Boost Days were introduced on campus following return to school after the pandemic in 2021 as a way to support students’ overall well-being and academic success. Held once a semester, right before Thanksgiving and Spring Break, Boost Day allows students to destress by having a one hour break before lunch with food trucks, jumpers, and crafts. The main purpose of these days is to give students that “boost” they need to finish the semester or the grading period strong. However, one Boost Day a semester is not enough because students face stress throughout the entire semester, not just before break, and not everyone can participate creating a divide between students.

“We only do one each semester because it takes a lot of planning to prepare for it, and you know when you do something too much it loses its excitement,” said Assistant Principal Melanie Wong.

Bost Days are effective in motivating students and giving them something to look forward to with the variety of activities and food available. 

Sophomore Ann Trinh looks forward to Boost Days, as teachers usually don’t give out any assignments and provide an opportunity for students to catch up on work. On these days, she catches up on missing assignments, which reduces her stress and gives her a sense of relief before the break.

¨I think they’re necessary because a lot of students are stressed out because of school, especially before a break. You normally get more work or, like, get big projects because you’re resting for, like, a few weeks, so I think the last day if you just get to rest and, like, not do a lot of work is very effective,” said Trinh. 

Although Boost Days are a break for most students, not all are eligible to partake in these activities and enjoy the one hour break. If a student is placed on social restriction, due to an accumulation of absences and tardies, they aren’t able to participate in activities like Boost Days. The student is pulled out from class by security before that extra hour and instead taken to another classroom. 

Multiple students declined to comment on their experience of being denied participation in Boost days. Assistant Principal Michael Rodriguez, who supervised the ineligible students last Boost Day, also declined to comment. The exclusion of these students deprives them of an opportunity that is meant to be available to all students on campus.

There are alternatives to clear up social restrictions such as Saturday school, which clears a full day of absences or eight tardies, lunch detention which clears one tardy, or attending knowledge hub which is an after school tutoring program which clears one tardy.

Although Boost Day is a luxury for students as it gives them an opportunity to destress and enjoy time on campus, it is not available to all students. As a result, this day may not be effective for all students, as those who miss out on this opportunity don’t get a chance to destress.

“It gives me something to look forward to at school, and I feel like, again, like, the reason for it being as a stress reliever or whatever, it gives time to make school fun as well,” said senior Nadia Barrios.

Overall, Boost Day has been a success in helping students relax and destress before the break. It gives time to catch up on missed work or finish up assignments, which helps take some of the pressure off. With shorter class periods, the day feels less stressful, and the extra hour at lunch is perfect for taking a break. Students can join different activities that’ll help them unwind, whether it’s getting creative, hanging out with friends, or just having some quiet time. Boost Day really gives everyone a chance to recharge and feel ready to tackle the rest of the semester.