The LZHS Administration should have made a better, more sympathetic decision [about canceling the Spring Musical.] Yes, mistakes were made. Yes, there is this “school policy” that must be enforced. However, I’d like to ask the administration: why is it that quite a few people I have talked to have broken this policy before? Lots of students have been sick the day of a performance, stayed home to recover, and then gone to their performance that evening. So why have we flown under the radar all these times, but then the one time when the person who is crucial to the performance stays home sick, the administration suddenly takes notice and begins enforcing the policy? Why has this enforcement been inconsistent? I wish the administration had considered two things: first, that when a football player or a violin player misses school, the game or concert can continue. However, if the lead of a show is not allowed to perform, there is no way the show can go on! The administration should have thought of this when making their decision.

Secondly, I’d like to address the policy itself. There are many times where a student needs a sick day to recover, but can perform later. Is it fair to tell a student who takes their health seriously and wants to do well at something they’re passionate about that because they needed a sick day, they cannot do something they love?

Additionally, all the other aspects of the administration’s decision were not handled very well. The use of the term “unforeseen circumstances” was a very poor choice, considering that many were concerned that a performer had died, or that someone had been arrested. For the seniors, the cancelling of the show dampened – if not ruined – their senior show experience. The decision administration made hurt hundreds of people – actors, crew, pit, patrons, and the department that lost thousands of dollars. I strongly believe that, had the administration been more compassionate and used their common sense, this wouldn’t have happened. Isn’t this school about more than just “school policy”?

-Annika Sundberg, senior

A note from the editor:

Due to student confidentiality laws, LZHS administration cannot comment on any student issues, including responding to this situation. Building administration has told Bear Facts that the attendance policy for extra-curricular activities is on page 57 of the Student Handbook and states, “…any student who participates in any extra-curricular practice, game, contest, or event must be in attendance for a minimum of four (4) academic classes on the day of participation… Any violation of this section will result in a one-contest suspension… he/she may not participate in any extra-curricular activity that day…” The administration has told Bear Facts that they consistently follow this policy of attendance violations, to the best of their knowledge.