“I don’t want to go, I’m not ready for that test, I’m not finished with homework,” are some excuses that students have given for not coming to school. As absences have climbed, the school has decided to implement a strategy to deal with excessive absences.
In an effort to improve attendance at GlenOak High School, the administration has decided to enforce the prom attendance rule that is in the GlenOak Handbook.
Students who are chronically absent are often found skipping classes instead of attending them. This has led to stricter policies being implemented in order to combat attendance issues and decrease all absences.
Attendance is a requirement in the state of Ohio. The school has been working to improve attendance of its students. Due to the policy, many students have been concerned over what qualifies as an absence, and what will happen to their attendance if they are missing from school.
One of the policies that has been applied at GlenOak is revoking the ability for a student to go to prom if they are missing 10% of the school year (which equates to about 10 days or more) due to absences. This policy is meant to encourage students to come to school, rather than skipping, so that they will have the opportunity to go to prom and have fun with their friends.
“It’s [Prom] always been on the list saying that you have to be in good-standing for graduation, and that goes for grades, credits and attendance,” GlenOak principal Brett Niarchos said. “I need kids to come to school. The more learning that happens, the better they become.”
Students who are chronically absent will meet with their academy principal around February or March and talk to them about the issue. If they still wish to go to prom but find themselves unable to due to their attendance, then they can work out a plan with their principal and will be allowed to go to prom if they accomplish said plan and maintain a good behavior.
“Prom is a privilege, if you can come to school then you can go to prom. If you can’t come to school then you can’t go to prom,” Niarchos said. “It’s a fair trade. We are not out to get kids.”
Due to the new policy, many students have been concerned over what qualifies as an absence. Medically-related absences, such as a doctor’s visit, are excusable and will not count as unexcused. Field trips will not count either, since they are a part of a class.
“If they come to school, then by the time prom comes and tickets come on sale, they should be good,” Niarchos said. “We aren’t trying to punish the good students for being good.”
Niarchos encourages students with questions or concerns, to feel free to reach out to your academy principal or counselor. The GlenOak student handbook can be found on the GlenOak High School website for additional information on rules and regulations for attendance as well.
