So summer break will be starting very soon (YAY if you could see me I'd be doing high kicks and back flips)! With the summer approaching I think about what things I want to do during the summer (when I have lots of relax time for myself) for the upcoming school year. So here are a few things that come to mind:-Redecorate/Clean my office: I moved into my current space this year and really didn't get the opportunity to sort plan things the way that I wanted. Now that I was in the office for a year, I've thought of many things that might help me maximize space. I probably should stop my to do list after this project, because I know that it's going to be a lot of work!
-Inventory Counselor Books: I want to make a list of every counselor book that is in my office. In the past, I've let parents check out books (which I plan to continue) but when parents ask do I have a book on anxiety, I have to do a bookshelf, cabinet or file cabinet search for them (I do have the books organized by subject which saves some time) but I don't have a full list of what books I have. That will also save me from having 3 and 4 copies of the same book (2 is enough in most cases, remember I have a small space).
-Create a counselor notebook/planner for me: I've always just bought a planner and made it work but thanks to Pinterest I've seen other people make their own notebook and so can I!
-Think of/Plan class lessons for next year: I visit each grade level once a month so that would be 9 lessons for each grade, if I get the first 4-5 months done I'll be happy (some lessons I repeat each year & they're already done). Decide types of groups that have a need at my school.
-Begin career cafe: I love reading about other school counselors career cafes. I would like to focus on 4th and 5th graders. I can get an idea of what types of professionals to come based on counselor check-in meetings that I will do at the beginning and middle of the school year.
-Relax and do these projects at my own speed! During the summer I always tell people that I'm a free spirit and do things based on how I feel for the day (well I'm sort of like this during the year but I have to adhere more to a schedule). I'm looking forward to this break but feel that these projects will better prepare me for the next year. I'll keep you posted on my projects. Happy summer break (I'll still be posting as usual during the summer)!
Do you have a summer counselor to do list? Pin It
I have a similar to-do list, Andrea. I also want to begin implementing Career Cafe. I want to find a new way to decorate my office. (Still crossing my fingers to move into a bigger space for next year!) I want to plan my classroom guidance lessons and think about which small groups to offer in addition to my lunch bunch topics for next year. One other thing I'm looking forward to doing is giving my puppet a make-over by updating her look so I can start including her in our PBIS program. I'm excited to plan!
ReplyDeleteI literally just got home from my last day of school..... I did a flip or two! I have the same plan. Would you share what ideas you got for your planner\ counselor notebook? Today I talked to a teacher and got the greatest organization system for individual kids and groups. It was an exciting aha moment! Have a great summer Andrea and see you at the conference : )
ReplyDelete