Want to make sandwiches for the PB&J club? Want to perfect your spanish in spanish club? Want to discuss the latest book in book club? Well, you’ll have to find time outside of the school day to do so because Wayland High School no longer has Club Days.
Club Days were special days that happened about once a month on Thursdays. On these days, there was a half-an-hour period of time between homeroom and third period to meet with the club of your choice.
The decision to cancel Club Days was made last spring by the Student-Teacher Culture Committee, a group of students and faculty who discuss and make decisions about student life at Wayland High School.
This decision was made because in the past few years, the administration has noticed that there are a number of kids who spend club blocks in the Commons or off-campus instead of meeting with a club during club blocks. The administration refers to these kids as “The Commons Club” or “The Dunkin’ Donuts Club.”
“[Clubs aren’t] a good use of time, so many kids waste time in the Commons,” said senior Tommy Hoops, a member of the Student-Teacher Culture Committee.
“The opportunity to be a part of a club that meets during the school day makes a lot of sense,” said Principal Patrick Tutwiler. “The theory is sound but we might not be getting much bang from our buck.”
Students have mixed feelings about this change.
“I’m fine with it. It is much easier without them. They didn’t do much,” said sophomore Vivek Singh.
Now that clubs don’t meet during the day, it can be challenging for some students to find the time to meet with their clubs.
“I was looking forward to clubs because I was ready to be a bigger part of them,” said sophomore Laura Stavisky.
Students have other activities that conflict with their clubs after school, and many students don’t want to wake up early in order to meet with their clubs before school. Because of this, there are fewer people participating in clubs.
“I’m really disappointed because now no one wants to join my club,” said junior Grace Murphy, founder of the Irish Appreciation Club.
Although WHS doesn’t have Club Days right now, the cut is not necessarily permanent.
“It may not necessarily go away one-hundred percent. There may be fewer of them,” said Tutwiler. “We are struggling a lot because we do realize that the time is important for people who do meet with a club.”
The Student-Teacher Culture Committee is trying to find a way to make club days work, but for now, students will have to find an alternate way of meeting with their clubs.
