You wake up to your alarm ringing, hit the snooze button and fall back asleep. Your eyes break open, you throw your covers off and spring out of bed; you missed the snooze button and turned your alarm off by mistake—you’re late. But fortunately for you, today is Pajama Day. Unburdened by the need to get dressed and go through your daily routine as usual, you get ready in record time and arrive at school three minutes before the first bell.

At Great Neck North High School, Pajama Day is held annually and is one of the most popular parts of Spirit Week. It creates a light-hearted airy atmosphere throughout the school, promotes school spirit and allows both students and staff to have fun while being comfortable in class. This year, Spirit Week debuted with North High’s very own Pajama Day on Sep. 14. Students across all grade levels showed up to school in cozy, fuzzy, and warm pajamas, making the school day more comforting and energetic for everyone.

“I love wearing my pajamas to school. It allows me to be comfy throughout the day”, junior Sam Goldman said.

Walking through the hallways from class to class, students smile and laugh with their friends in pajamas, admiring or joking about what each other are wearing.

Pajama Day creates a relaxed atmosphere that helps students look forward to coming to class.

“Good times bring us together. That’s what Spirit Week and Pajama Day does for the kids of Great Neck North High”, sophomore Ariel Danialian said.

When most of the school gets involved in events like this, even social barriers can be broken. In participating, students bond together as a community to erase any sense of isolation or judgment and help encourage people to reach out, or even just compliment another’s pajamas. Small connections such as these help build lasting friendships and an indomitable school spirit. By wearing pajamas to class, students help make Great Neck North an even stronger community.

Students aren’t the only ones who support Pajama Day, though. Great Neck North’s faculty feel the welcoming and spirited energy of Pajama Day with many even joining in on the fun.

“I went to school here and I still have that same spirit for the school. It’s important for everyone to participate to build that energy up” science teacher Christopher Ceasar said.

Mr. Ceasar, like many other North High teachers, believes that being a part of Spirit Week activities is integral to building a strong and long lasting community. Caesar’s continued school spirit years after he graduated is a testament to the strength and impact of the Great Neck North community.

Whether it’s due to a love for the school and its events, wanting to have fun and laugh with peers or the simple fact that pajamas are warm and comfortable, participating in Pajama Day is an important and exciting tradition that students and staff can enjoy.