Marching Band Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy

(effective as of August 10, 2009)

 

Attendance Policy

TIPS for PARENTS

• Let your child know you think band practice is important.
• Provide a plan of transportation for getting your child to and from practice, on time.
• Schedule doctor, dentist, and other appointments around the practice schedule.
• If your child must be out of school part of the day, allow him/her to miss only the time necessary for the appointment.
• Do not view tardiness as acceptable behavior.
• Refuse to write an excuse for anything other that a legitimate absence.
• Discourage any early checkouts from school.
• In case of prolonged absence due to illness or hospitalization, etc., notify the band director ASAP.
• There is a direct relationship between attendance and achievement.  Students who have good attendance generally achieve higher grades, have fewer problems at school, enjoy school more, and are much more employable after school. 

Excused Absences

For up to three (3) days during the marching season, parent notes or an excusable admit slip from the appropriate teacher will be accepted for certain reasons.  An Excuse Absence occurs when the student does not attend band practice, having the consent and/or knowledge of the parent, for one of the following reasons:

1. Personal Illness of the student

2. Serious Illness in the immediate family

3. Death in the family

4. School related activity that cannot occur outside of band practice

5. Church related activity that cannot occur outside of band practice

6. Music related activity that cannot occur outside of band practice

7. Special cases of an emergency nature may be ruled excusable by the director

 (Missing band practice on the same day the student is absent from school will be excused ONLY upon presentation of an excused admit slip from the school)

 4^th Excused Absence: Student will not march with the band in the next performance.  However, the student will dress in uniform and stand at attention on the front sideline facing the audience.

 5^th Excused Absence:  Student will not perform with the band for the remainder of the season.  The position will be filled by an alternate (if available) or eliminated.

 

Unexcused Absences

An Unexcused Absence occurs when the student is absent from band practice without the knowledge and/or consent of the parent or director and when the absence is not for one of the reasons listed above in the excused absence category.  It is important to note that parental consent or knowledge does not constitute an excused absence, unless the reason for the absence falls under the listed excused absences.

Unexcused Absences could include the following:

1. Skipping band practice, or a large portion of the practice

2. Student asking boss to work, or not asking to be off on rehearsal days

3. Going to another activity during band practice that could be done at another time

4. Anything not listed as an excused absence

 1^st Unexcused Absence:  Student will not march with the band in the next performance.  However, the student will dress in uniform and stand at attention on the front sideline facing the audience.

2^nd Unexcused Absence:  Student will not perform with the band for the remainder of the season.  The position will be filled by an alternate (if available) or eliminated.

Special Circumstances:  The director will make the final decisions determining excused or unexcused absences. Special circumstances may need to be evaluated on an individual basis.