A year ago, ’97 FHS graduate Shamaine Reis considered at-tending Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. After months of research on PLU, Reis finally visited the campus, only to decide she didn’t want to attend. Reis is just one example of a student finding a college visit essential in planning her future. “Anyone who is going to spend $12,000 to $70,000 (on a college education) should experience it visually,” said George Cowan, Reis’ former English teacher. “A video will not allow you to see what you need to see. It is something you need to experience on a personal level.” FHS’s attendance policy can be an obstacle for seniors and juniors who want to visit prospective universities, but still want to avoid semester tests, said Craig Hunnicutt, head of the Career Center. “Seniors think that they are being penalized for missing school for an education-related reason,” said Hunnicutt. Student Body President Scott Clark and Secretary Lindsay Hopkins, with Hunnicutt, propose that students be allowed to visit college campuses without the absences affecting their attendance record with special days labeled “Senior Transition Days.” The days would not be specifically school-sponsored, rather the absences would not be considered when deciding if students with more than two absences have to take semester tests. “We plan to take it and propose it to the principals, Mr. Martin and Mr. Fusaro,” said Hopkins. “I hope that we’ll be able to visit college campuses without having our attendance record damaged.” For his part, Principal Gary Martin said there are other opportunities to visit colleges that don’t interfere with school attendance. “The seniors could use Spring Break or Christmas vacation or even the weekends, distance permitting” to visit campuses, said Martin. A proposal similar to Senior Transition Days was turned down in Student Council last year, so this year, Clark and Hopkins asked for Hunnicutt’s help to reintroduce a proposal. The three have yet to draw up the formal proposal, but once it is finished, they hope it will pass. Said Hopkins: “Students shouldn’t be penalized for trying to find out more about their futures.” |
