Between football games and Homecoming just around the corner, there’s plenty of ways to showcase school pride, but once September ends, North offers few so-called spirit days. Besides Senior Week in May, there are scarcely any opportunities to showcase student-body unity.
As a student population, North needs more official spirit days throughout the school year.
In a survey of 103 North students, 88 percent agreed that North needs to incorporate more spirit days throughout the year.
Spirit days provide a foundation for Tiger pride. By participating in spirit days, students are contributing to the student community. Similar to the football themes, by adhering to spirit days, North is saying “we are one.”
Spirit days are exactly what the student population needs during stressful times like finals. Something as simple as pajama day can be both stress relieving and unifying without much of a commitment.
Typically, spirit days are organized through the student council and there is a specific procedure to get each day approved. In their meetings, students vote on possible themes which are then brought to the adviser. This final list is then presented to the administration who ultimately has the final say.
Though the council has done a good job presenting themes that are positive and do not lack inclusivity for potential bullying, it is only a small segment of the population who gets to even suggest a theme.
North makes a special point to pick themes that the entire student body can participate in. Thus, a new system needs to be put into place that opens up the process to the entire student body. Any class member who has a suggestion to be considered should have a forum to do so.
The idea to expand spirit days is not unrealistic. Schools like Plainfield East and Plainfield South have initiated special events for their students such as Why Not? Wednesday, college day, Halloween costume contests and even a spring theme week.
North could easily incorporate spirit days to the regular calendar as well.
Using official social media accounts, posters and announcements, spirit days could be communicated to ensure everyone at North is aware of the upcoming spirit day.
As this school year begins, implementing student spirit days should be a priority to boost morale and student unity.
