Letter from Smith...
"Dear Samuel,
The office has informed me that you have reported then absences for this season and that you may miss the final concert. I have reviewed your attendance record for the rear and it appears that all of you absences have been due to your participation in the Science Olympiad and various tests such as the ACT and SAT II. Last year, you also exceeded WYSO's absence limit, missing a total of seven rehersals for the same reasons. I understand that these tests are required by many colleges and many are only offered on Saturdays. However, you must recognize that in making a commitment to an orchestra that rehearses on Saturday mornings, there is a limit on how many tests or other activitites you can attend that day of the week.
Membership in the Youth Orchestra is competetive and, as you know, requires a major commitment. The other members depend on you to attend rehearsals on a consistent basis. WYSO has a five-absence limit because the orchestra cannot function if all its memvers miss as many rehearsals as you have done this year. When you miss more that five rehearsals, regardless of the reason, you are being unfair to the other orchestra members. Many students have chosen WYSO over other activites and it is quite unfair to them to simply ignore people who have so many absences.
In reserving your seat for next year, you must give serious thought as to whether or not you will be able to attend the required number of rehearsals during your senior year of high school. Please consider all other academic commitments, college visits and tests, before signing your commitment for more next year.
Sincerely,
James Smith
Music Director"
lol...
The office has informed me that you have reported then absences for this season and that you may miss the final concert. I have reviewed your attendance record for the rear and it appears that all of you absences have been due to your participation in the Science Olympiad and various tests such as the ACT and SAT II. Last year, you also exceeded WYSO's absence limit, missing a total of seven rehersals for the same reasons. I understand that these tests are required by many colleges and many are only offered on Saturdays. However, you must recognize that in making a commitment to an orchestra that rehearses on Saturday mornings, there is a limit on how many tests or other activitites you can attend that day of the week.
Membership in the Youth Orchestra is competetive and, as you know, requires a major commitment. The other members depend on you to attend rehearsals on a consistent basis. WYSO has a five-absence limit because the orchestra cannot function if all its memvers miss as many rehearsals as you have done this year. When you miss more that five rehearsals, regardless of the reason, you are being unfair to the other orchestra members. Many students have chosen WYSO over other activites and it is quite unfair to them to simply ignore people who have so many absences.
In reserving your seat for next year, you must give serious thought as to whether or not you will be able to attend the required number of rehearsals during your senior year of high school. Please consider all other academic commitments, college visits and tests, before signing your commitment for more next year.
Sincerely,
James Smith
Music Director"
lol...