Head of School Raynard Kington announced that the second Head of School Day (HOSD) this year would take place on April 22. Standing on the steps in Pan Athletic Center (Pan), Kington raised his signature dark blue hat to the cheers and screams of students who had gathered for a Head of School munch. Typically just an annual event, this second HOSD marks a departure from tradition since one has already occurred this Winter Term.
All classes, sports, and other commitments will be cancelled on April 22, extending the Easter long weekend to a four-day weekend. Kington shared what he hopes students will take away from the extra day off.
“I’ll be working all day Tuesday, I assure you. But that suits the day off. It’s just supposed to be about students. I hope that students will do whatever they feel helps them stay balanced, invigorated and healthy,” said Kington.
Bruce Ru ’27 described his excitement at Kington’s announcement. Although Ru initially felt confused, he called on other students to spend this HOSD responsibly by using the additional time to take care of themselves.
“[It’s] not only a time to just celebrate that we have an extra day off but also [a time] to look inwards and to talk to the people [around you], check in with everybody, including yourself, and think about how we can be using the time to make your life and other people’s lives better,” said Ru.
Last year, HOSD was postponed to the Spring Term due to an unexpected outbreak of sickness during the Winter Term that resulted in two days of cancelled classes. Angie Lucia ’25 commented on how having a HOSD in the spring allowed students to enjoy the weather.
“I’m very excited. It was very unexpected and very cool that he did one for the Spring Term. Last year, having it during the spring was so fun because [there] was good weather. We could lawn. The time was really well spent, so it was a really good idea to do one in the spring,” said Lucia.
Jonathan Oh ’27 expressed how the announcement caught him completely by surprise. Walking back from Falls Music Center with the Goose & Moose band after rehearsal to his dorm, Oh recalled his amazement upon hearing that classes were cancelled next Tuesday.
“People [were] going back to their dorms, and we were on our way to Pan. They were saying [that] we have Head of School Day on Tuesday, and I [thought], ‘No way.’ I thought it was only last year where it was in the Spring Term. It’s awesome. It’s a three-day weekend turned into a four-day weekend. I’m hoping the weather is good on Monday and Tuesday. I’m very grateful to Dr. Kington for doing this, especially when a lot of people are getting sick. It’s great timing,” said Oh.
With Spring Term being relatively short, Oh emphasized how HOSD could be useful to recover physically and academically.
“I have the flu right now, so I’m just planning to get extra sleep and then get back on track with my health and my coursework. Spring Term is really fast and short [this year], so having this extra day to ground myself is really really nice,” said Oh.
Editor’s Note: Angie Lucia ’25 was a former Sports Editor for The Phillipian, vol. CXLVII.
