On the first day of school, students heard thorough explanations of Albany High’s attendance and tardy policy.
Many students believe this policy was created this year. Actually, it has been in place for several years and is based on the state Education Code and Albany School District board policy. The confusion surrounding the policy is understandable; some of the rules had never been enforced at all.
The school aims to crack down on those who are habitually absent or tardy. In relation to tardies, Vice Principal Tami Benau said, “Tardies and absences continue to increase and students, parents, teachers, and the administrators all need to work together to reduce them.” The administration is also working to reduce absences, even if they are excused.
Students will be asked to bring a doctor’s note if they have three or more excused absences in a single class for that grading period. This means if a student stays home with a cold a few times in a quarter, or perhaps gets the flu and is sick for a week, they will have to return to school with a doctor’s note as well as a note from their parents.
Many students are unhappy with the school’s stricter view on attendance. One dismayed junior, Debra Dong, explained, “it just makes school feel more tense.”
There is one rule that is slightly different from previous years. If a student has five or more unexcused absences in one class, the student is guaranteed no higher than a “D.”
Some students may remember that the school had a similar rule last year, but with only three unexcused absences. The old rule, however, was rarely enforced. By making it a little more generous, teachers are probably more likely to enforce it than they have been in the past.
The question remains: will the administration rein adamant about enforcing the attendance and tardy policy, or is this stricter attitude eventually going to subside?
Like many students, senior Artemis Jenkins thinks only time will tell. She explained, “teachers say they’re going to grade us down, but in the end I don’t really know if it’s going to make a difference.”
I am a student in Monticello high and I want to let you know, that your not alone. Our school as well has started to be very strict about policies as well. The absences, and the tardiness. I am currently in a journalism course, and I am part of our school’s newspaper, The Panther Press. Its going to be finalized this october. I disagree with the school being so harsh, but i guess this is what it has come to…
I like that the paper covered the story with both a news account and an editorial.
One of the things not covered was that transfer parents were sent letters with a threat; that middle school kids could lose their transfers after a certain number of tardies. Thing is, it’s the freeway that’s most likely to make my kids tardy, and that’s completely out of the student’s control.
I would also point out that, after four years in the Albany schools, we have had different starting times for three out of four years between the two students, I believe, and this year, we didn’t know what time our senior would start until right before the school year began. For working parents who drive their kids to school, it’s a big deal.
good job cheasty! =]
These new rules are rather a bummer. Seniors have always been known to be late to class if show up at all. Now that my class is the senior class, I find it rather unfair that we are denied the mentioned luxuries that we’ve seen previous seniors enjoy.
However, I do understand that this will prepare us for our future. For example, we cannot just cut work for no reason or show up late. We will be fired. Even in college, if you don’t show up, you will fall behind. Though it may suck nuts right now, it’s preparation for the dog eat dog that lays ahead of us
Air Traffic Controller: “Gosh, these new attendance rules are harsh. I mean this one time, I played hooky, whoa nelly, two jumbo jets also skinned each other!”
Nuclear Facility Manager: “Bummer, these new attendance rules suck bad. I mean this one time, I played hooky, holy molely, the water levels dipped way low leaving the uranium rods bone dry!”
Starbucks Manager: “Dang, these new attendance rules are hard core. I mean this one time, I played hooky, hot dang it, there was nothing to keep the air traffic controller and the nuclear facility manager awake during their shifts!”
someone was given an F for one unexcused absence and they were getting an A
mr barone and his minions are ruining everybody’s senior year. i don’t understand why its a heinous crime if we’re a few minutes late for a stupid class that we aren’t actually going to learn in.
i miss rosenbaum.
great article cheasty!!!!!
does this include advisory? i never go
mm.. 10x )
eh.. good one
any changes coming ? j
yo. nice text
)
AttenDance
I think that this policy is needed because if you are late to school then you will be late to more important things.