Dear Parents/Caregivers & Students:
At the start of the school year, we opened our new Student Cafeteria, Library, Gathering Stairs, and Center Court Commons. The areas are beautiful, and the majority of our students are really enjoying using these spaces during study options and/or lunch periods - which is exactly what we intended with their design. However, some students like them so much that they are skipping classes to hang out, which is resulting in a downturn in academic success for most of those students. Students’ success in school depends on being present in class and being engaged with their teachers and fellow students. When students are in class they engage in meaningful activities, receive important information, and contribute to the classroom community.
This semester, as we are getting back into more normal school routines, we will implement procedures that should reinforce the importance of attending all classes and being on time. On-time attendance will be an important focus for Maine East as we work to finish the school year on a strong, positive note based on greater academic success for all students.
Starting the week of February 7, students who cut class will be seen by a staff member in the Assistant Principals Office. Their parents will be contacted, and if students accumulate additional class cuts they may be required to report to a supervised location during a portion of their lunch periods, and/or they may be required to come to school on Saturday for executive functioning skills training.
We encourage you, as parents and caregivers, to partner with the school to emphasize the importance for your children to attend all classes. Thank you for your support!
-Dr. Pressler
