The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/164157
Volume CXV Issue 1 August 30, 2013 Varsity Football-Page 5 Weekend Forecast Serving Red Bluff High School since 1901 'Steve Jobs'-Page 4 Fall Arena-Page 3 Lack of attendance causes a change in school policy Friday: 95 ° Saturday: 97 ° Sunday: 97 ° Picture Day Picture Day for freshmen and sophomores will be today in the Media Center. If a picture packet is purchased, students can view their photo after it is taken. For seniors that missed their appointment for Studio 530 over summer, today is the last chance to take their senior pictures. Curriculum Night On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Curriculum Night will begin at 7 pm. Parents should start their night off in the PAC. This night provides parents with the opportunity to meet with teachers and discuss the school year as a whole. Also, they will be afforded the chance to look at their child's schedule. La Tomatina La Tomatina will take place today during lunch. This activity will pit several of the Spanish teachers' students against each other in a huge water balloon fight that is representative of the much larger Tomatina held in Spain every year. Marissa Chase Editor-in-Chief Along with the influx of change that has already encompassed the 2013-14 school year, a new attendance policy was finalized Wednesday, August 28, according to Ron Fisher, the principal at RBHS. The prior attendance policy involved the possibility of losing credits for a class after eight ot more unexcused absences. Students had the opportunity at the end of the year to file for appeals and try to provide equitable excuses for their absences. This outdated policy, that has not been common for at least 10 years in the surrounding school districts, was considered "bad practice" in the eyes of Fisher and many others. "It seemed like a lot of work and it was very subjective when deciding what excuses were wrong and right," stated Fisher. The new policy, with its prime focus on "the mastery of content," will not include credit loss, but rather more immediate punishments. For many school administrators, learnig the material far surpasses a student's compliance in being able to attend class. "Partial credit doesn't work," said Fisher. "It doesn't seem very motivating for a kid to be penalized at the end of the school year and have to take a whole class again just because they missed eight days." In order to ensure that students are learning and that the subjective nature behind the attendance appeals process is taken out, the new policy will include several measures. For first time offenders, meaning a student that has been classified as truant after having three unexcused absences, lunch detentions will be given out. However, it is important to note that being absent for a day only consits of missing three or more periods. The next consequence is a bit more serious and costly. If a student has more than ten unexcused absences for that given school year, a letter is sent home saying that student must come to school. This is done all through SARB (Student Attendance Review Board). Next, if the problem is not solved, a second and third letter is sent with information regarding a meeting with SARB, which the student must attend. At this meeting, a ticket can be given to each parent from anywhere of 330 to 1024 dollars. As for the student, a fine of 100 dollars, 20 hours of community service, the chance at their license being revoked for up to two years, and the consequence of not being able to work are all formidable means of punishment. According to Fisher, from prior experience, only about 10 percent make it to the SARB meeting, and as little as one percent actually make it through the whole program. Most of the time the tickets and other punishments aren't necessary. Fisher said, "It's very effective. By the time they get the first or second letter, the kid will go back to school." The necessity of a change in policy was largely brought about from the 774 students that were marked truant last school year. According to Fisher, more kids are successful in the classroom when they attend school on a regular schedule. As a closing message, Fisher said, "The reason for the change is that it is better for students." 774 students were marked truant last school year Fisher has big ideas for the future River Mist Staff Writer With the start of this new school year came many new changes. Students immediately began to notice new policies and the different ways things were being done around the school, transforming it into a newer, and better place. The visionary behind all of these changes is Mr. Fisher, the new principal of Red Bluff High School. Mr. Fisher came into Red Bluff High School with a plan. He knew Red Bluff High needed change, and he came with a plan. It is undeniable that the changes around school have made a drastic difference, but is Mr. Fisher satisfied with all that has occurred? When questioned if he has accomplished what he had hoped to so far, Mr. Fisher responded, "Yes." Not all the changes are done happening yet, though. Mr. Fisher is not done with improving the school. "I hope to see a new bell schedule, or a reworking of the current one in the near future," said Fisher. "Opportunities for enrichment for well-performing students, and interventions for low-performing students will also start to appear in the near future," said Fisher. Another large change that will soon be seen, maybe not so much by students though, is the gearing up by teachers to start introducing and teaching the Common Core. Fisher said, "One of the changes I hope to see this year is the increase in teacher collaboration and readiness to teach the Common Core for next year." Fisher hopes to see this become a reality through the use of PLC's, or Professional Learning Communities, for teachers. Most students have a hard time coming to a new school and joining in, but Mr. Fisher, although not a student, was not off put by this change. When asked if his goals had changed any after actually coming to Red Bluff High School, Mr. Fisher responded, "I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet with teachers, students, parents, and other community members before the start of this school year, so I knew what was to be expected."