According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent $2.5 billion on Halloween candy this year. To receive this candy, students, including those at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, stayed up late trick-or-treating Oct. 31. However, as Halloween fell on a Monday this year, the students that participated in the festivities had to wake up early the next day to attend a full schedule of classes.
After celebrating, however, some students chose not to attend school on Nov. 1. According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, adolescents need about nine hours of sleep. Since sleeping in after a late night is what high school students require in order to function, many had to convince their parents to call their absences in as excused this year. According to Jill Zimmerman, 318 students were absent the day after Halloween. The average number of daily absences is about 100.
“I stayed out really late Halloween night,” senior Michael Mayo said. “I went straight from work to a party, and ended up sleeping through my alarm for school the next day. I definitely was happy to not be at school the day after Halloween.”
From dressing up in a costume, to going door-to-door accumulating a sack full of candy, students pursued fun and enjoyment through the Oct. 31 festivities. However, at the same time, they risked negative health effects from over-consumption of sugar causing headaches and migraines. According to Harvard Health Publications, chocolate is known to trigger a migraine. Correlation of minor illness and sugar consumption partially accounts for the increased absences seen at MSD post-Halloween.
Though an increasing number of students stayed home Nov. 1, for teachers, it was business as usual. Teachers gave homework and various tests and quizzes both the day before, and the day after Halloween, though much to the dismay of students. In math teacher Donna Numeroff’s class, there was a math test and homework assigned for the next day.
“It’s up to the student to plan accordingly and get school work complete before going out,” marine biology teacher Steven Kominsky said.
As for students involved in extracurricular activities, many were not able to participate in any Halloween activities due to their involvements. On Oct. 30, there was the first Douglas hockey game, varsity football practice and competitive cheerleading practice among other things.
“I had my first Douglas hockey game so I couldn’t even celebrate Halloween,” junior Andrew Bonchick said. “I was mad I couldn’t celebrate, but my friends came to watch my game.”
Halloween will not fall on a weekend again until the year of 2020- Halloween 2017 will be on a Tuesday. Students, beware, and be prepared to have a late night and an early morning for the next three years.
