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The Friday before February vacation is the book end to a six week stretch from the start of the year. Some teachers call this stretch the grind. With the exception of Martin Luther King Day there are no breaks.
The weather can be cold and filled with snow in New England in many other parts of the country. As the temperatures dip, so can motivation levels for educators, students, and parents.
One analogy for this stretch could be walking into a blistery wind with snow blowing in your face. The only options is to put one foot in front of the other until you reach the school break.
At the high school level, winter sports are winding down. Players are worn down and sometimes sick due to the grueling schedule of a student-athlete. Hockey and basketball are finishing their league games and gearing up for vacation week and the state tournament. Swimming, wrestling, indoor track, and gymnastics are starting their state competitions in a few elite teams. All teams are having senior nights with intense emotions that the season and high school are almost over.
Experienced teachers know the importance of designing lesson plans and units that match the flow of the school year and the attitudes of the students. It is also important to keep in mind the lesson for the Monday back from vacation. And like a middle reliever in baseball, it is important to set up for the return. Make sure that first day or two back are thoughtfully planned out and allows for the transition from vacation to school.