We, the undersigned parents, guardians, students, and community members, are requesting immediate changes to the district’s policies/criteria regarding student participation in end-of-year activities.

Many students have recently been excluded from important school events, including Field Day, special school activities, and the upcoming Bulldog Party based on strict eligibility requirements put into place beginning May 1st, including:

Perfect attendance

No missing assignments

Zero tardiness

Passing grades

No disciplinary referrals

While these expectations may sound reasonable at first, in practice they can result in students missing important school experiences for circumstances that are sometimes outside of their control.

A student may lose eligibility because of:

An illness or medical appointment

Transportation issues causing tardiness

A temporary academic struggle

A single disciplinary incident

Missing work while absent

We believe accountability is important, but we also believe students should not lose opportunities to participate in meaningful end-of-year memories over isolated mistakes or unavoidable situations.

These policies can disproportionately affect students who may already be struggling academically, emotionally, or personally — the very students who may benefit most from feeling included and supported at school.

In addition to being excluded from these activities, some students were required to sit in the cafeteria for hours writing sentences while other students participated in school events outside.

This raises an important question: what lesson is truly being taught?

The loss of participation in Field Day, special events, and the Bulldog Party is already a significant consequence for students. Requiring additional punishment on top of exclusion can feel excessive and discouraging, especially for students who may not have committed serious behavioral issues.

Many of these students were not removed for dangerous behavior, but simply for failing to meet strict eligibility requirements.

Students should be encouraged to improve while still feeling supported, included, and valued by their school community.

We believe school discipline should be fair, constructive, and focused on growth — not humiliating, isolating, or taking away every opportunity for positive experiences.

End-of-year events are important opportunities for students to:

Build friendships and school spirit

Celebrate accomplishments

Create positive memories

Strengthen their connection to school and staff

Excluding students from multiple activities can negatively impact morale, emotional well-being, and their sense of belonging within the school community.

These students are ending their school year feeling embarrassed, excluded, and defeated instead of encouraged and supported.
Many of them are leaving for summer break with their heads hanging low after watching classmates participate in events and celebrations they were not allowed to join.
For some students, this school is not temporary — they still have two more years here. The way they are treated now will shape how they view school, staff, and their sense of belonging moving forward.
School should be a place where students are challenged, guided, and supported through mistakes — not where they are made to feel isolated or labeled by them.
We want our students to finish the year believing they can improve, grow, and succeed, rather than feeling discouraged before the next school year even begins.

We Are Requesting That the District:

Allow all students to participate in end-of-year activities whenever safely possible.

Improve communication with parents regarding disciplinary decisions and event restrictions.

Our goal is not to undermine school discipline, but to encourage policies that balance accountability with compassion, inclusion, and student well-being.

We believe every student deserves End-of-Year Memories.