'Twas the week before Christmas (break!)

Wow, if this isn't my least favourite week of the year, I don't know what is. Depending on the year and what kids I had, the last day or two before Christmas break was AWFUL! Or it was awesome. It all depended on how I'd planned my year.

First, don't be afraid to let people (whose kids you like...) know that your schedule is filling fast, and if they'd like you to hold any days that are in high demand (like the last day before any break) you'd be happy to. There's no harm if you do this. The upside is that you might have kids you like and who know you. Bonus! If it doesn't pan out, you'll get a call that day. Guaranteed.

Second, be vigilant on subfinder, making sure that you can fill your schedule with teachers you like, rather than just what's available. Get those cards out when you are in jobs, so teachers know how to reach you and request you.

Be prepared with some random holiday-y activities and things that will engage the whole class if need be. Silent ball works. Any sub who can keep a class together on the last day before a break without a solid lesson plan is golden. Heads-down, Thumbs-Up works, too. If you're lucky, you'll have no more than 60-minutes to fill for each class. If you're unlucky, the kids are on blocks and you're going to have to scramble.

Also, your budget plays into this. While it's nice to be available during those high-demand days, look at your budget numbers and see what you can do to avoid it if you don't have something lined up before it happens. How nice would it be to go on vacation a day early and not deal with those stressors all day? Look at your budget. Can you do it? Consider it!

The best year of holidays for me was the year I had the honors social studies and language arts kids for the three days the week of Thanksgiving and the entire week before Christmas. They were amazing, as always. They focused all week, got their work done, read their books and even cleaned up perfectly after their holiday party and gift exchange on the last day. That's how that week *should* look for subs. Tests are also great ways to spend that last day, as it forces focus and eliminates that need for kids to be reminded of material for a test when they return from break.

I had one year I regretted working that last day when I was showing Elf and the kids were allowed to bring food. One kid ate so many cookies he put himself into a sugar coma before the end of class and had a pounding headache when he woke up. The kids were predictably bouncy, unfocused and unproductive, as was planned. Unfortunately, I was not properly equipped to handle that.

All too often, that last day is a management nightmare. That week is dicey. By doing some careful planning on either activities to entertain or just not working that day, you can easily avoid stressful work days, saving your sanity and your energy for your family.