While I have mixed emotions on taking kids out of school, the parents were notified of the policy and the consequences before the trip. As a compromise, Coventry even agreed to limit the unexcused absences to three instead of five. Someone help us out here. I don't know the details of the trip, but why such a long trip for one game? Was the game played during the week? Was there more than one game? There are plenty of Florida to RI flights that should allow minimal time away from school. As for the mother who "forgot" to send in a note when here son was "sick" ... well, maybe she will "remember" the next time. I wonder when the ACLU is going to get involved.

I think this policy is good and other schools within the state should act on it. Mrs. Ferdinandi must feel she is above the rules. If the tables were turned, I'm sure she would be sitting on the sideline like she normally does.

It's no surprise why today's students feel they should have a right of entitlement. They broke the rules and I feel the school has been more than accommodating. It's parents like Mrs. Ferdinandi that give a bad name to others!

In our school system, a parent note is still considered an unexcused absense. The only acceptable excuse is a doctors note. There are times when a child is sick enough to stay home from school, but not need a trip to the doctors office for the sole purpose of paying a copay to get a note.

Just another example of a simple minded woman trying to place the blame on someone else for her lack of attention to her child's welfare. Rules are rules. The fact that a parent as "concerned" as she seems to be about the policy simply "forgot" to send a note in for a "sick" student begs us to question if there ever even was a sickness or is that another excuse to pile on top of others.

there were three games over the course of the week, not just one. this blanket policy is wrong. there are many circumstances that prevent parents from taking vacations that coincide with school vacaitons. senority at work is one of them. who is the principle to judge what should be excused. if a child's parent was terminal and wanted to spend time with him/her before they died, would that be excused? what about a parent being deployed? would a few days spent with them not be allowed? there are children on the honor society being punished by this and it also affects college applications. many parents make accomodations while on vacation such as internet access to submit assignments. each instance should be addressed individually. an overall good student being punished by this is nothning but dentrimental to their desire to achieve.

Bravo to the school committee.

I have experience with RIDE decisions and if the committee has a clear policy, the commissioner should uphold. If the committee policy is lacking or weak, the commissioner will decide in favor of the student.

I expect Coventry has a good policy and for parents to ignore a prior warning is irresponsible. It's just a shame there is no way to punish the parents (where the real blame belongs) and not the students.

I understand there are rules to follow, but there are also extenuating circumstances that could come into play here. Haven't any of you forgotten to do something for your children (ie:write a note or permission slip) when its due. Maybe some of you are PERFECT. Give the kid a break here and stop making the mom look like the villian. APPEAL THE DECISION!!!