Column: As summer cranks up, the school year winds down (sort of)

So summer has unofficially begun. For those of us in the field of education, of course, it’s really the beginning of the end—of the school year.

Things are heating up—both literally and figuratively.

As a school librarian, I want to make sure books are returned before students scatter. This means setting a final due date of June 2. Students won’t be able to take out books after then, but they’ll still be able to use the library for two more weeks.

That’s the seniors’ final regular school day as well. They’ll have their finals and marching practice, and then they’ll graduate. We have to create a list of “who owes what,” so we can track them down.

At the lower grade levels, it’s a time of field trips and field days. Each grade goes on a different trip—to Norlands, or Swan Island, for example.

Teachers hope the weather doesn’t turn too hot too soon, because students lose all motivation when that happens. Our elementary schools are not air-conditioned, so things can get sticky. I am grateful that all but one of the libraries are cooled. This is because the servers are located there and must be kept cool.

I remember some scorching field days when I worked at the middle school. For one, I was on the tennis courts, and my face turned scarlet with heat exhaustion. Another time I had my least favorite duty: supervising students playing kickball. It was a real endurance test.

This is the time of year when numerous end-of-year schedules flood my e-mail. This period must be carefully choreographed—but things happen. These schedules, whose minor details may change, remain firm on one point: we will be through on June 16.

My colleagues and I are happy the end comes no later. We had four snow days this winter, and using the fifth one would have pushed us into a new week. No one wants to come to school for half a day on a Monday in the middle of June.

We talk about summer in January, knowing that the snow-day count will affect the timing of our last day. But the actual number of days is fixed by state law. I like a snow day because it is a surprise day off. March is a long month filled with standardized testing and no holiday time. I always welcome a snow day during that dreary month.

It was a snowy winter, but our superintendent made good use of early releases and delayed starts. Those days don’t have to be made up. We did have some crazy weeks in which we left early and returned late, then had school cancelled two days later, but it all seems worth it now.

There’s a sense of urgency in the air in the school world, at this time of year. Librarians worry about getting the books back and closing up their libraries for the summer. Teachers hope they can get through the curriculum and have time for grading.

But there’s that glimmer of summer on the horizon to calm us down.

By the time that last day arrives, both students and teachers are ready. School librarianship is my second career. When I started, I marveled at how vacations and holidays arrived just when they were needed. Students need a break from all that thinking and teachers need to refresh themselves. Teaching is a stressful occupation.

Many teachers, however, don’t spend their whole summer lying on the beach. Young teachers may have to work a second job to pay off their college loans. They may be taking classes for an advanced degree. All teachers need to take a class every few years to keep up their certification.

Some teachers choose to work in summer programs. Some librarians go off to distant places to set up libraries in poor communities.

There is always planning to do for the new year. The best teachers don’t want to be doing the same old thing in the same old way. Elementary teachers like to use a lot of different materials. Summer is a good time to make and organize them. Middle school teachers might be asked to teach social studies instead of English if they are certified in both areas, so they must get ready. High school teachers might have to prepare for a new class in their discipline.

I have worked in summer programs some years. I’ve also taken classes. This year, I am volunteering to supply one of the “Little Free Libraries” we have around town, and to help tend the gardens at the 7-12 school. This will be the first summer in about six years that I will be free of work and coursework obligations.

So, yes, I am looking forward to my summer vacation. But there’s a ton of work to be done in the meantime. I was in line with a colleague at the grocery store and he asked me if I had any big summer plans.

I told him, “I haven’t had time to think about it yet.” And that’s the truth.