WRIGHT CITY, Mo. — While thousands of students across the St. Louis region enjoyed either a canceled school day or early release to view the eclipse on Monday, other students received threats of punishment.
5 On Your Side received numerous reports from viewers that a Wright City High School official told students that class wouldn't be dismissed for the celestial event. Any student who skipped class could face a variety of punishments, including:
- Pulled from trips
- Not be allowed to attend the year's final concert
- Not be eligible for awards at the end of the year
- Not be eligible for scholarships
5 On Your Side reached out to the school district for confirmation on whether the reports were legitimate. A spokesperson for the district confirmed that the "passionate statement" made by a school official was real, but also said the official wouldn't have been able to enforce any of the punishments if they tried.
"No punishments laid out by the said high school official are enforceable," a Wright City R-II School District spokesperson said.
"While it is true that one high school official made a passionate statement to influence positive student attendance, it is important to clarify that this individual's remarks do not constitute official school policy. At Wright City R-II School District, it is not our practice to enforce punishments or disciplinary actions for students who were absent to take part in the viewing of the eclipse."
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