Intention Vs. Impact: Students React to the ‘Bluey’ Streaming During March 18 Advisory Block

The weekly Tuesday advisory block, which takes place before lunch, routinely serves as the time that advisory groups get to meet. However, this Tuesday, March 18, the weekly advisory plan was abruptly changed. Upper School students were all moved to the auditorium to watch the 2018 kids’ cartoon show, “Bluey,” instead of completing traditional homeroom-style reflection work or hosting academic check-ins with their advisors. 

As Noah Rachlin, Upper School Director, opened the unexpected assembly, he reminisced on the moment the MFS Playscape had opened up and the rush of excitement that came from Upper School students, who were eager to relive a feeling of childhood nostalgia. In his introduction, he noted that with the marking period ending and high school being a time when students feel as though “every little thing matters;” he, and the rest of the Upper School administration, wanted to give students the opportunity to let go of their stress and feel relaxed for a little bit. 

Rachlin said the reason for this sudden switch from the advisory block to a Community Time period was that “we had a community period a few weeks ago where we went to advisory and that was unplanned, so [he] had asked advisories to cover a period they didn’t think they would be covering and they stepped up and managed.” Rachlin said, “From an administrator point of view, I saw an opportunity to then cover for advisors [in return].” 

Rachlin remarked that “the other piece is that, in having the responsibility for that period now, it felt like there was an opportunity to just step off of the treadmill that so many people feel like they’re on at this point in the year. With everything that’s going on and the rushed pace and volume of work that everyone was going on, [he thought,] what if [he] could just make a 45-minute window that was a little bit more relaxed and like a reprieve?” He said that the “Upper School Team,” comprising himself, Dean of Students Will Miller, Upper School Counselor Julie Lyons, 9/10 Advisor Clare Makenzie, and 10/11 Advisor Trish Tate, had those goals in mind as they decided to play the show “Bluey.”

For many students, the change in schedule was a pleasant surprise. Junior Bodhi Vance-Harris ’26 said, “I had a great time watching. I think the thought behind Mr. Rachlin and Mr. Miller’s choice to do this was very thoughtful, especially because this is one of the most stressful weeks [of the year].”

However, while many students were appreciative, they did not feel that the choice of “Bluey” was the best for the occasion. 

Ida Ramos ’26 said, “I understand the idea of watching something nostalgic, but ‘Bluey’ is a relatively new show. It didn’t feel very nostalgic or like I was back to my childhood. If they wanted to get that feeling, I think a show like ‘Victorious’ would’ve been a better choice.” 

Dean Simpson ’26 said that he thought “the show was not great, and watching three full episodes was excessive, especially because ‘Bluey’ is not a show that was around when we were kids.” He said, “I would have enjoyed being in my advisory more because it’s also a space for me to relax and take a break.”

Miles Wilkins ’25 shared a similar point. “I think that the event was a great concept of letting students just have fun at a high-stress time. But, I would say this is a great example of intention versus impact as many students did not feel engaged, and I heard a lot of people around me saying ‘I’d rather be in advisory.’ I liked the idea of giving students time to not be stressed and enjoy a TV show, but maybe there should be other ways for students to do so,” said Wilkins.

After completing three episodes of the show, Will Miller, the Dean of Students, walked onto the stage with a big inflatable bouncy ball that connected with an episode of the show called “Keepy Uppy.” With this, he instructed students to do what the characters did in the show: keep the ball off the ground for as long as possible. 

Many students had a more positive interaction with this activity, with some wishing that we could have played the game for more time than was spent watching the show. Wilkins said, “I actually really did like the ‘Keepy Uppy’ activity, though. I saw that as fun and engaging for members of the community, and it felt more nostalgic than the show. It was a really brief moment of time to play, though; I wish we played longer.”