together, we plan new lessons and activities, and hope--once again--springs eternal. I wonder what would happen to other business if they had this same opportunity!
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