As winter break inches closer, teachers are getting into the holiday spirit by working hard to bring different decorations and festivities to their classrooms. One way they do this is by participating in a competition called “Deck the Quads,” where teachers will be judged to help students get excited to show school spirit.

Deck the Quads is a friendly competition between the different departments on campus who team together to become victorious. To win this competition, teachers are supposed to decorate the outsides of their classrooms to the best of their abilities, keeping creativity and merry spirits in mind. The teachers are allowed to pitch in together to come up with a better and more cohesive idea among their department as well.  

“In the math department, we chose to do a movie theme so all of us decorated our doors based on specific movies,” Integrated Math 2 teacher Mr. Eric Wilcox said. “Whenever they decide who wins, there’s a trophy and also bragging rights with our other colleagues.”

Ahead of the finals season, students are starting to feel the stress and pressure that has been pushing on them for the semester. With Deck the Quads, students are able to enjoy a more positive and happy environment so they can enjoy their last two weeks of school before winter break. 

“I think that [teachers] should try to get involved, because it shows school spirit. It makes the kids feel proud to be here, and it just creates a fun, happy, positive environment,” AP Research teacher Mrs. Kimberly Barreras said. 

Although it is a competition between teachers, they would not be able to do this without their students. Some students chose to volunteer help their teachers decorate their classroom doors with their own artistic and creative flair. This allows students to be a part of the competition, making them more confident in their talents while showing school pride. 

“[With] my AP research students, we do mental health Monday,” Barreras said. “So they made little mini gingerbread men, and they got to color and decorate their own.”

Students also think that being allowed to help decorate their teachers doors is a fun experience and helps them get involved to make something to cheer up the whole school.

“I think it’s a fun and festive activity because students can participate in decorating the doors as well,” Stacy Chowtham (9) said. 

With the Deck the Quads decorating contest, the holiday season is now coming earlier than usual helping students release stress through fun and festive decorations. 

“I think everyone has done a really good job,” Wilcox said. “It’s really cool seeing the different ideas and seeing how teachers have gotten other students to participate. It’s always a really fun part of being a teacher.”