Planned Absence purpose overshadowed by stigma

Planned Absences are no foreign concept at Aurora High School. They are for anything from vacation to health appointments to field trips.

These nifty forms allow students to find out what work they will miss ahead of time, make teachers aware of their impending absence, and display parental permission. In order to have the described absence excused, students must complete the form, and follow all guidelines provided on the back of the sheet.

Many students do not look at the back of the form, as most teachers are flexible and do not mind working with the student. Tests are scheduled for make-up, homework is given ahead of time- no worries.

The rules state: “Assignments are due to the teacher at the first meeting of the class following the vacation period. If assignments were not provided in advance by the teacher, all assignments missed are due within five school days following the vacation period.”

But, there’s always someone who doesn’t like those rules.

Some teachers insist that assignments due on the day of absence are due the day before. But where in the rules is that?

Even some of the administration says that if you know of the assignment beforehand, that it is due before. Would it be wise of the student? Perhaps. Is that mandatory? No (at least not in blatant writing).

Perhaps this is not unwarranted.

Many students of the Class of 2017 have filled out Planned Absence forms for St. Patrick’s Day, also known as Senior Skip Day.

If a student filled out a form, and did so completely, then it is not skipping. If there is a parent signature on the page, then the school has no reason or right to question the absence, be it fabricated or not. This is the same form filled out for vacations, surgeries, and appointments; they should not be questions.

But there still exists the teacher-guilt-trip: the passive-aggressive comments and general shaming of missing school.

But how can this be when Planned Absences are excused absences?

Aurora High School needs to get on the same page. Planned Absences are created to give students and their families a freedom- an out to the strict truancy rules that are laid out by the state. However, the stigma that surrounds these forms overshadows their true purpose.

No matter the stigma, do yourself a favor next time you fill out a Planned Absence form; flip the sheet over and read the rules.