On February 28, 1953, as students made their way to 8 a.m. chapel, Principal William G. Saltonstall quietly made a decision — one that would become a beloved Exeter tradition. Without advance notice to faculty or students, he declared the day free of classes, a “Four S Day”: dedicated to sun, snow, sleep and surprise.
As The Exonian reported, “Although the principal did not commit himself, he stated that the policy of having one free day each winter term would probably be continued.” It has, though it has shifted to the spring and taken on a new name. Once known informally as St. Gurdon’s Day (a nod to Saltonstall’s middle name), it’s now celebrated as Principal’s Day.
Over the decades, principals have found increasingly creative ways to announce the day off. This April, Principal Bill Rawson revealed the sweet surprise with fortune cookies served at Elm Street Dining Hall.
