New attendance policies at our school this year ..grrr

[jennyanydots]

Public schools are there for the benefit of the entire community. there are rules for a reason -- the community, as a whole, has determined that attendance is an important part of the educational process -- not to mention the funding issue. If you are not happy with that, too bad -- your choice is to attend private school or home school, otherwise, if you opt to make use of public institutions you have no cause to complain about the rules.

New York State mandates that a child attend school for 180 days per year. that about 49% of a child's time. in my view, not an unreasonable request.

my school district's attendance policy:

Every absence, tardiness and early departure must be accounted for. For students at any instructional level from kindergarten through 12th grade who arrive late for or depart early from scheduled instruction, tardiness or early departure shall be recorded. Excused absences are defined as:

Illness of students
Family medical emergency
Death in family
Medical appointments
Required court appearance
Prior approved college visits
School sanctioned functions
Religious observances
All other absences, tardiness, and early departures will be considered unexcused absences. Requests for early dismissal should be made to the principal in writing.




in the secondary schools, if a student accumulates too many unexcused tardys or absences, he or she can be disciplined with detention.

if the problem is severe, the school will make a referral to child protective services and request that the parents be summoned to court on the grounds of educational neglect.

I think most parents would rather pay a fine than deal with a family court petition for educational neglect, wouldn't you?

I don't vacation during the school year, but if I were to plan a trip for days when the kids are supposed to be in school, I would make sure the trip had an educational component and that it was a "school sanctioned event."

 

[ladycollector]

I can't believe that they can legally send you to jail for 30 days if your child misses 5 days. That's ridiculous. Im glad there is homeschooling.

 

[dizagain]

I feel that 15 allowed absences are more than enough. I also think that the district is charging fines for missing more than five days in order to gain back some of their lost revenue caused by student absences. Ours doesn't do that as far as I know, but as long as the rule is stated clearly from the beginning, I wouldn't try to dispute it.

That said, I plan to take my DD's, 8 and 10, out of school next Spring after our state testing is completed. We are headed to WDW at that time because DH cannot travel during June and July at all due to his work. I am hoping teachers will work with us and allow DD's to make up work - that is the norm in our particular school. They will be missing 4 days.

 

[jennyanydots]

it's not 5 days, ladycollector, it's 15. and it's 15 unexcused absences, not legitimate reasons to miss school.

we as a society have determined that children must be educated to society's standards. attendance is an objective measure of educational neglect. I doubt a parent whose child missed a few days but maintianed decent grades would receive a severe sanction, though one whose child was failing would more likely be sent to jail.

 

[LisaSt]

Tell the school board to stick it up ther behinds and take the kids and have a great cruise. You are payig for the school to be funded with your tax dollars and that also pays the teachers wages. To hell with them if they don't like it. Our kids miss 2 weeks a year for Disney trips plus any other time we feel like taking them out plus any sick days they may have.

 

[year2late]

Originally posted by LisaSt
Tell the school board to stick it up ther behinds and take the kids and have a great cruise. You are payig for the school to be funded with your tax dollars and that also pays the teachers wages. To hell with them if they don't like it. Our kids miss 2 weeks a year for Disney trips plus any other time we feel like taking them out plus any sick days they may have.

Nice way to teach your kids to abide by societal rules.

Part of school is learning how to work within an organized structure. I work with a number of emplyees who think the rules do not apply to them. They are nightmares to the management and to their coworkers.

The world does not revolve around the needs of an individual.

Consider me disgusted.

(Now mind you if your statement was made with the understanding you and your child would accept the consequences of your actions, I apologize)

 

[Kallison]

In our school system unexcused means the parents don't provide an explanation. Vacation time used to be 10 days but has been reduced to 5 days. I have no idea what the penalty would be. We wouldn't normally miss more than that anyway so I don't really think about it.

 

[LisaSt]

Year 2 late we take our kids out and deal with anything that may arise from it we don't have a problem with theem stating rules etc we choose to have family vacations we can't get away in the summer etc so we go before x mas. Mind you our kids school has never had any issues with us taking the kids out of school for trips to Disney or any place for that matter. They look at it as a learning experiance for them not only do we go to WDW but we take side trips to places like Merritt Island wildlife refuge and shell key island and mote marine labratory. All edub=cational things for them they love to see the wildlife and learn about the different areas and animals from the area so they are still learning while we are away. But I still say tell the school to stuff it if they do not like it they are after all our children why should we be told how and when to go on vacation by their school board or teachers.

 

[kasar]

Can't you go during one of the other school vacations (if summer's no good for you)? We cruise over the Christmas vacation, it's lots of fun with all the decorations and festivities.

