Finish Strong | Start Smart

The final weeks of school can feel like a whirlwind, but a few intentional moves now can help you hit the ground running in the fall without sacrificing your summer break.

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Here's how to wrap up with clarity and calm:

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1. Declutter Digitally - Before the chaos of packing up your room, take 15 minutes to organize your files. Create folders labeled by subject, quarter, or unit. Delete duplicates. Rename that "Untitled Doc (6)" to something useful. Bonus: Move anything you won't use next year into an "Archive" folder.
2. Survey Your Students - Ask students for feedback on what worked for them this year and what didn't. A short Google Form with 2-3 open-ended questions can provide you with helpful insights and ideas for next year. Additionally, kids appreciate knowing that their opinions matter.
3. Pre-Schedule Key Dates - Set aside 10 minutes to sync the school calendar with your planner or Google Calendar. Include breaks, test windows, PD sessions, and any recurring duties like grade submissions. Starting the year with clarity means less stress in the long run.
4. Prepare a "First Week" Folder - Pull together a few easy wins, including a get-to-know-you activity, a classroom expectations intro, a team-building game, and a few review pages. Having these ready, and even pre-copied, lets you ease into August without scrambling.