Back to school. What do these three words describe? Well, if you asked a student at Nashoba Regional High School, they would tell you that back to school is one of the worst times of the year! They would also tell you that school is just cutting into their summer tanning time, or fun with their friends. Back to school has never been an exciting feat for students. Back to school has only, usually, brought sadness, stress, and anxiety and never makes a student feel amazing and confident to be returning to school. However, this year, all of those feelings changed!

On August 30th, 2024, Nashoba Regional High School featured its first-ever Wolf Day! This day of fun included numerous different activities such as tie-dye, board games, field games, jewelry making, and so much more! Students got to choose 2 different activities to partake in for the second half of the school day. Not only were these activities engaging, but they also helped many students interact with friends, peers, and other students they might not see very often, such as students in other grades. For example, a student in sophomore year, when signed up for the same activity as their friend in senior year, would be able to see their friend and talk about their days while engaging in their designated activity.

“Wolf day was really fun! I got to talk with my friends and collaborate with them on fun projects and activities, while also getting to see some people I don’t have classes with this year. I think it would be extremely beneficial to continue this in the future,” Emma Dionne (Grade 12) said. This seems to be the overall consensus from the student body, as laughing, smiling, and joy were able to be felt radiating from the building. Not only were the activities mood-boosting, but the school also offered the choice of ice cream to the students after the first activity on Wolf Day, furthering the happiness and joyfulness of the students at Nashoba Regional High School. From a teacher’s perspective, Wolf Day was also a hit! “It was so great! I thought it was a great way to kick off the school year; everyone I talked to felt upbeat and happy,” Mrs. Foley of the high school English department stated. In an interview about Wolf Day, the assistant principal of the high school, Mr. Walker, told us, “I think it was a success. I put a feedback form out to the faculty and the responses were positive… I think the more we can structure it the better. We did most of the planning when faculty wasn’t here in the summer, and in the future, we would have less time for the activities, or have 3 activities, take attendance in the activities, and serve water and other amenities if outside. The department chairs talked very highly about it and how it made a very positive impact on the community. Remembering that the relationship with the student body comes before rigorous academics is always important.”

As this event played out, the school felt reignited, and both students and faculty alike felt as though this day pushed them to see school days in a new light. As we return to normal classes and our normal schedules, let’s hold on to the energy of Wolf Day and get pumped for an amazing 24/25 school year!