Yes, it's stinks to be on the school schedule, but you're only in school for 180 days leaving more than half the year to do vacations. In my opinion, it's not a good message to send my kids that vacations come before schoolwork and rules don't apply to us (even though Disney vacations are fun and maybe even a bit educational, it's not an entitlement nor a requirement - just fun!). I know it's important to spend time with your family - we think so too. Just not during school time.

To me, a rule's a rule.

 

[LindaG4458]

Speaking as a former middle school teacher

If a parent told me to stuff it and took their kid out of class for a vacation, then the kid had trouble with the material because they missed the class discussion, those parents had better be ready to hire a tutor because the child would get no special assistance, no additional help, zero. There is enough prep time, special instruction, etc. involved with the kids who come to class and still have problems. Teachers should not have to hold makeup classes for kids who are cruising the Caribbean for the convenience of the parents.

This garbage is part of the reason I quit teaching.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I really believe my perspective would change on this issue in two different educational situations.

First... you have an exceptional school system. They provide appropriate education across the board - from gifted to special ed and everywhere in between. The teachers have expectations and they don't vary depending on name or status. Administrators are very involved and respected.

In this situation I would gladly drop my children off each day and probably would NEVER pull them out because I would have no doubts that they were benefiting from the environment of the school.

Second... the school system is not meeting the needs of the kids. Whether it's the gifted and/or the special ed that sit.... no matter. Teachers shrug off antics of some and come down hard on others. Administrators have no control and just throw up their hands.

In this situation I would pull the kids out if I felt there would be a better educational opportunity on vacation, or a business trip, etc. than was provided by the school.

Now I realize these are two extremes, and school districts probably - for the most part - fall somewhere in between. I have been in the situation where the teachers/administrators have just said that they have no idea what to do with a child. If I am going to have to provide the education, then I will do it as I see fit.

Bottom line, I think it depends on how much you value education - together with the performance of the individual school district. Personally I am glad we have homeschooling and/or dual enrollment to help provide an appropriate education for ALL children. Unfortunately, all families are not willing and/or able to take advantage of that opportunity.

Oh, and I agree with Linda 100% that if my children go on vacation and miss school.... the responsibility lies with the children and the parents to make sure the material is covered and learned.

 

[JayBee]

Originally posted by LisaSt
But I still say tell the school to stuff it if they do not like it they are after all our children why should we be told how and when to go on vacation by their school board or teachers.

Well....I guess if you don't like the school's rules(and I'm sure these rules are so strict due to overall too many absenses in your area)...ther's always homeschooling!

 

[pw2pp]

We never pull our kids out of school for a vacation. Instead, we work our vacations around the school schedule.
Besides Summer vacation, the kids get breaks during the school year....... Christmas vacation, February Break, Spring Break.
Sure it would be nice to save money and not go during "Prime Time", but we don't want to make our kids miss school and fall behind.
Besides, it sends them the message that school isn't important if you can just skip out of it whenever you want. We instill into our kids the belief that school is VERY important for them.

 

[LisaSt]

Oh don't get me wrong I don't tell the teacher to stuff it and when we are planning a vacation for the 2 weeks in Dec that we go we let the school know at the begining of the year. We have never had any issues with our school here in London Ont. Our oldest daughters teacher last year had her do a journal and collect stuff from where ever we went to show the class when we returned. She had a big project put together all done while on holidays I may add. With the exception of the pictures we added after we got home and had them developed. We also have an issue with the teachers here that a couple years ago I guess it was they went on strike and sat out about half the school year and they said all along it was for the betterment of the kids well honestly if it was for the good of the kids they would have been in class teaching them not picketing for more free time and shorter class hours. As it is classes are only 70 minutes in HS and each subject in PS is 50 minutes I do believe with a minimum of 2 hours a day free time for the teachers. Our kids go to school from 8 AM till 3 PM. As I said our school and teachers have never had any problems with our kids going on vacation to WDW and even ask if we can pick them something up for them while we are there.Oh btw this is not Lisa it is her husband. I also missed 120 days of school in grade 11 and still passed the year with an 87 average and in grade 6 travelled across the norhtern states playing hockey. Our city put the team together we just had to do the fundraiser for the extra cash to help out with the cost. They sent a tutor to teach us but it was a hard job to try and teach 30 kids in a hotel meeting room during this time i bet.

 

[year2late]

Originally posted by LisaSt
But I still say tell the school to stuff it if they do not like it they are after all our children why should we be told how and when to go on vacation by their school board or teachers.

Stuff it? That is just special and arrogant and rude. Public school systems are for the good of the many not of the one. They make rules to benefit the many --- so sorry, but the privleged few have to follow them as well.

