2009-10 Homecoming Events Forum: Pep Rally Blog
Today at school I announced that there while there would be many exciting “Stud. Co.” sponsored events for Spirit Week at SBHS , there would not be a pep rally. This will no doubt be disappointing for many students. Before making this decision I met with the high school administrative team, the cheerleading coach, students council’s advisors and leaders of this year’s Student Council.
This forum exists for members of our school community to ask questions or comment on this decision.
Here is a reprint today’s announcement:
As many of you are aware next week is homecoming week. All students and staff should be looking forward to enjoying this SB tradition which in many ways has improved every year. One major component of homecoming has been Spirit Week activities sponsored by the Student Council. This year there will not be a pep rally as part of Spirit Week.
Homecoming is one of SBHS’s best traditions, in many ways it gets better every year. One part of spirit week that has not been an area of continued improvement has been the competition between classes. Unfortunately this competition has at times been divisive, negative — even abusive. Last year some students left school because they did not feel the environment was comfortable. Clearly this is not what “SB Spirit “and homecoming is all about. Over time class color day and the has rally disintegrated into shouting matches between classes. This is pretty far from the week’s spirit building intent.
Now — those who know me are aware that I am a competitive person. I have approved the Stud. Co’s request that class color day continue — though it must be a positive day. And the annual — healthy — competition between classes in float building and during the homecoming parade will also continue as planned. As for the floats, I say let the best class win!
It is my sincere hope that this announcement is met with the kind of mature understanding that I have come to expect from SB students. I have set up an on line forum on my announcement blog, which students can access via the announcements link on the SBHS website. Feel free to use that forum to express your opinion or ask questions; I will be participating in any on line discussion daily.
6 Comments
September 10th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Test.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Why not have a peprally afterschool? I really think you are making a wrong decision because kids are definetly going to rebel. I’m sure that you guys think you can handle whatever happens but im just saying that kids are not going to be happy and if we had a pep rally afterschool kids could still participate and if they are misbehaving you can just kick them out. So that way the kids who wanna show pride for our school and get pumped up can and those who want to be disrespectful can leave. Also i am on the varsity girls soccer team and it feels really great to be recognized at the peprally. Because it makes the athletes proud of how much effort they put into their respective teams. Please consider my suggestion of the after school peprally and i would be happy to help plan it.
September 11th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
It seems kinda of funny to me being a sophomore that no one has posted anything here I hope that after i post others will follow…
now down to business
I have not red all of the Homecoming Events Forum post but im assuming it is similar to the announcement…
I have herd that the pep rally has been canceled which in my opinion is the best part of spirit week… Personally I am sad to hear that this has had to happen because I was just waiting to see the biggest senior class at their loudest…
I am also afraid that my class will not get their pep rally so i would like to know how long it will be until the privilege is returned?
September 11th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Mr. Burke, I am opposed to the decision to cancel the pep rally. Although we need to address certain concerns regarding, certain students inappropriate conduct during the event; I do not believe that it is fair to take the acts of the few and punish the many. As I’m sure your aware a great many of us come to enjoy the pep rally for purely what it is, a chance to show positive school and class spirit.
September 14th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
EMAIL Sent to Mr. Burke — reposted with permission.
Dear Mr. Burke,
I would like to discuss the idea of maybe having a pep rally on Friday the 19th, which recently was canceled due to the class’s unorthodox behavior last year. I understand why we canceled the pep rally, I mean if I was a freshmen and I heard the rumors which went around, I would be kind of scared too. But I believe that the wrong message has been sent out last year, when people from the junior class hear pep rally, they automatically think of hazing freshmen, and competition between classes by just hollering and yelling chants. Over all it was just bad. But the point of having pep rallies is to show as much school spirit we have and overall show what an awesome school we are. (And I believe we should have some kind of assembly or some kind of school gathering at the least if all other ideas are abandoned). It is tradition to have a school gathering before homecoming weekend, and instead of it being a mandatory thing to show up to, I suggest we have it as an event which people can choose to go to during school hours. I believe simply 10 minutes off of each class (or more, I don’t mind) and start it during face time, and people could choose to go. Those who would like to participate in the pep rally and express SCHOOL spirit, not class, can go, and those who dislike such things can go to the library or cafeteria 2. This is a tradition that I believe we should keep for the sake of our school and it’s students, it is a great event which is very enjoyable to participate in, if classes express school spirit and not class.
On the negative side, I do remember what happened last year, with the chanting and mocking of other classes, it was not the prettiest site. But I believe instead of it being a shout fest between classes, we should stick to our school spirit, and not have individual class chants which caused some problems last year. But instead keep all our activities in the pep rally more school-spirit related, as in last year I recall we did a chant which went around the gymnasium which was really awesome and kind of brought the school together. And I believe we should have some kind of friendly advertising around the school, like posters around the school. We should do this to spread a positive message, which could show any new students that the pep rally is not a place where they are going to be booed or hazed, but an event where they can represent their class and their school spirit for the South Burlington Rebels.
In summery, the message of the pep rally needs to be changed, people really do think it is a competition between classes and who is the best and new students are just scared of it. That is what needs to be changed, and I believe we really can bypass this class competition and turn that spirit into school spirit, all we need is to send out the right message to our students. ( Just a suggestion, I believe the name should be changed, that would be a start, maybe into something like school appreciation day or something). I hope you will be able to find an alternative to this decision that has been made and maybe try some that I suggested.
Thank you very much for your time is is great appreciated,
Damian Burdzy. Class of 2010.
P.S. I would love to discuss more of this if you are willing to arrange a meeting. I am free 2nd period on blue days and everyday during face time. Thank you again.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Well….we survived not having a pep rally which was a bit disappointing as it was missed. I do need to say that the competition between classes on Saturday was AMAZING! All floats were creative and each class seemed to be challenged to do their best by their friends in other classes.
Friday at school was not as great. Sadly (again) some (a small but vocal minority) students’ class spirit was not “pro” their class but rather “anti” another class.
Some engaged in behaviors that were not acceptable (painting other kids, tagging people, cars or the school) it was really a step away from what was advocated for above.
Looking back there was no way we could have ended the day Friday with a rally. We spent most of the day putting out fires and helping students through some conflicts. A rally would have been gasoline on the fire.
Looking forward Spirit week continues to need to change. It needs to be a week where the school is unified, not divided. There is enough conflict in the world; spirit week should be free of negative interactions and should have us all feeling great about our school and city.
Can we do it?
It’s not up to me; it’s up to all of us…but we have some work ahead of us.
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