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I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT MISSING; I'LL JUST MAKE IT UP!

The title of this article reflects the attitude of some students. I wonder what my supervisors would say if I conducted myself that way at work? Would I be allowed to sleep in and just arrive when I woke up and got ready? If I forgot to write a report for my job, could I just skip that afternoon meeting and write the report then? Maybe I could just skip the report totally and do better on the next one to make up for the one I didn't do. Maybe I could just call in sick and do the report at home. So what if I miss an appointment in the morning to do that report. "I'll just make it up", as I've heard said by some students over the years.

In my job as the district's Juvenile Court School Liaison, I am amazed at the number of students with this type of attitude toward school. The attitude of "school's not as important as my job/sport/social life" really surprises me. School IS the student's main job right now!

I have the opportunity to talk with many about why this is their attitude. Some responses I have gotten include: school is too boring, teacher's don't make classes fun, teacher's give too much homework, school starts too early, the school day is too long, I am too tired in the morning, there's no free time at school, and the list goes on. I imagine there are days when all of us feel that our workday is too long, or has started too early, but there are some things that we cannot change in life.
I know there are times when a student must miss school (illness or a funeral), but some students truly believe that school can be "just made up". With that attitude and commitment toward school, some students do not hesitate to take a day or half day off when they want to. They lose so much when they do that.

I encourage all students and their parents to look at how necessary it is to take off a day of school, to arrive late or leave school early. Students, I challenge you to make a commitment to have perfect attendance for this quarter of school and see what happens. Parents, I challenge you to encourage and motivate your child/children to attend school all day, everyday.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding school attendance, please contact Carol Freeze, Juvenile Court School Liaison at (563) 876-3442.

Non-Discrimination Policy The policies of the Western Dubuque County Community School District shall provide educational programs, activities, and employment practices which do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability or disability. The Western Dubuque County Community School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Any person having inquiries about this statement, please contact Tina Brestrup, Equity Coordinator, 563-744-3885 x 6010, or tina.brestrup@wdbqschools.org.