By Jordan Murray ’20

Monday assembly was cancelled for the first time ever on Oct. 31. Melissa Zimmerman, Executive Assistant to the Head of the Middle School, is in charge of all topics regarding assemblies at the middle school campus, and she made the decision to cancel the assembly. According to her, the short assembly agenda and the fact that students were in their costumes for Halloween prompted the decision.
“There was just the bulletin to read, and I’d hate for the kids to go in [the Saperstein Theatre] and stumble around in their costumes. They will be so excited to share their costumes and hang out with friends, so I thought, ‘Why don’t we just have break,’” Zimmerman said.
Cancelling assembly had to be run through Head of Middle School Jon Wimbish, Middle School Director of Student Affairs Keith Jordan and Middle School Technical Director Tim Schmall. They all agreed that cancelling Monday Assembly was the best option since there was no new information and so the students could enjoy an extra-long break.
They also considered how this would affect bus schedules, changing schedules to Tuesday through Friday and emailing parents.
The Middle School has also decided to change assembly schedules this school year due to performing arts teasers.
“What we are doing this year that is kind of interesting is that on weeks where we have a special assembly on a Wednesday or Thursday for Performing Arts, we are going to not have a Monday assembly and have that be a Tuesday through Friday schedule where there is a normal break. That way we are not always in assembly,” Zimmerman said.
Students were surprised by the change in Monday Assembly.
“It was surprising, but I am glad it happened because I got to spend break on Halloween with my friends,” Abigail Wiesenthal ’20 said.