The Classroom

It happens every year – and I still get caught off guard by it. Year End Stress Syndrome. Everyone with in a school is affected. You can’t avoid it. For teachers and staff it’s the extra pressure of government exams, celebrations, awards, reportcards/IPPs, cleaning up/packing up for summer, doing inventory, basic planning for September, saying good bye to some colleges and students, and trying to deal with these now irrational beings you’re trapped in a cage with.

For students it’s a result of the holidays about to arrive (who wants to think about school when you can think about the time off!) , pressure of the looming final exams and report cards, hormones, the impending loss of structure in their lives, and the huge change that will be hitting them next year as they enter a new grade (and some times school).

It is an odd phenomenon – filled with moments of sorrow and morning, a long with cheer and celebration. It’s like adding a wedding to a funeral. And the whole school population has to attend. No wonder it feels like a month long full moon… Read the rest of this entry »