<p>With all this winter weather happening, I’m becoming slightly concerned about traveling to Chicago in February. Here’s to hoping that it will be unseasonably warm that week and no flights from anywhere will be cancelled!</p>
<p>I’m with you GSOMTmom! D and I will be flying out of the NY area airports every Friday in February! I can’t imagine we won’t be running into major snowstorms at least a couple of times over that run.</p>
<p>I heard that it snowed in North Carolina this week ����, and we’re heading to Tx state next Friday - if it ends up being in the 20’s while we are there I’m going to cry (we have had to give up vacations because of the expenses associated with this MT application process so the actual audition trips are as close to a vacation as I’m getting in 2014, I was kinda looking forward to some warmer weather in TX, NC, VA…well warmer than it is in CT anyway!)</p>
<p>It may have snowed in the more mountainous areas. No snow where I am. It’s just super cold and extremely windy this morn.</p>
<p>cellomom - It has snowed in South Carolina every year my D has been in school. It has never lasted long but snow on the beach pics are great. The forecast for next weekend in cental Texas is mid 60s during the day and mid 40s at night. Right now there’s a chance of rain so be prepared for that. Austin is a great place for a weekend vacation so come on up IH35 after your audition and have some fun!</p>
<p>Sent from my SGH-T769 using Tapatalk 2</p>
<p>GSOMT - The reason I changed the Chicago reservations from Sunday to Saturday was because I heard the Farmer’s Almanac predicted Super Bowl weekend aka Chicago Unifieds weekend, to be extremely stormy! I may be a bit neurotic, but I figured if flights are cancelled, they will have an extra day to get to Chicago. No direct flights from our neck of the woods, so they will be flying through Philadelphia. As I write, I realize that it’s ironic that I couldn’t care less if they are snowed in after auditions, affecting son’s school absences!</p>
<p>I’m coming in on Saturday, too, connecting thru Charlotte (I always like to connect thru “warmer” cities in the winter, if I can.) A few weeks ago, my flights were changed slightly by the airline (arriving later), so I called them and said I need to arrive earlier and they changed it for me with no problem. Scheduled to arrive around 12:30pm on Saturday and son’s first audition is at 1pm on Sunday. So, we have ~24-hours to get there late.</p>
<p>I’ll be in Chicago bright and early Saturday morning too!!! (only two nonstop flights out of Raleigh on Southwest as I recall). I changed my flight to leave late Wednesday rather than Thursday morning. SOOO glad that Southwest doesn’t charge a change fee! BUT up first, two on campus auditions!</p>
<p>We will be there Saturday as well. Staying through Thursday. Lucky we have a direct flight, so hoping for good weather. We have tickets to see the matinee for" Phantom of the Opera" in Chicago on Sunday. We actually know a ballet dancer who is performing If you are open on Sunday, you might want to see the show!</p>
<p>Princessjpmom - As soon as I read your post I bought tickets for my son and husband to the matinee! My son loves the musical! It will be a great distraction while he waits for the first audition on Monday morning, so Thank you!!</p>
<p>Chicago is an awesome theatre town, in addition to great shopping, museums, and restaurants. Take a trip to the top of the Hancock Center or the Willis (Sears) Tower. We are lucky to live just over an hour away.</p>
<p>If you have time go see a show at the Second City Theatre, the precursor to Saturday Night Live. Terrific improv and sketch comedy.</p>
<p>I have a feeling all I’ll get to see is the inside of the hotel room… 
At least The D was in Chicago last year with her school during Unifieds and got to enjoy the city.</p>
<p>Please don’t take the absences lightly. In most cases it’s fine, but I’d personally be double sure. Times are changing very rapidly as the state becomes much more involved in school outcomes. Every year, the state gets more involved. What was allowable even five years ago is not allowable now.</p>
<p>How the school treats elementary and middle school absences is <em>very</em> different from how it treats high school absences. In most states, the district is <em>mandated</em> to report absences, and it is state law - not school policy - that dictates how many absences are allowed before the student is truant, and court hearings are required. Excused absences recognized by the state are for illnesses with a doctors note, court hearings - also with a note - and funerals, with a note. Everything else is at the school’s discretion, but the school is monitored by the state. </p>
<p>What you are concerned about is not the grade - that is of concern but that is handled by each teacher - but absences. In my state, 21 absences mean you can’t pass the class.
