Eastland Band Attendance Policy:

The policy for attendance in the Eastland Band is intended to be simple and fair.  You are expected to be at all rehearsals and performances.  You are expected to arrive early and always be completely ready when rehearsal begins.  The band wins and loses, succeeds and fails, on the effort of every individual and the group deserves your best.  That starts with showing up!

Sometimes life can be more complicated that this and a student might have to miss a band event.  When this happens, the students that are at the rehearsal/performance pay the price for the absent student by re-learning the material again when the absent student returns (this is especially true for marching band).  This cost is naturally occurring and can be an acceptable cost under certain circumstances.  In order to reduce this cost and to keep students that are absent caught up, missed rehearsal and performance time must be made up by the absent student.

There are three categories of absence: excused absences, unexcused absences, and pre-arranged school conflicts

Excused Absences:
The band program will excuse a missed rehearsal or performance for the same reason the school will: Illness or injury, a death in the family, or extreme extenuating circumstances.  For an absences to be excused, it must be communicated as soon as possible through the Eastland Band Absence Notification Form.

We try to be flexible and reasonable when it comes to specific circumstances.  Some conflicts that might be considered unexcused at first can be excused if the communication comes very early (weeks or even months in advance where applicable) or if the situation demands it to be,  Early and clear communication is really important.

Pre-arranged School Conflict:
Sometimes two different school events happen at the same time.  When this happens, there is a policy that sets a general guideline.

1. Students should keep their own calendars and communicate conflicts early.  In most situations there is a solution where the student can participate in both events.
2. School events generally take priority over non-school events.
Performance/Games generally take priority over practices/rehearsals.
3. UIL events generally take priority over non-UIL events.

There are exceptions to all of these guidelines, but it's a good place to start.  We encourage students to be active in the school and the number one guideline to communicate early with a solution oriented mindset.  Communication should be through the Eastland Band Absence Notification Form.

Unexcused Absences:
Any absence not listed above is considered unexcused.  Some examples might include: Not asking off from work, not getting a ride, going to a birthday party, forgetting about the event, vacations etc.  An unexcused absences from a rehearsal will result in a 1 week probation in the band program.  An unexcused absence from a performance will results in a 2 week probation and 2 hours of community service in addition to making up the time of the performance.  All unexcused absences will result in a parent/guardian phone call.

An absence that is not communicated ahead of time will generally be considered an unexcused absence.

Procedure and make up:
1. Fill out the Eastland Band Absence Form as soon as you know the absence will occur.
2. Make up the time and fill out the make up time form (no more than two hours of make up required for any one event).

• Excused absences may be made up at home up to one hour.  Any remaining time would be made up at the band hall.
• Unexcused absences must be made up at the band hall
• Pre-arranged school conflicts will not need to be made up
• Makeup should be done within one week on the absence or the student will serve a 1 week probation.

3. Bring a note from home detailing the reason for the absence with a parent/guardian signature.

Tardy Policy
Students arriving late will fill out a paper tardy slip upon arrival to the band hall.  A minimum of 10 minutes make up time will be required at the band hall for any tardy extending up to the full time missed.  Three tardies will result in the procedure for an unexcused absence.

Final Thoughts
This policy is designed to help students get the most out of their experience and to help train them to operate in a professional job environment.  We are also very understanding about exceptions and challenges when we have clear and early communication.  If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please reach our to Mr. Cox scox@eastland.esc14.net