Letter to Parents, May 18, 2004
May 18, 2004
Dear Parents or Guardians,
Although there are less than six weeks left in the 2003-2004 school year, I would like to ask for your help in resolving two serious concerns that have been causing a problem for some of our students.
Attendance - There has been a drop in the attendance rate for some of our students. Please check your daughter's attendance record and remind her that a student must maintain an attendance rate of 94% over her four-year career at Western in order to be able to participate in commencement ceremonies. This means that a student can have no more than an average of eleven unexcused absences during any school year. If a student waits until junior or senior year to pay attention to this requirement, it will be nearly impossible to be eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies.
Lateness - In addition, there has been a serious increase in the number of students who are arriving to school late. Some of this lateness appears to relate to the practice of going to the McDonald's, CVS, or Dunkin Donuts on Falls Road instead of coming directly to the school building. Managers of these establishments have been reminded that students are not to make purchases after 8:00 A.M.
Students are expected to be in their homerooms at 8:15 A.M. For many students, this excessive lateness will result in a failing grade for their first and second period classes.
It is important that we all work together to guide our students in making the best decisions regarding their current behavior that have significant implications for their futures.
Sincerely,
Landa McLaurin
Principal