Pajama Day, Tie Tuesday, Harry Potter Day, and Formal Day are the five days voted in by students in a student government sponsored, NWN poll along with Red and White day to be part of the spring spirit week scheduled to start Monday, March 12 and ending on Friday, March 16.
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Tie Tuesday
Wednesday: Harry Potter Day
Thursday: Formal Day
Friday: Red and White Day
This spirit week was special because the students of Niles West were able to vote on the days. The top five days were Formal Day with 20%, Harry Potter Day with 17%, Pajama Day with 13%, Tie Tuesday with 10%, and Hat Day with 9%; however, only the top four made it into spirit week so Hat Day was cut. The bottom three were Sports Day with 4%, Hawaiian Day with 3%, and Miss-match day with 3%. The poll had a total of 826 votes.
Many students and teachers alike think spirit is a highlight of the school year, like engineering teacher Ben Brzezinski.
“I think spirit is huge for morale. If people are happy at school, they want to be at school. It’s just a morale issue,” said Brzezinski.
Some students, like sophomore Daniel Bedoya, are much more critical of spirit week.
“If the school had well thought-out spirit days there would be much more participation,” said Bedoya, “Nobody likes spirit week. I don’t even know when it is until the day of. What are the days? Harry Potter Day? Pajama Day? What, are we in second grade?”
Sophomore Kyle McCaffery, a member of student government, explains why the student government used the polling system this time.
“The student government goes out of the way to change things up and then we see if it works,” said McCaffery. “We wanted to have a better input of what the students think. We will most definitely do it again.”
On Friday, March 16, the school day will end with a pep assembly to officially end spirit week.
Sproat • Mar 8, 2012 at 4:25 PM
Honestly I’m not a big fan of formal day. The point of spirit week is to dress out of the ordinary with a bit of fun in it. Theres nothing new or different about formal day. We see kids dressed nicely around West almost every day. For example, the athletes always dress up whenever it is game day. The other themes are weird and crazy which is the point of spirit week. Formal day is not exciting. Unless I see girls walking around in prom dresses and guys in tuxedos, then I will not be impressed.
Vicky Robles • Mar 9, 2012 at 5:47 PM
Not everyone dresses formaly though. Most students in the school wear sweats and T-shirts. Not everyone in the school is an athlete.
Guy • Mar 7, 2012 at 10:25 PM
I don’t think Harry Potter day is a good idea because not everyone in school is a “die-hard” fan of Harry Potter. Instead, it should be a fantasy-theme where anyone could be whoever they want, and those who like Harry Potter will be a Harry Potter while others who don’t like Harry Potter can be something else.
Rebecca Yun • Mar 6, 2012 at 10:21 PM
I’ve just read this and I already know what I’m going to be wearing on each day of Spirit Week.
Although I think Pajama Day is a bit monotonous, seeing as we have it pretty much three times a year, the spirit days sound great this time around.
ally daskalopoulos • Mar 6, 2012 at 4:12 PM
It’s nice to see a change in themes. I’m so glad we finally get a formal day!
Breana • Mar 6, 2012 at 4:06 PM
I’m super excited for Spirit Day! I love dressing up and participating in the all the fun themes.
Beyza • Mar 6, 2012 at 4:06 PM
I think the Harry Potter day will be very successful! I’m really excited to see how people will dress up.
Effie Kalaitizidis • Mar 6, 2012 at 4:06 PM
I think spirit days are only fun when a lot of people get really involved in it, I like the effort being made to get more of a student say about what the days should be, this years should be fun!
Barbara Magiera • Mar 6, 2012 at 4:05 PM
I think it’s cool that the students had more of a say in spirit week this time. The only bad part is that I have no Harry Potter clothes… Darn.