On December 19, 2023, Fair Grove High School let out for winter break. Throughout the 13 day break, multiple Fair Grove students and staff enjoyed their holidays in different ways.
Mrs. Brown, the high school art teacher, spent her break with family. She started the break by traveling to West Plains, Missouri, which is Brown’s and her husband’s hometown. During this trip, they spent a few days with their families. After spending those few days in West Plains, Brown described what Christmas day looks like for her immediate family. “We will spend Christmas day at our home because we think it’s really important to have our kids wake up in their beds, open presents, and enjoy the day at home…”
Karlee Marion-Swan (11) spent her break traveling. “I moved from Washington state to Missouri freshman year and all of my family is still there along with my dad’s businesses,” stated Marion-Swan. She planned to spend Christmas with her family in Washington and help out with her dad’s businesses.
Dylan George (10) spent part of his break out of state as well. “Over Christmas Break, I plan to be at home until Christmas, then after Christmas day, my family and I will head north to Wisconsin for some snowboarding and other snow activities,” described George. He also mentioned how much he loves that time of year. “I can’t get enough of the family connection, the joy and the snow.”
Winter break is used as a much needed rest for students and teachers. After finals, a break is what a lot of students and teachers need. Brown said, “My back to school plans are to come back a little more rested, have a positive attitude, and get ready to grind. Second semester always seems longer and more hectic to me. It feels like I have so much going on and things I need to do, so I’m just prepping for the chaos.”
Marion-Swan has decided that she is going to continue keeping up with school and not to let her standards fall for the second semester. “My plan is to keep myself at the same standard that I held myself to at the beginning of the semester. My main goal is to procrastinate less but give myself more breaks so I don’t burnout,” described Marion-Swan.
Teachers and students alike have appreciated the break, but are ready to get back to the normal school week. Lindsay Dunning, the chemistry and biology teacher at Fair Grove High School, is ready to teach and help her students through the hard concepts that second semester will give them. “I love the second semester. By this time, my classes are familiar with me and my expectations and I have gotten to know them as well.” Dunning continued, “The content may get tougher in biology and chemistry, but the relationships are established and we can get through the tough stuff together.”
Many students and teachers are looking to have a successful second semester as they continue to hold their high standards and close out the year.
