Eligibility and School Absences

The Blanco County 4-H program takes eligibility and school absences very seriously. Gretchen and Todd both strive to follow the rules written by Texas 4-H and Youth Development, Texas Education Agency and the University Interscholastic League. Gretchen and Todd are both considered Adjunct Faculty to both Blanco ISD and Johnson City ISD. The following rules and guidelines will be strictly followed:

“Consistent with University Interscholastic League (U.I.L.) rules, the Texas 4-H Program has adopted a three (3) school week waiting period upon change in status of school enrollment (i.e. from public to private or private to home or home to public or home to private, or public to public) before the 4-H member is eligible for extracurricular activity.”

Excerpt found on page 9 of the “Texas 4-H and Youth Development 2008-2009 Rules and Guidelines.” This document can be found at: http://blanco-co.tamu.edu Click on: publications, 4-H and Youth Development.

When considering absences from school, remember that Gretchen and Todd are only able to write excuse letters for certain events related specifically to the 4-H Program. Here are some examples:

Can by excused by 4-H:
* Any event where the County Extension Agent signs off on that entry AND is also there to supervise these youth as adjunct faculty.
* Specific examples include the Junior Livestock shows -- beef, sheep, swine, goats, rabbits, poultry, etc.
* Judging Contests where kids enter as a 4-H team

Cannot be excused by 4-H:
* Any event where the family enters the event on their own and the agent has not signed off on that entry.
* You should not be supervising these kids who do have entries in these events as adjunct faculty.
* Specific examples include the Open Horse Shows, Open Llama Shows, Open Cattle Shows, etc.
* Judging Contests where kids enter as an FFA team

If you have any questions about eligibility or absences, please contact us in advance of any event.