Great Ways to End a School Year

The last day (week) of school can be hard on everyone. Everyone is tired, and the All-Star teams have already been chosen for spring sports. We're burning the candles at both ends, and school is just an obligation that must be fullfilled to get us to summertime!
As a principal, it's my job to make sure we are still having "school" even in late May - and even when the grades are already posted! So, I take the last couple of weeks very seriously. We started Handwriting Camp the second and third weeks of May. It was a great time to trial something that we'll do in the fall semester. I'll have to post more information about that later because it was a cool concept, and I think it will be important to continue. We also took a shot at Boater Safety Week the last week of school. We'll do that again, but I'll definitely give more direction next time.
My favorite thing is the last day of school. It's a shortened day, and we have every minute planned. This eliminates opportunity for misbehavior. It also eliminates time for students to clean and load the teachers' cars! (I personally like that!)
So, the last day is our Tom Hammerle Rock 'n Run. Tom was a student at our school who passed away after his battle with cancer. His parents are wonderful supporters of our school and attend the yearly Rock 'n Run. Students gather sponsors to support their efforts then, divided into grades K-1st, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-5th, they race at the park next to our school. Half of the money raised goes to support cancer research and the other half goes back to the school. This year we ran for iPads!
We take a full sound system and lots of water, and we have a blast! Parents and family members, along with the family pets, are all welcome to join us. Students who don't want to run are encouraged to walk, enjoy the music, and just have fun! Here is a link to this year's post race dance party:
http://youtu.be/7p2B-H4jedE
After the race, the Hammerle family provides popsicles for all of the students, teachers, and everyone who joins us. Students get to hang out at the park and cheer on their friends. Many grades have their students bring their lunches to the park so they can enjoy their lunch there too.
Students return to the school in time to get their bags together then they head to the cafeteria for the Closing Celebration. I believe it's important to start a school year with a big welcome and goal setting time and end the year celebrating the great accomplishments achieved.
Our Closing Celebration is one of my favorite things. We begin with the teachers entertaining with an opening song or dance. Students are encouraged to sing along and celebrate! Here is a link to this year's Closing Celebration teacher dance:
http://youtu.be/tPXPd5zwkeM

Last year, it was VERY HOT at the Rock 'n Run so
our local fire department came to the park and
hosed down the 4th - 5th graders! (Well, they
let me hose them down!)

We recognize the Top Readers and Top Reading Classes. We recognize different academic and citizenship achievements. (Most awards are done in the individual classes or on the daily televised announcements.) Then, we recognize the students who ran the most laps during the Rock 'n Run. Trophies are awarded to the top runners and the kids love cheering on their friends. They LOVE the trophies! Finally, we recognize those students and classes raising the most money. Our 5th graders leave and get into position for their last walk through the halls of elementary school as we wind down the Closing Celebration. This is my time to recognize my 4th graders as the new leaders and role models of the school. Everyone is pumped for summer when they leave to line the halls for the 5th Grade Walk.
The 5th Grade Walk is our way of saying good bye and good luck to our kiddos leaving for middle school. The entire school, along with the guests for the Closing Celebration, line the hallways. The 5th graders start outside the kindergarten doors and walk to the tune of a medley of great "best wishes" and "great memory" music through the parent/student - lined hallways. Students who started kindergarten together begin the walk and carry a sign saying "Kindergarten." Behind them, the students who started our school in 1st Grade walk together with a 1st Grade sign. Students are grouped with the peers that joined them when they started here at our school, each group with a sign. Each of the 5th graders have flowers that they share with teachers, special friends, and younger siblings. The onlookers cheer and also return flowers to the 5th grade graduates. It's a sweet and often emotional walk through the school by each grade and then finally out the doors toward their middle school. Here is a link to this year's 5th Grade Walk:
http://youtu.be/6F7wE8ulx0U
School's out! No fights, no arguments, no being mean - just a great end to another awesome year! Everything great needs a great closing! Another year down and another cheery on top!