By Hogan Webb
Staff Writer
Mira Costa has a large student population, and many of the kids have hidden talents and hobbies. Midway day gives students an excellent opportunity to let their peers and teachers see who they are outside of the classroom.
Three years ago Mira Costa started a new tradition called ‘Midway Day’. It typically takes place just after finals and marks the halfway point of the school year. During ‘Midway Day’ Costa students are allowed to teach classes to their fellow students and teachers, and take part in others if they are not teaching a class.Students may sign up to teach a class on any subject they wish. After that, students who are not teaching a class can sign up to attend the class. Teachers may also sign up for the classes. On ‘Midway Day’ there are three, one hour long periods. Students and teachers choose which three classes they want to attend.A lot of students at Mira Costa are doing impressive extracurricular activities. Midway day is a great way for these students to exhibit their hobbies and to show off their talents. Students are teaching a variety of classes ranging from how to play water polo, to origami.
According Mira Costa Freshman Ryan Birdoes, freshmen didn’t really know what to expect from this day since it is their first year on campus. Even so he was very impressed. He took a class on go-kart building and learned how to build and piece together an engine.Students these days are lacking creativity. According to livescience.com, a study was conducted of about 300,000 creativity tests going back to the 1970s. The study revealed that students ability to produce unique and unusual ideas has decreased since the 1990s. The currents focus on testing in schools, and the idea that there is only one right answer has caused students to become narrowminded. Midway day is day for students to be more creative by expressing themselves as people.
According to Mira Costa Vice Principal Ms. Hoffreider, Midway day came about because of a visit the school had in 2012 by education consultant Sir Ken Robinson. He said in the 19th century, schools started to become like factories. The ideas of bells and kids moving from class to class is all like one big factory. This system took away a lot of creativity in students. Mira Costa established midway day to give students who are pretty good at something a chance to shine. This helps take the structure of school away and is a great escape day for students.
Several Mira Costa teachers are against Midway day because it replaces a day where they could be teaching; however,it is essential for students to be able to express themselves, and have a break from the uniformity of school.
Midway day was recently implemented into the Mira Costa schedule and offers nothing but positive effects. Although kids must miss a day of school, it is a necessity for students to expand their mind and have a day to relax and be creative. Since students creativity has recently been lacking, Midway day has opened up ids minds and creative spirits to teach their hobbies to their peers.
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