Excused Absence from School for a Religious Observance

March 11, 2009

Mr. Pooter Bullard
Principal
Blue River Central High School
1234 Central Street
Carriere, MS 39426

Dear Principal Bullard;

This letter is to inform you that Bridget will be absent from school on Tuesday, March 17, to take part in local observances of a major religious holiday.

Bridget will be participating in a variety of enrichment and religious activities commemorating the perseverance and courage of Saint Patrick, the beloved patron Saint of our Irish cultural and religious identity. These activities include parades, sharing of ethnic foods and beverages, and a variety of communal gatherings punctuated by celebratory music, dance and song.

Now Pooter, I feel that a student as bright as Bridget should not suffer adverse or prejudicial consequences from an excused absence for a religious observance and be allowed a reasonable opportunity to make up the schoolwork missed due to the absence. The courts seem to agree with me: (Church of God v. Amarillo Independent School Dist., 511 F. Supp. 613 (N. D. Tex. 1981), aff'd, 670 F. 2d 46 (5th Cir. 1982).

Our aim is that this absence does not affect Bridget’s academic performance nor create a prolonged and costly court battle like the one that occurred in Amarillo, so please let me know if she will need to complete any assignments before March 17, by emailing me at zebadiah_beauregard@yahoo.com.

Sincerely,

Zebadiah Beauregard


Zebadiah Beauregard
1040 Forsythia Blvd
Picayune, MS 39466