What is our bill?
Before COVID and distance learning, the Bismarck Public School system (and many other school systems as well) had an attendance policy that allowed two excused absences per student per semester before a student had to take finals. We are aiming to allow two additional days per student per semester that could be known as "mental health days" in which students could call out of school to focus on themselves and their mental health.
Why do we believe this is important?
Having a reward-based attendance policy did incentivize students to come to school, but it often did so at the cost of their mental health. If someone is stressed, exhausted, or depressed, they should have the ability to stay home without putting their grades in jeopardy.
What progress have we made?
A few representatives from SAND have presented our idea in front of Century High School's Student Assistance Team, and we got the go-ahead to draft a resolution (found in the page under this one) and try to pass a bill. After beginning this process, we found that attendance codes are not part of legislation in North Dakota, so we are now working on a plan to bring the concept of Mental Health Days to our school board.