Peabody High to institute new student policies

PEABODY – Two new policies will find their way into the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Parent/Student Handbook this coming school year.School Committee members voted Tuesday night to approve Principal Ed Sapienza?s proposed plan to motivate students to attend school and achieve passing grades and credits necessary for graduation.The first policy change affects a student?s attendance and required make-up school. Sapienza proposed that a student not be absent for more than four days per quarter, adding that “upon return to school, the student is expected to make up the classes and/or all work missed within 10 school days. Failure to make up classes/and or work missed will result in a two points deduction in the student?s quarterly grade.”Some members of the Committee felt the new policy was a bit harsh, especially for those students who find themselves battling an illness or facing family emergencies that cause them to be absent more frequently. However, Sapienza assured them instances would be handled on a case-by-case basis.?It may seem harsh to the students, but it?s in their best interest,” he said. “We?re trying to give them a schedule?to stay on track. We?re trying to train them, to teach them some responsibility.”Sapienza said the new attendance policy would serve as a deterrent to skip school and push students to go to class, complete their work on time, and not fall behind, which tends to be the case for some when the end of the semester nears.Committee member Beverley Ann Griffin Dunne agreed.?I think you hit it right with the numbers (days to make up work),” she said. “Kids don?t know how fast they can get behind.”Sapienza added the new policy would protect those students who come to class and complete their assignments when they?re due. Currently, some students who skip class may have weeks to study for an exam they missed, putting them at an unfair advantage.The other change will require a student?s good behavior in order to attend all school-sponsored events, such as proms and sporting events. In order to participate, students must be “in good standing.”To be in good standing, said Sapienza, a student must attain at least 20 credits or the equivalent on their previous report card, abide by the attendance policy and comply with the school?s discipline criteria. Penalties can include dean?s detention with an additional five school days of ineligibility; in school suspension with an additional 15 school days of ineligibility; and out-of-school suspension with an additional 25 school days of ineligibility.?These are the things that students look forward to,” he said. “All I?m asking is that you have to earn it.”Again, Committee members expressed worry over “that good kid” whose year could be ruined because of one mistake.?The vast majority of our students are already in compliance with these policies and will have no difficulty avoiding the consequences,” Sapienza said. “I think this will be something we can hang our hats on.”Committee members Ed Nizwantowski and Ed Charest voted against changes to the second policy awaiting possible revisions. The attendance policy changes, however, were approved unanimously.