Fun Rules the School During Avon Middle School Holiday Spirit Week

AVON -- As if the holidays weren't enough excitement, Avon Middle School students and staff have Holiday Spirit Week to look forward to this week as well.

Putting Holiday Spirit Week in the last week before the winter break is no accident, principal Dr. Craig Koehler said.

"This time of year, the kids are all wound up with the excitement," he said. "This gives us a chance to channel that energy into something positive and fun."

Starting today, there are costume themes for each day of the week. Today is Rock Star Day. Tuesday is Superhero Day. Wednesday is Country-Western Day. Thursday is Holiday Season Day. Friday is National Team Colors Day.

Students and their parents were given memos reminding them of the need for appropriateness and modesty in the costumes, Dr. Koehler said. A Lady Gaga wig and sunglasses are fine. Her underwear-style outfits or a take on her  infamous dress made of raw meat are not.

Students are also being divided up into different national teams, and will wear their team country's colors on National Team Colors Day. The teams are Brazil, Greece, India, Qatar, Switzerland and India. On Friday afternoon, representatives of each team will compete in Clash of the Titans.

Clash of Titans includes competition in events like pin-the-ornament-on-the-tree, sleigh ride scooter rally, the 12 chairs of Christmas and polar tug-of-war. The winning team in each event gets prizes.

The winning team gets a treat of donuts when they return from winter break.

The kids take the event seriously, and look forward to it every year, Dr. Koehler said.

Dr. Koehler said that events like Holiday Spirit Week not only give students a fun outlet for energy, it's also a way for them to naturally bond with each other.

"We have all the zero-tolerance, anti-bullying, anti-hazing programs," he said. "But when kids have a chance to have fun together, to play together, to work together, they get to know each other. And when you know someone and have a connection with them, you don't want to bully or haze them."