The overwhelming number of students on the choices list at Bonita Vista High (BVH) has recently brought more awareness to students on the lists’ disadvantages. There are over 650 students currently on this list that cannot participate in school activities. The choices list records all students who have a mixture of over six absences, eight tardies and, or low academic and citizenship grades.
“More than six hours or eight tardies will put you on the choices list. The choices list is holding students accountable to do the right things,” Associated Student Body (ASB) Advisor, Attendance Coordinator and Math teacher Cristina Ada said.
Students have been checking the choice’s list in the recent few weeks since there are upcoming school events like Baronal and Prom. Ada in the past three weeks has been sending more information about the choices list out to students and parents compared to prior years. BVH Principal Lee Romero shares why the choices list has reached a new high during the second semester.
“Ada is a brand new attendance coordinator. She is calling home, sending notes to kids, being more out there when it comes to informing parents and students. Now that parents know about this, they are getting on their kids. That is why it is becoming a big thing. The attendance office [uses the choices list] from first to second semester, it has always been that way,” Romero said.
However, students on the choices list express that while being on it, it is difficult to get off it. Students find it challenging when the choices list is used for both semesters, but this is not the case for Romero. Missing one full day of school gives students six absences, putting them on the list. According to sophomore Eva Luna, the choices list is unfair that it is carried into the second semester. Luna is on the list due to missing a few days of school that were out of her control.
“I am on the choices list because I have missed three Fridays that count as eighteen absences. I have made up some of it [by going] to as many Saturday schools as possible which fit my schedule. It is really inconvenient that I have so many absences for the three days I missed,” Luna said.
Although, there are students who can not get off the list due to their low citizenship grades throughout the first semester. With the ongoing issue of many students finding getting off the list to be difficult, BVH has provided opportunities for those students. So, they can still be able to participate in school events and activities by showing their improvement with their behavior through a contract.
“Some students cannot get off the choices list because of the number of absences, but we have always been willing to work with students. Students that are on the choices list have the opportunity to come and get a contract to recognize any improvements. A student who really wants to do fun things needs to show their improvements,” Ada said.
According to Romero he feels that the choices list is vital for the campus because students should be doing the right thing, especially school. The choices list makes students more cautious about their behaviors at school. Students who have a good citizenship get rewarded for their behaviors, which Romero feels should inspire people that are on the choices list to put in the work of getting off the list.
“From a principal’s perspective, there are no disadvantages, students need to do the right thing, they need to be responsible for their behaviors. I’ve always applauded students who did the right thing. I do citizenship awards, so students with good citizenship [receive] awards,” Romero said.
The large number of students on the choices list have caused students like Luna to believe that it is not a mirror of the student’s potential on campus. Students find it difficult to show their true potential because of their faults during the first semester. Many students like Luna were not aware of the variety of opportunities to get off the list.
“It gives the school a bad reputation as half of the school is on the choices list which isn’t a reflection of the school’s students. I have not missed any school this semester, but I am still on the choices list due to last semester. It really sucks I am not able to go to Baronial because of last semester’s absences and tardies,” Luna said.
