Parents in Saint Clair Shores are pushing back against Lakeview High School's demand that families report daughters' menstrual cycles to excuse swim class absences. The policy has sparked debate over privacy and fairness.
Lakeview High School in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, is facing a wave of criticism from parents over a physical education rule that asks families to share details about their daughters' menstrual cycles to excuse absences from ninth-grade swim classes. The issue has drawn attention from both local and national media. It has come up at recent school board and administrative meetings. As of September 22, 2026, neither the school nor the district has announced any changes to the policy, according to CBS News Detroit.
Based on the original syllabus, girls who miss swim days because of their period must turn in a written or electronic note from a parent. The note has to say how long the period will last. Only then can students make up missed swim days with "Dry Land" workouts. If they do not make up the days, the absences count as non-participation. This can lower a student's grade in gym class, as reported by The Guardian.
Parents have not been quiet about their concerns. Andy Amsdill, whose daughter attends Lakeview, said the rule to disclose the length of his daughter's period is a privacy violation. He met with school administrators, but nothing changed. Afterward, he hired attorney Jamie White to push for a new policy. White, who has practiced law for over 20 years, criticized the rule and pointed out that the superintendent and the teacher who made the rule did not attend the meeting with families. The administrators who did attend stood by the policy, which left parents even more frustrated.
Some families say their daughters have already seen their grades drop because of the rule. Girls who used to get high marks in gym have received lower grades due to the policy's requirements. Parents argue the rule punishes girls for something they cannot control. They worry it could hurt academic records and affect chances for college scholarships or honors programs. These complaints tie into bigger debates about privacy and fairness in Michigan's public schools. The Michigan Department of Education oversees these schools, and both state and federal privacy laws apply.
Lakeview High School has not made a public statement about the complaints or explained why the rule exists. The policy is still being discussed by the school administration and the Lakeview Public Schools Board of Education, as shown in recent meeting agendas and local news reports. The City of Saint Clair Shores has seen more parents and advocates get involved, calling for a quick review and change to the rule. Anyone looking for more details on school board meetings can find schedules and contact information through the Lakeview Public Schools Board of Education.
The Lakeview case shows how hard it can be for Michigan school districts to balance student health, privacy, and academic rules. As the debate goes on, families and lawyers are urging district leaders to put student well-being and privacy first, and to make sure school policies match both community values and legal standards. What happens next in Saint Clair Shores could shape future rules not just in Macomb County, but across the region.
