For the first time, the school decided to implement a four-day weekend stretching from Oct. 6-9. Aside from giving students a much needed break, it has also served many other benefits.

In years past, students did not have an extra day off between Labor Day on Sep. 4 and Veteran’s Day, starting on Nov. 10. This created a month-long period in which many students complained of giant blocks of school days.

This year, the district’s decision to add an additional long weekend in the middle of October has been nothing short of a success. Students who would have otherwise went into the weekend overwhelmed with homework and studying were given two extra days to spend time with friends, catch up on school work from days past and recharge. Additionally, seniors were given an extra opportunity to work on college applications, some of which were due the following week on Oct. 15.  

The four-day weekend has additionally motivated students, acting as something to look forward to. Knowing that I would have two days off of school in the middle of the month was motivation to keep working hard until the break came along.

I already knew weeks before the long weekend what I would be doing during my long weekend: sleeping, something I really started to value after junior year started.

Between the constant flow of school work and tests with no time to relax, the long weekend in October provides students a way to take time off and relax, something few SHS usually have much time to do during the school year.