Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 13:18     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
OP, look at all the anti-Semitism on this thread and ask yourself if you want th coach to be emboldened even further.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 13:16     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
Ask coach exactly what the consequences are. If the consequences are retaliation, file a grievance with the principal. It's never just one thing. If the coach is bullying kids once, it's probably happening a lot. Build a case.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 13:04     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here: I requested 1 hour early, not to miss completely. She gave them a week’s notice, but they only came to their decision last night.



1 weeks notice isn't near enough. The holiday observation should have been flagged as a conflict day 1.


Do you need to “flag” Christian holidays for coaches on “day 1” to give “enough” notice? Do you flag Christmas Eve and Easter each year? Is there a policy where everyone of every religion must flag their holidays on day 1 so the coaches have a full accounting? This isn’t some obscure holiday. The entire school system is usually closed but this year it happens to start on a Friday evening into Saturday. The entire system is closed on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving presumably because people need to travel and have a minute to prepare for holidays. The request is a reasonable excused absence and the retaliation of the coach is against policy and discriminatory.


Of course I would flag a Christian holiday early. An Buddist or Muslim one too for that matter. It's not the coaches job to track my thing. I need to be responsible and put it in their radar so they can prepare. Geez.


The student gave plenty of notice so they could “prepare.” It was on their radar. All kinds of other things come up (concussions, death in family, extreme thunderstorms) where there is even less advance notice and somehow these coaches are able to pivot and still run their practices. The punitive resolution is the issue.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 13:01     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
Is this soccer at a W school?
If yes, be careful as this coach is very retaliatory.
I would send an email to the Principal and AD at the school. Be very clear about your child's current playing status and state that you expect it will continue at the same next week and ongoing.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 12:53     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here: I requested 1 hour early, not to miss completely. She gave them a week’s notice, but they only came to their decision last night.



1 weeks notice isn't near enough. The holiday observation should have been flagged as a conflict day 1.


Do you need to “flag” Christian holidays for coaches on “day 1” to give “enough” notice? Do you flag Christmas Eve and Easter each year? Is there a policy where everyone of every religion must flag their holidays on day 1 so the coaches have a full accounting? This isn’t some obscure holiday. The entire school system is usually closed but this year it happens to start on a Friday evening into Saturday. The entire system is closed on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving presumably because people need to travel and have a minute to prepare for holidays. The request is a reasonable excused absence and the retaliation of the coach is against policy and discriminatory.


Of course I would flag a Christian holiday early. An Buddist or Muslim one too for that matter. It's not the coaches job to track my thing. I need to be responsible and put it in their radar so they can prepare. Geez.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 12:47     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
Given the diversity of our area it is normal to expect religious or cultural conflicts with school or school activities.
Is Diwali an obscure holiday? We don't get off for that.
MCPS only recently voted to make the Lunar New Year and Eid holidays but I think it's only if they fall on a weekday.

I think think the real tragedy is the lack of understanding by the coach that this is a legit excused absence and the threat of punitive measures. Even if it wasn't required by law for him to excuse the absence it is morally wrong.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 12:36     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here: I requested 1 hour early, not to miss completely. She gave them a week’s notice, but they only came to their decision last night.



1 weeks notice isn't near enough. The holiday observation should have been flagged as a conflict day 1.


Do you need to “flag” Christian holidays for coaches on “day 1” to give “enough” notice? Do you flag Christmas Eve and Easter each year? Is there a policy where everyone of every religion must flag their holidays on day 1 so the coaches have a full accounting? This isn’t some obscure holiday. The entire school system is usually closed but this year it happens to start on a Friday evening into Saturday. The entire system is closed on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving presumably because people need to travel and have a minute to prepare for holidays. The request is a reasonable excused absence and the retaliation of the coach is against policy and discriminatory.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 12:25     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
I feel similarly to you about the MCPS sports. DS plays soccer. The coach refuses to let them miss for any reason. He tells them they will be benched. Initially he had practice scheduled for this evening. We aren’t very observant Jews but I find this completely unacceptable. Would they do this on Christmas Eve? The least they can do is excuse your daughter. I wanted to complain to the administration but worried about retaliation. Fortunately, someone came to their senses and canceled DS’s practice. As to your other point, there’s also been lots yelling and intimidation all season.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 12:17     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
Threaten to take it to the news media. They’ll be all over that in a second.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 12:02     Subject: Re:So frustrated- MCPS Sports
Bring it up with the AD and cc the principal.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 11:30     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
OP,
MCPS excused absences:
Medical appointment.
Student illness and well-being concerns (doctor's note required after 4 days)
Observance of religious holiday.
Activity/trip approved in advance (see below: Anticipated Absence)
Lack of MCPS transportation.
Death in family.
Court summons.
Pregnancy and parenting-related conditions.

Her absence is clearly covered under the policy. Perhaps the coach does not know. He cannot penalize her for missing the practice.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 11:28     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
What is the MCPS policy for absences due to religious/cultural holidays?
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 11:26     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
What time is the practice OP?
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 10:28     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
If it was that important to you,
You should have scheduled her to leave school early, using one of the pre-approved excuses. Mcps doesn't play by the rules so why would you?
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2023 10:26     Subject: So frustrated- MCPS Sports
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here: I requested 1 hour early, not to miss completely. She gave them a week’s notice, but they only came to their decision last night.



1 weeks notice isn't near enough. The holiday observation should have been flagged as a conflict day 1.


Oh, please. OP is right. Coach is wrong. In my personal experience, coaches usually think they're thing is the center of the universe, and are more lenient (on whatever) with players who they favor.