Spirit Week

We just wrapped up Spirit Week at both the elementary school and daycare. Does anyone know the motivation behind Spirit Week? Is some educational goal accomplished through Spirit Week? After enduring eight years of Spirit Week, I've come to the conclusion that it is an evil ploy by the schools to throw parents completely off their game just prior to the holiday season. I have yet to figure out why they do this, but I'm pretty sure there is a vast right-wing conspiracy behind it.

On an average morning, it is truly a miracle if all my children leave the house dressed, with hair brushed, glasses on, and make it to the bus stop on time with lunches packed, folders signed, homework finished, and checks made out the the PTA for the latest pizza/wrapping paper/cookie dough/mixed nuts/magazine fund raiser. The more typical scenario is a missed bus, forgotten glasses, missing homework, no lunchbox, bed head hair, or all of the above. Add anything else to our mornings, and what had been a barely manageable level of chaos suddenly turns into a total anarchy. Remembering show and share once a week and sneakers on PE day is my limit. Beyond that, and you have maxed out my morning mothering skills. Spirit Week adds in  "Wear Red Day", "Crazy Hair Day", "Bring Your Stuffed Animal to School Day", "Dress as Your Favorite Storybook Character Day", "Wear Your Favorite Color Day", "Wear Stars Day" - the list goes on and on. STOP THE MADNESS! What happened to "Send Mom to the Spa Day" or "Leave Homework at Home Day"? Really, schools... WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO US???? 

Don't you know that when the one and only sports team shirt is in the dirty laundry pile on "Sports Team Shirt Day" that you are slowly and deliberately sucking the life out of both the mother and shirt-deprived child?

You see my children arriving at school daily with hair barely brushed, if brushed at all, and you really think I have time for the hairspray, glitter, and rubber bands required for "Crazy Hair Day"?

WHY SCHOOLS? WHY??

We somehow muddled through it and survived yet another Spirit Week, but what kills me is that I missed the one and only really excellent Spirit Week day. Addie had been out sick Monday and Tuesday, so I had no memory of what oddball thing she was supposed to wear on Wednesday. Wouldn't you know that Wednesday was "Pajama Day"? The ONE day of the year when I don't even have to get my child dressed, and I MISSED IT! The Gods of Spirit Week must have been punishing me for planning to dress Addie in black on "Favorite Color Day" because I wanted her to wear her Halloween T-shirt. Her favorite color could be black, right?

I am ready to return to the stress of sneakers and lunchboxes. No more crazy hair until next year, please.

 

Comments

[Steph]

Personally, I thought it was meant to drive me crazy -- having 25 kids with various colored hair, wigs, stuffed animals, & more. I didn't have the girls participate with 1/2 of it because they only had 1 week left to wear the cutest Halloween shirts!!! So be assured that it is not meant to drive parents crazy, but rather the teacher of those 25 hyped up, crazy kids! THANK GOODNESS this week is over!

[Dawn]

What did you use in the girl's hair? B wanted his hair dyed like daddy's and I'm looking for something not permanent.

[Ann]

I got it at Walgreen's. I can't remember the brand, but they had two brands of temporary spray, and I went with the cheaper one. They had some of it with the Halloween stuff and some with the regular hair dye. It washed out pretty easily.. just shampooed twice in a row.

[Michele]

First, I agree with you. The whole fun day weeks are a pain!
That being said, at least your girls have light enough hair you can stick some spray paint in it. Mine? No way. LOL. It even absorbs glitter (ok I kid, but yeesh). They are adorable by the way.

[Suetta]

Wonder if the Japanese do this?
I think it's a way to train and groom and inspire the future generation to be reality or pop stars. Think of it as Career Days. Afterall, entertainment is USA's main industry now.

[Nancy]

I'm right with you on this! I hate, hate, hate these weeks! WHY do they do it to us?!