Tiny bits of our Vacation are going down the tubes!

[geekypeach]

We're all set to do a City Pass late Feb. I have a pre-paid Priceline hotel for 2 nights (read: extremely non-refundable), a good bit of HoJo prepaid, and have finally found THE deal on airfare that we've been waiting for. We were going to take DD6 out of school from Wed-Tue to make it all happen.

DD6 is currently home from school for the 4th day this year due to illness. Our district has a super strict 7 absences per year policy before you have to do counseling through the court system.

WTHeck do you do when plans go south like this? I've been so excited, but it's really getting stressful at this point.

 

[Disney Brat]

What about it you got DR's notes for the 'sick days'....I really have no idea what else to say...maybe it would help...

 

[geekypeach]

All of her absences so far have been excused with a Dr's note. The policy is regardless of that fact though. It kind of seems unfair to me. She's in first grade for Pete's sake! It isn't like she's in HS and is going to flunk calc for missing a few days.

I suppose this is really more of a vent. I really don't think there is anything to be done with any of it. We'll have a good time with what little we end up with!

 

[darph nader]

DD6 is currently home from school for the 4th day this year due to illness. Our district has a super strict 7 absences per year policy before you have to do counseling through the court system.

Geez,remind me to never enroll my kids in 'that' district.
What do they do,send out the SWAT Team??

 

[jjstinson]

I'm sorry that's happening to you. It sounds like they have a truancy problem in your area. Unfortunately when there are issues like this in order to those kids who are skipping back into school it affects those who are not part of the problem as well.

Have you tried visiting with the principal to let him/her know of your situation? I would bring in the doctors notes and your trip itinerary. If they cannot help you surely he can advise you as to who you can speak to. More than likely you will need to move up to the school board.

 

[Leofoenget]

We're all set to do a City Pass late Feb. I have a pre-paid Priceline hotel for 2 nights (read: extremely non-refundable), a good bit of HoJo prepaid, and have finally found THE deal on airfare that we've been waiting for. We were going to take DD6 out of school from Wed-Tue to make it all happen.

DD6 is currently home from school for the 4th day this year due to illness. Our district has a super strict 7 absences per year policy before you have to do counseling through the court system.

WTHeck do you do when plans go south like this? I've been so excited, but it's really getting stressful at this point.

Isn't that UN-EXCUSED absenses? If the child is sick it should be ok.

 

[geekypeach]

Unfortunately, it is for both excused and unexcused. It makes no difference to them. They claim, statistically, children really shouldn't need more than that. And, last year DD missed ONE day of school. We've just had a hard time with illness this winter.

I will take the advice of speaking to the principal and seeing what she thinks. After all, we were planning SW and Wild Animal park on the weekdays. FULL of learning opps!

 

[ttds17]

What state do you live in?

This is what I do for a living. Each state has very clear truancy laws that the schools have to abide by. They don't have a choice. If you're in CA (where I am), you should be given more than 7, but it can be tricky if you're not familiar with the law (most people aren't.)

Let me know if you're in CA and I will give you all the info you need.

Allyson

 

[Leofoenget]

Unfortunately, it is for both excused and unexcused. It makes no difference to them. They claim, statistically, children really shouldn't need more than that. And, last year DD missed ONE day of school. We've just had a hard time with illness this winter.

I will take the advice of speaking to the principal and seeing what she thinks. After all, we were planning SW and Wild Animal park on the weekdays. FULL of learning opps!

Could you put her in Independant Study then it would be considered
excused? (well at least here it would be because the school would still get paid) I am in Ca in the Cupertino SD. They are strict!

 

[geekypeach]

We're in Utah.

The kind of sucky thing is that my DD has Juvenile Arthritis, and we've managed all of her specialist appt's, which are quite numerous, and controlled it so well that she hasn't missed a single minute of school due to her condition.

Here's the policy:
The District policy states:
1. Seven or more days (or equivalent class periods ) of excused absences
within a school year are considered excessive and may require a doctor’s
note to excuse subsequent absences.
2. After five or more days (or equivalent class periods) of unexcused
absences within a school year, the school will mail the student/parents a
Truancy Letter asking for the parent’s help with their student’s attendance
and warning of consequences for further truancy. Please note, a student
must be in attendance 4/7th of a school day to receive credit for one full
day.
3. After 10 days (or equivalent class periods) of unexcused absences within
a school year, the school will mail the student and parents a Habitual
Truancy Notice/Pre-Court Hearing. The Habitual Truancy Notice requires
the student and parents to appear at a Pre-Court hearing. Schools may
assess a $48.00 truancy fine.
4. After 15 or more days (or equivalent class periods) of unexcused
absences within a school year, student and parents will be mailed a
Habitual Truancy Notice. Students in seventh through twelfth grades will be
referred to the Third District Juvenile Court. Younger students may be
referred to the Salt Lake County District Attorney.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Doesn't that say after 10 (not 7) you have to have a pre-court hearing?

