How much of your child's illness is a parent required to divulge to school staff?

[tvguy]

Well my dd11 takes a LOT longer to get over any type of illnesses because of her heart defect.. sorry but she's missed a ton of time.. of course she's also in a life skills program which has different rules than reg classroom kids My ds6 and dd9 both had swine flu this year... he missed 9 full school days because of it.. all those 5 days+ were used... should I have sent him to school after 5 days of being sick because of the rules or what?

A chronic health condition certainly would make a difference. 5 days is still a lot to me for a child without a chronic health issue.

 

[Mkrop]

A chronic health condition certainly would make a difference. 5 days is still a lot to me for a child without a chronic health issue.

I agree..if my child was sick for that many days, did not have an underlying condition, or some major health issue, like the mono, appendectmy, swine flu etc...I would be the one concerned that my child was missing that much school.

I have a friend who literally keeps her son home for EVERY little cough. It is laughable. But her mom use to keep her home when she was a kid (we have known each other that long) to help her clean or to watch her little brother, so I am not surprised. I have talked to her about cough variant asthma which both of my boys have, they cough, they dont wheeze, they have inhalers for it. She told me her son doenst have it, well if my kids can make it in and they have a condition that can make them cough, then I think her son is milking it. She likes having him home to hang out but could never handle homeschooling.

I had another friend growing up whose mom used her ashtma as an excuse, half the time she stayed home had nothing do to her asthma and her mom knew as a high schooler that she smoked and didnt care. Every year she hovered around the 20 abscences mark, and 22 was the number that sent you to summer school. She just did not like school and played her mom totally. I loved her dearly, she was my BF but I just could not imagine missing that much school and class

 

[torinsmom]

If your child's school has the 24 hour fever free policy, it is easy to rack up a few absences that way as well. If they are sick with a 24 hour bug, that would be 2, maybe 3 days out, depending on when the fever went away. If they have a cold turn into anything like a sinus infection, bronchitis, strep, etc., that could be 3-4 days out before the fever disappears and the child can go back to school. These are not "serious" illnesses, but most of my students have missed more than 5 days this year. And forget it if they get the flu(not the swine flu, but the regular one) That's a 5-7 day illness. Of course, I have plenty of kids who come to school when they shouldn't be there, which causes MORE kids to be out. Parents seem to think if they give their child medicine to take their temperature away, then they aren't contagious

 

[luvsJack]

Just to note: something we have found out this year, the school and their decisions and that of the truancy officer can be different.

DD has missed quite a bit of school for the past three years. She had mono two years ago and it just seems like since then she has caught every virus that comes around.

A week with a horrible stomach virus, a week with a respiratory illness, check outs for orthodontist appointments, two days because she got hit in the jaw with a softball and was in a lot of pain, and scattered days due to painful periods, oh and a sinus infection plus bad allergies, all add up to too many days absent.

At school, her grades are fine and she will be graduating the 8th grade in 5 days. 5 days after graduation, we have to meet with the truancy officer and a judge.

We have received no notice from the truancy officer until now. Apparently some of the days she was out, even though I sent in a note, were unexcused. (not if the note was lost or didn't make it to the office or what happened) So, I am assuming that we have to explain those. The school's policy is that if they do not received notification of an absence within two days of the absence, it is unexcused. So by the time I knew that they had either lost or not gotten the notes I sent, it was too late to send another one.

Oh, and the judge is not from juvenile court.

