Editorial
Student absenteeism has been a growing problem for Rocky Mountain School District for the past several years.
Missing school is a concerning trend that needs some serious intervention, because once it starts it tends to become a habit that compromises learning.
Remember those days of skipping school and going downtown with a couple of friends to buy penny candy? Remember all those times you told mom that you weren’t feeling well and couldn’t go to school? She would size you up in an instant and could tell that you were lying.
Today, playing hooky on Fridays is a popular pursuit among some students who love three-day weekends. But because they’re young they don’t realize the detrimental effects this has on their education.
One can arguably blame the COVID 19 pandemic for creating this environment. Everything shut down, large gatherings were prohibited, students had to learn from home, and Zoom meetings were the norm.
Back in the day school was very regimented with very little room for flexibility. There was zero tolerance for absenteeism unless you were very ill. But times (and attitudes) have changed, however, with much more flexibility and self-directed learning in the classroom. Emerging social and mental health issues have also played a big role in these changes affecting attendance at school.
The solution is not that simple, but school boards have started collecting data to determine why absenteeism is becoming more of a problem and are closely monitoring the situation in each facility.
One of the challenges is making schools more engaging for students, and it’s nice to see Columbia Valley schools doing that. For example, DTSS in Invermere has pupils involved in climate action activities, and soon a new equestrian program will be up and running. It’s also promising to see schools incorporating Indigenous studies by involving local First Nation elders and their cultural teachings.
Making students feel like they belong and are connected to their school is a key ingredient to improving attendance.
Lyonel Doherty, editor