Smells Like School Spirit (Blog 7)

This week in ESM is holiday spirit week, a time in which students are encouraged to take part in activities that show holiday spirit.  These mostly include dressing in festive attire, in addition to the door decorating contest of the previous week.  On the first day titled "white-out" I saw many students as well as teachers participating in the activity.  Many people participate or don`t participate because they don't want to stand out, instead of understanding the true purpose of school spirit.  The phrase "school spirit" often has a positive connotation and represents a variety of emotions.  Promoting school spirit leads to cooperation and a sense of unity among peers.  By having events such as homecoming pep-rallies the administration unites the students and promotes a positive sense of working together to achieve a goal, whether it be a football game or a fun holiday season.

In addition, school spirit leads to school pride.  Promoting school spirit creates a sense of pride in the accomplishments of the school and in the work of whoever was involved.  School spirit can be described as a sense of belonging for those who have trouble fitting in and may create a school setting in which kids want to be a part of.  Having events such as holiday spirit week do all of these things and more.  By uniting students and making school more 'fun' it may lead to increased self esteems and participation in classes, which of course helps to further education.  In fact, studies such as this one http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.educationalleaders.govt.nz%2Fcontent%2Fdownload%2F724%2F5982%2Ffile%2Fcowan-sabbatical-05.pdf&ei=kY6PVJ3PD8HesASpiYG4BA&usg=AFQjCNEzM3f-3qGlYsTl1nU9Hn6AifMdPA show that school spirit can have many benefits in and out of the classroom, including the effects that school spirit and pride has on sports teams.  If you take anything from this post, just think back to this in the future if you are not feeling very spirited and remember all the positive effects that school spirit has on you, whether you like it or not.