Absentee rules for school????

Okay, I won't even go into the long-winded version of what happened. I have 2 children that go to Cleveland Middle. A lady called this morning saying if my son misses 4 days in a row he will automatically fail for the year...what?! What in the world? Is this true? Is it true if it IS excused absences? Would like to know. After just two days they called me wondering why I hadn't written them a note. Ummm, let's see... 7 kids, 5 hospital admittances in a week...you figure it out lady!!!

Anyway, my son had an emergency appendectomy late, late on Sunday evening. Thought he might make it tomorrow but doesn't look like it. They told us to bring his discharge papers, which is fine. What, do they not believe this happened? Why don't they believe the parents is my question. Why do they HAVE to have my hospital's discharge papers? Just curious.

Also, is this 4 day rule true and how can I fight it? I mean, some kids will get sick w/ the flu this year. Are they failing all of them for missing 4 days in a row? I'm curious and don't quite understand. I thought as long as absences were excused, it didn't matter. Am I wrong?

Thanks,

Stephanie--mom to 7

 

Stephanie,
To my knowledge, there is no such rule. Excused absences are just that...excused. Sorry to hear about the little one's appy..glad they got it in time.
At this point, I would call and ask top speak with the AP in charge of attendance, and request a conference at soonest possibility.
Hope you get this resolved soon.

Carl

 

You should have received a package from the school regarding these policies. I agree with Hatt6, call the Principal. I sent a note into the Principal and Counselor at the beginning of school regarding my daughter's conditions and that they should be counted as one absence or be excused. They were wonderful.

I hate our current policy. Recently she missed one class and it has taken her two weeks to make things up.

Good Luck,
Grace

 

Thanks guys! I'll call tomorrow and hopefully, it will be quick and easy solution.

Take care,

Stephanie--mom to 7

 

The rule is no more than 4 unexcused absences per 9 weeks, or 16 per year. If you miss more than 4, you may receive a letter where you have to provide doctors' notes. That's all. If you have doctors' notes, you're fine.

 

Students are allowed 4 absences per 9 wk period, even if they're excused (note from home/parent) they count unless you have a dr's note, then it can be waived and not counted against them. Students get 2 days for every day missed to make up work. This is not a new policy it has been in effect for at least the last 2 yrs (at least at the hs level).

Hope your son is feeling better soon. :-(

 

I think your son must be in my daughters class. She came home telling me about the boy who had apendisitis (sp).

 

bandmom and Loriana have it right: 4 per 9 weeks; excused absences such as your son's shouldn't count

 

So can someone tell me how the neighbor's children get away with being out of school at least one, often two, or even three days per week. They are obviously not sick. It went on all last year. Made me wonder how they were promoted.

 

JenniferS,

Don't know if it was him or not. Funny thing is, surgeon said he had already done 7 appendectomies that weekend! My son was #8 at Wakemed. Can you believe it? We thought that was just astounding for one surgeon there to have done that many in one weekend. Stay away from the water--LOL. So, who knows. But most likely, it was him. He's in 6th grade. He's going to try to go to school tomorrow but he is having a VERY difficult recovery. So, I just don't know. Got to go. Glad the absences will be excused and that a dr's note will prove it. Thanks everyone.

Stephanie--mom to 7

 

maybe they are "homeschooled" :lol:

 

Considering they get off the public school bus on some of the days they actually do go to school ... no.

 

All you need is the doctor's note to make sure it is excused. Some irresponsible parents would keep their children home for every slight sniffle and then write notes that their children were sick to make it "excused." Those were usually the children who needed every minute in school, too! That's why the absentee policy was created: to make the parents of students who are absent a lot to have to get doctors' notes to be excused.

At another county where I taught, there was no rule like this one and children who missed 40-50 days were passed on based solely on the grades when they were in class.

I know the attendance policy can be a pain, but it forces some irresponsible parents to become somewhat responsible adults who must actually make sure their children go to school like they are should. (It's a shame that it makes parents like you who are responsible stressed out when emergencies like your son's occur. Just send in the doctor's note and don't worry about it after that. He won't be held back for appendicitis!)

I hope your son recovers soon. That's a painful operation.

 

So, what your last paragraph is saying is if you can't deal with the problem implement a rule that basically relieves the school system of having to deal with it. It's that mentality that is driving the public education system into the frenzy of problems that are increasing yearly. Also, lets be honest here. The absentee system used in this county is directly related to the way funding is received for student attendance. That's why if you make it to school after a certain time you're still counted as absent.

Concern for children with irresponsible parents, that's a good one. I received the same type of notice on my kid a few years back. An "A" student in the "AG" program, student tutor, and a Beta Club member. And they sent a notice that she would be failing for the year. That's just idiotic. Not one person decided to check the record of the student, so the "concern" factor doesn't fly with me. What they do is a robotic approach to absent students.

Also, the school decided that post cards were cheaper than a letter. A lawyer and the NC State General Statutes said different. I could not believe all her pertinent data was on the back of a postcard for anyone in the mail system to read. Her name, address, school, grade, etc. The worst part was the social services review threat that's on that notice.

Convincing me that the school administration cares will take a lot of work. I feel differently about the majority of the teachers I've met. Many truly care.

 

If the school tried to "fail" my child because he/she missed 4 days without a doctor's note I would have a little chat with them.

I would demand proof that if they choose to do that...they must provide proof that they report my child as failing when the school must turn in their grades to those on high.

Since the schools are doing everything to make their scores look good, I'll be damned if they are going to "fail" my child on her record as a punishment, but reap the benefits of her good grades by using them to help themselves look good.

Isn't it funny how excelling in academics is no longer the important thing for a school. Attendance matters more, since that is how the school gets funding.

 

I am with Mag on this one. Don't let them push you or your child around.

Grace

 

You have no worries.....your son can't help he had to have his appendix out. Nor is he the only one that has had to miss school because of medical issues. He'll be fine, just call the school and let them know what's going on.

:mrgreen:

 

Had a similar situation with one of my kids that every single fall like clock work would have a very bad case of bronchitis, missed a lot of days. She was fine as long as we provided them with a doctors note with the dates of her illness and if I remember correctly we scheduled her to make some of the classwork up after school, can't remember for sure, but your doctors note with the dates of illness should make it okay.
Don't worry, things will be just fine. If need be, have your doctor give them a call, I know mine was very helpful during my time of need, Dr. Spivey with Garner Family, big hug out to him.

 

This is the attendance policy for JCS

unexcused abs- teachers do not have to let child make up work (most do anyway)
excused abs- teachers have to let child have 2 days to make up work

a student can have up to 4 abs. 2 tardies count as an ab. 5 or more abs result in the highest grade being offered is a 69

if you have the proper documentation (doctor's note, proof of funeral, etc) you can fill out a waiver form to get the ab waived so that it does not go towards the 4 you can have.

but sometimes the schools aren't as strict as the policy, and if you raise enough cane, you can get what you want

 

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