By EMILY ZHU and SEAN CHAE
Senior skip day, also known as ditch day or cut day, is a popular tradition for high school seniors throughout the United States. This year’s first skip day at Jericho Senior High School was a bit different because it was in November, much earlier than usual. The next one was just a few months later in February.
Students took the days off to participate in various activities from brunch with friends to completing overdue tasks. When asked about what she did during the November skip day, a senior who wished to remain anonymous said, “I worked on my college applications.”
Senior Harrison K. went out to lunch with friends understanding that teachers make allowances for skip day. He said, “Most of them know that it happens every year, and it’s a good break for them.”
Teachers’ reactions to skip days vary. Some claimed that they hadn’t noticed the November skip day. Research and debate teacher Ms. Drayer said, “I don’t remember being greatly impacted because I don’t remember having a disastrous no senior day.”
Similarly, dance teacher Ms. Corbett’s classes were not greatly impacted. She said, “I haven’t really noticed a big skip day, cut day. There were talks about it but I haven’t really noticed a significant one.”
Other teachers felt that there was a significant impact on their classes due to the number of seniors absent, especially since according to attendance data for the November skip day, 209 out of 292 seniors were marked absent. Ironically, the exact same number of seniors were marked absent on the February skip day.
In classes with mixed grade levels, juniors were often left stranded alone in the classroom on skip day.
Jericho High School co-principal Mr. Cohen does not support seniors skipping class, as they may fall behind in their studies. After hearing that many seniors took the day to complete college applications, Mr. Cohen expressed dismay. “I’d be concerned for seniors if they’re so overwhelmed that they are using the ‘rite of passage’ cut day to work on college applications,” he said.
Before the February skip day, Mr. Cohen sent an email letter to parents stating that “Senior absences on Monday will be marked as unexcused unless accompanied by proper and official documentation (i.e. doctor’s note, a college confirmation for a visit, etc.).” His letter explained that these unexcused absences would present “challenges for seniors when it comes to assessments and assignments in their classes.”
While Mr. Cohen’s letter may not have had a substantial impact on attendance that day, it does send the message that the school is tightening up its policy regarding future skip days.