 

[mhsjax]

If your child's school has the 24 hour fever free policy, it is easy to rack up a few absences that way as well. If they are sick with a 24 hour bug, that would be 2, maybe 3 days out, depending on when the fever went away. If they have a cold turn into anything like a sinus infection, bronchitis, strep, etc., that could be 3-4 days out before the fever disappears and the child can go back to school. These are not "serious" illnesses, but most of my students have missed more than 5 days this year. And forget it if they get the flu(not the swine flu, but the regular one) That's a 5-7 day illness. Of course, I have plenty of kids who come to school when they shouldn't be there, which causes MORE kids to be out. Parents seem to think if they give their child medicine to take their temperature away, then they aren't contagious

Thank you. I don't and won't' send my child to school when she is still contagious. I know a lot of parents do. My kid has missed 13 days so far, she never makes below a b in her advanced classes. But none of these were from surgeries or serious illnesses. She has had a run of bad luck with sinus infections, (including fevers) and strep throat. Not to mention a back issue this year. In the past she hasn't missed much, but you just never know and I stand by what I say. People here bragging over their kids not missing school hardly ever during their entire 1-12th grad career, where either just lucky, or sent their kids to school when they should have been home. I wonder how many times my kid got sick because some other parent was too hung up on attendance to let their sick child stay home. And NO I am not talking about the OP.

 

[HelenePA]

Just to note: something we have found out this year, the school and their decisions and that of the truancy officer can be different.

DD has missed quite a bit of school for the past three years. She had mono two years ago and it just seems like since then she has caught every virus that comes around.

A week with a horrible stomach virus, a week with a respiratory illness, check outs for orthodontist appointments, two days because she got hit in the jaw with a softball and was in a lot of pain, and scattered days due to painful periods, oh and a sinus infection plus bad allergies, all add up to too many days absent.

At school, her grades are fine and she will be graduating the 8th grade in 5 days. 5 days after graduation, we have to meet with the truancy officer and a judge.

We have received no notice from the truancy officer until now. Apparently some of the days she was out, even though I sent in a note, were unexcused. (not if the note was lost or didn't make it to the office or what happened) So, I am assuming that we have to explain those. The school's policy is that if they do not received notification of an absence within two days of the absence, it is unexcused. So by the time I knew that they had either lost or not gotten the notes I sent, it was too late to send another one.

Oh, and the judge is not from juvenile court.

Good Luck. I hope it all works out, at least they didn't get CPS after you like they would have in PA.

 

[Mkrop]

I think people are confusing real true illnesses with other minor things that a kid can go to school with. Last time I checked my kid would be at the Drs office for strep and sinus infections. A random fever, no, a fever lasting more than 3 days, yes. A stomach bug, no, but a stomach bug lasting more than a couple of days, there would be at least a phone call to the dr to see if there should be more done.

I would NEVER send my child in if he was contagious!


But we all know that there are people out there who keep there kid home bc he stubbed his toe, or they coughed once, these add up.

 

[NaLisa]

Had to check our state's attendance policy. Students are allowed to miss up to five days per semester or 10 days per year. Above that, all absences must be verified as "lawful."

Personal illness (including doctor's appointments) of a child verified by a statement from a physician within two (2) days of the student's return to school. Absences for CHRONIC or EXTENDED illness will be approved only when verified by a physician's statement.

Serious illness or death of an immediate family member verified by a statement from the parent within two (2) days of the student's return to school.

Absences for religious holidays when approved in advance. Such requests must be made in writing to the principal.

Absences for extreme hardships approved by the principal. Such approval should be prearranged when possible.

This policy seems quite reasonable to me, and I think missing more than 10 days per school year is excessive unless it's due to an extended illness or injury verified by a physician.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I think people are confusing real true illnesses with other minor things that a kid can go to school with. Last time I checked my kid would be at the Drs office for strep and sinus infections. A random fever, no, a fever lasting more than 3 days, yes. A stomach bug, no, but a stomach bug lasting more than a couple of days, there would be at least a phone call to the dr to see if there should be more done.

I would NEVER send my child in if he was contagious!


But we all know that there are people out there who keep there kid home bc he stubbed his toe, or they coughed once, these add up.

