As part of efforts to increase school spirit, Plainedge High School will hold its first Homecoming Parade next Saturday, Oct. 16.

The procession will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the John West School (Boundary and Stewart Avenues, N. Massapequa) and head south along Hicksville Road to Hickory Street, where it will turn left to the high school. It will end just before the start of the Homecoming football game, scheduled for 2 p.m. During the half-time intermission, the Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned.

"I think it's really a wonderful thing," said Assistant Principal Steve Hoffman, who is spearheading the effort. "I think it's pulling all the student body together - all the grade levels, all the clubs, and all the teachers, and all the advisors, and all the administrators in the district, and the community - and giving a focus on coming together, a new beginning, and something which is going to bring spirit to the school."

The initiation of a homecoming parade ties into the theme, "New Beginnings," proclaimed for this school year by Plainedge School District's brand new superintendent, Dr. John A. Richman. The theme encompasses Richman's visions for improving student performance, relations between staff, administration, and students, and formulating a bond proposal for a possible new middle school and new programs. It also calls for increasing school spirit in the small district, whose students hail from various communities, such as North Massapequa and Bethpage.

"The superintendent has made his theme 'New Beginnings.' I think this is part and parcel of that," Hoffman said of the homecoming parade.

To gear up for Homecoming, the high school has designated this week as "Spirit Week." Students will dress to fit wacky motifs, such as "Crazy Hat Day," on Tuesday, "Pajama Day" on Wednesday, and "Hawaiian Day" on Thursday. On Friday, students will wear red and white - the school's colors - and attend a pep rally during eighth period. At a school dance to be held that evening, the Homecoming King and Queen finalists will be announced.

Under the guidance of grade advisors, students have been busily organizing the Homecoming events since the second week of September, and are anxiously anticipating them. "The student council advisors have their groups involved in all the festivities that are coming up," said Hoffman. "The students feel good. I know there's an excitement in the building."

School teams and clubs, staff members, and parents will march in Saturday's parade, and the district has encouraged other community residents to cheer them on.