Teacher’s bind: day before break

On this day before winter break, the holiday spirit around WHS is undeniable. Students are smiling, singing all of their favorite holiday tunes and anxiously waiting for the clock to strike 2:45 p.m. However, it’s not always easy for teachers to find the balance between making room for student excitement and meeting their responsibilities in the classroom.
Social Studies Teacher Mr. Antony Farag thinks today should be treated like any other. “For it to be a special day, then either make it a delayed opening or a half-day,” said Farag. “It’s hard to have enough time to teach in the first place—that has always been my perspective. I have to use every moment I have, so I am going to use it as a regular day.”
Art Teacher Ms. Leah Jarvis agrees that today should not be dedicated to parties and excitement. “This can be a time to recap the course and go through a timeline of what to expect for the rest of the year,” said Jarvis.
With increased student absences, some teachers question what material they should cover on this day. Math Teacher Mr. Martin Maruschak was cautious when making his lesson plan and got all his testing done yesterday. In years past, Maruschak has given tests on the day before break and had half his class absent, in need of a makeup.
Students, on the other hand, do not see the need to cover regular course material on this day. Many do not understand why today is a full day to begin with, considering the day before Thanksgiving is a half-day.
Senior Julia Buoscio said: “I personally think it should be a half-day. If it was a half-day they could still get some final things done before break. I don’t think it should be actual course material, but it could be used to cover material that wouldn’t fit into their normal schedule.”
In order to reach a compromise between students and teachers on material that should be covered in class today, students have a variety of ideas.
“A game or some sort of prize would be fun,” said WHS junior Mary McHugh. “If you answer questions right, the teacher would give out a treat.”
Senior Lauren Sgro added, “There are other options besides parties that are still fun, like an educational movie or a themed math game with prizes, or real-life scenarios for what we have been learning.”
No matter what teachers are planning or what students may think about these decisions, one thing remains true: When the bells rings at 2:45, everyone will be rushing out the door, ready to relax and celebrate—students and teachers alike.