The school is abuzz with the promise of Spirit Week, which will run this year from October 3 through 8, culminating with Saturday evening’s Homecoming Dance.

"The class presidents are looking forward to [Spirit Week] and working really hard," Student Body President senior Anique Drumright said. "I hope it will continue as a true Paly tradition and positive community-building activity."

Although seniors tend to win, a few senior classes have lost since former social studies teacher and cheer coach Marilyn Mayo created Spirit Week in the late 1970’s, Student Activities Director Joann Vaars said. The seniors generally triumph "because seniors are usually the largest group at rallies [since a greater percentage of seniors attend]," Vaars said.

Percentage attendance at breakfast, lunchtime and after-school rallies and the percentage of students who dress up are worth 10 points per rally/event. Ten points are also delegated for the two lunchtime rally games. The class float is worth 100 points, while the Spirit Dance and Class Yell are each worth 40 points. One point is allotted for each teacher who dresses up to support a particular class.

Volunteering teachers will serve as judges for all games and activities. Although class patriotism tends to run high during the week, Vaars emphasizes that all judging decisions are final.

"We have to trust that [teachers] do the best they can," Vaars said. "Sometimes you have to go with that … call."

Points are deducted for students wearing unauthorized apparel (such as unofficial class t-shirts) and for various negative behaviors. During Friday’s rally, points will be subtracted if class members are throwing objects (for instance, footballs) or if students leave a mess under their section of the bleachers.

Weekday activities will wrap up Friday with the all-school spirit rally at 3:15 p.m. at the track before the Frosh/Soph and Varsity football teams take on Milpitas at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively. Spirit Week officially finishes at the semi-formal Homecoming Dance on Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m. in the big gym, when the winning class will be announced.

To keep track of who’s winning throughout the week, be sure to check out exclusive Spirit Week coverage on The Paly Voice, including a score bar and daily news updates.

Spirit Week point system:

Overall points ——- 1st ——- 2nd ——- 3rd ——- 4th

10 …………………………. 10 ………….. 7 ………… 5 …………. 3

20 …………………………. 20 …………. 17 ………. 14 ………. 11

30 …………………………. 30 …………. 26 ………. 22 ………. 18

40 …………………………. 40 …………. 36 ………. 32 ………. 28

100 ……………………….. 100 ………… 80 ……… 70 ……… 60

Class size (+ / – approx. five students)

Grade 12 – 418

Grade 11 – 414

Grade 10 – 433

Grade 9 – 436