Celebrating A 5th Birthday with Mickey & Rain,May 2009! Completed..

[leamom2princesses]

Gee whiz Nichole! I would be a raving lunatic too. That is crazy. I can understand if you were missing testing or something like that but missing field day and movie time is just plain silly. If you are close with your pediatrician or your family doctor I'd call and just get the notes. Sounds much easier. The principal is being ridiculous. Worst case if you go to court, they are going to toss it out because it is stupid.

We are missing a week of school too. I've talked to them, emailed them, and sent a written note. No response to the last two communications so I assume all is a go. If not it's on them.

I haven't put a thing in a suit case but everything is sorted, folded and ready to go in....going to work on that tonight and tomorrow...so much still to do...

 

[leamom2princesses]

I would call the local law agency and see what they do. They don't arrest for truancy around here. Just a summons to court. It's insane how you are being treated...she's in 3rd grade for crying out loud.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I think the whole school thing is crazy too. But, we have a similar rule here in Louisiana too. The parents actually have to go before the school board and then on to another board if they find you "guilty".

 

[kaysmommie]

Gee whiz Nichole! I would be a raving lunatic too. That is crazy. I can understand if you were missing testing or something like that but missing field day and movie time is just plain silly. If you are close with your pediatrician or your family doctor I'd call and just get the notes. Sounds much easier. The principal is being ridiculous. Worst case if you go to court, they are going to toss it out because it is stupid.

We are missing a week of school too. I've talked to them, emailed them, and sent a written note. No response to the last two communications so I assume all is a go. If not it's on them.

I haven't put a thing in a suit case but everything is sorted, folded and ready to go in....going to work on that tonight and tomorrow...so much still to do...

Hi Leanne,
Actually they don't have movie time just field day and recess the whole next week. Like you said we would never miss during testing. Trying to get the desk at the Dr's to write notes can be a hassle but I'm going to try.

It sounds like you are good to go. How is everything else at school going? Well your doing great if everything is ready to be put in the suitcase .

 

[kaysmommie]

So much more to do today. I have to pack, do more laundry, iron, run errands and clean the house. I like to come home to a very clean house . Also Kaylee has to go to dance today so I'll run errands while she is there. here is picture of some of the stuff I got for the trip. Most of the clothes are packed already at least. Just need another suitcase for all this junk

 

[kaysmommie]

I would call the local law agency and see what they do. They don't arrest for truancy around here. Just a summons to court. It's insane how you are being treated...she's in 3rd grade for crying out loud.

That is a good idea to be sure. My neighbor might have been trying to scare me. She is one of those people who I keep an eye on . I agree it's not it's High school or even middle school and they aren't doing any work. They just want to make sure and get all their funding $$$. thanks .

I think the whole school thing is crazy too. But, we have a similar rule here in Louisiana too. The parents actually have to go before the school board and then on to another board if they find you "guilty".

It is crazy . Well the school is out during the summer here. So she said it would be the juvenile court who would be seeing us. This is really so dumb.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Well tomorrow evening after Thomas' preschools end of year program we will be heading to Nashville. I booked a hotel and am hoping to arrive by 11 PM so we can get some rest before the flight. I didn't get much done yesterday because Kaylee's teacher called me to warn me that the principal said/ and was sending a note home that since Kaylee was absent 2 days this year missing 5 more would make her truant . She said I need to find a way to get Dr's notes for those two absences since they can have have 5 unexcused absences per year!! That is just crazy. Mind you this includes half days too. I don't run to the Dr's ever time one of the kids has a little sniffle. If they are really sick or injured then of course I do.

Needless to say I was pretty much ranting and raving most of the day yesterday ! Not too much packing got done. It seems certain people get the privilege of taking their kids whenever they want and they say nothing to them at all. But this is crazy since Kaylee is a straight A student and does well on her TCAPS. And we know that is mostly what some of these public schools are worried about. The kids don't even do work the last week. They have field day one day and rest of the week they are outside all day in the sun and heat. My daughter comes home sunburned on Monday even though I sunscreened her face before she went to school. Also a big boy (Kaylee is very petite too) kicked Kaylee in her shin really hard the other day and she had to go to the nurse for ice pack. I didn't even get a note home. Why is okay for a boy or anyone for that matter to be hitting or kicking another kid. That is totally unexceptable. I felt like telling her to kick him back next time but she is just not that kind of girl. She has a sassy mouth with me sometimes but she wouldn't hurt a fly. I feel like marching in the school and giving them a piece of my mind but not sure what good it would do. I'm porbably going to send principal and email about this incident and see how quick they got off my back then .

