“1, 2, 3, 4, 5…”

“6-7” originated as a lyric from the song “Doot Doot,” by Skrilla, which was released in December 2024. The song was soon popularized on TikTok and Instagram Reels in early 2025 through basketball edits of NBA player LaMelo Ball who is 6’7’’, and was later accompanied with a gesture where people moved their hands in a seesaw motion.

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, MCPS sent out an email to all students, parents and staff with a video to celebrate the 67th day of the school year. The video amassed nearly 5,000 views on YouTube and over 73,000 views on Instagram, with a different 67th day of school video posted by MCPS on Instagram getting a whopping 1.2 million views.

Students and staff across the county from a wide range of grade levels were featured in the video sent out via email, doing the beloved 6-7 hand motion while also educating viewers about other significant aspects of the date, such as it correlating with National Pastry Day and International Veterinary Medicine Day. Of all of the students featured in the video, a student from this school was one of them. “I was part of the pickleball exchange last year and we were doing interviews at the MCPS central office, and it was on the 67th day of the year, so we filmed that video to celebrate it,” senior Kyle Li said.

MCPS’ celebrations for the 67th day of school didn’t end there. Dr. Jamila Walker (or Dr. Jamila Denney) is the principal of Pine Crest Elementary School in Silver Spring, and wrote an article for the MoCo Show titled, ‘The Phenomenon of ‘6-7’ and What It Has Given to Our Society.’ “I have two daughters – one high schooler and one middle schooler. They first taught me about 6-7, and I did not understand it. Then, I started seeing it referenced everywhere – not only with my two daughters and their friends, but also at my school. Even when I went to my gym (with adults), people were talking about 6-7. Little things matter – especially when they make people smile and laugh together. That is what prompted me to write the article,” Walker said.

Walker explained that hearing the amount of joy and commotion that 6-7 provided almost everywhere she went inspired her to write about its greater impact in our world. “I feel like we live in such a polarized environment, and we are living in hard times. I really think it is important to take a moment and enjoy things around you. I wanted to explore the idea of accepting something that just made us all laugh and feel joy,” Walker said.

Walker remarked that to her, 6-7 felt different than other trends. Terms like “skibidi” and “rizz” were popular last year, but 6-7 felt different. “As an educator, we embrace student lingo (like ‘bruh’), but with 6-7, it felt like something that when it was said, it lit up the room. The other trends were trendy with students, but 6-7 feels more like something that gave people joy. Laughing is so important – I feel like it does something good for the soul; that is what I particularly liked about 6-7,” Walker said.

The phenomenon of 6-7 rapidly spread across the world, and MCPS was no exception. In Walker’s opinion, educators should take the trend as a sign to continue leveraging joy in schools. “School should be fun, innovative and keep up with what brings students happiness. We should be responsive to our students and ensure that we are a place of belonging in all aspects – even if [it’s as simple as] celebrating the 67th day of school to have fun with a trend,” Walker said.

MCPS’ efforts to highlight Dec. 9 have proved that the trend of 6-7 has been one of the most defining aspects of 2025, and its long-lasting cultural impact cannot be understated. In a time where division and conflict are more prevalent than ever, the simple meme offers a brief moment of reprieve from life’s stresses and connects individuals despite their differences. “6-7 has changed my life completely. It has really brought our community together and has united people from all walks of life. 6-7 forever,” Li said.