School Not Excusing My Daughter's Tardy?

[NVDisMom]

This morning my DH and I took our two girls (4th and 6th grades) to a McCain/Palin rally in Reno, NV. They have both been very interested in the election this year and many of the issues surrounding it. We saw this as an awesome opportunity to see some of our local and state political leaders speak live as well as hear what Governor Palin had to say. They were by no means the only children there. Many children, especially those in private school uniforms, were present with their parents.

So, I drop my eldest daughter off at her middle school after the rally concluded. The secretaries were both polite, asked her what she thought of it and then informed me that the district had decided that children absent for the rally this morning would not be excused. I let them know I felt it was unfair, that it fell within the guidelines of the district's attendance policy as excused, and that, in my opinion, it was part of what we, as her parents, consider a real world education. One of the secretaries agreed, the other reiterated that it would not be excused. I let my daughter know I would take care of it and left to take my younger daughter to the elementary school. My youngest daughter was excused and happily sent on her way.

Obviously, this is not a district issue, it has to be a site issue. My DH is not pleased, and frankly, neither am I. I am drafting a letter that will be going to the Board, the superintendent and the middle school principal.

Any advice?

 

[castleview]

What time did you get the girls to school? If it's not a tardy is it an absence?

 

[akhenaten]

no advice...
i think they should be excused!!

what exactly are the repercussions of an unexcused tardy?
I am curious...

 

[mickeyboat]

What are the guidelines of the district's attendance policy?

Why is it such a big deal that the tardy is not excused?

 

[Hedy]

What are the guidelines of what is an excused tardy? I think taking the kids to the rally was important, BUT I don't think that would make it an excused absence at the schools I've been to, but your situation may be different.

 

[Handbag Lady]

If it was an Obama rally, would it be excused?








They are being really dumb on this one, honestly. I bet they learned more and now have more respect for our system after seeing some of it in action. It beats a day in school sitting quitely as the teacher drones on and on about any given topic.

 

[kelleigh1]

What does it mean if it's not excused? I know that in my working world, if I'm late, I have to make up the time. But what will happen to your DD with an unexcused tardy, other than it "going on her permanent record" of course?

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Obviously, this is not a district issue, it has to be a site issue. My DH is not pleased, and frankly, neither am I. I am drafting a letter that will be going to the Board, the superintendent and the middle school principal.

Any advice?

Let it go - what is the big deal? I would have done the same thing but just taken the tardy. No tardies are excused with the exception of true emergencies.

I don't understand writing letters to the school board, the superintendent and the principal. What are you trying to accomplish?

Your daughter was late to school - thus there are consequences.

 

[cguill]

Sounds like you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. It was one time thing, no big deal - move on ...

 

[mirmartinez]

Couple questions
What is defined in your district as excused?
What is the penalty for unexcused?
The reason for the last question is if the penalty is severe, I would leave it alone.
If you write a letter and your in the wrong, your daughter could be facing the consequenses.

 

[Anewman]

Honestly, does it matter how it they mark it down... YOU THE PARENT know the details.

If you are fine with her being at the rally, let it go.

 

[Took]

What an absolutely silly policy! Good heavens, getting our children interested in the political process, no matter what candidate, should be viewed with favor, not punishment. AAAAGH!

 

[mickeyboat]

What an absolutely silly policy! Good heavens, getting our children interested in the political process, no matter what candidate, should be viewed with favor, not punishment. AAAAGH!

No one said this child was being punished for being interested in the political process. She was just marked late - and she was late. Assuming there are no real consequences to having a "tardy" on her record, who cares?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So they got a tardy, big whoop. I really don't see a point of expending energy over it.

 

[Orange County Girl]

If you had notified them enough time beforehand, they probably could have classified it as an excused personal absence.

 

[mumom95]

In some school districts, an unexcused absence means the students may not make up any of the work they missed, meaning they would get a zero for those assignments. I don't know if this is the case at your school, and even if it is, the teachers don't always follow that rule.

I would find out from your daughter if having it unexcused will affect her grade at all, and if it does, then I think talking with the school principal is in order, especially since you said it wasn't a district policy. If it doesn't affect her grade, then don't make a big deal out of it, what would be the point.

 

[mamacatnv]

Ah yes, the Washoe County attendance policies and the front office Nazi's. I dealt with Washoe County for my DS's entire school career. I put DD into a Charter School this year, what a difference
Call the attendance dean and ask for an exception. I do know that last year the high schoolers were told that their attendance to see someone (I can't remember who) would not be excused. DS had a dentist appointment all of a sudden.

I agree with your decision to take your kids and almost went myself this morning but I had something at work that I couldn't put off.

I lie. Flat out lie, otherwise unexcused means they can't make up the work and in middle school that is not right. Elem. is not such a big deal.

You can take a hunting trip and have it excused but don't think about taking a family vacation.

In their defense the District deals with 55K or so kids, they have to have policies and everytime an exception of some sort comes along I think they find it easier to just fall back on the existing polcy, thus the reason I lie.

I would hold off on the letter, I think when writing a letter that the person on the other end gets defensive. Try the Deans/VP's & Principal first. Also, you could contact your childs teacher directly - I am assuming they missed 1/2 day or so, speak with the teachers directly and see if they will treat it as excused and be done with it.

 

[LisaB]

What are the consequences. Maybe you just should have lied and said it was a appointment

 

[Belle0101]

6 years ago we took our DSs, one was a junior and the other was in 2nd grade, out of school for 2 weeks. Of course their schools objected. I didn't care what they thought too much.

Six years later, they don't remember any work they had to make-up but they do remember what we took them out for. And I'm glad, we never had another opportunity to do it. I don't regret it for a second.

Quite often a real world, hands on education is better. And as far as their permanent record? The then 2nd grader has no term consequences from it nor does the then Junior. He's happily married, gainfully employed, 2 beautiful kids ...

You know what you did was good for the kids.

 

[jen0610]

According to our school districts Students Rights and Responsibilities handbook, the activity your girls were late for, would not be allowed. They would be counted as Tardy and/or Absent, depneding on what time they arrived at school.

ABSENCES COUNTED AS PRESENT
1. Serving as a page in the General Assembly.
2. Serving at the polls on election day (grades 6 through 12).
3. Court appearances documented by a probation officer or officer of the court.
4. Religious observance or instruction.
5. Homebound instruction.
6. Placement in a hospital or other juvenile facility providing instruction.
7. Doctor or dental appointment not exceeding two hours, verified by a physician or dentist.
8. Field trips, with approval of the principal.
9. College visitations by juniors and seniors (limit of two per year), with prior approval or notice from principal.
10. Cessation of services for special education students when specified in Individualized Education Program (IEP).
11. National Guard duty for not more than ten (10) days per school year.
12. Serving on the state standards task force upon appointment and as permitted by statute.
13. Pending placement in an alternative program.