As detailed in the 2009-2010 Band Handbook, please take a moment to review the policy on Excused Absences:
“Attendance is mandatory at all Band-related events. Students should arrive early so that they are ready to go at the call time. Absence requests are to be submitted to the director in writing at the earliest notice, and will be considered at the director’s discretion. Examples of excused absences include funerals and weddings in the immediate family, legitimate illness (with a doctor’s note), other school final events (not practices), and other related family emergencies. Work, vacation, non-emergency appointments, oversleeping, freight trains, lack of fee payment, and lack of transportation are not considered to be excused absences or tardies. Because band is a group activity, every member’s participation is essential to the success of the whole. Attendance is considered as part of each student’s participation grade.”
…Speaking of the handbook, some of you students still owe me a parent signature!!
There are some occasions where things come up last-minute and cannot be explained ahead of time. In those cases, please feel free to send in a note after the fact or send me an e-mail.. Unfortunately when it comes to attendance, students are “guilty until proven innocent”. That is, if a student is not at a Band event and I haven’t been notified ahead of time, their grade will be a 0 for that event. Some of you may have fallen into that category this weekend; please let me know if there’s a way I can fairly and justly help your grade in that regard.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
