Everyone Has Spring Fever!!

Ah, springtime in schools. The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and let’s be honest—everyone’s a little antsy. The final stretch of the school year has begun, and with it comes that undeniable burst of energy (and sometimes chaos) we affectionately refer to as spring fever. Students are restless, parents are eager for summer, and teachers are running on fumes.

So how can school leaders navigate this season without losing their minds—or their momentum? Here’s how principals can help steer the ship through the wild winds of spring.

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1. With Students: Structure + Grace = Success

Spring fever often shows up in the form of chatter, challenges to authority, or just plain goofiness. Now is not the time to relax expectations. In fact, consistency becomes even more critical.

• Reinforce routines. Revisit behavior expectations during morning announcements or classroom visits. Predictability helps ease the chaos.
• Keep engagement high. Work with teachers to incorporate more movement, hands-on activities, and real-world connections into lessons. Channel that spring energy!
• Build in milestones. Create short-term celebrations and countdowns that reward positive behavior and academic progress—mini goals can help students stay motivated.

But also—show grace. Some kids are dealing with testing anxiety, home stressors, or end-of-year burnout. A kind word or a hallway high five can go a long way.

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2. With Parents: Communicate and Celebrate

By spring, many parents are juggling sports schedules, graduation events, and summer planning. They may also start to disengage or forget important school deadlines.

• Overcommunicate with kindness. Send friendly reminders via multiple channels (ParentSquare, email, Facebook, paper notes—use it all). Keep them in the loop about testing, field trips, and end-of-year events.
• Celebrate student success. Spotlight achievements with photos, newsletters, or social media shoutouts. It reminds parents that learning is still happening and helps keep them connected.
• Prepare for the transition. Whether it’s moving up a grade, switching schools, or heading to high school—this is a good time to help parents plan and support their children through change.

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3. With Teachers: Encouragement is Everything

Teachers are nearing the finish line, but many are running on empty. The demands are still high, and burnout is very real.

• Be visible and supportive. Pop into classrooms just to say thank you or drop off a snack. A little appreciation can go a long way.
• Respect their time. Trim down meetings. Focus PD or planning time on things that matter most during this season—like preparing for testing or planning end-of-year wrap-ups.
• Create moments of joy. Theme days, jeans passes, surprise Sonic drinks—whatever fits your culture. The goal is to lift spirits and keep morale steady.

And most importantly: listen. Spring can be emotionally tough. Let your teachers know that their voice matters and their work is seen.

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Final Thought:

Spring fever is a real thing—but it doesn’t have to derail the hard work that’s been done all year. With a little intentionality, empathy, and positive leadership, principals can keep the culture strong all the way to the last bell.

Because summer is coming… but we’re not done yet.