By following the school's policy, that random fever would keep a kid out of school for a day or two here. Same thing with a stomach bug. Its 24hours after the last sign of fever or vomiting. Often, by following the school's own policies, a kid can easily miss an extra day of school because of a minor illness. A few minor illnesses over the school year can easily add up to more than 7 absences. Here 7 is the magic number for the courts to to get involved. Its the Principal's decision at that point though. I think 14 is the number were its automatic.

 

[luvsJack]

I think people are confusing real true illnesses with other minor things that a kid can go to school with. Last time I checked my kid would be at the Drs office for strep and sinus infections. A random fever, no, a fever lasting more than 3 days, yes. A stomach bug, no, but a stomach bug lasting more than a couple of days, there would be at least a phone call to the dr to see if there should be more done.

I would NEVER send my child in if he was contagious!


But we all know that there are people out there who keep there kid home bc he stubbed his toe, or they coughed once, these add up.

DD was out a week with a stomach bug. I didn't take her to the dr. I was sick at the same time as she was and there was no possible way either of us could leave the house to go anywhere. Even if I had called the dr. office, they wouldn't have given us an excuse.

Kids get lots of illnesses that just don't take going to the dr. Strep yes, of course but not every thing.

For some people (adults and kids) even a cold can make them pretty sick. DD's allergies can make her very sick (and yes, we have tried all the allergy meds, the only ones that work make her so sleepy she can't stay awake).

While I understand the need for the truancy laws, I think sending a kid to school when they are not feeling well, when they are not going to learn anything and all they are is a warm butt in the seat is not very prodductive .

 

[Mkrop]

DD was out a week with a stomach bug. I didn't take her to the dr. I was sick at the same time as she was and there was no possible way either of us could leave the house to go anywhere. Even if I had called the dr. office, they wouldn't have given us an excuse.

Kids get lots of illnesses that just don't take going to the dr. Strep yes, of course but not every thing.

For some people (adults and kids) even a cold can make them pretty sick. DD's allergies can make her very sick (and yes, we have tried all the allergy meds, the only ones that work make her so sleepy she can't stay awake).

While I understand the need for the truancy laws, I think sending a kid to school when they are not feeling well, when they are not going to learn anything and all they are is a warm butt in the seat is not very prodductive .

Maybe she needs to see an allergist, I would hate for any kiddo to suffer unecessarily. Since seeing an allergist both of my boys have done much better.

Well with that said, if you child has that many illnesses come up, than there is nothing that can be done, but then dont be surprised, when they are forced into summer school or not allowed to move on to the next year if there grades are not up to par. It is hard to learn when you are not there.

 

[luvsJack]

Maybe she needs to see an allergist, I would hate for any kiddo to suffer unecessarily. Since seeing an allergist both of my boys have done much better.

Well with that said, if you child has that many illnesses come up, than there is nothing that can be done, but then dont be surprised, when they are forced into summer school or not allowed to move on to the next year if there grades are not up to par. It is hard to learn when you are not there.

She has all A's and B's. Anytime she is out, I stay in contact with her teachers by email and get any notes or assignments that need to be done.

Like I said, she is already on the list to march at graduation, her grades are already posted. She is passing to the next grade. The visit with the truancy officer is a totally seperate thing.

I totally agree with you that its hard to learn when you are not there, but its just as hard to learn when you are there and are sick. Even a severe headache can keep a kid from doing any productive learning. That's why I say, "just being a warm butt in the seat". It makes for a good report on the attendance record, but it does nothing for the student.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Had to check our state's attendance policy. Students are allowed to miss up to five days per semester or 10 days per year. Above that, all absences must be verified as "lawful."

Personal illness (including doctor's appointments) of a child verified by a statement from a physician within two (2) days of the student's return to school. Absences for CHRONIC or EXTENDED illness will be approved only when verified by a physician's statement.

Serious illness or death of an immediate family member verified by a statement from the parent within two (2) days of the student's return to school.

Absences for religious holidays when approved in advance. Such requests must be made in writing to the principal.

Absences for extreme hardships approved by the principal. Such approval should be prearranged when possible.

