Summer Vacation!

Today our entire school population lined the hallways to pay tribute to our fifth graders...giving them a "clap-out" as they officially left the building for the last time. There were tears, hugs and high-fives from both teachers and students as the fifth graders, led by retiring kindergarten teacher, Sue Collins, paraded through each wing of the building. This emotional send off reminds us all how much a school is like a family and how, as with family members, saying goodbye is hard. We are all looking towards the summer now. Classrooms have been packed up and are ready for cleaning and/or moving. Before you know it, we will be back here again, this time welcoming our newest members of our school family, the kindergarten students, the class of 2027! Until then, take some time to renew, recharge and relax, perhaps following these 10 Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Summer Break adapted from Vicki Davis @http://www.coolcatteacher.com/10-tips-for-getting-the-most-out-of-your-summer-break/

1. Take time to rest. It is OK to sleep if you're tired and are behind. Loss of sleep is cumulative so get back on track.
2. Take time to remember. Breathe deeply and relish the good memories of the year. Learn from them.
3. Take time to forget.  Give yourself time to be a human for a little while and not a teacher.
4. Have a few days without a list. Sometimes we need to be a human BE-ing not a human DO-ing. 
5. Take time to heal.  The summer is the time to retread our heart and soul so we can make it.
6. Take time to learn.  Reading is part of rejuvenation. Fiction and nonfiction.
7. Go offline for a while.  Unplug. Put on your vacation auto-responder and forget about your email. Go outside, get away and unplug. 
8. Set realistic goals.  Three is a good number. These might be places to go and one or two things we'd like to accomplish. You might make a "goal poster" for the summer; make drawings or lists of what you'd like to get done in the summer. You can mark them off as you go.  
9. Work on one goal at a time. Start on the first goal and focus until you finish. Work on it whenever you can.
10. Look at Your Habits - Ninety five per cent of what we accomplish is based on our habits. GIVE YOURSELF A NEW HABIT. Whether it is working out, writing, or consistently pursuing a goal important to you. Your list may shape today but habits shape your destiny. Find good ones.

You might enjoy the annual Summer Rejuvenation Guide from Edutopia. First published in 2010 and updated again in 2013, this guide also offers ten tips on how to...

• Grow Your Network
• Party with the Stars
• Do-It-Yourself Professional Development
• Tell the Story of Your Life
• Try Something New
• Curate Classroom Artifacts
• Give a Little, Get a Lot
• Get Moving
• Crack the Books
• Plan Ahead for Next Summer

The "Leading with Soul" side of me is partial to Davis's list because it focuses more on knowledge of self and taking time to take a look at the little things around us we often neglect. Once you have taken care of that, you will be ready to make use of the excellent resources packed into Edutopia's summer guide as you gear up for another year of school!