During the 2024-2025 school year, the Sewanhaka Central High School District instituted “No Tech Tuesdays,” a designated day of the week in which students and staff were discouraged from using technology during classes. Although members of NHP expressed mixed emotions towards this, the district decided to take it a step further by starting a new program: “Old Timey Tuesdays.” Beginning in April, a strict policy of no electricity, no running water, and no heating will be enforced in the school building on Tuesdays.

“I think this was a great policy to institute because it teaches students how to survive without the things they need to survive,” sophomore Zahra Nuha said. 

Many students have expressed mixed opinions regarding the policy. Some see it as a new challenge, while others express concerns for safety. 

“I think it really shows students the privilege that they have,” senior Rasandi Fernando said. 

“I have a positive opinion towards the new policy because I like feeling how the people in the Victorian Era felt; it’s very vintage,” junior Anastasia Kostakos said. 

Students will be encouraged to bring their own pre-filled water bottles to school in order to quench their thirst throughout the day, since they will not have access to water fountains once they are in the building. Students will also be recommended to bring their jackets on cold days, due to the fact that there will be no heating in the building. 

“Making students bring water bottles to school teaches them responsibility. I honestly can’t even believe the school provided anyone with running water or light before this, I’ve really enjoyed living the same way people did in the 19th century. I always wanted to lessen my screen time, and now I don’t have a choice,” senior Deborah Aderibigbe said. 

Since all lights will be off, classes will be taught by candlelight. Each teacher will be given about ten candles for their classroom, and they will be lit at the beginning of the day. Since we are moving into the spring season, thankfully, natural daylight will provide most of the necessary illumination in the building. However, on rainy and/or dark days, candles will need to be lit whenever necessary.

NHP teachers are actively making adjustments to their curricula in order to make their lessons work under this new setting.

“The adjustment has been a bit tricky, especially in light of tariffs,” Dr. Otton said. “My favorite inkwells and quills that we now use in class come from France, and now they’re a bit expensive.” 

Old Timey Tuesdays have resulted in different opinions among students and teachers. Many individuals urge that it is important to utilize modern day utilities, while the administration is pushing for a reversion to times of antiquity in an effort to improve the learning environment. As the school year begins to come to a close, discussions have sparked amongst staff members as they begin to deliberate as to whether a policy of no electricity, heating, or water could benefit students every day of learning, rather than only once a week.