Post-prom absences may carry consequences
Taking the week off has become tradition for NBTHS seniors
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

"It's time we got back to the business of education. Graduation is the end. Prom isn't." - Neil Malvone

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Too much of a good thing is never enough, or is it?

The Board of Education discussed shortening a designated "Prom Week" that had been observed for the last five years at its regular board meeting on Sept. 14. Although high school is presumed to be the best time of life and students want to enjoy their prom and graduation ceremony, board members said they hold education in higher regard than taking off three to five days after the senior dance.

"Being educated is more than just getting into college," board President Ann Casey said.

To deter students from taking those days off, the board is considering prohibiting students from walking at graduation if they miss 80 percent of the days following the prom. A debate arose because students felt that they were being denied of a reward for their four years of hard work in high school, while the board was stressing the importance of education whether in September or June.

"It is an accident waiting to happen." - Claire Padovano Board of Education Vice President

"What we're trying to create in North Brunswick [are] students," teachers union representative Peter Conlon said. "The definition of a student is one who wants to learn as much as you can. It's time we got back to the business of education. Graduation is the end. Prom isn't."

Conlon also said that in his 24 years of teaching seniors, he has come across plenty of cases of "senioritis," but that colleges are now realizing this and are requesting fourth marking period transcripts, sometimes even rescinding acceptances when students' grades decline.

"This is not something to do with punishing students, but we want to make sure they're safe and protected [while] making sure the goals of this district are met," board member Neil Malvone said. "You have to realize this is not a vacation week on the calendar. We're not taking anything away from the seniors, they're supposed to be in school that week."

Although parents said they do not believe the entire week should be devoted to an extra vacation, they do hope two to three days, even if given by parental permission only, should not penalize the students from participating in traditional end-of-year activities. It was suggested that students who do not attend 80 percent of the week following prom would be prohibited from walking in their graduation ceremony.

"To not shut the door and moderate this and show a little bit of respect, as we're sending [these students] off into the world, is not too much to ask," said parent Bob LaCour, clearly upset that Prom Week had grown in days over the past few years without a direct response from the board as to why.

However, several students came before the board and publicly testified that teachers do tend to lessen their plans as summer approaches, and that since the seniors have been diligent for four years, a few extra days off is a deserving reward.

"I know for me, along with a lot of other people, we work really, really hard. I live, eat and breathe in my school; it's my life," Frank Panico said. "Having said that, I'm a senior, I'm 18 years old, I'm an adult. I think after June 1, if I want a couple of days to go down to the beach or do things with my friends before going away to college, I think it's unfair to go from something to nothing for a very deserving class."

Fellow student representative Tanya Witlen added, "Knowing a lot of the kids I'm friends with, we have a great respect for education [but] I think the experience of going to the shore after prom is really worth it. It's the last time you can congregate with all of your classmates before going off to college."

Yet on the other hand, board member Karen Hirrschoff, who was a teacher herself for many years, brought attention to the inability to introduce new material when the majority of students are missing.

"There is no way you can function academically when 90 percent of your class is missing," she said. "It's a wonderful thing to be a senior but you also want to stress the academics. It's very important."

She also mentioned how uncomfortable the situation can be for the few students who actually do remain in school while their classmates do not attend for those few days.

"You young people know what it is like to be a teenager and be alone," she said.

Another issue is the fact that the students have spring break and summer vacation to relax, and do not necessarily need a few days to recover after prom, especially since dangerous activities can take place when they travel to the shore.

Board Vice President Claire Padovano shared her own personal experience, saying that after allowing two of her children to go away after prom, she will not concede to her daughter's wishes when the time comes.

"It is an accident waiting to happen," she said. "No parent wants a phone call in the middle of the night. I know houses were destroyed, I know people were arrested. The bottom line is if something happens the first thing a lawyer will do is take us into court and say you knew about it and you didn't do anything about it."

Parent Margaret LaCour took the discussion one step further, noting that the entire situation does not allow parents to make decisions for their children.

"The Board of Education is looking to control parenting, which is not going to be done in this form or another form," she said. "We're parents. It's about time people start parenting. That's the clue here. It has nothing to do with people talking about Senior Week."

"I make choices, not my 17-year-old child," LaCour continued. "I make the decisions, not her. I think if parents start parenting we wouldn't be here now having this discussion. You didn't raise these children, we did. We need to take responsibility for raising our children and step up to the plate."

However, Board Attorney Anthony Vignuolo stressed that the 20 unexcused absences allotted to a child during the school year are not a right and are a maximum number mandated by state law; the district could have chosen a lesser number to apply to its schools. He said that consequences could be instituted if a child misses a significant number of days because if the board is aware of an activity taking place when a student should be in school - even if it occurs off premise - they have a responsibility to act on deterring it.

"The concept that people are entitled to these days is wrong," Vignuolo said.

If the decision is made to shorten Prom Week, parents suggested instituting a grade-wide event, such as a senior trip, picnic or night out to compensate, allowing the entire senior class to enjoy one last function together.

More information and possibly a decision is expected to be brought forth at next month's Board of Education meeting on Oct. 12.