Band Handbook

Absence Requests

As a reminder: ALL ABSENCE REQUESTS must be made by email and include both the student, director AND a parent in the email. Either the student or parent may send the request to me, but the conversation must include all three of us. Also, you should send the request as soon as you discover there is an issue. 

In general, absence requests are handled as follows, though every request is considered on its own.

1. Conflict due to religious holiday (excused - no makeup required)

2. Sports-related issues: 

   1. Performance conflict due to NA Varsity Sporting contest. If this applies to you, you should also include your coach in the email conversation. (excused with coach verification - no make up required if this occurs infrequently. If frequency merits, make up opportunities at additional elective performances may apply. If this occurs multiple times in a season, sometimes you will alternate between missing the performance and the sport.)

   2. Rehearsal conflict due to NA Varsity Sporting contest. If this applies to you, you should also include your coach in the email conversation. (excused with coach verification. Missing excessive amounts of rehearsal may impact your ability to perform due to lack of preparedness)

   3. Rehearsal conflict due to NA Varsity Sporting practice. If this applies to you, you should also include your coach in the email conversation. (director and coach will work to find an equitable solution so both activities are missed approximately the same amount during the season)

   4. Performance conflict due to NA Varsity Sporting practice. Attend the performance and work out your missed practice with your coach. I am happy to help you communicate with your coach to match his/her attendance requirements.

3. Performance missed due to a college visit or other travel (excused, make up opportunity with additional elective performances in place of the missed performance)

4. Illness (no make up required if this occurs infrequently. If frequency merits, a doctor's note may be required )

5. Work - Work is never an excused absence. Our calendar was released before Winter Break. That is plenty of time to arrange your work schedule.

Note: excused absences simply mean no grade penalty will occur. However, in ALL instances, a student's preparedness to perform ultimately determines whether or not they perform a show. Students who are unprepared to perform still attend the rest of the event and play in the stands, but watch haltime/pregame (as appropriate) from the sidelines.