Now if you told me you would go through proper channels that would be one thing. Explained to them the educational nature of the vacation. But you are telling another that the district should "stuff it". Where does that kind of rationale lead you? Slippery slope does not even cover it. You are telling me you consider the school policies to be optional. You may think you have good judgement, but when the next 200 peopel tell the school to stiff it on various policies, what do you think will happen?

Like I said before, if you were to disobey policies of the school and gracefully accept the consequences (which may be huge for your child) I give you credit.

I have taken my child out of schools for short bursts, but have followed school policy to do so. If they said no, I would have accepted it.

I couldn't imagine in my wildest dreams having my child out for weeks.

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by year2late

The world does not revolve around the needs of an individual.

But I guess the one theme that I see here is that it all revolves around the MONEY the school receives.

I know some teachers can go ballistic when you start talking about results - but shouldn't that be the real issue?

The neglectful slob of a parent who doesn't want to get up on time to see that their children are in school is way different from the parents who are trying to enrich the lives of their children. If the child masters the material - especially the top students is it so terrible that they did it on their own?

If a student can ace the tests what difference does it make if they went on vacation for a few days? Oh yes - it's that money thing again.

I had so many classes that were just a waste of time. I know in college most professors didn't care at all if you showed up for class - if you could still make a good grade without attending well then more power to you.

I realize that schools are desperate for money. I think I'd have more respect for a school system that just came out and said if your child is not here it cost us X dollars and you have to pay it rather than calling it a fine and making it a punishment.

I really am a big proponent of public schools, and I hate to see arbitrary rules like this push parents into home schooling and private schools.

 

[year2late]

Originally posted by arminnie
But I guess the one theme that I see here is that it all revolves around the MONEY the school receives.

Sorry, but many public school systems are strapped. Music, art, and athletic programs disintergrating, Federal programs demanding results without directly funding the effort. Yeah, money matters.

Some more affluent school districts may not have the same realities as poorer school districts .

Again rules like the OP stated do not happen in a vacuum. There must have been some bigtime abuse of the system for them to create such rules.

 

[tar heel]

I can't believe a parent would be allowed 15 unexcused absences before they were fined. School attendence is compulsory for people ages 7-16 in North Carolina, and parents can definitely be charged for having children in those age ranges who are not in school.

At my son's high school, eight absences in a semester results in no credit for the class. If the absences are largely excused, you generally are able to appeal provided the student had passing grades. A certain number of absences per year (13, I think) means you have to appeal to get to participate in an extracurricular activity. Teachers are not required to give the student make-up work, allow tests to be made-up, etc., if the absence is unexcused. Family trips are NOT excused absences at the high school. At the elementary school, they are excused -- you complete a form in advance.

Arminnie -- School funding in NC is NOT based on the number of students there each day. Number of teachers funded, etc., is based on the enrollment on the 10th school day -- that's enrollment not attendence, so a child who is enrolled but misses that day is counted. There is no monetary incentive whatsoever to not have kids miss during the year.

Teachers in North Carolina don't strike either. They work hard and deserve to have the kids there ready to learn each day.

 

[sk!mom]

Originally posted by Cruisin'Kroezes
Can the school legally charge you a fine for your kid missing 5 days of school?

In TX, the school doesn't fine you. They turn the case over to an attendance officer who can issue a truancy citation. Normally you would then go before a judge who would set the fine after they heard the excuses.

If you are allowed 5 unexcused it sounds like you don't need to worry if that is the number of days missed for the cruise. Here illnesses, death in the family, etc... are excused and will never get you into trouble. Although after 10 excused absences you are required to bring in a doctor's note for illnesses. My kids don't normally have any unexcused, so 5 seems like plenty. Since that basically allows you to miss five days for any reason.

High School students receive no credit if they miss more than 5 days a semester.

 

[dzneprincess]

Hi all! Wow didn't mean to stir up trouble. I was curious as to what others have experienced. I also think 15 days of unexcused was plenty. That is not the problem for me, personally. My problem is the 5 days or more, jail time and or fine and or community service. I guess I will call the school tommorrow (1st day of school) and get some clarifications. My children are ages 9/8/7 and 1. The older 2 are honor roll students. This is my 5 year old's 1st time at this school, as he will be in Kindergarden. I understand that there are some parents out there that dont give a rats hiney about their children's scholastic activities. So I can understand where the school district is coming from, but surely it is not just a black/white area. He were are, a family unit, wanting to spend quality time together....argh it just frustrates me. We will be taking the cruise, I will just have to deal with whatever comes my way. I rebooked while we were aboard last year, and last year the policy was 20 days max, and 10 days before there was action taken against the parent. That is what caught me by surprise when I read the paper this morning.