With recent debates about contentious topics such as cutting school breaks and altering the Senior Experience policy, students may feel ignored in the decision-making process.

However, students’ concerns are of the utmost importance, and should always be considered as  administrators design policies for the student body.  Many students are not satisfied with the new policies that are going into effect this year.

For example, administrators have altered the rules of Senior Experience again and again.  While the student perspective might view these changes as unfair, the staff says that these new regulations are not meant to serve as a punishment.

“I think it is better that the students do not make all the decisions for the entire school because, while our ideas should be heard, we are not the ones who are best to make all the policies,” said junior Rebecca Schaub.

When AP tests end, teachers would have the opportunity to teach their senior students more current or more applicable knowledge.

Yes, change is hard, especially when we think that we have no control over what is going on, but that does not mean that the students were not thought of in the decision making process, or that the changes will not be beneficial for us.  One example of this in our school’s recent history was the cancelation of Blue and White Night in the ‘09-‘10 school year.  This decision was not necessarily expressing the desires of the students at the time, but as years have passed, we see that it was the right decision to be made in terms of the safety of the students.

“We are trying really hard to listen to both teachers and students when it comes to creating meaningful programs,” said principal Mr. Ira Pernick.

Mr. Pernick shared that whatever the final decision about Senior Experience, the goal of the administration is to educate the students most effectively.

“I am pretty well connected to the student body and I meet with them often to discuss almost any topic,” said Mr. Pernick.  “I also respond regularly to student emails and tweets because I try to stay in touch with what students care about.”

As principal, Mr. Pernick encourages students to contact him and express their ideas.  Since this is a facility that is dedicated to improving the lives of its students through education, this mindset is extremely important in the decision making and policy formulation process.

According to the administrators, students’ well-being continues to be the number one priority, and the best way to help students is to promote learning.  While the students may feel powerless, all policies are  intended to help the students, not to remove their voice.