Spirit Week keeps holiday cheer in the air

Full of funky themes and picture-perfect opportunities, students and faculty have the chance to dress up every day this Spirit Week to spread some holiday cheer. 

Each year during the month of December, Lake Zurich High School organizes a Spirit Week giving students a chance to go out of their comfort zone and have some fun. Although everything this year is virtual, Ryan Rubenstein, assistant principal, hopes to keep the tradition going. 

“I think it’s really important for students to engage in whatever things they possibly can virtually, and from a social-emotional standpoint, have something to look forward to other than being in your houses and serving in classes,” Rubenstein said.

Along with the joy of dressing up differently every day, Spirit Week brings many other excitements.

“It’s about giving students an opportunity to do something different than what the normal is at this point. You know, to get excited and feel invigorated and want to participate and be a part of something that we normally don’t do during the week,” Rubenstein said. 

Since the beginning of online school, students’ learning environments have been very different and the current circumstances have been a challenge to many. For many students, this week of events is an opportunity to de-stress and focus on school spirit before winter break. 

“It’s a different thing to do right now because you’re at home doing the same things over and over again. It might be fun to get out of your comfort zone and do different things every day” Zoe Pavlu, sophomore, said. 

In an effort to get students out of their e-learning routines, several local businesses in Lake Zurich have partnered with the high school to offer discounts for students and their families during this special week. 

“We added this this year to try and get people out in the community, supporting some local businesses,” Rubenstein said.

With discounts all week long and new themes every day (flannels today, blankets tomorrow, Hawaiian gear Thursday, and ugly sweaters Friday), Rubenstein encourages all to participate in this “fun, different, [festive], and enthusiastic” event.