Of course Tommy called the principal yesterday and she said it's ntohing personal. Yeah right, that we will have to go to Juvenile court over 5 days out with family when they don't do any work or take attendance ( last 3 years anyway) is nothing personal?? They caught me during PMS week too which means I actaully cried yesterday used some NJ style langauge I apologize for my huge vent feel much after writing that novel. Also my dad ( lives in NJ) might have to have his gallbaldder out while we are away. He has been really sick the last two weeks so I'm worried about that too. I even thought about canceling two weeks ago so I could go up and give him a hand but he said not to. Add my swin flu worries to that list been so very stressed out.

Today I have to work on packing, ironing, laundry, errands, pack the dogs and getting the house clean. Hoping when we pull out of our driveway some of this stuff will be forgotten about for a week. Thanks for reading and I'll check back in tomorrow.

Well you know this same thing happened to me. Here once the child becomes truant you are sent to court. Then they tell you the kid can't be late AT ALL until their 18th birthday OR miss a SINGLE day other than to attend a funeral or to visit a doctor. DS was in the top od his class (all A's) and his test scores were through the roof. PLUS the prinicpal approved us going!!! They have the power to write the days off but although he approved the second group of absences he said they'd have to be counted as a parent note! Which led to truancy. Which in my case led to home schooling because I refuse to put up with BS like that! Sounds like TN and SC are one in the same. It's nothing "personal"...right. It is personal to them that Kaylee's absences cost their school $! That's what it's all about. What makes me mad is how the school doesn't take into considertation the circumstances. They don't care that your kid is a model student...they don't care if you have a handicapped child (most of the ones Sidney saw in the hearing were retarded kids and those in wheel chairs that would miss days because they weren't able to function.) Thank God I don't have to deal with all of that but those moms who do...they know what is right for their babies and sometimes those kids need a day off. When he told me how they were treated I wanted to slap someone! They do not care about anything but that money. X misses 5 days straight. X causes them to lose $. They do whatever it takes to make sure X stays in school, so they begin to threaten X's parents. I got out early. You might want to do the same. At home you'd be done w/ school in 4-5 hours. It makes life so much easier. Mine are welcome to go back anytime they choose but so far if I mention going back to school it's NO NO NO....NEVER!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Oh Nichole! Why does the school care? And at the last week of school to! They really make you go to juvenille court? We don't have anything like that here. Those rules are insane!
Feel free to blow off some steam before you talk to the school. The 'kill'em with kindness' rountine may work for you.

Just think all of this will be over in a few hours and you will be having sooo much fun in WDW!!!

The schools in the South are whacked! There's nothing she can say or do...they're cold and heartless! I just went through the same thing. I am a homeschool mom now!

I see that we'll be at WDW the @ the same time in Nov/Dec!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

The first time you'll be summoned to court through the school. They will threaten you and tell you now that she's truant any one single absence or late entry to school will cost you money or jail time. You will be forced to sign a bunch of papers agreeing to their BS...if you refuse to sign them you will need a lawyer and then you will appear before a judge in family court. Here 99% of the time they will side with the school people.

If you do get lucky and get a slap on the wrist you will be on their watch list. Next year if you are late at all or miss a day without a doctors note you will have to appear in court again. That's when the fines will be placed upon you or jail time. The jail thing here is rare. They'd rather have your money. I want to say it was $50 per incident per child. (Once Thomas enters school he will be on the watch list too. ) It does suck and it's absolutely ridculous but don't let that wench tell you she can't do anything about it. She CAN! We went the week before Christmas holidays, remember? The kids missed a movie, a class party, some Holiday crosswords, Christmas ornament making, and the story of Santa's around the World. (My babies were at Epcot SEEING the Santa's around the World!) Hmm. I wonder what they learned the most from? I also took a huge packet of work with us (stuff the other kids didn't even have to do...) and the idiot teacher never even graded it or looked at it. It took him forever to complete it. (Long drive to and from so it worked out but still...) I guess she gave it to him just to be a you know what!?

