"I'm not sure what was gained from an educational value," Superintendent Mark Keen told RTV6's Vicki Duncan.
It seems as though Dr. Keen could use a clue. If you would like to donate one, he may be reached at:
keenm@wws.k12.in.us
Posted on 05/16/2003 11:31:30 AM PDT by IAmNotAnAnimal
This is my first post, bear with me. ...a student's absence can be excused for an illness, a family death, or an educational experience...Singing in a choir for the president of the United States, as Westfield Middle School eight grager, Brianna Tull, learned, dosen't count...was told she couldn't earn crdit for homewrok, tests and quizzes given that day
(Excerpt) Read more at theindychannel.com ...
A hell of a lot more than what was learned in that classroom, I can gaurantee that.
Dr. Mark Keen
Superintendent
317-867-8010
Usually this is more effective than e-mail.
"I'm not sure what was gained from an educational value," Superintendent Mark Keen told RTV6's Vicki Duncan.
It seems as though Dr. Keen could use a clue. If you would like to donate one, he may be reached at:
keenm@wws.k12.in.us
It made such an impression on me (12 at the time), that when President Bush was campaigning in a different city close to me in 2000 I took my son so he to could have that experience.
So much for education, schools in my town are taking the honor roll kids, my son included, to a water park in 2 weeks.
| An eighth-grader missed school to sing in a choir in front of President George W. Bush in Indianapolis. The school decided the absence is unexcused. Did the school make the right decision? | ||
| Choice | Votes | Percent of 3331 votes |
| Yes | 280 |  8% |
| No | 3051 | 92% |
When the doctor asks about subsatance abuse, I ask if mixing heroine and amphetemines counts as one substance or two?
When My daughter misses school, I inform them that it is my decision that she will not be attending school today. After the first time they asked they have never asked again. I told them we were attending a conference on homeschooling. They let her take all the time she wants now. She misses quite a bit of time during sheep shearing season and during lambing time.
Sometimes you have to deal with medling bureaucrats in a most viscious way. You give them an answer that would create the most work possible for them and would expose them to scrutiny by acting on such answer.
If this family had told the school they were going to visit a coven of witches in order to complete a right of passage, and does the school have any live chickens they could spare?, they would have had their absence approved.
That Mr. Keen and his government bureaucracy are total asses. A very good lesson indeed for a youngster to learn --- it’s much more difficult to snow them later in life when they learn that lesson young.
I bet he would have excused her for a week to go to Disney World (schools classify that tourist trap as a "learning experience" -- parents would raise holy hell if they didn't) but this kid does a once-in-a-lifetime, one-day event like singing for the POUTS and that doesn't count in his cloistered little world.
The child learned tht the President is not a clymer like you Mr. Keen. Of all the things in the world anyone and everyone should know, it would be that.
A couple of problems. First, don’t notify them about it ahead of time. Second, a note for a single day absence should look something like:
Brianna was unable to attend classes on (date) due to an appointment.
You can direct any questions to me at ###-####.
Thank you,
(signed by whoever)
That’s essentially what my mom or dad would write. School never asked any questions and never called them AFAIK. And it was considered excused because there was a note signed by a parent.
Dear Mr. Keen, I have heard through news sources that you will not allow an eigth grader, Brianna Tull, to make up any missed homework, or classwork because of her engagement with the President of the United States.
I certainly hope that this isn't the case. You have many students in your school system that take advantage of the sick days and are allowed to "make-up" missed work. Miss Tull, sang with a childrens choir sanctioned by the City. Your refusal is based on your interpretation of what is educational or not. Surely a visit to the President of the United States is Educational, unless of course, you personally do not like our President. To forewarn you. There will be a lot of email pertaining to this. I hope you do rescind this decision, before the rest of the United States gives you some attention you were not expecting. Sincerely (name omitted) Adjunct Faculty Tidewater Community College
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