FW: Rosson - Is this legal? Unexcused absence

[Guest guest]

My son's middle school self contained class was asked to participate in the Special Olympics one day Track and Field Day that would be heldat the high school track. A para in the class was supposed to be coordinating all of this 6 weeks before the event. Parents were never givenany information on how their children were doing at school practices (because there werent' any) and questions weren't answered that parentsemailed about to the teacher (the teacher sent out an email the evening before the event the next morning apologizing the all parents for that.A different email than I posted here.)So, you can see my email at the bottom where I ask if they are even still participating (my child can't tell me so I have to ask her). I had other emails to her about that before this one.His private therapy group knows that these school districts (4 of them) don't train the kids prior to the events. They just sign them up for about3 apiece and stick them on the field not even knowing what to expect. So, the private therapy group provided free practices once a week for 6 weeks @ 1 1/2 hrs each time. Parents had the choice of letting their child participate for the real events with their school or the private therapygroup. Most of the 30 plus parents wanted their children on the private therapy group team because these are the people that training them andcared. The email from the teacher below states that administration (not sure if at middle school or district level) that my son will have an unexcused absence and would not be allowed on the bus from the school to the high school for the event. So, at the last minute (the night before the event in the morning) I am having to figure out how I am going to get him there at 9am when I have to be in class that day (all day) at 8amin the next town. That all got worked out. (Thank you Mom!) stayed for the whole event from 9am to 3:45. His class left at 1:15 to get the bus back to the school to prepare for end of the day transportation. In the other email not posted here the teacher tells parents she is allowing for an "early out" that day and if they want tocome to the field to pick them up at 1pm their children will not be counted absent for the last portion of school that day. But, my kid stayedfor the entire event. I think this whole thing was just because they were mad he wasn't representing their school. A school that provided no training for the big day and at the last minute secured old, used school mascot t-shirts from the atheletic dept. for the kids to wear. When I asked about this after his Transition to high school meeting we had Monday I was told that he had to ride the school bus to the event(even all field trips) to be counted as attending school that day. I was told that it would apply to all field trips such as to a movie or bowlingor anything. If the child rode with a parent or caregiver even though their destination was to the event with their class they didn't ride the school bus so they would be absent. They said it with a smile. Also, if they give Team Kid Source (a private therapy group provider ST, PT, OT) permission to be on their field and be a competing teamthen shouldn't they tell them that the children from our district would be getting an unexcused absence. The coach for our team was suprised about this as they have been doing this for 5 years (our first time). Does anyone know if this is right/allowable?I think it is just retaliation. My son got a gold medal in the 200 meter dash (the school team only had him signed up for the 50 meter dash as they never practiced and didn't know what he was capable of)He got silver in the softball throw.And, bronze in the relay race. I am proud of him and he was too. He had never done a track and field event before. He is okay with absences this school year. I just feel they are doing this on purpose. What should I do if anything? April From the teacher below: I apologize for not getting back to you until today regarding your Monday email. I was out of the building on Monday and Mr. B was out yesterday. is signed up for the 50-meter dash and the softball throw with the Bethel team.

I checked with administration and if comes to school on Friday, he needs to participate with the Bethel team. However, if you want him to be part of the KidSource team, you will need to arrange transportation for him to and from the event. Also, KidSource will be responsible for his supervision during the event. will be marked unexcused absent if he misses school on Friday.

The team coaches have a meeting this evening and an informational letter will be sent home with students tomorrow regarding details for Friday.Due to school transportation needs, our bus will not leave Bethel until 8:45 a.m. and will be back at 1:30 p.m. If comes to school and participates with Bethel, M will either need to check him out on sight at BHS at 1:00 p.m. (as that is when we are boarding the bus to leave) or pick him up from here after 1:30 p.m.

Respectfully,A M

Ms. M is going to be on Team Kid Source Friday for S.O.We never heard any more about Bethel's team from Mr. Bor you so he is going to be on their team. Is Bethel still going to the campus for the event?

Or will need other transportation to get there? He practiced with them with the intent of practicing forBethel, but now he is just going to be on their team since we got feedback from them and know where to

go and what to expect. If Bethel is going will you all be able to walk him to Coach BF on the field when you get there? Theywill have a banner up to show where/who they are. We hear the event is over at 2:30. M (caregiver) will just meet

out there and we will reschedule his HippoTherapy. Thank you,April