This year, Dr. Davenport has suggested that the traditional pep rally be replaced with a “community-bonding event.” To many students, a “community bonding event” is another way of saying there is no pep rally this year at Rhinebeck High School.

With no pep rally and no school spirit week yet this year, many are asking how have we improved school spirit here at RHS? Is there another event that can bring the school together? And what exactly is wrong with the pep rally of the past?

In recent years, students have been removed from pep rallies due to inappropriate behavior. Dr.D believes that we shouldn’t have an event that riles people up to that point. Instead, student council should host an event that facilitates more positive behavior that will not have as much competition or noise.

On the other hand, many students argue that those few students who go past the line can get removed and the pep rally could continue. Although this excludes some students, it is partly due to their own actions. They ask, “Is it fair to discontinue the pep rally because of a few students?”

According to Jonah Carleton and Grace Ellis, President and Vice-President of the Junior Class respectively, there will be “a pep rally-like event” this year.

But before that, the school is having David Levine, an educator at the Teaching Empathy Institute, inform our student council on how to make an event where everyone belongs. Specific plans will not be made until this happens.

For now, it is scheduled to take place outside, one day in May. Be sure to stay tuned for more news in upcoming issues. Check out our Opinion section on Page 5 for more on school spirit.