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Are Spirit Days Out of Control?
Some schools have themed spirit days at least once a week. Has this trend gotten too big for its own good?
September means the start of another school year—and another year of spirit days. When you look at your school calendar, are you excited to see all the themed dress-up days, or not so much? Fans of spirit days say they are fun opportunities to create memories, be creative, and, of course, pump up school spirit. But some students, parents, and even teachers say these days are more stressful than rewarding. Dressing up in special outfits can be expensive or time-consuming, and some themes might make students feel uncomfortable or excluded. Are there too many spirit days?
I’m not opposed to spirit days altogether. Some of them, like pajama day, are easy and fun. But others are misguided. For one thing, these days can trivialize important social issues. For example, at my school, students have been encouraged to wear red to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. Given the ongoing fentanyl crisis in my hometown of Dallas, I find it disappointing that we’re told to wear a costume instead of being educated about the root causes of drug abuse. Additionally, I feel stressed about having to buy new clothes or else trying to scrape together a costume from my closet. Spirit days are supposed to create community, but they could alienate people who are not able to participate.
—Anushree De, Texas
School spirit days are a vital part of school culture. These themed days can play an important role in our social lives. When I was new to my high school, I went all out to participate in spirit days in order to meet my new classmates. My efforts paid off: Many students who might not have had a reason to speak to me otherwise noticed me. I received compliments and got a reputation for being a team player. These interactions helped me form some of my current friend groups. School spirit days can also unite students in the shared cause of showing school pride. There might be small expenses related to putting together your outfits, but the cost and effort are totally worth it to build community.
—Jeremiah Vecchioni, Wisconsin
Spirit days: Bring them on, or enough already?
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