Almost everyone knows about the attendance grudge held over students by the school this year. According to the handbook and state law, students may only miss ten days of school per semester pending your age and academic services. Otherwise, you may have to pack up your locker and leave the school until next semester. Also, after the third accumulative unexcused tardy in a quarter, students are given a detention. Even though these rules have existed at PHS for at least a year now, there is one new rule that I and many others have learned to hate. A new part of the policy is that any student who missed 10% of the school year last year must have a doctor’s note every time they are absent this year. All students and parents were provided information over the summer.

I don’t see the doctor every time I have a tummy ache. When I think of a new school year, I think of starting off fresh. What happened to a second chance? Even if we had a bad year, or even a bad semester, are we not equal to the others who had good attendance last year? This policy is definitely not fair. Those are some of the thoughts that crossed my mind. When I interviewed Mr. Schneider, he showed me a different side of the policy.

“This is to benefit you, not to discipline,” Mr. Schneider says. He pulled up my current grades and showed me the difference. Compared to last year, when I had 14 absences, my grades have definitely improved this year. Out of 180 school days in a year if you are 16 or under and you miss up to 10 days of the school year, a truant officer will be involved. If you are 17 or older and miss up to 10 days of the school year due to excessive unexcused absences, you may be asked to clean out your locker and not return until the following semester. From the information I have collected, the state has this law to encourage students to stay in school, get better grades, and be successful.

Most students do not feel the same as the state does. “The students may rebel against the policy and may complain that it isn’t fair.” Caitlyn said. Most students feel like they are being punished instead of being helped. I believe that the state and school board should make sure the students know it is for their benefit, let them know that Mr. Schneider is not out to get them. So the next time you “don’t feel good” ask yourself if it’s really worth it.