Anytime a student will be absent from any outside of the school day rehearsal or performance, PARENTS need to Notify Mr. Solis either 2 days before a rehearsal or 2 weeks before a performance (your student should CONFIRM WITH MR. SOLIS that he received the absence request). Students are NOT allowed to excuse themselves. ABSENCE REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN. The following guidelines apply to any mandatory rehearsals, contests, or any other performance by any of the ensembles. Absences and tardiness during the school day will be handled according to school policy and the director’s discretion.

School Absence

Any student absent from school for the full school day due to ILLNESS will also be excused from after school rehearsals.  A student may only attend an after school rehearsal or performance if they attend at least ½ of the school day or if they are excused from school for the whole day and are NOT ill.    

Excused Absence from Mandatory Band Rehearsal or any Performance

• Excused Absences must be arranged with the director prior to their occurrence. Each absence will be handled on an individual basis, and should fall under one of the following categories (work, concerts, and vacations are not excused):

1. Family Emergencies

2. Medical Emergencies

3. School Related Events (Powder Puff will not be excused as a school related activity if it conflicts with a band rehearsal or performance)  

• If a student has excessive excused absences (10 or more) then you may not be allowed to perform. Students for whom this pertains will be given the opportunity to make up the grade for the performance.

• If a student is absent from a Mandatory Band Performance for an excused reason and does not make up the assignment BY THE DUE DATE, this will become an UNEXCUSED ABSENCE from a performance and the student will forfeit their letter and will not march at the next performance if this occurs during marching season.

Making up time missed

• If you have any excused absence (including excused tardies and leaving early) from any rehearsal, you will have to make up the time missed or a portion of the time missed with a staff member or section leader.

• If you have any unexcused absence you will need to make up the entire time that was missed, including unexcused tardies or leaving early from rehearsal.  

Unexcused Absence from Mandatory Band Rehearsals

• Any unexcused absence from a mandatory rehearsal will result in the student not participating at the next performance, possible loss of letter or removal from the group.

Tardiness to Rehearsals

• If you are not in your warm up position or assigned position by the time rehearsal is scheduled to begin, you are tardy.

• If a student knows they will be tardy, PARENTS should send Mr. Solis an email.

• If a student does not have a pre-approved excuse (by way of the Excused Absence Request OR email), appropriate consequences will be incurred.

• If a student is tardy due to any unexcused reason multiple times, the multiple tardies become an unexcused absence and the student will not be allowed to march in the next performance.

• If a student misses more than half of a rehearsal and does not have a valid excuse via one of the reasons above, the tardy becomes an unexcused absence and the student will not be able to march in the next performance.

Emergencies 

• Often emergencies cannot be avoided. If an emergency does occur, contact the Band Room at (303) 655-8830 and leave a message, or send Mr. Solis an email as soon as possible.

Leaving Early from Rehearsal

• If there is any reason you should ever have to leave rehearsal early, you must send Mr. Solis an email.

• Leaving from rehearsal early without an excused absence request will be considered an unexcused absence and the student will not perform at the next performance.

Unexcused Absence from Mandatory Band Performance

• This should not be a problem with the PVHS Band. If this ever becomes an issue, Mr. Solis will meet with the parents and/or Administration to find a solution which may include removal from the performing group, loss of leadership position, and/or being moved to the last chair of the ensemble. 

• Any unexcused absence from a performance will result in the student not participating at the next performance, automatic disqualification from lettering, and possible removal from the group.

• If a student is absent from a Mandatory Band Performance for an excused reason and does not make up the assignment BY THE DUE DATE, this will become an UNEXCUSED ABSENCE from a performance and the student will forfeit their letter and will not march at the next performance if this occurs during marching season.

• If a student receives an UNEXCUSED absence from any class the day of a performance, they WILL NOT be allowed to perform in that day’s performance. Absences must be excused through the school in order for the student to be eligible to perform. Attendance will be checked by the director the day of or before all performances. Students will be able to make up this grade for unexcused absence credit. It is the expectation that students are in school the day after any performance as well.

Appointments

• Please do everything you can to avoid scheduling any appointments (Doctor, Dentist, Orthodontist, etc.) during after school practices.  

Vacations

• Please do not plan family vacations during Band Camp (Last week of July through the first week of August, see band calendar for exact dates). Vacations will be considered an Unexcused Absence and the student will not march at the next performance if they miss any rehearsals or performances due to a vacation. They also may forfeit their letter for having an unexcused absence. 

Summer Rehearsals and Practices

• Summer rehearsals and practices are mandatory if you are in town. If you will not be in town due to a vacation or other event, you must email Mr. Solis to let him know when and the reason you will be absent. The summer rehearsals are extremely important in order to evaluate student growth and get a good start to our competitive season.