What happens in a school system over the long summer days when students leave for camps and families pack suitcases for weeks at the shore or trips to visit relatives? The schools still hum with activity of a different sort. This part of the school year appears to me as the preparation and reflection cycle. We focus on the instructional preparation and the physical preparation while taking the time created by the change in pace to reflect and improve.
Teachers and staff use the summer months to increase their knowledge and update their curriculum. This includes taking courses and workshops in a wide variety of educational topics that may be content specific or focused on the social emotional support of students. The otherwise empty schools become a place for adult collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and content.
The school leaders meet with the teachers to ensure the success of the next school year. They reflect on school improvement, develop action plans, and use the summer days to rigorously interview and hire the best candidates for the inevitable open positions across the district. We also participate in an annual retreat where we delve into topics at a deeper level. Some of the topics from this year’s retreat included the District Improvement Plan, data analysis of the school culture survey results, and a root-cause analysis of our excessive absenteeism dilemma.
While focusing on improvements for teaching and learning, we also include technology and the physical spaces. Our technology team upgrades the computers, installs new equipment, improves processes, and provides instruction to teachers and staff. With the funding support of the School Committee, there are more than 800 technology devices for students and staff that are leased for instructional use. The summer days provide the slowdown to the system that the tech team uses to ensure the school year success.
The custodial team provides the improvements to the physical space. By the time 1,100 students have used the buildings for 180 school days, the spaces need a thorough, deep cleaning. The team also oversees larger project work such as replacing the library carpet, replacing the tiles outside the gym, redoing a science lab and prep rooms, adding a water softener, and making improvements to the school kitchens.
So, while the schools were quieter over the past months and traffic was certainly lighter, important activity went on inside. This week we happily say goodbye to the summer work and welcome the students back into their schools with all of the excitement and energy they bring with them.
Linda Dwight is superintendent of the Harvard Public Schools.