 

[iKristin]

Okay but think about this. If your kid hadn't taken these four sick days and you went on vacation then later in the year your kid ended up getting sick you would be over your 7 days no matter what So why not just go to the court thingy since you know you're going to have to and just say "you know, sorry but we went on a little family vacation because it was the only time we could take it"

 

[jjstinson]

We're in Utah.

The kind of sucky thing is that my DD has Juvenile Arthritis, and we've managed all of her specialist appt's, which are quite numerous, and controlled it so well that she hasn't missed a single minute of school due to her condition.

Here's the policy:
The District policy states:
1. Seven or more days (or equivalent class periods ) of excused absences
within a school year are considered excessive and may require a doctor’s
note to excuse subsequent absences.
2. After five or more days (or equivalent class periods) of unexcused
absences within a school year, the school will mail the student/parents a
Truancy Letter asking for the parent’s help with their student’s attendance
and warning of consequences for further truancy. Please note, a student
must be in attendance 4/7th of a school day to receive credit for one full
day.
3. After 10 days (or equivalent class periods) of unexcused absences within
a school year, the school will mail the student and parents a Habitual
Truancy Notice/Pre-Court Hearing. The Habitual Truancy Notice requires
the student and parents to appear at a Pre-Court hearing. Schools may
assess a $48.00 truancy fine.
4. After 15 or more days (or equivalent class periods) of unexcused
absences within a school year, student and parents will be mailed a
Habitual Truancy Notice. Students in seventh through twelfth grades will be
referred to the Third District Juvenile Court. Younger students may be
referred to the Salt Lake County District Attorney.

It looks to me like you are all set. It differentiates between excused and unexcused. They are two different things. After 7 excused absences you are required to bring in a doctors note to explain that they truly are illness related.

#2 shows that you are allowed 5 unexcused absences. These are separate from the excused illness absences.

You should be good to go. Just so she doesn't fall behind send a note in to her teacher ahead of time letting her know she will be gone for vacation and she will probably make her a work packet so she can keep up with her class.

 

[letthembelittle]

I would just set up your court appointment now, telling them about the sickness and the vacation. She is your child and you should be the one to make the decision of what school she misses if needed. And like you said she is in first grade, I am sure she will be fine.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

What a joke ~ they want the $$$ they get from your DD being there, that's it! I'm sorry your dealing with this, best of luck. My kids missed 2 or 3 days in Sept. for DLR, 5 days in Oct. for WDW, and 3 days in Dec. for DLR/weekend cruise. We're also in UT, my kids attend a charter school and we've received no warnings. Luckily they're healthy kids and so far (knock on wood) haven't missed any school due to illness this school year.

 

[michelleh1]

It looks to me like you are all set. It differentiates between excused and unexcused. They are two different things. After 7 excused absences you are required to bring in a doctors note to explain that they truly are illness related.

#2 shows that you are allowed 5 unexcused absences. These are separate from the excused illness absences.

You should be good to go. Just so she doesn't fall behind send a note in to her teacher ahead of time letting her know she will be gone for vacation and she will probably make her a work packet so she can keep up with her class.

that's how I read it too.

 

[geekypeach]

Thanks guys. I guess I'm a little nervous, and I am a very play by the rules kind of Mom. The last thing I want is school trouble!

 

[jjstinson]

Thanks guys. I guess I'm a little nervous, and I am a very play by the rules kind of Mom. The last thing I want is school trouble!

Completely understandable.

I still think it would be best for you to pay a visit to the principal. She would be able to explain it to you fully using your daughters own personal records as examples. At least it would give you peace of mind knowing that you got the ok straight from the source.

 

[mathmom32]

I'm in Utah, too. In my school district, policies like that are mostly for Jr High and High School age kids that are trouble students....the kids who keep sluffing school. As long as it is an excused absence, you should be fine. Gee, a girl in my 6th graders' class just took off 3 weeks from school to go to China without any ramifications. I can't imagine them having an issue with a 6yo taking a few days off for a family vacay.

 

[DizMe]

I agree with previous posters--I don't think this will be a problem, OP. According to the policy you posted, it clearly applies to unexcused absences and not illnesses. I agree that a visit to the principal is a good idea, but I'm sure you'll be fine. Your daughter is not the kind of student for whom that policy was written. I hope this makes you feel better!

BTW, I am a teacher and understand the need for strict truancy policies. There are an unbelievable number of kids who regularly miss school every week. Your situation is not the kind the district is worried about.