Advanced Placement exams, the junior profile, the ninth grade research paper, and countless tests and projects are just some of the things weighing on students’ minds this time of year. When you add sports and other extracurriculars, spring can be one of the most hectic times of the year.
On special programming days, like the Eco Bash or Community Day, many students aren’t showing up to the Upper School (US). Whether they’re staying home and actually studying or just taking the day to sleep in, around 100 students were absent on Wednesday, April 24, the day of the Eco Bash, raising broader concerns about student attendance and engagement.
Assistant to the Dean of Students Kerri Anne Shea said on a typical day, only a small number of students are late to or absent from school.
“On a normal school day, I probably get somewhere between 15 to 30 calls or emails for kids coming in late, who are going to be absent, or people who are getting dismissed early.”
Ms. Shea has observed lower rates of attendance on special programming days. Parents exacerbate the issue, as many are easily persuaded by their kids to call in and excuse them on community days, she said.
“It is funny seeing how some of the parents call in because some of the parents will say ‘Oh, it’s Eco Bash they don’t have to come in,’ or some will say their kids have appointments all day or are sick,” she said. “And granted, some of them might have appointments or be sick, but with the amount of absences we’re getting, that’s usually not always the case.”
Ms. Shea thinks consequences for missing special programming days could improve attendance, she said.
“I think it’s hard because Eco Bash is a day where students are not necessarily missing a class that they’re going to get behind on, so they feel like they can use it as a catch-up day,” Ms. Shea said. “Maybe if it was a day where we had some sort of different schedule for Eco Bash and Community Day, but also had classes where kids felt like they were going to be missing something if they didn’t show up, that might make attendance a little better for those days.”
Abby Brown ’26 said she attended the Eco Bash this year because she appreciates the effort put into the day. “I think that even though it’s not a regular academic day, people still put a lot of effort into it, and it’s nice to show up and see what’s been organized.”
For Abby, special programming days achieve the goal of community building for those who show up.
“I like how many of these days we have now and think that these days build community, bring us closer together, and help us to learn a little bit,” she said. “People skipping these days is counterproductive to the day’s goal because you feel like part of your community doesn’t want to be there.”
A junior, who requested anonymity to protect his reputation, decided to skip the Eco Bash because of how hectic the spring trimester has been, he said.
“This is a really busy time, and I have a lot of extra work and stuff that I can use the day to catch up on since I’m not missing any classes.”
Other students likely skip special programming days for similar reasons, he said.
“People skip probably for the same reason as I did, or because they’re super burnt out and tired, and they just want to rest or sleep in.”
He said that his choice to show up heavily relies on his workload.
“My choice to attend depends. If I don’t have any pressing things to do, I’ll definitely come to hang out with friends or do non- school related stuff, but if I have more important things to do, then I’ll stay home.”
English Department Head and Faculty Advisor to the Eco Reps Ariel Duddy felt disappointed with the high number of absences at this year’s Eco Bash.
“I thought the attendance this year was terrible. Either students and parents don’t place value on the day, or they don’t understand what it’s about. We aim to increase our marketing for the event next year so people understand what it is and why it’s important.”
Members of the Upper School who stay home on days like the Eco Bash miss out on opportunities to build community at the Upper School, Ms. Duddy said.
“From our perspective, we designed a day that was for students, run by students, that was meant to be about doing fun activities with friends, and if those aren’t good enough reasons for someone to attend, I can’t really account for that choice.”
According to Ms. Duddy, Eco Bash is meant to provide a change of pace while still being informative and productive.
“I think that the goal for the Eco Bash, in particular, is to bring the community together to learn more about the environment and climate, and to also have a different style of day and walk away feeling more aware and knowledgeable,” she said.
While the day is meant to be fun and engaging, Ms. Duddy knows that pleasing everyone is an unrealistic objective, she said.
“I’m not aiming for 100% happiness because it’s impossible to please everybody,” she said. “No matter how wonderful a day we plan, there are always going to be people who don’t feel like it was meaningful or don’t get much out of it.”
Ms. Duddy also added that there has been talk surrounding the future of special programming days after this year’s low turnout.
“While the administration presented the idea of alternating years, my understanding is that both days will happen every year so long as the student leadership decides they want to do so,” Ms. Duddy said. At the moment, both Eco Bash and Community Day will stay at the school, that decision could always change, and what is to come for school traditions like these is uncertain.
