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

[HelenePA]

OP how many more days of school do you have left? we are almost done *cue angels*

 

[CaFeeney]

Full disclosure, teacher/admin here. I can understand students get ill and may need to miss school several days per year. I also fully understand that some kids are more susceptible to colds than others. My concern is that missing 20 days of instruction puts a student at an academic disadvantage. Students in my district attend 180 days per year, so missing 4 full weeks of instruction is a big deal.
Also, depending on your district policy you child may be required to repeat or attend summer school if they miss more than a certain number of days (15 in my district) unexcused. Your child's school might be trying to get the absences excused to avoid this.

From a school perspective I don't see it as nosy or intrusive. We are trying to do the best for each student. We are evaluated on attendance rates, test scores, etc and if students don't attend regularly then it can impact our statistics.

All that aside- school is important, what kids learn in school is important, and parents and teachers need to support one another so kids can succeed.

 

[Coconut36]

Full disclosure, teacher/admin here. I can understand students get ill and may need to miss school several days per year. I also fully understand that some kids are more susceptible to colds than others. My concern is that missing 20 days of instruction puts a student at an academic disadvantage. Students in my district attend 180 days per year, so missing 4 full weeks of instruction is a big deal.
Also, depending on your district policy you child may be required to repeat or attend summer school if they miss more than a certain number of days (15 in my district) unexcused. Your child's school might be trying to get the absences excused to avoid this.

From a school perspective I don't see it as nosy or intrusive. We are trying to do the best for each student. We are evaluated on attendance rates, test scores, etc and if students don't attend regularly then it can impact our statistics.

All that aside- school is important, what kids learn in school is important, and parents and teachers need to support one another so kids can succeed.

All very well said!

 

[Pigeon]

Full disclosure, teacher/admin here. I can understand students get ill and may need to miss school several days per year. I also fully understand that some kids are more susceptible to colds than others. My concern is that missing 20 days of instruction puts a student at an academic disadvantage. Students in my district attend 180 days per year, so missing 4 full weeks of instruction is a big deal.
Also, depending on your district policy you child may be required to repeat or attend summer school if they miss more than a certain number of days (15 in my district) unexcused. Your child's school might be trying to get the absences excused to avoid this.

From a school perspective I don't see it as nosy or intrusive. We are trying to do the best for each student. We are evaluated on attendance rates, test scores, etc and if students don't attend regularly then it can impact our statistics.

All that aside- school is important, what kids learn in school is important, and parents and teachers need to support one another so kids can succeed.

From a parent perspective, it is nosy and intrusive. The school doesn't make decisions about when a child is sick enough or not sick enough to attend. The parent does.

Asking for symptoms is ridiculous, and not likely to result in any tangible benefit other than alienating parents. As you can read through the responses here, most folks on the DIS who were inclined to respond would just lie and make something up. How does that encourage parents and teachers to work together?

I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of teachers. It is a tough situation. Dh is a public school teacher and he has chronically truant students. In general, they do tend to suffer academically. In the case of the OP, she stated that her children are doing fine academically. Her child's absences have not exceeded the district maximum as per their own policy, and the school year is pretty close to being over.

In dh's experience, it's the kids who have parents who allow them to take endless "personal days" that have problems, moreso that kids who are genuinely ill. But those parents are just going to make up symptoms to keep the administrators happy.

And until the school is paying the medical bills for all students, it is unreasonable for everyone to have to bring in a doctor's note. In fact, our doctor often won't schedule an appointment for a bad cold or a fever.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

From a parent perspective, it is nosy and intrusive. The school doesn't make decisions about when a child is sick enough or not sick enough to attend. The parent does.

Asking for symptoms is ridiculous, and not likely to result in any tangible benefit other than alienating parents. As you can read through the responses here, most folks on the DIS who were inclined to respond would just lie and make something up. How does that encourage parents and teachers to work together?

I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of teachers. It is a tough situation. Dh is a public school teacher and he has chronically truant students. In general, they do tend to suffer academically. In the case of the OP, she stated that her children are doing fine academically. Her child's absences have not exceeded the district maximum as per their own policy, and the school year is pretty close to being over.

