It's almost summertime! In my school, we have completed our last day and are in our teacher workdays. Because of the snow, we have a lot. I've taken some off but I am still working 3 days this week. At least it gives me a chance to get set up for next year!
So here it is - my end of the year checklist!
So here it is - my end of the year checklist!
1. Gather your data for the current school year.
Because when you get back, ain't nobody got time for that. You can check out my current year's data here. Right now, I also have the information on my school website's homepage. I like to include closing the gap action plan data, whole class lesson data, and data about the number of students seen, groups held, etc. I make sure to share it with my principal and my fall advisory counselor. If I don't do this before school lets out, it doesn't get done.
2. A list of friends you need to check on early in the fall.
I jot down a list of students that I know I need to follow up with early in the school year. You think you'll remember, but you won't.
3. A list of ideas for the following year.
I start this one early! Starting about 3rd quarter, you hear lots of "next year, we need to remember to..." Well, write that down! In the fall, I'll read through this list and make a plan for addressing each item. I am always glad I did this.
4. File and organize.
Trust me, you'll be glad you did. I am a pretty organized person, but my dirty little secret is that I hate to file. During the year, I throw papers in a drawer and deal with it "later." Like, at the end of the year. The one nice thing about this procrastination is that by the time I get around to filing, I can recycle half the paper because I no longer need it. I also like to make sure that my office is organized and put back together as much as possible. I have worked at schools where I had to move all of my furniture to the walls for cleaning. When I did that, I made sure that things were organized by topic so I could put the room back in order quickly.
5. Purge.
Didn't use it? Get rid of it! In a similar vein, I also purge my confidential files yearly. Folders that contain release of information forms, suicide assessments, DSS referral information or individual counseling notes are red in my file drawer. I shred information every 5 years. At the end of each school year, I look in my red folders where I have information paper clipped by year and shred the oldest group.
See? It's not too hard and when you come back in the fall and refreshed and rested from your summer off/working your second job/raising your kids/remodeling your kitchen, you'll be so happy to have your space organized and ready for a new year!
Because when you get back, ain't nobody got time for that. You can check out my current year's data here. Right now, I also have the information on my school website's homepage. I like to include closing the gap action plan data, whole class lesson data, and data about the number of students seen, groups held, etc. I make sure to share it with my principal and my fall advisory counselor. If I don't do this before school lets out, it doesn't get done.
2. A list of friends you need to check on early in the fall.
I jot down a list of students that I know I need to follow up with early in the school year. You think you'll remember, but you won't.
3. A list of ideas for the following year.
I start this one early! Starting about 3rd quarter, you hear lots of "next year, we need to remember to..." Well, write that down! In the fall, I'll read through this list and make a plan for addressing each item. I am always glad I did this.
4. File and organize.
Trust me, you'll be glad you did. I am a pretty organized person, but my dirty little secret is that I hate to file. During the year, I throw papers in a drawer and deal with it "later." Like, at the end of the year. The one nice thing about this procrastination is that by the time I get around to filing, I can recycle half the paper because I no longer need it. I also like to make sure that my office is organized and put back together as much as possible. I have worked at schools where I had to move all of my furniture to the walls for cleaning. When I did that, I made sure that things were organized by topic so I could put the room back in order quickly.
5. Purge.
Didn't use it? Get rid of it! In a similar vein, I also purge my confidential files yearly. Folders that contain release of information forms, suicide assessments, DSS referral information or individual counseling notes are red in my file drawer. I shred information every 5 years. At the end of each school year, I look in my red folders where I have information paper clipped by year and shred the oldest group.
See? It's not too hard and when you come back in the fall and refreshed and rested from your summer off/working your second job/raising your kids/remodeling your kitchen, you'll be so happy to have your space organized and ready for a new year!
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