Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 2, 1991 TAG: 9103300173
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TAMMY POOLE NEWSFUN EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The trees are budding, flowers are blooming and the sun is shining.
After being cooped up inside for several months, most kids (and adults) are ready to break this dull routine and get out into the fresh air.
How can pupils deal with spring fever - that lazy feeling you get when the weather begins to warm up?
By taking a vacation, said Esther Johnson, guidance coordinator at Northside High School. "It's a wonderful coping mechanism."
In the Roanoke Valley, spring break began Friday and ends next Monday.
"They finally got smart and scheduled spring break for the end of our nine-week marking period, instead of tying it to Easter," Johnson said. "Last year Easter was near the end of April and the crises the students experienced were tremendous. People kept complaining - but all that disappeared after the holiday." This year the marking period coincided with Easter, which was earlier.
Johnson said this year's vacation "is the biggest we've ever had, and it couldn't have happened at a better time," she said. "It worked out beautifully."
How do some pupils describe their own particular case of spring fever?
"I have spring fever a lot of times," said Kelly Sample of Wytheville. "I feel like taking the clock hands to 3 p.m. so I can get outside."
Shawn Sparks, a sixth-grader at Breckinridge Middle School in Roanoke, said he gets mad when he has to stay inside on a pretty day. "It's hard to pay attention in school," he said.
When Shawn was younger, his mother had to come to school for several years in a row to talk with his teacher about his habit of daydreaming, he said. "She [his mother] used to threaten me about my grades," he said.
Although he's gotten used to being inside when it's warm, Shawn said he still has problems with daydreaming. "Sometimes our teacher lets us go outside after lunch, and that helps some," he said.
"I get spring fever a lot," said Ryan Strickland of Roanoke. "I mostly get it at school. I feel like not doing my work."
Darcy Belcher of Vinton describes spring fever as feeling excited that spring is here, but not being able to go outside.
Meagan Klagge of Blacksburg said she does not get spring fever. "I would rather stay inside," she said. However, she does have advice for kids who do get spring fever: "You should make a certain time when no one can keep you from going outside - like from 4 to 5 p.m every day. You can go outside, read or do anything you like. That way you can always look forward to that time."
If you have homework yet feel that you simply go outside, try to find a quiet place outdoors where you can concentrate on what you are doing and still be outdoors.
"Sometimes I get spring fever. I feel like I want to do my homework outside. I just go outside for a while to get fresh air. When I have to do my homework and stuff, I do it quick," said Erin Edwards of Roanoke.
Marquia Cunningham of Roanoke gets spring fever "in all the seasons. I run outside and jump around until I can jump no more. Then I come back in and finish my homework."
If it's a beautiful spring day and you're stuck inside a particularly stuffy classroom, consider asking the teacher if the class could go outside.
"I don't get spring fever. I feel wonderful. I ask the teacher if we can go outside," said Toan Nguyen of Wytheville.
If everyone behaves and pays attention during an outside class, the teacher may let you go outdoors more than once. So don't fall asleep, scream if you see a bug, or put ants in a classmate's pants if you do get to go out!
During spring break, take a break from your usual routine and enjoy yourself.
"I get spring fever, and I feel jittery and excited," said Jennifer Archer of Roanoke County. "Spring is my favorite time of the year. I always have many things to do then especially during spring break. . . . If no one can play, I ask my mom for a picnic. When someone can play we ride bikes, scooters, talk or play hopscotch."
Lou Talbutt, supervisor of guidance for Roanoke City School system, said parents should take time to promote health and fitness as soon as spring fever hits.
"Activities that are good for spring include visiting parks and playgrounds, taking walks or hiking."
Although pupils do not want to study during vacation, they can continue to learn while having fun, Talbutt said.
For example:
Read and write during long vacation - summer or spring breaks and especially during rainy weather. Have some indoor activities planned just in case.
Now is a good time for parents and older children to read to younger children.
During breaks, pupils should read the newspaper and visit the library.
For those who go away on vacation, consider taking a diary or a journal along to do some writing.
Letter writing is a good way to keep in touch with friends and relatives and to increase your writing skills.
"It helps if young people can see writing and reading as fun experiences and not always associate it with homework, Talbutt said.
by CNB