Trouble with the principal

[Disney Bunny]

A number of years ago, we took our DD out of school for a week for a trip to Europe. Fortunately, none of her teachers gave us a hard way to go about it. We contacted teachers in advance and got assignments. DD did some of the assignments before we left and worked on the rest of them on the flight over and back and a couple of evenings. Personally, i think she learned more from what we saw on our trip than she did from any of the school assignments. My philosophy has always been to be responsible and work with the teachers, but in the long run as long as my children's absences were not excessive and the work could be made up I was the parent and I got to make those decisions about my child and not the school system or the state.

 

[SandrA9810]

In fifth grade, my grandparents took me out of school two weeks early so we could make it to Indiana for my cousin's graduation.

My senior year of high school, it took 28 missed days off school to finally get the boot. I intentionally missed that one day to go to Grad Nite with my old school. It was a private school, and I spoke with the senior leader teacher about going with my friends.
I won't go into the other 27 days...

BTW, this was in the Dade County Public School district.

 

[YensidCamper]

I don't know about FL truancy laws, but in TN you must be absent 5 days unexcused then you must be notified by mail from the school that if any more unexcused absences occur after 3 days from the mailing of the letter then law requires truancy be filed.

The kicker is the Principal has final say on what constitutes an unexcused absence and can excuse any absence they deem reasonable.

Communicate ahead of time with the Principal and you will be suprised what they deem reasonable to excuse. Assuming your child is making adequate progress and you haven't been a jerk to the staff you should be fine.

If you find yourself denied just make sure you don't exceed the 5 day unexcused grace period and you won't be a foul of the law anyway. Grades may suffer but I would trade that for Disney anyday.

 

[tlh0726]

Policy here in south central PA is that any absence 3 consecutive days requires a Dr note. They allow 3 family trips per school year for a combined total of not more than 10 days. You need to fill out a form and submit it one week prior to the trip.

 

[NJtoATL]

Educational Policy of No Child Left Behind has a strict attendance mandate that has forced most school districts to have strict attendance guidelines. I have to call a parent every time a child is out sick. (I am supposed too.) After 3 absences (total), the child gets a letter from the counselor's office. After the 8th absence (total), child is referred to the Social Worker. After the 12th (total), parent is sent to the Solicitor General's office (court).

I always tell my parent's to write a note for the front office so I won't have to bother them with that foolishness. If a child goes home sick on Tuesday and is absent on Wednesday, I am suppose to call. Go figure...... I think I can assume that little Johnny is sick.

Also, with AYP (Annual Yearly Progress- more of No Child Left Behind) Public School Principals are worried that the school won't make the "good school" list. A school can pass or fail based on attendance alone.

I am a firm believer that you can having meaningful learning experiences outside of the classroom. I never concern myself with a child being out of school to have family vacation within reason. I usually say have a great time and show me the pictures.

 

[cruising spud]

NJtoATL mentions something that most people don't realize. One of the ways the No Child Left Behind rates your school is the number of absences a school has. Too many kids out during the year, and it doesn't matter what the reason, your school fails. So, if a school is drawing a hard ine in the sand it may very well be because of absentee rates, not because they are trying to be nasty to the parents.

 

[retired and happy]

And maybe the school is failing in other areas so that a few absenses kick it under the line overall. If a school is doing well overall, a few absenses shouldn't create such a problem. What if a child were really sick for that same number of days? Does the school fail, or does some other kid have to miss vacation to make up for the sick kids days? Just ranting.... We take ours out at least an extra week around Christmas... er, Winter Holiday, and often a few extra days around Thanksgiving... er, Fall Festival Days.

 

[ghester]

Just another reason why we homeschool.

We did school every day through June, July, and August when it was too hot out to want to much else. Now that it is cooling off, we can go on field trips and not run into crowds everywhere. Plus, we can take vacations when we want and even bring the schoolwork with us.

Praying you find a solution that works best for your family.

We do too!
I do know that in this school district kids get five days and those must be doc. excused. So if a parent feels that their child is sick enough to stay home then they better be sick enough to see a doctor. My sister must plan everything around when school is out. The schools have just stepped in and taken parents rights away.