As the school year comes to a close, emotions surface as staff and students come together to reminisce about their 2024-2025 school year. Many students and staff feel nostalgia while others gain excitement about summer approaching. Studies show that 88% of students have stated that one of their teachers made a positive impact on their life, which explains why they’re saddened to leave them when the last bell rings. Another reason students often feel disappointed during the summer break is because they feel the absence of structure. It can negatively impact students who don’t have access to summer camps or extracurricular activities.
School years impact everyone differently; some students enjoyed this school year while others thought otherwise. Sixth grader Kendall Crummy stated, “It’s bittersweet for the school year to end, but I’m excited for summer. I will say sixth grade was a rocky start to middle school.”
Seventh grader Sammie Marx said, “I am excited for summer, but I did enjoy making memories with my friends in the past school year.”
Some students are relieved summer is approaching because they are able to take a break. Seventh grader Lucy Parks said, “I’m happy the school year is ending because I get to see my friends. I’m also looking forward to sleeping in.”
In addition, eighth grader Rhea Desai mentioned, “I’m excited for school to end, but I’m not excited to go to high school. There is too much homework, and you have to be an adult.”
Teachers are also given a break during the summer. It’s a great time to take a break from grading papers or rushing out the door every morning. Sixth grade Ancient World teacher Mrs. Caitlin D’Angelo stated, “I love summer break, it’s the perfect time to recharge, pick up a new hobby, and spend time with my kids. I mark activities on our calendar to enjoy with my kids during the summer months.”
As the alarm clocks are turned off, summer vacation provides a much needed rest for students and staff. In addition, summer can impact one’s sleep schedule positively. With all the homework, staying up late is common and can lead to exhaustion during the day. “Normally, I get around six hours of sleep during the school year. Over the summer, I get close to nine hours of sleep. It really depends on what’s going on during the week,” stated sixth grader Anya Vassilowitch.
Another thing that occurs during the warmer months is something called the summer slide. The summer slide is the period between one grade and the next where students tend to lose their academic skills. In addition, the transitional period between one grade to the next can cause emotions to run high. “I’m sad that the school year is ending because my students are leaving. However, I’m excited to be with my kids everyday and be on vacation,” mentioned sixth grade Ancient World teacher Mrs. Kimberly Acosta.
Unforgettable memories were also formed here at Edison Intermediate School (EIS) from the year start to finish. One eighth grader, Emma Ash said, “My favorite memory from eighth grade was the Europe trip. I loved traveling with my friends.”
