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Father's Response To Principal After Boston Marathon Trip Goes Viral

BOSTON (CBS) -- A Pennsylvania family's vacation to the Boston Marathon was met with disapproval by the children's school principal.

The father, Mike Rossi, took his two kids out of class for three days so they could travel to Boston and watch him fulfill his lifelong dream of running in the marathon.

Rossi says the family received a letter from the principal of Rydal Elementary School in Abington Township stating that the school does not recognize family trips as an excused absence. Any further absences would result in a referral to the school's truant officer.

Rossi posted a response letter on Facebook and it went viral, getting over 20,000 shares.

"We went to Boston and they had a once in a lifetime experience, something they couldn't learn in a classroom," Rossi told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe. "They learned lessons on determination and commitment."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030 has reached out to the school district for comment.

Rossi has a meeting scheduled with the principal where he says he'd like to discuss changing the school's zero tolerance policy on family vacations.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports

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