Stevenson doesn't need day of reflection

In a recent decision, the board and administration of Stevenson High School has engaged in a disservice to its students and shown a policy determination that emanates irresponsibility. This past December, District 125 declared a "snow day," and then added the lost day to the end of the school year on June 5, 2009.

By doing this, those in authority could and should have changed the final exam schedule by moving finals to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of that week, thereby giving the students Tuesday for a day of review and much needed (and desired) additional preparation for their end-of-the-year examinations. Instead, the decision has been made that finals will remain as scheduled (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), and Friday, June 5th, will be a regular attendance day and be observed as a "Day of Reflection" for the students to ponder and reflect on the now completed school year. How ridiculous is that?

I find it downright shameful that a major and award-winning school system believes that a day in June to think over what is already concluded is more important, not to mention valuable, than a day devoted to study, instruction, and test preparation. I cannot fathom that reflection has become a tenet of our educational system. This all sounds like something we joke about occurring in California; but, alas, it is right here in Illinois.

Stevenson High School's powers that be should step up, change the structure of finals week, and give these students something positive. Practically speaking, how many of these young people are going to want to go back to the classrooms on the first day of summer vacation to meditate on that which they put behind them upon the clarion call of the last bell of the day after the last final exam of the year? I wouldn't want to; and I wonder who agrees. Why keep the buildings open for a paucity of the students in attendance? Use the day for a real school purpose and not for a silly and wasteful stunt.

Samuel K. Bell

Arlington Heights