No need in stressing over it now. What's done is done but I'd seriously consider the homeschool thing next year. You can do it free of charge ya know? The school is required to give any tax payer all of the books they'd need if they choose to teach the counties curriculum. She'd have to take the state testing (you can do this at home and pay someone to give them the test OR go back to school just for the testing hours/dates).

Also, well wished to your daddy. I hope everything goes well for him.

 

[KathyRN137]

Sounds like you need a vacation!!

Nichole, if I don't touch base with you tomorrow, have a fabulous time and make lots of family memories that will long outlast what the kids learn in math or social studies class!!

Kathy

 

[kaysmommie]

The schools in the South are whacked! There's nothing she can say or do...they're cold and heartless! I just went through the same thing. I am a homeschool mom now!

I see that we'll be at WDW the @ the same time in Nov/Dec!

That is the truth and I couldn't agree more. Up in NJ public school get at least 15 days per school year. They don't care if you go to Disney or have a family vacation and miss days. Most people in NJ own DVC and are just really into Disney. As long as your child is a good student they don't give you grief. I guess the priorities are more straight.

The first time you'll be summoned to court through the school. They will threaten you and tell you now that she's truant any one single absence or late entry to school will cost you money or jail time. You will be forced to sign a bunch of papers agreeing to their BS...if you refuse to sign them you will need a lawyer and then you will appear before a judge in family court. Here 99% of the time they will side with the school people.

If you do get lucky and get a slap on the wrist you will be on their watch list. Next year if you are late at all or miss a day without a doctors note you will have to appear in court again. That's when the fines will be placed upon you or jail time. The jail thing here is rare. They'd rather have your money. I want to say it was $50 per incident per child. (Once Thomas enters school he will be on the watch list too. ) It does suck and it's absolutely ridculous but don't let that wench tell you she can't do anything about it. She CAN! We went the week before Christmas holidays, remember? The kids missed a movie, a class party, some Holiday crosswords, Christmas ornament making, and the story of Santa's around the World. (My babies were at Epcot SEEING the Santa's around the World!) Hmm. I wonder what they learned the most from? I also took a huge packet of work with us (stuff the other kids didn't even have to do...) and the idiot teacher never even graded it or looked at it. It took him forever to complete it. (Long drive to and from so it worked out but still...) I guess she gave it to him just to be a you know what!?

No need in stressing over it now. What's done is done but I'd seriously consider the homeschool thing next year. You can do it free of charge ya know? The school is required to give any tax payer all of the books they'd need if they choose to teach the counties curriculum. She'd have to take the state testing (you can do this at home and pay someone to give them the test OR go back to school just for the testing hours/dates).

Also, well wished to your daddy. I hope everything goes well for him.

Thanks Tammy . I'm not going to stress anymore, if they take us to court so be it. We are still going to Disney.Usually they don't even take attendance the last week. Kaylee's one friend left for vacation the last week for the last two years and they didn't say anything to her. Her DH is a Dr. though . I'm definitely considering HS . Thomas is enrolled in Pre K next year but it's a private preschool so they don't care if we take vacation or have Dr's notes. The sad part is Kaylee really likes school and does not want to be homeschooled. Of course all her friends are there. the good part is some of them are at dance with her too. Also she doesn't listen to me as well as her teachers. They say she is such a perfect angel well she is not quite that sweet at home. I guess most kids are this way though. the problem with the counties curriculum is that it's all based on TCAP testing and not much else. I agree it's all about $$$ and the principal has a bug in her butt because we are taking a trip.

 

[kaysmommie]

Sounds like you need a vacation!!

Nichole, if I don't touch base with you tomorrow, have a fabulous time and make lots of family memories that will long outlast what the kids learn in math or social studies class!!

Kathy

thanks Kathy

 

[feedthebirds]

I am mostly a lurker, I have read all of your trip reports. I had to chime in on this one.

I agree that it is all about the money with the schools. When we lived in the first state my kids went to school in, the parents were encouraged to bring their kids in for attendance and then take them back home right after that if they were ill. So every week my child was exposed to sick children in her class just so the school could get paid.

I was threatened myself a couple of years ago (different state). I won't go into too many details, but basically my older girls had missed a day to join us on a DL trip. They had great grades and scored well above average on their testing.

Yes, they had 2 absences from the flu and a day when my dd had to leave school half day to go and see a specialist for a bone problem. They sure bullied us but nothing became of it, although their report cards were marked that their work was impacted by their absences (yet they had great grades???)

