Our hardworking, devoted staff has been working since late August with the awesome responsibility of helping all of our students to be successful at high levels - academically, socially, and behaviorally. The arduous task of engaging and supporting students with different learning styles at different academic performance levels on a daily basis is a monumental task. The fact that we do it so well each year is a testament to the teaching staff as well as to those who support them; from our front office to the custodial staff.
Thus, while it is tempting to let up on the throttle, it is essential that we all finish the year on a high note. Finishing strong when doing any task is an important trait in successful people. Parents and staff should work intentionally to support and motivate students to finish successfully. In addition to learning valuable skills, students gain the experience of being rewarded for their hard work and persistence. Students who finish the school year strong almost always begin the next year successfully as well. This is due in large part, to the confidence that they gained from achieving that success as well the fact that they will most likely continue to practice the work habits that helped foster their achievements.
This doesn't necessarily mean working harder. Instead it means working in a more focused way. Teachers should foster this by trying not to cover too much content at the end of the year. Essential content and skills should be evaluated and re-prioritized. It is even more important for teachers to target instruction so that their students gain valuable learning outcomes needed to prepare them for the next level. Parents and guardians can help as well by reducing the activities that their children are involved in after school and helping them with time management skills - including setting end of the year goals. Students should have plenty of sleep and rest, and eat well on a daily basis. While these things are valuable throughout the year, they are particularly important the last six weeks. Finally, when our children finish the year successfully, we should celebrate them and help them reflect on all the strategies that they took to realize that success so that they can internalize them. The pride and joy that they gain from year-end accomplishments will be a great motivating force when they begin the new school term - success breeds success!
