April 2012 Volume IX Issue IV

Just for the ASKing! is a monthly e-newsletter that addresses the interests of all those who strive to be instructional leaders. This month the focus is on the closing of school. In addition to Bruce’s guiding principles for the closing of school, we present a new tool, The 2012 Closing of School Checklist. 

by Bruce Oliver

Download The 2012 Closing of School Checklist

For six years, the most popular issue of Just for the ASKing! has been The Opening of School Checklist; it was first published in July 2005 and is updated and published each July. During the past year, e-newsletter subscribers have expressed an interest in a Closing of School Checklist. As a result of those requests, we are providing you a list of suggested tasks that can help you to end the school year on a positive note. The ideas presented are based on personal experiences as well as input from building administrators and other school personnel. We know that not all suggestions will apply to all schools, but those that do not apply may cause you to think of others we neglected to include. In addition to specific tasks to be accomplished as the school year ends, we are including some guiding principles to consider as the school year ends.

Guiding Principles for the Closing of School

Keep the focus on instruction. 
As the school year draws to a close, some practitioners start closing down too soon. Teachers need to set the tone in the classroom that there is still more to be learned even though the school year is ending. Because the students may be mentally shutting down, this is the time for teachers to make learning more enticing and interesting to maintain student involvement.

Be creative. 
Unfortunately, some students feel that once standardized testing is completed, so is their investment in classroom activities. There is often a build-up to the school’s testing program, and after the tests are completed both teachers and students breathe a sigh of relief. The time period after school wide testing is a great time for teachers to inspire students with creative learning experiences which may include student presentations and/or demonstrations, the use of multiple intelligence strategies, as well as the inclusion of student choice as students demonstrate their learning. Keeping the students interested and involved is a real challenge but when teachers add creative dimensions to learning, the students may respond by buying into lessons they find interesting and applicable to their real world.

Grades should not be a surprise. 
Many teachers keep their students apprised of their academic standing on a routine basis. It is always surprising to me when students are unaware of their grade or where they stand in meeting the course standards. Many teachers require their students to keep a log of their grades and they allow the students to periodically assess their standing in the course. In any case, students should never be surprised when they receive their final grade, especially students who are in danger of failing. Equally important is that parents should not be caught off guard when final report cards arrive at home.

Reach closure with individual students. 
One of my fondest memories as a principal was watching successful teachers hold individual conferences with each student as the school year drew to a close. The teachers emphasized what each student had accomplished as well as goals the student set for future learning. Instead of whiling away the time with loosely structured classroom events or individual busy work, teachers can help each student feel a sense of accomplishment by collaboratively exploring with students their academic growth.

Provide ideas for students during the summer break. 
While some students face their summer break from school with a sense of euphoria, there are many students who will face their summer months with sadness or even dread. These students see their school as a place of stability and predictability in their lives. When the safe haven that school provides is not available, some children are lost as they deal with environments that are unpredictable, and, in some cases, unstable. Schools can help these students by remembering to publicize community programs and events that students can access during their break from school. Additionally, it is important to send information to parents who may not be aware of these resources or who may not know how to help their children to become involved in these programs.

Think about the future. 
There is a great deal of activity near the end of the school year. With this whirlwind of non-stop events, many educators find it difficult to think beyond the last day of school. Take some time before the school year ends, mentally review the school year just completed, and jot down thoughts about how to begin the next school year and ideas you definitely want to add to your teaching repertoire. Whereas some educators have a tendency to dwell on what didn’t work, it is much more satisfying and prudent to make a list of what went well, especially stopping to reflect on the students whose lives they have impacted in a positive way.

Have a great instructionally-focused closing of school! All of us at Just ASK hope you find the attached Closing of School Checklist useful. Let us know if you have other tasks which you think should be included. To extend your thinking on these issues, see the June 2005 issue of Just for the ASKing! titled "Summertime… and the Livin’ Is Easy… Or Is It?"

Download The 2012 Closing of School Checklist

© 2012 Just ASK Publications & Professional Development

Permission is granted for reprinting and distribution of this newsletter for 
non-commercial use only. Please include the following citation on all copies:
Oliver, Bruce. “The 2012 Closing of School Checklist ” Just for the ASKing! April 2012. Available at www.justaskpublications.com. Reproduced with permission of Just ASK Publications & Professional Development (Just ASK). © 2012 by Just ASK. All rights reserved.