In dh's experience, it's the kids who have parents who allow them to take endless "personal days" that have problems, moreso that kids who are genuinely ill. But those parents are just going to make up symptoms to keep the administrators happy.

And until the school is paying the medical bills for all students, it is unreasonable for everyone to have to bring in a doctor's note. In fact, our doctor often won't schedule an appointment for a bad cold or a fever.

 

[blueferral]

Your son is sick a lot but...


The school is not allowed to ask that.

It's a violation of HIPAA.

Let them know that and that you'll be sending the letter to your attorney if they persist in this line of questioning.

HIPAA does not apply to schools. The schools have their own privacy laws it is called Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Google that and read up on it. The schools have a lot more leeway with your health information.

Once again HIPAA does NOT apply to the school system.

 

[Coconut36]

From a parent perspective, it is nosy and intrusive. The school doesn't make decisions about when a child is sick enough or not sick enough to attend. The parent does.

Asking for symptoms is ridiculous, and not likely to result in any tangible benefit other than alienating parents. As you can read through the responses here, most folks on the DIS who were inclined to respond would just lie and make something up. How does that encourage parents and teachers to work together?

I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of teachers. It is a tough situation. Dh is a public school teacher and he has chronically truant students. In general, they do tend to suffer academically. In the case of the OP, she stated that her children are doing fine academically. Her child's absences have not exceeded the district maximum as per their own policy, and the school year is pretty close to being over.

In dh's experience, it's the kids who have parents who allow them to take endless "personal days" that have problems, moreso that kids who are genuinely ill. But those parents are just going to make up symptoms to keep the administrators happy.

And until the school is paying the medical bills for all students, it is unreasonable for everyone to have to bring in a doctor's note. In fact, our doctor often won't schedule an appointment for a bad cold or a fever.

If your state has a truancy program (as many do) the students academics are not relevant. It's based on total days missed and the point is to try to address the issues associated with chronic absences BEFORE the child is failing or dropping out of school not after.

As for the bold..how utterly silly. If you don't agree with the absence policy at your child's school then don't send them there. It's that simple.

Most schools are only going to take steps to inquire about Dr visits/notes/nature of illness when the child is approaching the max number of days per semester missed. If you have a child out that often I would assume there is a documented medical history or at least a couple Dr visits in there.

 

[HelenePA]

If your state has a truancy program (as many do) the students academics are not relevant. It's based on total days missed and the point is to try to address the issues associated with chronic absences BEFORE the child is failing or dropping out of school not after.

As for the bold..how utterly silly. If you don't agree with the absence policy at your child's school then don't send them there. It's that simple.

Most schools are only going to take steps to inquire about Dr visits/notes/nature of illness when the child is approaching the max number of days per semester missed. If you have a child out that often I would assume there is a documented medical history or at least a couple Dr visits in there.

And what should we do with them if we dont want to home school them? with 3 kids (in school) if I took them to the dr for every sniffle I couldn't to afford to feed them! We have a 20% copayment with each sick visit

 

[angwill]

Another truth is not only the cost of the doctor but this year our school wanted a detailed doctors note stating what my son could and could not do when he hurt his foot. The doctor rolled his eyes and asked me if I was serious that they wanted an essay about what a kid could and couldn't do with a bad foot. He said do they realize how much money my time is worth to take out to write a detailed letter on something that should be common sense. If he didn't detail it the PE teacher would send him to the library to write 2 essays for every day missed on PE articles when he could still do weight lifting using working on his upper body. Schools are getting very difficult anymore about things and I highly doubt it is because of government regulations or expectations.

 

[Coconut36]

And what should we do with them if we dont want to home school them? with 3 kids (in school) if I took them to the dr for every sniffle I couldn't to afford to feed them! We have a 20% copayment with each sick visit

That's up to you to decide. The school and state have defined policies about missed school. If you don't want to comply with it then figuring out what to do with the kids is your problem. That's your role as a parent. Send them to a private school that has a different policy or homeschool them. Own your decisions to give them a "personal" day now and then or pull them for vacation and know that if they become ill the possible ramifications regarding the state school policy and be prepared to deal with it rather than stopping of the feet and claims of "how dare they" when the school tries to figure out why the kid is out so much.

