With two rallies so far this year, the rally commission is attempting to help build school and class spirit. But recently, the rally commision has come up with a new plan to boost student attendance at the rallies this year. They are asking teachers to lock their classrooms during tutorials on rally days, forcing students to come join the rallies.

Mandating rallies is not a necessary measure the rally commission must take nor is it an effective plan to raise school spirit.

Initially,the recent plan to have teachers closer their doors during rally Fridays might seem like a good idea because rallies occur only so often and boosting Falcon spirit is always a plus. But students require these tutorials as it is beneficial for them

Tutorial is an important tool for students. Not only does it give students an opportunity to talk with their teachers, but tutorials also allows students to make up any missed tests or other assignments. This is a necessity for any student and should not be denied.

Students who are forced to attend rallies will likely not enjoy it. They will, if anything, act as a drain on school spirit, not a supporter.

There are many alternatives to help achieve school spirit, such as spirit days or the canned food drives that are hosted sporadically throughout the school year. All of these events boost morale while still allow time for the use of tutorials.

For example, the spirit week in December effectively promoted school spirit. Students everywhere were dressed up in accordance to that particular day’s theme, demonstrating that the school can collectively come together and show off its spirit, without enforcing participation.

If the rally commission wants to effectively increase their audiences during a rally, forcing students to be there is not the best way forward, especially when it adversely affects student learning.