This policy seems quite reasonable to me, and I think missing more than 10 days per school year is excessive unless it's due to an extended illness or injury verified by a physician.

This had me curious about my own state, MA.

This is how ours reads:

The superintendent, or teachers in so far as authorized by him or by the school committee, may excuse cases of necessary absence for other causes not exceeding seven day sessions or fourteen half day sessions in any period of six months.

http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter76/Section1

Of course the rest of it sounds like it hasn't changed since colonial days (not to mention it's written as a major run on sentence).

Every child between the minimum and maximum ages established for school attendance by the board of education, except a child between fourteen and sixteen who meets the requirements for the completion of the sixth grade of the public school as established by said board and who holds a permit for employment in private domestic service or service on a farm, under section eighty-six of chapter one hundred and forty-nine, and is regularly employed thereunder for at least six hours per day, or a child between fourteen and sixteen who meets said requirements and has the written permission of the superintendent of schools of the town where he resides to engage in non-wage-earning employment at home, or a child over fourteen who holds a permit for employment in a cooperating employment, as provided in said section eighty-six, shall, subject to section fifteen, attend a public day school in said town, or some other day school approved by the school committee, during the number of days required by the board of education in each school year, unless the child attends school in another town, for said number of days, under sections six to twelve, inclusive, or attends an experimental school project established under an experimental school plan, as provided in section one G of chapter fifteen, but such attendance shall not be required of a child whose physical or mental condition is such as to render attendance inexpedient or impracticable subject to the provisions of section three of chapter seventy-one B or of a child granted an employment permit by the superintendent of schools when such superintendent determines that the welfare of such child will be better served through the granting of such permit, or of a child who is being otherwise instructed in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent or the school committee.

 

[Mkrop]

She has all A's and B's. Anytime she is out, I stay in contact with her teachers by email and get any notes or assignments that need to be done.

Like I said, she is already on the list to march at graduation, her grades are already posted. She is passing to the next grade. The visit with the truancy officer is a totally seperate thing.

I totally agree with you that its hard to learn when you are not there, but its just as hard to learn when you are there and are sick. Even a severe headache can keep a kid from doing any productive learning. That's why I say, "just being a warm butt in the seat". It makes for a good report on the attendance record, but it does nothing for the student.

I dont disagree with you...I think something like this should be judged on a case by case basis. If the student can keep up their grades while being out, whether it is for colds and fevers that they keep getting hit with, to recovering from surgery, to broken limbs etc, than that student should be allowed to move on. But if the child is struggling either due to the absenteeism, or the absenteeism is making it hard for the child to keep up then that child may just have to attend summer school or be left back.

 

[badblackpug]

I dont disagree with you...I think something like this should be judged on a case by case basis. If the student can keep up their grades while being out, whether it is for colds and fevers that they keep getting hit with, to recovering from surgery, to broken limbs etc, than that student should be allowed to move on. But if the child is struggling either due to the absenteeism, or the absenteeism is making it hard for the child to keep up then that child may just have to attend summer school or be left back.

This issue here, is again, these would be things that would be treated by a doctor and have a doctor's note. The issue with the OP is that her son has 15 absences for a school year and has never seen a doctor for evaluation. That, to me, is excessive.

In our schools if you are sick more than 3 days in a row you require a doctor's note to return to school. Certainly if one of my kids were sick enough to stay home an entire week I would have had them at the doctor.

I think the problem is people are mixing up what are actual excused illnesses and what are minor things that require a mommy note. Surgeries, broken limbs, mono, strep, these are all things that are seen by and treated by a doctor. Even early release for orthodontist and doctors visits will have a doctor's note. If I have to take my kids out early for them I just ask for a note, then it falls under the "excused" category.

