You have been waiting your whole high school career for the day when you can pound the snooze button ferociously……and pound it thirty-two times for a total of five extra hours of much needed sleep.

The long-awaited Senior Skip Day arrived Monday, April 18th, finding various members of the school community with different plans in mind.

Though the opinions of faculty and staff may be a little hazy, one thing is for sure – at the sight of an uncalled for three-day weekend, seniors rejoice as if they were retiring at the age of eighteen.

Whether noticed by students or not, the official school policy regarding Senior Skip Day appeared in the morning announcements for several days prior to the weekend of Prom.

The Dean’s Office reminded students, “Seniors wanting to participate in any after school activity (arts, athletics, etc.) are reminded that the regular attendance policy applies to all students who elect not to come to school on the Monday following Prom.”

Head of Upper School, Moya Marks, mentioned, “the administration and faculty unofficially recognize Senior Skip Day as a senior privilege” and acknowledged the inevitability of seniors skipping school the day after Prom weekend.

In general, it appears that most teachers at least acknowledged the presence of the occasion – most commonly by moving assessments to the following Tuesday, or considerately allowing homework to be turned in following Senior Skip Day.

PreCalculus teacher, Mrs. Stover, offered underclassmen a day to complete homework and ask questions – though seniors were required to complete the assignment before attending class on Tuesday.

According to Mrs. Marks, the school administration actually advises teachers not to give tests or assessments the Monday following Prom.

Though some teachers may disapprove of the day, it is certain that some are reminiscing about their golden high school years.

Ms. Marees recalls “swimming, boating, tubing, wakeboarding, and doing all fun “lake things” down at Kingsley Lake.” Marees traveled an hour south to spend Sunday night in lake cabins with 15-20 close friends. A friend’s grandparents happened to live near the lake, and cooked out for the group of seniors. The actual Senior Skip Day was spent driving back to Jacksonville, and according to Marees, likely “ a little beach time.

Young and lively, Mr. Stam spoke of his senior skip day,  “I recall playing golf and then later going to track practice.”

Senior Skip Day does not always mean running around the city like Ferris Bueller. Mr. Murphy mentioned that “he cannot recall doing anything special” for his Senior Skip Day.

Senior, Maria Muzaurieta, traveled to Ichetucknee Springs for the day, while some students headed to Fort George Island.

Mrs. Marks also added that “one year the school planned a Senior class trip to the beach” for Senior Skip Day. Apparently, “it did not turn out well” and was crossed off the list of ideas for future years.

Though what happens on Senior Skip Day may remain a mystery (until you experience it yourself), according to Bolles seniors common ways to spend the day range from going to the beach, staring at your computer screen watching Netflix for nine hours straight, or doing homework, among other things.

Whether you plan on considering yourself a direction-following, hard-core academic senior, or a go-with-the-flow, free-spirited, soon to be adult, it is certain that you will find Senior Skip Day a liberating, but sadly short-lived occasion.