FMSD needs to reassess attendance policy

Staff Editorial

As the 2022 school year drags, students and teachers are finally fully adjusted to the new schedule changes. Students’ and teachers’ stress levels rise as we approach the last weeks of the first semester, and sometimes the weekend isn’t enough time to come back to school feeling refreshed and ready to learn or teach. At times, a mental health day is a necesity, but isn’t available when needed most.

Currently, no school in the Fort Mill School District offers mental health days for students. The closest thing the district offers is two days of excused absences without a doctor’s note for students, according to the parent/student handbook. Students get 10 days of school absences (excused or unexcused) before the acting principal has to approve or deny their absence request.

The typical school year lasts 180 days, and the expectation that every student or teacher can maintain positive mental health is unrealistic and dangerous.

Teachers are given personal days that they can use in place of a mental health day, but they’ve yet to be given an official day off.

Officializing mental health days will encourage teachers to prioritize themselves during the school year.

Some students can’t afford to take an unexcused absence because they’ve used up all their allowed days off without principal approval. Many other students can’t get a doctor’s note excusing them from school for their mental health.

According to a survey taken by 155 students during lunch on Oct. 20, 2022, more than 50% of students believe they suffer from possible mental illness at some time. Additionally, 96% of the same group of students believe they should get official mental health days. Furthermore, 94.8% of students polled also think teachers deserve mental health days.

No specific bill has been introduced to the South Carolina legislature prohibiting or allowing mental health days, so if the FMSD wanted to implement them, they legally could. This would open up more opportunities for students to take control and teach responsibility. Furthermore, officialized days will help remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Students who take advandage of their sick days to skip class are only hurting themselves. When introducing mental health days, the administration should make this aware to the student body. Not every student needs a mental health day, nor will all students use one. The ones that need the time should have the opportunity to take a day off if needed. When they come back to school, the student is responsible for catching up on missed work– just like a sick day for physical illness or injury.

Good mental health is crucial for school performance, and that goes for students and teachers. No one will perform well if they aren’t taking care of themselves. Everyone needs a break, and that should be made available in the FMSD.