When I was hired for this position in 1998 I received an unsigned letter in the mail within two days. It was a list of things the staff wanted to be done, called it the manifesto. Many things made sense to me and I am happy to say most were accomplished within two years. The one thing that was on the list that I have not done was to "Eliminate Spirit Week".
The reason to have Spirit Week is to help create a more involved student body in the events of the school and to bring unity within each class. You may ask how does wearing pajamas to school or creating a dance video skit help to do this. In my mind, it is the camaraderie and the memories that really make the difference. High School is a time to find yourself and see that the sum of the whole is always greater than its' parts. Together, students do great things. We have change the focus of Spirit Week so that it is more palatable to the staff and the community. We have eliminated some events and added others. In the past 14 years over $20,000 has been collected to give out as scholarships for students in the form of pennies, nickles and dimes. Student have donated tens of thousands of canned goods to local food pantries and soup kitchens. More than $5000 has been collected to help families who would not be able to have holiday meals or presents. We have instituted a community service component to rake leaves and students have put in thousands of hours helping those in the community.
Does Spirit Week create some abnormalities in the school day, yes. Is it a distraction for many, yes. Have some things happened that I would have preferred not happen, yes. These not with standing, Spirit Week helps to create a positive atmosphere and bring about a feeling of togetherness among our students that can not be created any other way. This makes it truly worth it.
My favorite place to be is in the middle of a gym with a thousand screaming teenagers just wanting to have fun. It is a special place to be. Wednesday I am going to get duct taped to the wall. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
GO BRONCOS!
Brian...back in '98 we truly got the guy we needed in you...one whom would identify AHS as "my school and don't mess with it"!
ReplyDeleteI have often related to others, the story of your first month when we had a bomb scare called in...the building was cleared and here you were atop the crowd of all students, addressing them without a mic, and in a booming voice that reflected calm and clear directions for the moment in time...you had arrived in my estimation!
Carry on the great work with that wonderful community of students, professionals and parents. TMc
I think 'playtime' is missing in our education system. It should be fun. The students should have a chance to express themselves and let their creativity out. Spirit week is a great way to foster just that.. spirit.
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