Can drive a precursor to Spirit Week events

In early November, each grade at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School participated in a can drive. The winning team received 30 points and the sixth place team received five. But the can drive is just one of the competitions leading up to Student Council-sponsored Spirit Week where the grades will compete against each other in order to win a grand prize: a movie and pizza party in the school auditorium.

Teachers plan to announce the winner on Dec. 21, or “Elf Day,” when the school hosts an auction (think gift baskets, car washes, and parking spots) and performances by the bands The Dependents and Flame.

“The school holds the elf auction every year and all the money goes to charity,” said Student Council adviser Kathleen DeKalb. “The money will help someone locally so the kids understand what it is like to help each other.”

During Spirit Week – which runs from Dec.12-16 – the students plan to participate in a scored holiday decorating contest. Each grade is responsible for a certain part of the school and must decorate based on a movie theme. This year’s movies include “The Polar Express,” “Elf,” and “A Christmas Story.” Spirit Week also features daily themes such as “pajama day,” “Topper pride day,” and “favorite sports team day.” Teachers will score classes based on participation.

And on Dec. 14, the school also hosts a pep rally where each class will create a cheer or dance and a sign. Teachers will judge and score the dance and signs, and then tally the scores from the can drive the all of the weekly events.

“It should be a lot of fun because the students really get into all of it,” Mrs. DeKalb said.