Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Clear Communication is a Must

The notes that parents send to school in order to excuse their children for absences, PE, early dismissals and other events can be very amusing but in some cases quite alarming. 
I use the following list of notes from parents, to make a point with my students about the importance of proofreading their work.  We look at these excuses for what these very carefully written notes might say, don't say and hopefully do not say about these individuals and their families.  How important are basic items like punctuation, letters, articles etc...?
The entire meaning can be changed by the slightest error of omission or comission.  
So please read, enjoy, have a good chuckle, and then encourage your students to make sure what they put down on paper is actually what they want to say.

  • "My son is under a doctor's care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him."
  • "Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick, and I had her shot."
  • "Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33."
  • "Please excuse Gloria from Jim today. She is administrating."
  • "Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip."
  • "John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of his face."
  • "Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part."
  • "Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins."
  • "Chris will not be in school cus he has an acre in his side."
  • "Please excuse Ray Friday from school. He has very loose vowels."
  • "Please excuse Tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea, and his boots leak."
  • "Irving was absent yesterday because he missed his bust."
  • "Please excuse Jimmy for being. It was his father's fault."
  • "Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday."
  • "Sally won't be in school a week from Friday. We have to attend her funeral."
  • "My daughter was absent yesterday because she was tired. She spent a weekend with the Marines."
  • "Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well."
  • "Please excuse Mary for being absent yesterday. She was in bed with gramps."
  • "Gloria was absent yesterday as she was having a gangover."
  • "Please excuse Burma, she has been sick and under the doctor."
  • "Maryann was absent December 11-16, because she had a fever, sore throat, headache, and upset stomach. Her sister was also sick, fever, and sore throat, her brother had a low grade fever and ached all over. I wasn't the best either, sore throat and fever. There must be something going around, her father even got hot last night."

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