Nonetheless, we homeschool now. Would never go back.

I hope this is resolved easily. How frustrating!

Hope you have a good trip. You have worked hard on planning it! It will be nice to get away!!!

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Hey Nichole! Just wanted to see how the packing is coming along.

I can't believe some of these stories about the public school system - yikes! Samantha is in a private school so I'm not sure how they are down here in Florida but this all just sounds nuts. I'm glad you are over it (for the moment anyway) and looking forward to an awesome vacation with your family!

Can't wait to meet you on Saturday!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Yikes! So sorry that you are having to deal with all these school issues. It was never like that when I lived in Virginia Beach. I got great grades so my parents didn't think anything of it if I missed a day here and there etc. Never heard a peep from the school about it.

 

[ariel2007]

Oooo I cannot believe you leave tomorrow, how exciting for you all. If I don't get another chance to say it before I hope you all have a magical time and I cannot wait to hear all about it.

 

[29apr00]

what an ordeal!! I'm so not looking forward to that!

Good luck....buy Kaylee's teacher a big huge present....maybe she won't take attendance next week!

 

[kaysmommie]

I am mostly a lurker, I have read all of your trip reports. I had to chime in on this one.

I agree that it is all about the money with the schools. When we lived in the first state my kids went to school in, the parents were encouraged to bring their kids in for attendance and then take them back home right after that if they were ill. So every week my child was exposed to sick children in her class just so the school could get paid.

I was threatened myself a couple of years ago (different state). I won't go into too many details, but basically my older girls had missed a day to join us on a DL trip. They had great grades and scored well above average on their testing.

Yes, they had 2 absences from the flu and a day when my dd had to leave school half day to go and see a specialist for a bone problem. They sure bullied us but nothing became of it, although their report cards were marked that their work was impacted by their absences (yet they had great grades???)

Nonetheless, we homeschool now. Would never go back.

I hope this is resolved easily. How frustrating!

Hope you have a good trip. You have worked hard on planning it! It will be nice to get away!!!

Wow, thanks for chiming in . glad to hear I'm not the only one who has went through this. my DH was partly blaming me yesterday for taking her out the last week. So sorry you had to go through that with the school. The worst is the one with the sick kids checking in for attendance. that is so messed up and it gets the other healthy kids sick. One of Kaylee's absences were from her getting sick in the car on the ride. She was only sick from the ride and eating McDonald's, but I kept her home the next day just in case. Wish more people would be so courteous. Today 4 kids in Kaylee's class went home with various sicknesses . i would like her to skip tomorrow too . If we do end up going to court then I will be homeschooling too.

Hey Nichole! Just wanted to see how the packing is coming along.

I can't believe some of these stories about the public school system - yikes! Samantha is in a private school so I'm not sure how they are down here in Florida but this all just sounds nuts. I'm glad you are over it (for the moment anyway) and looking forward to an awesome vacation with your family!

Can't wait to meet you on Saturday!!

Hi Michelle,
It really is nuts. Private schools would be the way to go but unfortunately not in the budget right now. But hopefully eventually it will be because i'm not crazy about the middle school and forget the high school . Yes I'm over it now, nice and calm. Not feeling my best after yesterday's stress . I can't wait to get to Disney and meet you girls .

Yikes! So sorry that you are having to deal with all these school issues. It was never like that when I lived in Virginia Beach. I got great grades so my parents didn't think anything of it if I missed a day here and there etc. Never heard a peep from the school about it.

Thanks Lessa,
That is exactly how my parents were when I was in school. Sometimes my mom and I took the day to go shopping . I wouldn't do that with my kids because I want to know how important school is. But still it was fun when I was a kid.

Oooo I cannot believe you leave tomorrow, how exciting for you all. If I don't get another chance to say it before I hope you all have a magical time and I cannot wait to hear all about it.

Hi Ariel
Thanks so much.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Thanks Lessa,
That is exactly how my parents were when I was in school. Sometimes my mom and I took the day to go shopping . I wouldn't do that with my kids because I want to know how important school is. But still it was fun when I was a kid.

My mom and I did this all the time. I was very rarely sick when I missed school, they didn't need to know that though.

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hi Nichole! Hopefully everything will work out. Glad your not stressing anymore. I think that's a great idea. Have you gotten your packing done yet?