REporting your child absent *UPDATED*

[Lorix2]

THis is a concern and a vent...

Whenever my children have had to miss school, which isn't often, I make sure the school is notified of their absence as soon as school opens.

I"ve kept my DD10 home today and was about to call the school when I decided I would wait to see what happens. It's now almost 9:30 and school started an hour ago. In the past, I have not called until 10 AM to inform them and let them know that I would have expected a call from them if my child had not shown up in the classroom. THe response was "well you should be calling us" which is true, but happens when parents do not call them to inform the school of an absence because they do not know about it?

I've offered to volunteer for this task at the school, but the school sec. is adamant about running the office herself, doing everything by herself, which means the absentee report is done, but she has no time to make any calls to inquire if the parent hadn't called in already.

If I don't hear from anyone, I'm going to take it up with the principal again.

I"d like to hear what policy your school has in place about this.

Sorry SO long...

 

[rbuzzotta]

We have a specific number to call. A parent volunteer listens to the report at 9AM. She then checks with the teachers absentee report. Homes are called by 9:30 if a parent hasn't reported their child absent.

 

[damo]

Our school has a volunteer come in every morning to check that each child who is absent has either been confirmed absent by a parent phone call on our late arrival line or a note. If a child is absent without a phone call or note, the parent will call home to locate the child.

Everyday we make about two phone calls to parents who have neglected to call in or send a note. Works very well. This is a junior high school.

 

[Lorix2]

p.s. I just want to clarify that I do believe it is our responsibility as the parent to inform the school of the absence, not the other way around.

 

[yasuern]

We have to call the school nurse to report our child(ren) absent - If by 9:15am you have not called them they will call your house - if they can't reach you they send the police to check your house.
How do I know this - last year DD then in 1st grade - had a very bad stomach thing and fever - We (DD and I) were up most of the night - In the AM I asked DH to call her in but he forgot and DD and I so tired from the night before didn't hear the phone ringing - and around 10am our dog started barking - then a knock at the door - and it was a police officer just checking to see if we were okay.

 

[kejoda]

We have parent volunteers also. Whenever Kevin has been home I've called. Last year he had a teacher that didn't listen very well. Kevin has to take 2 buses to get to school and he is always 5 minutes late. the teacher knew this and always marked him absent. The parent volunteers just learned to go up and check the classroom first since no one could get it through her head and have her wait. She isn't there this year, Thank G-d.

 

[AMClvsMKY]

At the boys last school in Illinois a special number is set up with a recording letting the parents know what info is needed. The school does call sometime in the am if the parent forgot to call.

Here in Florida, we are to send in a note with the child when he/she returns to school.

I really like the absent # better, if seems easier to call in when I am thinking about it then remember to write a note after he is well again.

 

[4greatboys]

My oldest ds is in high school. I dont cal them and they dont call me, I just send a note in the day he returns stating why he was not at school.
My 2nd ds is in jr high and they expect a call or they call me. This is all in the same school district Im not why each of the schools respond differently to this situation.

 

[jfulcer]

Ever since Alexis Patterson disappeared here in Milwaukee (her parents dropped her off right by (??!) the school and she never made it in) and wasn't noticed until 4 when the parents wondered why she didn't come home from school, every school has a policy that the kids need to be called in for by 9:00. If not, the school has to call to find out where the child is.

I think it's a GREAT policy.

 

[TimeforMe]

We had a very similar situation as jfulcer where a 4th grader disappeared in a nearby town after being dropped off and the school didn't realize she was "missing". Since then, the school at which I work started a policy of calling if their absence is not reported by the time the attendance is printed. I happen to do the attendance there and I can tell you we appreciate those EARLY phone calls so we don't have to call. Our school has 800 students so there are sometimes many phone calls that have to be made.

The school district where my kids go, do the same thing. If you don't call, expect a call. Once I told my son's teacher he wouldn't be in the day before, but she forgot. I got a call at work asking why he was absent

I think it's a good policy and I would talk to the principal about it if that's not being done.

 

[minniecarousel]

I was a parent volunteer when my kids were in elementary school and worked the "attendance line". Any school secretary who isn't willing to train people to do a simple job like this, is either a control freak or too lazy to train others! It is sooo important for attendance to be accurate for the very reason stated. If a child is missing, the sooner the search starts, the better the chance of finding the child. And we all know it happens. It may be rare, but it still happens.

 

[Lorix2]

It's 12:00 and still no call from the school.

I just might print this thread about the similar policies in place in your schools and show it to our principal.

Minniecarousel - that's the point I'm trying to make with the school. The sooner we know the whereabouts of the child, the better the outcome should be. We need to put a safety policy in place and stick with it. I will definitely be first in line to volunteer (again).

 

[CamColt]

We are supposed to call and if not, they call us. If we cant be reached,t hey get the police involved. Or at least thats what they tell us. Weve only had 1 instance and we did call then.

 

[goofy4tink]

We have an absentee number we call. If your child isn't there, and no phone call has been received, you get a call from the school. I don't think I will ever forget the day the school called and asked what the reason my dd, then 7, wasn't in school. I almost had a heart attack! Told them I watched her get on the bus. Well......they checked the list again. Seems they misread the absentee list from the teacher. Longest 3 minutes of my life.
Yes, there should be a number to call. If you don't call the school should be calling you. An ounce of prevention.

 

[Lorix2]

Goofy4tink - I'll bet it was! But at least your school was looking for her. Glad they found her and it was just a mix up

I want change in our school right now.

 

[SPAGo 98]

I remember in high school, if I didn't call the attendance office to tell them I'd be out, they called me.

 

[gemmie214]

Has the school called yet?

This is very irresponsible on th eschools part and pretty darn scary too

 

[Patio]

I always phone the school around 8:00 am, if either of my children are going to be absent.
The middle and high school has a truant officer.
The elementary center will call you, if you forget. I am also able to request homework during this call, as there is a homework desk in the school's foyer, so you can pick it up at 2:30.
goofy4tink- I also had the same experience. My son's school called to find out why he was absent, while I watched him walk into the school in the morning. I waited on the phone while they called his class to make sure he was there.
Now, that was scary.
I also send a note the day they return, noting why they were absent.
Lorix2- I hope your school reconsiders and begins to take this seriously.

 

[Lorix2]

Nope as of 2:17 - no phone call. School is over at 2:35. I am writing a letter on word pad right now.

 

[piratesmate]

This is something I never thought about! Our district does not request calls for any level. From middle school up, they will call if the child misses a day. Their attitude, though, seems to be to prevent kids from skipping - not safety concerns.

DS is now 22 & when he was at the high school they usually didn't call until at least the next day. Once we got a call the 4th day - he was already back & had actually turned in his excuse!

DD is in 6th this year & we usually get a call about 7 or 8pm if she misses or is tardy.

Deb