The ‘traditional’ way of school consequence has been instituted by the re-introduction of the detention policy. School officials hope for this technique to be more efficient and convenient to students.
“The new policy will hopefully bring more clarity and consistency to students. It is not a “firmer” consequence, rather a different consequence that hopefully makes more sense to students and staff,” stated by Counselor, Vanessa Prorok. Prorok added, “In order for students to find success within the classroom, they need to be in the class.”
Detentions are issued to students due to having an unexcused absence or a list of tardies. The amount of detention slips a student gets determines how much time they must serve before the end of the following day. The first instance is met with 30 minutes of detention and adds up if a student has not served their respective time.
“Kids will think, ‘Oh I have a detention, let me hurry up and do it’, It seems more urgent or serious this year” stated by Junior Taniya Williams.
Students view this consequence in a more serious manner than the previous years. Before, they were allowed to serve their hours on ‘their own’ time, but now the detentions are to be served by the end of the following day.
Williams added, “I feel it’s less convenient for students”
The warning system is absent, leaving the consequence to be given to students almost immediately, rather than giving them time to clean up their habits like they previously had. It is an abrupt change and adaptation takes time.
“I don’t want them to hear ‘detention’ and think this is something that’s mean or that we are out to get them. We’re here to try to help,” stated Associate Principal Micheal Souza.
Souza also explained that the service hour technique allowed for the build up of hours which left students to give up once it got to an unbearable level.
Souza added, “There were just some students who never fulfilled their service hours…that meant that they couldn’t go to dances, games, things like that. So we had a bunch of students not attending said events.”
The detention policy holds no targeted, or malicious intent. It is set in place to work to the benefit of students by giving them a consequence they are able to serve in a timely manner and can enjoy special events and privileges without worry.
