Keeping Spirits High

Forget Santa! Winter Break is coming to town! With just a few full weeks of school between Thanksgiving and Winter Break, students’ minds often drift to vacations, sleeping late and no homework. However, December is an important time to position students ahead for the end of Quarter 2, which typically comes just a few weeks after the New Year. 

Here are three tips to keep focus and spirits high as you approach Winter Break:

Maintain Routines

The holidays often generate busier schedules and longer to do lists. Encourage students to keep up with their assignment tracker, get enough sleep and balance their academic and social schedules. 

Create a Winter Break Bucket List

Incentivize students by talking about what they are excited to do over the Winter Break. Work together to determine how they can make these things happen. It will help motivate students if they know what is in store, and foster fun family conversation. 

Look Ahead

Keep an eye on the family calendar and any upcoming assignments. Be sure students practice self-advocacy by reaching out to their teachers if they are going to miss school because of family plans or events. Consider creating a checklist of all approaching deadlines, and make time to get ahead to avoid a lengthy list of make-up work that will dampen the holiday cheer.