Although many teachers enjoy decorating their classrooms for the school year or holidays, the rest of school is poorly decorated and sad. Other than out-dated posters and old murals, MPHS lacks spirit. Most students feel that a well-decorated, cheerful environment will enhance their high school experience. Students and staff believe that MPHS needs to take action to improve the student’s daily surroundings in order to boost student morals.
MPHS is extremely diverse, having students with many different interests and opinions. Since the school does have such a wide variety of learners, sometimes students can feel left out because of the lack of representation they have in the school. The bland hallways and single-colored lockers tend to bore students, making them see every school day as just another lame colorless experience.These sad environments will only make students feel less connected to their school, causing a lack of school spirit.
Student Nate Moore explains how a nicely decorated space helps students learn, “It boosts spirit, makes students want to go to school and have more fun.” Other students agree with Nate, they believe that if school were more decorated it would encourage them to want to learn.
Along with making students more excited about learning, MPHS choir and orchestra teacher Ms. Cline says, “keeping things joyful and positive allows kids to feel vulnerable enough to make mistakes and not feel like people are going to make fun of them or tease them.” She explains how students being able to feel vulnerable and accepted helps them realize it’s okay to be confused and ask questions. Cline continues, “they feel vulnerable enough to actually put themselves out there and make mistakes, which is how people learn best.” This shows how students being able to feel comfortable during school really is important to not only their high school experience but their ability to learn.
Although many MPHS staff and students know how much of an effect that the energy of a space can have on not only the students but other staff and visitors, no one seems to be doing anything about it. Recently MPHS has had no problem with students and school spirit. All of the beginning of the year events like homecoming, football games, and holidays give students things to be excited for. Just like in past years after all these events pass, going to school isn’t as fun, and most students don’t have much to look forward to. This causes students to get bored of school after the first trimester.
Staff and students can work together on making MPHS more exciting. Mrs. Russell says, “if anyone takes action, it should be the student council. It needs to come from the students that they want this.” Students need to encourage each other in order to all work together and achieve a better learning environment. Ms. Cline had another idea for how MPHS could help improve the look of the school by funding the materials needed for decorating the halls. Students should spread the word about creating a positive space with locker decorations and up to date event posters to keep students feeling connected to their school.
In the end MPHS wouldn’t be MPHS without their students. Benefits like school spirit, morals, and improving students’ interest in learning are why it is important to take action in order to represent the students and make them feel as though they belong at MPHS.
