Mixed reactions to senior skip day
By Ann Crosby ‘25
Photo on senior skip day
Courtesy of Ann Crosby
Every year, Catlin Gabel School (CGS) seniors participate in Senior Skip Day—a long-standing tradition where the majority of seniors opt to skip school, much to the dismay of CGS administration and faculty. This year was no exception, as most seniors chose to forgo their classes on April 17 in favor of a short trip to Cannon Beach.
In the lead-up to Senior Skip Day, several seniors, who will remain anonymous, expressed their excitement for this event, recalling how they had “watched past senior classes skip days,” and they were “excited to have that rush of skipping school...and going to the beach.”
However, once the administration caught wind of the seniors' plans, a different perspective emerged on Thursday afternoon. In an email addressed to both parents and seniors, Derek Kanarek, CGS’ Interim Head of the Upper School, explained that “Senior Skip Day is not a sanctioned event and does not have the support of anyone on the faculty.” He went on to discourage seniors by stating, “Skipping class at this time of year is incredibly frustrating for your teachers, given all the other absences that happen in April.”
Finally, Kanarek cautioned that skipping class could lead to seniors receiving zeros on tests and could foster “unnecessary ill will between you and your faculty.” Many teachers echoed Kanarek’s sentiments, voicing their discontent with the idea of altering their class schedules.
When interviewed, Maureen Reed, an Upper School English teacher and a parent of a current senior, offered multiple perspectives on the situation. From a teacher's viewpoint, Reed expressed that “not knowing which students would or wouldn’t come had a negative impact on class planning.” Additionally, since CGS seniors conclude their classes a month early, teachers are already working within a compressed schedule.
Reed also noted her surprise at the expectation among seniors that their teachers would simply accommodate their absence. While Kanarek’s email clarified that teachers are not obligated to accommodate students who skip class, many seniors still negotiated with their teachers to avoid missing major assignments or receiving zeros.
Furthermore, Reed was surprised by parents' readiness to excuse their students despite CGS’s expensive tuition and the fact that each class only meets three times a week.
Since teachers were aware of Senior Skip Day, many students were able to communicate with their teachers about the work they would miss. In general, the class acknowledged that it was their responsibility to make up missed assignments. While some students were concerned about getting zeros on tests, a day at Cannon Beach was very tempting.
Thus, on the morning of April 17, a significant portion of the senior class chose not to attend school. Instead, they embarked on a one-and-a-half-hour drive to Cannon Beach to enjoy the sun. Most seniors carpooled with friends before gathering with the rest of their classmates.
Once at the beach, they laid out towels in the sand, played frisbee, explored the tide pools, and relished a day free from academic obligations. For many seniors, this trip represented more than just a rebellion against the administration; it was an opportunity to unwind after a stressful senior year and create lasting memories.
In follow-up interviews, most seniors highlighted the importance of the community aspect of Senior Skip Day, cherishing the time spent with their entire class. One senior remarked, “I think it was just a good way for the class to get together and not think about school.” She also appreciated the opportunity to interact with individuals outside her usual social circle.
In an anonymous survey, some of the most memorable experiences shared by seniors included “playing Spikeball with my friends on the beach and driving up with a bunch of them,” and “either playing football on the beach or kitesurfing.” Another senior mentioned being able to “get three people out in senior assassin,” which is a fun game where seniors are assigned specific classmates as targets. The objective is to sneak up on them and spray them with water to eliminate them from the game.
However, a core memory for the seniors who participated was playing football. One senior said, “It felt like a moment when a lot of friend groups were melding and playing something we haven’t done in years together.” This senior ended by saying, “I only caught it once, but felt very included.”
Clearly, there are both pros and cons to participating in Senior Skip Day. However, the tradition shows no signs of coming to an end. While the CGS faculty and administrators express valid concerns about students skipping class, this long-standing tradition creates lifelong memories and fosters a close bond within the senior class community.