CuriousJane

My 13 year old is applying to our local arts school for the fall. I know from previous experience with students of mine that one thing the school looks for is a strong attendance record. Last year, one kid I know who is supremely talented, was turned away specifically due to excessive absences during his 7th grade year.

Last year, my son experienced a dramatic increase in asthma triggered by the onset of puberty. He missed over 20 days of school, he was also late a number of times, either due to early a.m. doctor's appointments, or because he hadn't slept well due to asthma symptoms and I let him miss his first period class. Last spring we found the right combination of medication, and I don't imagine this issue will continue. He's only missed one day of school this year, for his visit to the art school.

I want to write a letter explaining the situation, but I have writer's block! I'm also not sure of the best way to do it. One thought I had is to have the counselor add it to his transcripts (she's willing to do this). I could also mail it separately. I could also call the admissions director and ask her thoughts. What do you think?

Finally, do I write the letter, or have it come from my son? Keep in mind that he's applying for 9th grade not college, so that might influence the content.

kiddie

How about having the school nurse write a letter and attach it to his school records. She would have all the information and could present it in a professional medical way.

oldfort

Your son is a minor and you are his mother, why wouldn't you write the letter with a doctor's note? I would just tell it as it is - you were concerned for your son's health, that's why you gave him permission to miss those early morning classes. Now that he is on his road to recovery, he will no longer be missing classes.

BunsenBurner

Definitely call and ask. I agree with the advice - I'd ask the doctor or the school nurse if s/he could write a note saying that your son's symptoms are under control now. Asthma is a terrible disease in that respect that the right medication can only be found through a bunch of trials and errors, and it takes time to go through that trouble. Good luck!

CuriousJane

Our district allows parents to excuse absences and he self carries his inhaler so I don't think the nurse really knows him.

CuriousJane

Our district allows parents to excuse absences and he self carries his inhaler so I don't think the nurse really knows him. I can ask his allergist, I guess.

SteveMA

I would have his asthma doctor send a letter since that person is the one with the expertise to tell this school that his symptoms are under control. Our district also excuses medical absences with a letter from the doctor. Those do not show up on their official record. Our DD missed almost an entire quarter last year and none of those are on her official transcript.

mommafrog

I have a performer kiddo w/asthma, too. Sophomore in college, so she's learned to be a great self-advocate ...but at 13 I definitely would have made sure she had the supports in place. I agree with others that getting the letter from the doctor, esp. being able to detail how the asthma is well-controlled now, etc. often carries more weight than a mom's note alone.

Was he able to keep up w/his schoolwork and his rehearsals/practice (or whatever his art requires) while he was working on getting the symptoms under control? If so, that's a real strength in his application. Shows dedication and perseverance.

A letter of support from a mom, a letter explaining the medical plan of action, good recs from his academic and arts teachers, and a killer audition or portfolio (and lots of crossed fingers!) sounds like the winning combination.

Best of luck to him (and you, mom).

flyaround

I would call the school and have a conversation with an admissions person and ask what documentation I can send to satisfy the committee that this issue is resolved. I would reference the conversation in a letter attached to the documentation and affirm your family's commitment to attendance. Valid excuses may not matter if the school has an problem with attendance as it relates to funding.
Sounds like you can nip this one in the bud. My guess is that they don't like their students taking time off for auditions and jobs.

peacefulmom

I agree with flyaround and would consider calling the school for the documentation they require. Good luck!