It's not bragging to say that my kids don't get sick much. I don't know whether we are just lucky, or whether they have strong constitutions, but they really aren't sick that often. ...and I do know that we are fortunate about that since we both work. Thy have missed a day here and there, but *knock wood* it has been nothing extended. It's also not fair to say that since they don't miss that much that we send them to school sick. We do not, we are just fortunate that they are not sick that often.

I think the issue with the OP's son is that he has had 15 absences with no real documented illnesses. It seems excessive, to me, that a child would miss almost 10% of the school year being sick, but has never seen a doctor. I would think that if my kid were sick this often I would, at least, see a doctor to find out why he was getting sick so often. It's not as if this were his first year in school and he was being exposed to all kinds of new germs.

 

[badblackpug]

I dont disagree with you...I think something like this should be judged on a case by case basis. If the student can keep up their grades while being out, whether it is for colds and fevers that they keep getting hit with, to recovering from surgery, to broken limbs etc, than that student should be allowed to move on. But if the child is struggling either due to the absenteeism, or the absenteeism is making it hard for the child to keep up then that child may just have to attend summer school or be left back.

...and the problem with that is where do you draw the line? Is it okay not to go to school because you are bright and can make-up the work easily, or because you can learn it on your own?

I think that that is a slippery slope. Many parents and students can use the excuse, "well his/her grades are good." to keep kds home for whatever reason they please, whether it's because they are sick, or because they want free childcare. In our district if you exceed the maximum amount of excused absences you have to make them up in the summer regardless if you have straight As or straight Ds.

 

[HelenePA]

...and the problem with that is where do you draw the line? Is it okay not to go to school because you are bright and can make-up the work easily, or because you can learn it on your own?

I think that that is a slippery slope. Many parents and students can use the excuse, "well his/her grades are good." to keep kds home for whatever reason they please, whether it's because they are sick, or because they want free childcare. In our district if you exceed the maximum amount of excused absences you have to make them up in the summer regardless if you have straight As or straight Ds.

Why should the A student have to make up work he/she already made up? I do not understand.

 

[luvsJack]

...and the problem with that is where do you draw the line? Is it okay not to go to school because you are bright and can make-up the work easily, or because you can learn it on your own?

I think that that is a slippery slope. Many parents and students can use the excuse, "well his/her grades are good." to keep kds home for whatever reason they please, whether it's because they are sick, or because they want free childcare. In our district if you exceed the maximum amount of excused absences you have to make them up in the summer regardless if you have straight As or straight Ds.

So they just go into summer school to make up the days, regardless of if they have actually done the work?

Here summer school is apprently reserved for those that are failing and in fact, if you have missed too many days, you CAN'T go to summer school to make any of it up.

Its interesting how different the school systems are.

Our schools allow 12 days per year. and there is a limit on the number of days that they can accept notes from parents too (not sure of the number but its well over 12)--not consectutive days, a number of days over the year.

 

[Pigeon]

...and the problem with that is where do you draw the line? Is it okay not to go to school because you are bright and can make-up the work easily, or because you can learn it on your own?

I think that that is a slippery slope. Many parents and students can use the excuse, "well his/her grades are good." to keep kds home for whatever reason they please, whether it's because they are sick, or because they want free childcare. In our district if you exceed the maximum amount of excused absences you have to make them up in the summer regardless if you have straight As or straight Ds.

What a complete waste of tax payer money. With all the kids they have who genuinely need extra help to keep their grades up, it's beyond idiotic to send kids with good grades to summer school. That's what you get when you have bureaucrats making mindless policies with no flexibility.

 

[disneymomjcs]

They don't want you to be absent much......but remember the schools are very insistant that you not send your child to school sick

A) With a fever, and don't return until child is fever free 24 hours
B) Stomach bug and are vomiting
C) Pink Eye
D) Lice (had to throw in that one)
E) Diarreha
F) Virus

Just know that so many parents follow the rules and do whats right and some kids are more prone than other to catch everything. Which can lead to many absences.

By the same token people send their kids to school constantly when they are sick. Then they get all the other kids sick and the staff too!