[ot-caption title=”Pumpkins: a symbol of Halloween (via Anna Selden, freshman)”] [spacer height=”20px”]

So, Halloween fell on a Monday this year, which brings back the old debate, should we have homework on Halloween? The holiday always promises fun and candy as young children and teenagers alike dress up in costumes and go trick or treating or to a party. It’s exciting to plan a party and costumes, that is until students remember the homework they may have due the next day. Students who have already made plans may often feel disappointed that they have to complete assignments on Halloween night. On the other hand, since Halloween is not a national holiday, teachers may feel free to assign homework.  And, with the rigorous load at Pine Crest, losing a night of homework could cause classes to fall behind schedule. [spacer height=”20px”]

If Halloween was a week-long holiday, then it would make sense that homework should be assigned, simply because a week is long enough to seriously affect class schedules. One night, however, shouldn’t make so much of a difference. There is no serious need to have homework on Halloween night. In fact, many teachers refrain from giving assignments that night anyway. If Halloween becomes a no-homework night, simply put, students will be happy, and most likely will not lose any academic advantage from it. [spacer height=”20px”]

Some teachers, including English department teacher Mrs. Ortega, believe that this year, due to Hurricane Matthew, we have missed quite a few days of school in recent weeks and therefore could use the extra night of homework. However, math department teacher Mrs. Venne takes a different view. Teachers should be allowed to give homework the night of Halloween, but there should be no school the next day. She adds that it’s natural that students should want to enjoy trick or treating on Halloween especially if they have younger siblings, and then should take the next day to catch up on assignments and schoolwork. Ideally, she explains, Halloween would be celebrated only on weekends, as it is in some states, so that events and school responsibilities conflict as little as possible. [spacer height=”20px”]

Even though many students hope for no homework, they are also resigned to the fact that they might get a lot of it. Junior Edgar Monserratt says that because Halloween falls on a Monday, he expects he will have a lot of work to do, but he would appreciate it if he could have a break for the day. Ms. Miller, who works in the College Counseling department, also thinks students shouldn’t be surprised by assignments. “It’s high school,” she said. [spacer height=”20px”]

It’s true, here at Pine Crest most classes generally have a lot of material to cover, but that doesn’t mean we can’t fit in one night of no homework. That one night could give students a much-deserved break and some time to simply have fun and embrace the excitement of the holiday. One night can’t be so important that it strongly affects the rest of the school year. It would be great if Pine Crest decided to give us that night, but at the end of the day, it’s not that big of a deal. As PC students always do, this year we’ll figure out ways to have fun and fulfill our commitments. So for now, that one night of no homework or assignments remains elusive, and this debate remains far from over.