Letâs be honest. The last few weeks of the school year can be tough. It seems like every single event, from field trips to awards ceremonies, was saved for the end of May and the beginning of June. Parents whom you couldnât get ahold of for the last nine months are all of a sudden calling twice a day, making sure their kid will pass. Fifth graders canât wait to move to sixth grade; eighth graders are itching for high school. Seniors checked out a long time ago. This time of year can be hectic, exhausting, and stressful for teachers and school leaders. Here are five tips to help you and your staff finish strong and end the school year with enough energy left to enjoy the summer.
1. Remember: Youâve been here before and survived.
This is the time of year when everything is due: observations, data presentations, final evals, staffing plans. It often feels like there is no way youâre going to get it all finished. But thatâs when you need to remember that youâve completed all of this work before and it will be no different this time. Sure, you may have some long nights ahead. Yes, you may have to stay home while your family goes to see Solo. And maybe youâre going to be a little sleepy those last couple of days. But youâre going make it, just like you always have.
2. Cut your staff some slack.
Remember that, like you, students and staff are also busy and tired. Staff are often going to the same evening events you areâin addition to attending their own childrenâs events. They might be a little late one day or forget to turn something in the day it was due. Give them a pass. Let them know that youâre tired too and encourage them to hang in there. Reassure them that they will make it to the end of the year successfully and that you have their back.
3. Treat yourself and donât feel bad about it.
During this final stretch, you might not have time to prepare dinner. This might mean grabbing fast food four times in one week. It may not be as healthy, and you might spend a little more money than usual, but this is temporary. Indulging a little right now is necessary for you to get things done. Thereâs nothing wrong with paying the neighborâs kid to mow your lawn. Get a massage, soak in a hot tub, or relax in the sauna. Your body will thank you later. Bottom line, treat yourself and donât feel guilty as you head toward the finish line.
4. Think about what was accomplished this year.
Itâs tempting to look back and reflect on the things that you didnât accomplish this year. However, you can also choose to focus on and remind yourself of everything that went well. Of course you want to improve and be better next year. Thatâs what your summer retreats and school improvement team meetings are for. The last few weeks of school are the time to celebrate the positive strides you, your staff, and students made. Dwelling on the what-ifs in these final weeks only serves to bring negativity into a time that should be a celebration. Instead, think about growth and achievements, which will give you much-needed energy to get to the end of the year.
5. Give yourself something to look forward to.
Thereâs no easy way to say it, but there are times in the last weeks of the school year that are just not fun. Whether itâs delivering a pink slip or telling some students they will not graduate, the worst parts of this job can surface right now. Getting through them without losing it is not always easy. Sometimes the best thing to do is look forward to what youâre going to do this summer. It doesnât need to be big, and it doesnât need to be expensive. Maybe itâs relaxing at your local cafe. Or maybe binge-watching Game of Thrones while eating a pint of Ben & Jerryâs. When times get hectic, allow yourself to look ahead for a moment. The hope for a little relaxation, even if itâs just a time of quiet when everyone else is out of the building, can give you the boost you need to finish strong.
You can do it.
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