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Schools

Unexcused Absences Will Cost LT Seniors Exemptions from Final Exams

The District 204 board voted Wednesday night to amend the Exam Exemption Guidelines for seniors in their last semester at LT.

On Wednesday night, the District 204 Board of Education approved amending the Exam Exemption Guidelines to now require that seniors can not have any unexcused absences in their second semester if they wish to be expempt from final exams.  The district currently requires seniors to have at least a B- in their classes to be excused from second semester finals.

Currently, if seniors meet the requirements in all of their classes they are not required to  take any finals exams in their second semester. Other grades, and seniors in their first semester are allowed to be exempt from one final, as long as they have a grade of C, or above.  All students must not have any in-school or out-of-school suspensions, no more than four tardies and no unexcused absences to be excused from a final exam.

Board member William Purcell questioned why the district still had the Exam Exemption Guidelines, and suggested that if it doesn’t help bring up attendance, why continue it?

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“As a kid, it’s part of the culture of the school," replied Board President, Mark Pera. "This is an opportunity to give them a break on one exam.” 

Principal David Franson, added that one year, the attendance levels did improve, but mostly the school has maintained their attendance.

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“It’s good for the school. You don’t want to see the attendance falling,” said Board Member Todd Shapiro.

High School Students raise money for war veterans

Haley Bucheleres, the student representative to the board of education, told members that as of May, the high school raised $50,000 for the Honor Flight Program.  For all of their hard work, 95 World War II veterans will fly to Washington D.C. to visit war memorials. All year the school has held fundraisers where businesses, surrounding schools and members of the community could donate to the cause. 

Funding for Climate Survey Approved

The school board approved funding of $8,800 for a Climate Survey. At the start of the next school year, the survey will ask students, staff and parents questions pertaining to their safety, respect and comfort level with teachers at school, said Director of Community Relations, Jennifer Bialobok. 

Potential Summer Curriculum Development Workshops

Scott Eggerding, director of curriculum and instruction, spoke about the Summer Curriculum Program Development Workshops for the second time at the board meeting.  As of now, there are 13 proposed workshops for this summer.

The professional development workshops would focus on how much students are learning and not how much the teacher is teaching. Areas the workshops will cover include math, science, Chinese IV/AP, professional development and Social Emotional and Learning Support (S.E.A.L.S).

The S.E.A.L.S. workshop will concentrate on non-academic factors influencing student’s grades. District Superintendent Tim Kilrea, said that the school has already made strides. The district surpassed their goal to increase student participation in AP testing by 5 percent for this school year.

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