Please plan family educational trips when your student has days off from school. It is extremely difficult for students to keep up in class and make up work when they miss school. In many instances, one week's absence from school can significantly impact grades. Any student with an average of 75% or below will not be given permission to be out of school for any extended period of time. Reminder: Students are expected to return from any trip with work completed. It is the student's responsibility to schedule make-up tests. A maximum of 5 days of excused absences due to a trip with educational significance will be permitted each academic year. No trips will be approved during mid-term or final exams.
Mr. Bailey, Assistant Principal of Student Affairs, compiled the following data to reinforce the policy above.
In the 2014-2015 school year, there were 61 requests for educational trips. Of those trips 30 requests forms were turned in on time or before the time that was requested in the policy, a great help to teachers and students involved. The average number of days' notice for these requests was 24.5 days.
Of the 61 requests, 31 were received in 9 days or less, which provides great stress to the teachers and students involved. The average number of days' notice for these requests was 4.9 days.
To submit an educational trip request, the procedure is as follows:
- The student gives note to the Attendance Office requesting the dates to be excused from school, the location to be visited, and the educational merit included in the trip.
- Mr. Bailey will check the dates to see if the request has been handed in on time and verifies if the trip has the educational merit listed (this is why most are initially rejected).
- He also checks the student's grades to see if his/her academics are in good standing.
- Once approved the student is given a form to have his/her teachers sign.
- The student gives the completed signed form to the Attendance Office or Mr. Bailey for his signature and to be photocopied and kept on record.
- Final approval is then given to be excused from school.
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Student-athletes will have their team pictures taken next week. Order forms for prints have been distributed by the coaches and must be returned on picture day. If your student-athlete does not have a form, please have him or her request a form through the coach.
