Although there are approximately 525 students in the Class of 2028, only a quarter attended the Sophomore Cotillion on February 19. The dance was a disappointment to many. But the reason why people didn’t come wasn’t just because they “didn’t feel like it,” but also due to when the dance was held.
The freshmen and sophomore dances are usually held on Thursdays, after a family three years ago argued that school dances shouldn’t take place during Shabbos. While this change exhibited respect for religious obligations, the incentive to attend school dances decreased, and many families in the Jewish community did not support the change.
A Google Form completed by 102 students of the sophomore class revealed that 46% did not attend Sophcot. And there were various reasons for this. Some had already made plans and didn’t realize their grade was having a dance on a Thursday. Many others had to study for tests the next day, and some thought the ticket price was too high ($25). Still, some said they just didn’t want to go.
When asked if they would attend a school dance on a different day, 76% said yes if it was held on a Friday, and 54% said yes if it was held on a Saturday. To know that more people would show up to a high school event solely because of the day of the week shows that change is necessary. I hear adults complain about “this generation” constantly, yet “this generation” is willing to be involved. We want to interact in person, not just online, and want to hang out with friends at high school events. However, we can’t attend a school dance if we have a major test the next day. And why can’t we have both? As high school students, we are told to find a balance between social and academic life, and yet it is impossible. Personally, I had an Honors Algebra 2 test the day after Sopchot and know of two other math tests that were scheduled for the same time.
As an SGA student representative, I was required to attend Sophcot, and I fully understand the commitment I made when I decided to be a rep. However, my commitment to help with our grade’s dances, events and fundraisers shouldn’t interfere with studying for my math test. And as a Jewish teen, I fully understand why Friday nights shouldn’t be for school dances for religious reasons. However, not every Jewish person keeps Shabbat. And Shabbat ends when the sun goes down on Saturday night, meaning a school dance wouldn’t interfere.
It is clear that the day of the week school on which dances are held needs to be changed if the district wants students to experience high school to its fullest. If not, kids will choose, or parents will choose for them, that studying for a test the next day is more important than attending Sophomore Cotillion.
