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Frankfort, N.Y. —
The late arrival and early release privileges offered to upperclassmen at Frankfort-Schuyler High School will be seeing some changes, according to school Superintendent Robert Reina.
Reina discussed the matter with the district’s Board of Education during a meeting Tuesday. He said the original intent of the program was to allow students who were taking college or vocational courses some leeway in their schedule. It has also helped families who depend on older siblings to provide child care for younger ones before or after school, he said. Some students currently use the program when they have study halls at the beginning or end of the school day.
“The problem is that now we have seven out of the 32 students taking part in the program who are failing two or more courses,” said Reina. “I have made a decision that starting the second semester of this school year, if a student is failing one course, he will not be eligible for early release or late arrival.”
He said high school Principal John Bubb would be sending a letter to the seven students affected about the change.
“When students who are failing courses are permitted to arrive late or leave early, we need to adjust what we’re doing,” said Reina. He added the additional time these students spend at school could be used to ensure they receive the help they need to do well in their classes.
“Starting in September, we need to get back to the original intent of the program — what it was when it started 12 or 15 years ago,” said Reina.
Students will be required to provide documentation that they are taking a college or vocational class, for example, or working at the local fire department in the mornings.
There may be allowances for other circumstances that would justify a student being allowed to arrive late or leave early, but these would be at Bubb’s discretion.
In other business:
• Art teacher Donnalyn Shuster presented awards to the students whose work was exhibited at the student art show at the 64th annual New York State Art Teachers’ Association Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester.
• Reina reported the district’s annual professional performance review plan had been approved by the State Education Department and thanked those who worked on the plan.
• It was reported Scholar-Athlete Awards went to the district’s football and girls’ soccer teams.
• The board received a report on new homework guidelines. Reina thanked middle school Principal Julie Tangorra for her work on the project. Tangorra said parts of earlier policies were used and teachers had the opportunity to offer input. “These are good guidelines for parents and staff,” said Reina. He added they will be available online.
• Reina thanked the various organizations that donated to the district’s children during the holiday season. He also reported that about 50 people, both students and parents, went out Christmas caroling to the community on Dec. 10.
The late arrival and early release privileges offered to upperclassmen at Frankfort-Schuyler High School will be seeing some changes, according to school Superintendent Robert Reina.
Reina discussed the matter with the district’s Board of Education during a meeting Tuesday. He said the original intent of the program was to allow students who were taking college or vocational courses some leeway in their schedule. It has also helped families who depend on older siblings to provide child care for younger ones before or after school, he said. Some students currently use the program when they have study halls at the beginning or end of the school day.
“The problem is that now we have seven out of the 32 students taking part in the program who are failing two or more courses,” said Reina. “I have made a decision that starting the second semester of this school year, if a student is failing one course, he will not be eligible for early release or late arrival.”
He said high school Principal John Bubb would be sending a letter to the seven students affected about the change.
“When students who are failing courses are permitted to arrive late or leave early, we need to adjust what we’re doing,” said Reina. He added the additional time these students spend at school could be used to ensure they receive the help they need to do well in their classes.
“Starting in September, we need to get back to the original intent of the program — what it was when it started 12 or 15 years ago,” said Reina.
Students will be required to provide documentation that they are taking a college or vocational class, for example, or working at the local fire department in the mornings.
There may be allowances for other circumstances that would justify a student being allowed to arrive late or leave early, but these would be at Bubb’s discretion.
In other business:
• Art teacher Donnalyn Shuster presented awards to the students whose work was exhibited at the student art show at the 64th annual New York State Art Teachers’ Association Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester.
• Reina reported the district’s annual professional performance review plan had been approved by the State Education Department and thanked those who worked on the plan.
• It was reported Scholar-Athlete Awards went to the district’s football and girls’ soccer teams.
• The board received a report on new homework guidelines. Reina thanked middle school Principal Julie Tangorra for her work on the project. Tangorra said parts of earlier policies were used and teachers had the opportunity to offer input. “These are good guidelines for parents and staff,” said Reina. He added they will be available online.
• Reina thanked the various organizations that donated to the district’s children during the holiday season. He also reported that about 50 people, both students and parents, went out Christmas caroling to the community on Dec. 10.
