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The Toolbox contains a collection of articles with practical advice for school and classroom management.
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Closing Out the School Year: You Can Manage It
Time that seemed to drag in February begins to fly in May.
If you want a smooth landing in June, put your end-of-year procedures in order now. (See the Monthly Checklist for more.)
School safety, always a concern, takes on special urgency at year’s end. At middle and high school especially, many students who wouldn’t dream of misbehaving in September suddenly think that June equals impunity.
You’ve been consistent and fair in applying the rules all year long, and this is no time to let down. It’s also no time to draw a line in the sand, because kids just love a good challenge.
Instead, involve all staff in school safety, and do it quietly.
Special Duty Assignments
Develop a Special Duty roster for the last few days of school. Every staff member should have a specific location that covers the following: all exterior doors, restrooms, fire alarms, pass-throughs (gym, auditorium, library, cafeteria, etc.), bus areas, parking lots, and bike rack.
Memo to Staff
Dear Staff,
As a reminder, the Special Duty list for June 1-5 is attached. Please note your location.
Considering the time of year, we need to take the following additional precautions:
- Stand in the hallways between all periods.
- Restrict student passes from class, and make sure you know who leaves and when.
- Keep a sign-out log if you don’t already do so.
- Monitor closely all student hallway activities, including locker clean-out.
- Know where the fire alarms are located in your area.
- Avoid discussion of end-of-year pranks with students, do not leave this memo where students can see it, and do not indicate by your actions that we are feeling a bit suspicious of our little darlings.
End the year well organized, orderly, and safe, and you’ve set the tone for a great beginning to the new school term!
