Dear Editor:
I would like to share my thoughts about the article, Is Seaholm’s Attendance Policy Effective? I was asked for my opinion as a professional career counselor about important work skills by the staff writer. One of my greatest concerns about our students today is that they will enter the world of work without a strong work ethic, people skills, and personal qualities necessary to be the successful entrepreneurial worker in 21st century workplace. I provided a reference, The Foundations Skills by Lawrence K. Jones (http://www.careerkey.org/pdf/The%20Foundation%20Skills.pdf) and suggested that the writer take a critical look at this list. I also offered to discuss this list by phone but was not contacted. After reading the article, I was a bit surprised at the writer’s opinion.
I think there is a lesson here that relates to Seaholm’s attendance policy. First, The Foundations Skills list is not ranked by importance, nor are the four clusters which group these skills. Second, the writer’s reference to attendance as a less important description of Responsibility was taken out of context which reads, Responsibility: Display high standards of attendance, honesty, energy, and optimism. Third, I would like to point out that in addition to these high standards, Responsibility is also defined as: Gives a high level of effort toward reaching goal; and work hard to become excellent at job tasks, even unpleasant ones. Perhaps attendance at school (or work) is one of these unpleasant tasks.
Sandy Yangouyian, LPC
S. Yangouyian & Assoc., Inc.