My point I guess is the policy is there (and in the case of the OP is known) and if you are unwilling to follow the rules and deal with the consequences of the policy then you need to find another place to send them to school because the issue is yours not theirs.

 

[Coconut36]

Another truth is not only the cost of the doctor but this year our school wanted a detailed doctors note stating what my son could and could not do when he hurt his foot. The doctor rolled his eyes and asked me if I was serious that they wanted an essay about what a kid could and couldn't do with a bad foot. He said do they realize how much money my time is worth to take out to write a detailed letter on something that should be common sense. If he didn't detail it the PE teacher would send him to the library to write 2 essays for every day missed on PE articles when he could still do weight lifting using working on his upper body. Schools are getting very difficult anymore about things and I highly doubt it is because of government regulations or expectations.

And what do you think the reason is then? Litigious parents? I think that plays a role in some decisions and requires especially one about a foot. There has probably been an incident (at that school, within the district or in the city/state) where the kid had a bad foot, the PE teacher chose to have them do something that would seem to be safe and not use the foot and then got threatened or sued by a parent because of it. As a result they have to CYA and have detailed notes explaining what is and is not allowable thus there is no wiggle room for a lawsuit or threats.

 

[chamonix]

HIPAA does not apply to schools. The schools have their own privacy laws it is called Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Google that and read up on it. The schools have a lot more leeway with your health information.

Once again HIPAA does NOT apply to the school system.

FERPA also does not apply. FERPA only concerns the privacy of educational records, the school does not have "leeway" or access of any kind to your medical records. HIPPA covers the release of medical records--from your medical providers--and FERPA simply covers the privacy of your educational records--from your educational institution/school. They both do similar things--guarantee the privacy of your records, but one is for medical records and one is for educational records. As long as you don't release medical records to be placed in your educational record, neither will apply in this case.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...rgn=div5&view=text&node=34:1.1.1.1.33&idno=34

 

[torinsmom]

In NC, a high school student can miss 15 days a year, 8 in one semester and 7 in the other. Normally, we don't require anything more than a parent's note to excuse an absence. Having said that, however, once the absences start to get up to maximum, the school system has the option to start requiring a doctor's note to excuse an absence. Unfortunately, there are just too many parents who let their students stay out any time the child feels like it.

I don't know what county you live in, but my DS17's high school does not have that policy. My son has missed a lot of school this year. He has gotten every single virus and cold that has hit the area and then ended up with mono. He has had close to 30 absences, all excused by a note from me, and for the mono, by a note from the doctor. Only notification I have had is a letter about truancy when he forgot to turn in some notes and got up to 5 unexcused absences. Even those were "forgiven" once I sent in replacement notes. Luckily, he had an easy course load this semester.

I typically just write, "Please excuse DS for being absent on 5/9/2012. He was ill."

 

[blueferral]

Once your medical information gets into the hands of the school FERPA does apply. Usually, this medical information is related to educational activities. For example IEP or individualized Education Plans. Also, school nurses who do have your actual medical information are not bound by HIPAA, they are bound by FERPA.

http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/doc/ferpa-hipaa-guidance.pdf
V. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule apply to an elementary or secondary school?
Generally, no. In most cases, the HIPAA Privacy Rule does not apply to an elementary or
secondary school because the school either: (1) is not a HIPAA covered entity or (2) is a HIPAA
covered entity but maintains health information only on students in records that are by definition
“education records” under FERPA and, therefore, is not subject to the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

quote from above website

My point Chamonix is that your medical record "become" educational records when the information is obtained by the school system. Thus HIPAA no longer applies.

 

[Pigeon]

That's up to you to decide. The school and state have defined policies about missed school. If you don't want to comply with it then figuring out what to do with the kids is your problem. That's your role as a parent. Send them to a private school that has a different policy or homeschool them. Own your decisions to give them a "personal" day now and then or pull them for vacation and know that if they become ill the possible ramifications regarding the state school policy and be prepared to deal with it rather than stopping of the feet and claims of "how dare they" when the school tries to figure out why the kid is out so much.

