Prom is one of the biggest events of a high schooler’s career. It is an opportunity for community, connection, and fun. Recent rules regarding attendance have barred students from participating in this event. The policy regarding all school dances is to have 90% attendance which means missing no more than 2 class periods a WEEK. This policy is not only discriminatory towards students with health issues (mental or physical) but also students in unstable or vulnerable environments within their family or communities. Not allowing a student to attend a school sanctioned event due to health issues goes against not only moral and ethical values but against the disability act. 

“Prom is for everyone, regardless of whatever a student is going through. It is unfair for administration to threaten prom on the basis of poor attendance which is usually not due to lack of care or intelligence, but because of personal struggles that the school seemingly does not understand nor care to. This policy targets students who are already going through their own problems, which enforces a message that students’ problems don’t matter to the school. Revoking a night to let go of stress and connect with peers is not a fair or acceptable way to try to raise attendance rates and GPA.”