As everyone filed into their first period classes, students eagerly checked their email, excited at what wonderful news they would be delivered by each of the colleges that inexplicably had their email addresses. The mood quickly turned as they all opened a message from their beloved Principal Jesse Casey, containing the following text:
“Due to an issue of staffing today, today will be a normal Monday instead of a PAC Monday. In fact, there will be no more PAC days for the remainder of the year. Please proceed with your normal schedules, and thank you for your understanding.
XOXO, Casey”
This seemingly innocent memo sparked an incredibly strong reaction in the students of East. Cries erupted from the classrooms, screams of despair could be heard from the toilets. Even the teachers were mortified by the tragic news.
“I felt betrayed on the kids’ behalf,” said teacher and PAC supervisor Jen U. Enperssón. “They all loved PAC, everyone instantly became friends from the first icebreaker, and we all had such deep conversations in our restorative circles. They truly felt Loved, Respected, and Connected in that extra period”
The decision had a severe long term impact on East as a whole. More people reported seeing peers vaping in the bathrooms, which are now indiscernible from the amount of graffiti they’ve recently received. Attendance rates dropped to less than half, and a survey put out after PAC was canceled revealed that a whopping 102 percent of students are currently struggling with depression due to the change.
“I just feel terrible now,” said senior Sara Tonyn. “PAC was such an important part of every student’s mental health; now that it’s gone I don’t think a lot of people have a reason to keep going.”
Fortunately, this tale has a happy ending. The day after, the school sent out an email allowing for students to sign up for “Wellness Activities” after exams. While they weren’t a perfect replacement, they helped valiantly cure their growing depression once again.
“I, for one, will not be skipping the wellness activities,” senior Anna Estee said. “Nothing boosts my mental health quite like structured time at East Chapel Hill High School.”
Photo by Hammond Cole Sherouse/The ECHO
