THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604040004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
In her column March 30, editorial writer Kerry Dougherty brings to our attention the plight of a Cox High School junior faced with the difficult decision whether or not to attend school on Saturday, a snow makeup day, or attend religious services at synagogue. I fail to see where the difficulty is in making this decision. Clearly, religious commitments take priority over those imposed by the school system.
Regarding the ``insensitivity'' of school officials, it may interest Ms. Dougherty to know that teachers received information prior to the makeup day indicating that absences due to religious beliefs (among other things) not only would be excused on that day but also would not count toward the division's recently implemented absence policy. We were also informed that students absent under those circumstances would be allowed to make up all work missed.
Religious commitments were not the only reason students were excused in a similar manner. Virginia Beach All-City Band was held the same weekend, and approximately 260 middle- and high-school students were absent from school for that event, including at least two Cox High School students who may very well have missed those same ``extra-credit tests.''
From Ms. Dougherty's column we are left with the impression that these students would not be able to make up their work; this is simply not the case.
Whether or not there was ``insensitivity'' involved in the handling of this student's absence is a matter of opinion, but to blame the entire school division is inappropriate. Bashing Virginia Beach city schools seems to have become a popular activity lately. In this case it is entirely unwarranted.
CARL A. PEAKE
Computer exploration teacher
Virginia Beach Middle School
Virginia Beach, March 30, 1996 by CNB