I’ve had students who have earned a B or C in my class, but who were not allowed by admin to graduate my core class because of absences. They had to have a principal’s hearing and in some cases were denied; several had to make up classes all summer in order to graduate. This has nothing to do with teachers at all; it is state law and school policy.</p>
<p>I realize this luckily isn’t applicable for most people, but I want to give people the heads up in case your school is indicating or hinting it will not be cooperative. It’s better to be proactive, in my view; sometimes if you wait then admin will dig their heels in the sand and it will be much more time consuming to resolve it. Personally, I’d bring the school in the loop beforehand. I’d start first with guidance, but often guidance no longer has autonomy. If guidance indicates they will give you a hard time, I’d set up an appointment with the principal and personally discuss how this will be managed. Ask what they need from you so the student isn’t penalized for college requirements. Explain auditions are a college requirement and do they need a note from the college? If the principal balks or hedges, push it until you get the answer you need, which is that it will be ok. If necessary, go as high as you need. Memorialize the outcome in writing via email. </p>
<p>I don’t want to sound alarmist but I have known of people who were given a very hard time about their kid’s absences for auditions. It’s just a headache - at the very least - that you don’t need. So it’s best to be proactive as much as you can. Again, bear in mind that absences are state law, not school quirks. Also, the state monitors high schools much more stringently than lower grades. If you can show the school the ‘out’ - research what is allowable, like a college excuse - that will make things easier for them and you.</p>
<p>Connections - You are absolutely correct that parents should check in with the school to be sure the absence will be considered a documented absence. I work in a high school and the rule is five excused absences allowed a quarter or the student is at risk of an administrative failure. In my son’s school, the rule is a bit more flexible and the form he has signed by teachers serves as his documented absences. The form is presented to the teachers ahead of the actual absences with the understanding that the teacher will assist in providing the student with the assignments that will be missed if possible, and arrangements with the teacher will be made by the student to make time/assignments/labs.
Ironically, my son has had many years of perfect attendance or one day absent. Luckily, five of his teachers were also his teachers last year and another teacher is the head of Drama (and wrote a recommendation). Being a student in a relatively small high school has its benefits.</p>
<p>Is Phantom at the Cadillac Palace?</p>
<p>When we were have the truancy issue, the school officials talked with us and said they had leeway as to when they could send their letter to the family court. If they felt the parents were being obstructive, the letter would go sooner. If they felt the parents were doing all they could to support getting the kid to school, they would wait later. </p>
<p>We don’t have classes labeled “core” but there are some classes necessary for graduation, so being in danger of failing those could be a problem.</p>
<p>I’m sure it does vary quite a bit across the country and if you know you are going to miss a number of days it’s good to contact the school and let them know and start the conversation.</p>
<p>Phantom is at the Majestic (Bank of America Theatre?). A block over from Palmer House.</p>
<p>@entertainersmom, good points. @dramamom0804, just to clarify, no class is labeled ‘core’–by core, I meant a class required for graduation, such as English or Math. State law mandates the number of years you must take these classes and pass. Each state has a different law. If you have an administrative fail due to absences, that is considered the same as a failure by grade. </p>
<p>As I mentioned, truancy and administrative failure is handled very differently in high school than it is in middle school. There is much, much more state oversight in high school.</p>
<p>A lot depends on the particular school system and its administration and how much you keep them in the loop. They do have the power to excuse the absence, but you need to connect with the right person who has that power and who is willing to help you. It may be moot if your child doesn’t exceed the unexcused absences anyway. I’d also suggest being very diligent if your child is home sick and to keep records–normally you might not bring them the doctor’s note since you child isn’t likely to be sick that much, but in this case, if absences are approaching the state limit for the year, you might want to be on the safe side and make sure all absences that can be excused, are excused. </p>
<p>Again, I’m totally not trying to be alarmist, these are just suggestions based on what I’ve seen over the years. It’s much easier to be proactive than reactive.</p>
<p>Entertainersmom: YOu are welcome. I thought Phantom would be something to look forward to other than working the entire trip. D has eight auditions in 3 days. UGH!</p>
<p>E95mum: Phantom actually is at the Cadillac Palace
151 W Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60602. We are going SUnday, Feb. 2 matinee.</p>
<p>The Field Museum is in Chicago too if you have the time.</p>