Many students have recently been complaining about the relatively new office policy changes. In the past few years the requirements for an excused absence or tardy have changed. Now students must present documentation proving that they are coming from a place qualifying them to be excused.

In the student handbook, absences that are considered excused with proper documentation are defined as observance of religious holidays, medical appointments, prolonged illness, death in the family/family emergency, college visits, court appointment, DMV drivers’ test, or school field trip. Students having trouble with these rules because they don’t have a doctor’s note have complained that these rules are unfair or too strict. Senior Chelsea Campbell raising the questions, how come a parent excusing a student is not enough?

“My mom forgot to ask for a doctor’s note,” said Campbell, “and so she made a point to walk my brother back in to the school so that she could tell them herself he had a doctor’s appointment. They said my mom wasn’t enough verification, so my brother got detention because that was is fourth tardy.”

Assistant Principal Sironen said that NKHS is not the only school to require documentation. “You would need documentation when you’re not at your job, school is the job of students.” For other reasons that students miss or are to school, that are not covered by the excuses listed in the student handbook, Sironen said, “You get three tardies a quarter, 12 a year, that don’t require an excuse.” She said that should be enough.

“I honestly have no problem with the office,” Said Senior Luis Aldrete. “I think they do the best they can to do their job. It can be stressful with kids coming in and out at all hours of the day. So if they don’t take the excuse from your parents, it’s because they are trying to follow the rules.”

“Maybe, if there’s a problem of students not being able to be excused, the office should send out a memo reminding students that they need a note from wherever they came from,” said senior Sarah Carrington.  “In the past, I haven’t had a problem with my mom excusing me because of a doctor’s appointment, but I find that if you treat the workers in the office nicely and with respect, they are more willing to work with you.”

“To graduate and get good grades, you must be in school,” says Sironen, “That’s why these rules are in place.”