My point I guess is the policy is there (and in the case of the OP is known) and if you are unwilling to follow the rules and deal with the consequences of the policy then you need to find another place to send them to school because the issue is yours not theirs.

We follow the sensible, reasonable policies. We push back when the school overreaches. We've done it many times. We're citizens and tax payers, we're not sheep. Sorry, but the issue is squarely the school's problem. If you were talking about a private school, I'd agree with you. For a public school, not a chance.

 

[Coconut36]

We follow the sensible, reasonable policies. We push back when the school overreaches. We've done it many times. We're citizens and tax payers, we're not sheep. Sorry, but the issue is squarely the school's problem. If you were talking about a private school, I'd agree with you. For a public school, not a chance.

Sorry..I feel absolutely the opposite. You don't get to pick and choose the rules and policies you follow when you choose to enroll your child in a school..especially a public one. You either follow the policies set forth or you don't send your child there. By all means..advocate for change via the proper channels but things like truancy are generally outside the hands of the school and are laws set forth by the state or county you live in so your fight would be with them.

 

[teacherforhi]

I don't know what county you live in, but my DS17's high school does not have that policy. My son has missed a lot of school this year. He has gotten every single virus and cold that has hit the area and then ended up with mono. He has had close to 30 absences, all excused by a note from me, and for the mono, by a note from the doctor. Only notification I have had is a letter about truancy when he forgot to turn in some notes and got up to 5 unexcused absences. Even those were "forgiven" once I sent in replacement notes. Luckily, he had an easy course load this semester.

I typically just write, "Please excuse DS for being absent on 5/9/2012. He was ill."

The policy is the policy. How your DS's school chooses to administer it is their issue. School systems can go under the minimum (for example, Iredell-Statesville will consider retention after half the number of days allowed by the state), but they're not to go over it.

I'll also point out I said the school HAS THE OPTION to pursue a doctor's note. Most times, if a parent writes a note, we'll accept them at their word. After all, we don't assume they're lying. It's only the students who are out nearly every Friday or Monday (sometimes, Friday AND Monday), that we start to enforce things.

 

[torinsmom]

The policy is the policy. How your DS's school chooses to administer it is their issue. School systems can go under the minimum (for example, Iredell-Statesville will consider retention after half the number of days allowed by the state), but they're not to go over it.

I'll also point out I said the school HAS THE OPTION to pursue a doctor's note. Most times, if a parent writes a note, we'll accept them at their word. After all, we don't assume they're lying. It's only the students who are out nearly every Friday or Monday (sometimes, Friday AND Monday), that we start to enforce things.

I have to admit that I was surprised there wasn't more of an attendance policy. I was worried DS would not graduate because of his excessive absences, but the guidance counselor said that is not a consideration, as long as they are excused and the student passes all their classes. I did find it interesting in speaking to her that the child is punished when he has excessive tardies, but excessive unexcused absences result in the parent being taken to court. I feel for parents whose kids leave for school and then skip; that doesn't seem like something the parent should be held responsible for.

 

[Pigeon]

Sorry..I feel absolutely the opposite. You don't get to pick and choose the rules and policies you follow when you choose to enroll your child in a school..especially a public one. You either follow the policies set forth or you don't send your child there. By all means..advocate for change via the proper channels but things like truancy are generally outside the hands of the school and are laws set forth by the state or county you live in so your fight would be with them.

One buys a house in a particular school district. Around here, that is the entire extent of having a choice about what public school your child may attend. School policies change over time. It is ludicrous to suggest that people should be prepared to sell their house, potentially at a cost of many thousands of dollars every time the administrator du jour decides to modify a policy.

 

[HelenePA]

Yep! We have no choice where our kids to go school, we live in a district with ONE school. I'm so glad a "he/she wasn't feeling well" note is enough... and thank god I wrote them at the time they happened... I'd never be able to give symptoms of what my kid had 8 months ago! Now 2 of my kids had swine flu this year, they both had dr notes for them because they were out almost 10 days each when they had it (per dr's orders they had to be fever free for 48hrs before returning to school)