10 Undeniable Things You'll Remember If You Went To Public School In Pennsylvania
By Beth Price-Williams|Published July 28, 2017
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Most of us have plenty of memories – some fond, some embarrassing, and maybe even some that are simply unforgettable – that everyone who went to public school in Pennsylvania can relate to. Whether our school years were the best, the worst, or somewhere in between, here 10 things that you’ll probably remember if you went to public school in Pennsylvania.
Most of us woke up early on snowy mornings to watch the school delays and closings scrolling across the television screen. Whether we got our wish for a delay or a day off depended, unfortunately, on our school district. Some were lucky to get the day off at the mere sight of snow while others trudged to the bus stop in the middle of a snowstorm.
2. Getting an extra day off of school over Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving vacation meant no school Thursday through Monday in Pennsylvania. We enjoyed that extra day off in honor of the start of the deer hunting season.
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3. Missing class for pep rallies on football Fridays.
High school football is a big deal throughout Pennsylvania. That sometimes meant missing a class for a school pep rally on Friday afternoon to get pumped up for the big game later that evening.
The Friday night football game was always the place to be whether we liked football or not. And, when it wasn't a football Friday, most of us could probably be found hanging out at the local mall with our friends.
5. Cheering when someone dropped their tray in the cafeteria.
Okay, 'fess up, how many of us have cheered when another student dropped his or her tray in the cafeteria? Or, worse, how many actually know what it feels like to be the poor soul whose lunch scatters across the floor as everyone cheers?
Pennsylvania sure does love its standardized testing. Most of us have sat through hour after hour of standardized testing, starting in elementary school, filling out those little blue bubbles.
7. Marching in the annual elementary Halloween parade.
Not all schools in Pennsylvania celebrate Halloween these days. But, once upon a time, elementary school kids used to dress up in their costumes and parade around the school for their parents and other family members.
Okay, so maybe this isn't a strictly Pennsylvanian thing. But, if you went to public school, you likely had special days throughout the year. Like school spirit day where we all wore our school colors. Or funny hat day.
The highlight of our school careers was, undoubtedly, our senior year. We were allowed to drive to school, enjoy lax study halls, and, of course, our school year ended earlier than everyone else's. Then there was Senior Skip Day, the one day we all ditched school and headed somewhere fun.
10. Enjoying a half day of school on the last day.
Those last few days of public school in Pennsylvania meant signing each other's yearbooks, taking pictures, and just waiting for the final bell to ring. Then, of course, the last day was typically a mere half day.
Public school in Pennsylvania was definitely a unique experience, wouldn’t you say? What other things do you think we all did in public school? Share below for a part two of this list! Then click here to read about some of the habits all Pennsylvanians share.
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