End of ARC?

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by Devan Almquist

Red swollen eyes. Drooping shoulders and hanging arms. Dragging feet and unkempt hair.

No my friends, these are not crazy side affects from some horrifying new disease. These are the side affects of a procrastinating, class-sluffing teenager of Timpanogos High School.

Ever since the Attendance Policy was put into place two years ago and students had to start going to ARC (Attendance Restoration Class) this is a common sight in the halls.

Ms. Connie, the THS ARC supervisor, says that the program is working, however she is not sure how much.

“Students are starting to clue in,” says Connie, “We have people coming in now using ARC as a study hall. Just coming in to do homework and get ahead in their classes. I think that ARC is starting to work. I like the change I’m seeing in my classes and I’m sure other teachers feel the same way.”

Whatever Ms. Connie thinks though, students still feel strongly opposite about ARC.

Braylee Anderson, junior, says, “I hate ARC. I think it’s so stupid for students to be forced to go to something and then be forced to pay for it on top of that. It’s dumb and unfair.” I would tend to agree.

Isn’t the point of public schooling giving people cheaper choices? While ARC isn’t exactly expensive, it can add up.

Megan Lisonbee, senior, says, “I have spent a ton on ARC. Probably over a hundred dollars each year. It’s ridiculous.”

Now people might argue that students can stay out of ARC, simply by going to class. While this is true, what about unavoidable things? Family vacations or a few days with the flu?

I find the most frustrating part of ARC is the excused absence part of it. Some things are out of my control. If my parents decide that they want to go to Hawaii for a week, I can’t just say no and stay home. A week gone from school maxes out your excused absences. So then you can’t be sick or anything without having to go to ARC.

Now I may be slightly biased as I am seen in ARC during most sessions and I realize this. I know that ARC is helping, however small, I just don’t agree with certain parts of it.

I, along with a decent majority of the student body, feel that the excused absences and the tardies take it to far. Sure, punish students who ditch or who come so late to class they might as well not be there, but leave us, the well-meaners alone. We try so hard, doing everything that is asked of us, why punish us for coming just a little short?

Why not reward those of us who do meet the standards?

Many students want a policy which is more like Pleasant Grove High’s policy. It rewards students with good attendance by letting them out of class early for lunch, thus giving more lunch time.

Personally, I agree. This seems much more logical and seems like it might work better. Instead of people trying to rebel against the punishment, lets see if we can have people strive to get the reward. To me at least, this seems like the way to go. Reward over punishment.

However you feel about ARC, I’m afraid that it is here to stay. Maybe in the future our little sophomores will cry and complain enough to get a change. We’ll see. For now though, you better get to bed early and remember…Don’t forget your I.D.!

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