Winding Down

According to my calendar we have just a week and a half to go before the end of the school year. I know a lot of people (especially the kids) are well aware of this fact. I can promise you that in many classrooms this time of year it is common to see a countdown written on the white boards. For me, it always seems to catch me off guard a little bit. All of a sudden someone will say to me, 'Wow, I can't believe we only have XX days of school left!'. Yep, it's winding down.

Of course it has been very evident. If the green grass, blooming flowers, and little league ball weren't a signal, then the deluge of spring programs certainly should have been! This time of year our challenge is keeping the train on the tracks! As the days grow warmer and longer, the ability to focus in the classroom grows shorter and shorter! I reminded our teachers this week the best remedy for students who are anxious, excited, and a bit tired from all the activities is to remain committed to instruction. My take is that if we don't keep them busy, they'll find other ways to keep themselves busy! Even so, I am not naïve enough to understand the last two days of any school year are not incredibly productive; at least from an instructional standpoint. 

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as the school year winds down. Today, May 15 is a full day of school. This is not a change in our schedule. It was originally scheduled as a full day to accommodate semester tests in the high school. Next Wednesday, May 22 will also be a full day of school. This is because we'll be in Pirate Term. The following day, May 23, is the last day of school, which is an 11:30 dismissal. Sack lunches will be served. By the end of that week, May 24, most of the teachers will have wrapped up for the summer and will be on their way out the door. 

Following Memorial Day, we'll shift fully to our summer schedule. To remind everyone, the central office will be open Monday through Friday during regular business hours (7:30-3:30) all summer long. While this office is open on Friday, I ask that you please call ahead as I am the only in the office that day, and in the district doesn't necessarily equate to me being in the office.

Offices in both attendance centers will also be open during regular business hours through the month of June. In July, please route all inquiries through my office. Even so, if you have specific building level inquires, understand a response may be delayed as the principals will be enjoying some much deserved time off. Those offices will reopen on August 1. 

Registration materials for the 2024-2025 school year will available beginning in July.

Keep in mind this will be a very busy summer construction schedule, even bigger than last summer! While the majority of the work in the high school classrooms is now finished, this summer will be devoted to renovation of the common spaces. Included in this work will be finishing the installation of the new HVAC system. You will recall we took the air conditioning offline last fall. Just last week the boilers went offline. All the equipment in this mechanical room is being replaced, as well as all the heat pumps for the building. Access to the high school will be restricted for most of the summer. Sometime over the summer, when the time is right I'll provide a full update on progress at the high school and when we anticipate the new addition will open.

While there may be column from time to time over the summer, next week will be my final weekly column for the school year when I share my message to the Class of 2024. Even so, remember the office is open daily if you need something. Until then, have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you all again at the start of the 2024-2025 school year!