5 Tips for an Easy End of the School Year
As the end of the school year comes closer, it is easy to forget that we can help our students, families, and ourselves in the future. It is overwhelming with all the end of the school year activities and celebrations to think about things for the summer or even the next year. Do not worry because I have done that thinking for you! Here are some tips for things you want to be sure you are doing to end the school year on a positive note!
Reflecting on the End of the School Year
Think about what worked and didn’t work in your classroom this past year. Perhaps a center you had dreamed up just didn’t keep your students engaged the way you hoped. Maybe you discovered a great morning activity that helped your students settle in quickly, and now you’re excited to carry it into the new year. You might have also found an effective new way to communicate with families, like a weekly newsletter or classroom app, that made a real difference. Putting some of these ideas into practice requires time, planning, or new resources.
That’s why the end of the school year is the perfect time to reflect. When things start to slow down just a bit, and you have a clearer view of the big picture, it’s easier to recognize what deserves a spot in your future classroom routine. Use this time to jot down ideas, organize materials, or bookmark resources while they’re still fresh in your mind.
Many of these ideas are flexible, even if your teaching placement might change or you’re unsure what next year will look like. Good routines, solid parent communication tools, and student engagement strategies often work across grade levels and subject areas. Taking the time at the end of the school year to reflect and prep can save you energy later and help you start strong when school begins again.
Information for Families for the End of the School Year
As teachers, we should also have a goal of communication and providing support to families. When it’s the end of the school year, we often think that we just need to say goodbye. There is so much more we could do to help!
Many times, families are looking for ideas on what they can do with their children to help with the inconsistencies of summer. Make sure to check out these ideas for summer for parents that you can also read! Some things I like to provide or help with are:
- Create example summer schedules or provide visuals to make them!
- Provide a list of fun activities in your town to do (field trip ideas, free opportunities, camps, etc.)
- Make a list of educational websites they can use.
- Provide materials to work on over the summer.
- Compile a list of life skills activities families can work on over the summer with step-by-step instructions. (like a task analysis).
Here is a fun summer set of Boom Cards! Sign up below!
Some of these ideas are more prep on your part to do than others, but I have some things that can help you!
Schedules: Here is a visual schedule that I have available for purchase. You can print and send it home with families!
Looking for no-prep activities to fill the summer hours? I love using worksheets that are easy to print and go! Here are a few I have:
Use Your Resources Carefully at the End of the School Year
Do you get reimbursed for the materials that you buy for your classroom? All the lamination, velcro, and dry-erase markers you might have spent your own money on. If so, it’s time to make sure that you have compiled all the receipts and you’ve been compensated. Not every district will do this. Some may only do it for a certain amount. If you are lucky, you should be sure to use it.
Do you get reimbursed for college classes or training you paid to attend? Make sure you are getting that information into your school’s business department. They will get you back the money you invested to grow professionally that you are owed. Check your teacher contract to see if this is something you can take advantage of.
Another great idea is to spend all that money if you get a budget for your classroom. Don’t let the dollars you receive go to waste. Even if you use an idea you have for the next year, get supplies now.
Did you get gift cards from parents who showed you appreciation during the holidays or Teacher Appreciation Week? You can look for ways to spend this money to better your classroom for next year. Whether it’s getting a new carpet for your morning meetings or buying new caddies for your supply stations.
Get Your End of the School Year Paperwork Done!
Special education teachers are constantly working on documents for their students. There are IEPs, FBAs, BIPs, NOREPs, Re-evaluations, and so much more! The last thing that you want to do at the end of the school year is forget to complete a document. Another thing not to forget is to revise an IEP for the upcoming school year. It can cause stress on you next year, the new teachers the student may work with, the family, and the student.
Sometimes, we have last-minute conversations with families who want to make a change to an IEP for the upcoming year. This could be based on moving to a new school, building, or program. Make sure that you have those documents ready to work for students to meet their needs before you pack your classroom up for the year.
Pack Up with Next Year in Mind
The daunting task of packing the classroom up can be so overwhelming for teachers. You spent all year getting the room to work for you, your paras, and your students. Then you have to take things down, put them away, and also remember where you put them when you come back in the fall.
In my first few years of teaching, I made a mistake. I would just throw anything in a box close by with no rhyme or reason. Then I would come back during the summer to unpack and hate myself. Yes, are we all on the struggle bus at the end of the school year and want to get things packed up quickly? Of course! But, the problem with that is you are setting yourself up for failure when you come back in the fall.
My suggestion is to try to keep like items together that you know are going to be used together in the next year. So I try to have tubs that are either based on like items or for certain times of the school year. For example, I have a “back to school” tub where I keep copies of welcome letters, information cards, bulletin board pieces, and easy tasks for my students. It’s everything I use in the first month of school in one place that is easy to get to. Then, when I come back, it’s not so stressful to hunt down all the things I need.
Taking Care of Your Staff at the End of the School Year
It’s crucial to make sure you are showing the people who help you run your classroom some appreciation. It’s not always easy to buy gifts at the end of the school year when things are crazy, so I have a tip. Instead of looking then for what you need, have it in the back of your mind all year. Every time you go to a store, check out the clearance, gift, or school supply sections. You can find some great deals on items that come in handy as gifts for paraprofessionals, co-teachers, or even student teachers!
Once I have those items, I have a bin of gifts I keep in my teacher closet. It’s a milk crate with sticky notes, fun pens, thank you cards, word search books, small candles, and other stuff! I’m sure you can think of more things than I could, especially if you know what those people like. I often have my staff complete a survey like this at the beginning of the year. It gives me an idea of what they like, so I know what to look for as gifts!
Need some ideas? I have an ENTIRE Amazon store with ideas of gifts for staff you might work with! Check it out now!
Just remember:
“A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected.”
Francis Flinn
Being Intentional Impacts the End of the School Year
The end of the school year doesn’t have to feel like a chaotic rush to the finish line. With a little planning, reflection, and care, it can be one of the most powerful times to set yourself and your students up for future success. Whether you’re wrapping up paperwork, organizing your classroom, or giving families the tools they need for summer, you’re creating a smoother transition into next year.
If you want to hear even more tips and encouragement for wrapping up the year, be sure to check out my interview with Dawn from Cultivating Exceptional Minds. Her podcast, Be the Exception, is where we chat all things getting ready for the summer as a teacher!
So as you pack up, tie up loose ends, and maybe even get a little emotional saying goodbye, know that the time you’re spending now really matters. Use these ideas to make your end of the school year feel a little more intentional and a lot more manageable. You’ve got this!
Save for Later
Remember to save this post to your favorite Special Education Pinterest board for quick access to these helpful tips for the end of the school year!
