Interview by Alexandra Sukin ’15, Co Editor-in-Chief
Last week I interviewed Upper School Head Mrs. Stephanie Luebbers regarding the school’s policy change to Senior Skip Day this year. There has been much discussion among students and faculty about the tradition, but in recent years as increasing concerns have been voiced about the Skip Day, the CCDS Upper School administration felt they needed to formally address the issue. The interview is below.
Alexandra: What has been the policy on senior skip day in the past?
Mrs. Luebbers: We have not supported a Senior Skip Day, but we did look the other way on attendance and athletics. Every senior who did not come to school was excused by their own parent. As is our usual practice, we called parents and checked in if we did not hear from them. We ignored the “in by the start of the 3rd bell” rule regarding eligibility for sports and after school activities
Alexandra: What was the impetus for changing the current policy?
Mrs. Luebbers: We, faculty and administration, have become increasingly uncomfortable with the message we were sending, and felt that we could no longer go along with the Skip Day.
Alexandra: What are some alternatives to senior skip day that the school has been considering?
Mrs. Luebbers: This year, we have promised the students a chaperoned Senior Day. We will have breakfast at school followed by a class activity. Return to campus before the end of the school day. We have done of survey of things that the class might be interested in. Laser Tag, canoeing, time at a park, etc… are all options we are discussing.
Alexandra: Do you feel these alternatives will improve the connectedness of senior classes before they graduate? Why?
Mrs. Luebbers: This year, we are offering the Senior Day because we know that we have disappointed many seniors by taking a much stronger position against the traditional Skip Day. I think all events that bring the class together are helpful in building their connection to each other. This year’s Senior Day should be a treat.
Alexandra: Is it a concern that seniors will decide to take their own skip day without notifying the administration?
Mrs. Luebbers: It’s definitely possible that seniors could take the day regardless of what we plan. We have worked with the class leadership and they are working with us to support the change, though they, too, are disappointed by the loss of a traditional skip day. I am not keen on planning a great day for the Seniors and then having them skip as well. Such a move on the part of the class would be seen as quite disruptive.
Alexandra: If so, what would be the consequences for those seniors?
Mrs. Luebbers: I am not anticipating that seniors will take the Skip Day. If they do, they will be held accountable to regular rules of attendance. And, they would miss assessments etc… in classes that would go on. It is not a risk I would take if I was a senior. We celebrate our seniors in a wide variety of ways. We have the Clap-Out, the Senior Faculty Dinner, a special lunch after
the Clap-Out, the Varsity Banquet, Senior Surprises, the Senior Seminar, the balloon drop, and a beautiful and meaningful graduation. These are terrific events, and I hope the seniors sense that overall we are working to celebrate them and give them opportunities to bond and have fun together.
Alexandra: Is there discussion about eliminating Skip Day altogether?
Mrs. Luebbers: We no longer have a skip day.
Alexandra: Is there anything else you would like to comment on regarding Senior Skip Day?
Mrs. Luebbers: There are traditions that should go by the wayside, and I believe that Senior Skip Day is one of them. The safety of our students is paramount, and I don’t think we can, in good conscience, support, in any way, any activity that is linked with risky behavior. I also want to say that the senior leadership has worked hard to come up with a plan that will be amenable to seniors and to the school. While they are disappointed, they are also being very mature and productive about finding a way to help take the sting out of the loss!