Because of the new exemption policy, students will now only be allowed two absences in a class in order to still receive their final exam exemptions at the end of the semester.

The school district should allow excused absences to have no effect on the two that are given to students. 

While COVID-19 is not as prominent as it was in the past two years, illnesses in general are still a large issue. With students only being allowed to miss two classes, they may feel forced to go to school when feeling bad or unwell. Having a sizable amount of sick people roaming around halls, touching doorknobs, tables and chairs can become a health hazard. Especially with colder weather arriving, common cold and the flu start to show up more and more. 

Also, there are certain events that are very important to a person’s family, friends and themselves that require them to miss school. Events such as weddings, funerals, therapy, etc. are more of the common ones. These may not be “life or death”, but are an important part of someone’s life, and to an even greater degree, high school students, since they are just starting to learn what it means to be a young adult.

Some could argue that students practicing good hygiene and health techniques could help to prevent those illnesses from being passed around. That statement fails to account for those who may not have a choice on certain issues. Those who may have unavoidable health conditions such as asthma, seizure disorders or anxiety may possibly have to miss school because of something that happened that prevents them from being able to get a good education. 

This issue has a very clear solution. Take unexcused absences and count them towards the two maximum and allow excused absences to have no effect on the limit. 

Students should let their opinions be heard by talking to their assistant principal and counselors in order to voice the changes that should take place to keep the school and the students safe.