Students faced with new policy on attendance
When the school year first began, a lot of students were called down to a classroom during those first few hectic weeks. Everyone was a little nervous and curious about what was going on. It turned out that the school had introduced a new policy, and each student, along with their parents, had to sign a contract agreeing to follow new expectations and help create a more positive start to the year.
The contract, known as the Fresh Start Attendance Contract, focused on attendance, punctuality, and overall responsibility. It required students to acknowledge how attendance affects their academic success and how missing too many classes could lead to a loss of course credit. The policy stated that more than ten unexcused absences in a semester could cause a student to lose credit for that class. It also reminded families that being late by more than twenty minutes could count as an absence. The agreement aimed to make both students and parents more aware of these expectations while creating a shared responsibility between home and school.
One section asked students to identify the barriers that made attending school difficult in the past. Options included oversleeping, missing the bus, transportation issues, feeling anxious about class, or poor grades. By checking these boxes, students reflected on the challenges they faced and acknowledged what needed improvement. Both students and parents then had to initial several statements confirming their understanding of the rules, their commitment to being on time, and their agreement to provide valid documentation for absences when needed.
The school’s role was also clearly stated they were responsible for keeping accurate attendance records, communicating with parents through PowerSchool, and setting up meetings with counselors if a student reached six absences. This contract was designed to promote accountability and consistency. While it set clear expectations, it also highlighted the struggles that many students face in trying to meet strict attendance standards. The detailed structure showed the school’s effort to support academic success, but it also revealed how complex attendance issues can be when balancing rules with the realitys students experience every day.
Edited by: Aileen O
