Unbelievable!!! Student Penalized for THIS?????

[southerngale]

A Westfield eighth-grader’s singing appearance during President Bush’s visit struck a sour note with school administrators who refused to treat her missed classes as an excused absence.

Brianna Tull won’t be allowed to make up any work or get credit for the classes she didn’t attend because she was singing with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir during Bush’s appearance Tuesday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Chris Tull, mother of the Westfield Middle School student, was incensed by Principal Ed Mendoza’s decision.

“As parents, this is the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Tull said. “With this new (attendance) policy we can’t take our children out of school for virtually anything.”

Mendoza, who was not at school today, was unavailable for comment. However, district superintendent Mark Keen said Brianna’s case didn’t meet the standard for excused absences.

However, Tull argued that it did fit under “other educational activity” as described in school policy.

“If attending a presidential speech isn’t educational, I don’t know what is,” Tull said. “She is working on a report about the experience that we are going to present to Mr. Keen.”

School policy defines “other educational activity” as “relevant to the child’s academic growth and equivalent to the child’s school activities/experiences.” The absence requires 30-day notice and must be approved by the building principal.

Brianna sang during Bush’s appearance at the fairgrounds. The president spoke about the war on terrorism and pushed his tax-cut plan in his speech in the Pepsi Coliseum.

[bfez1]

Like you said, unbelievable

[mf_dolphin]

That's one pencil pusher that's forgotten to how to use common sense.

[therock1811]

Amen to that. I can't believe they would do that to someone who is talented enough to get to sing for the President!

[Guest]

Got Brains for those administrator's - because I think they forget theirs.

Patricia

[chadtm80]

Another example of how the Goverment thinks they can raise our kids better

[southerngale]

Yeah, and ANOTHER of many reasons why I'm considering home-schooling my kids. I have the right to let my child miss a little school to sing for THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES without penalizing him!

I don't want idiots like that tending to my children during the day.

[weatherlover427]

This is outrageous. I can't believe this. What were they thinking?

[JetMaxx]

Why I advised Becky and Dave three years ago to home school their kids...

It's utterly shameful...you'd think that lamebrain school district would be honored a child from their schools is that talented..

Oh well, she'll probably get the last laugh -- Someday they'll be BEGGING her to come and sing at a benefit to raise money for a school project (Alan Jackson has done two such benefits at his alma mater Newnan HS). This young lady might not be as cordial.

[southerngale]

It's utterly shameful...you'd think that lamebrain school district would be honored a child from their schools is that talented..

NOW WOULDN'T YA THINK???

[chadtm80]

I would be sending a letter to my congress man