Mother charged with criminal neglect for taking her kid on a trip and missing school

[Anonymous]

This is crazy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/how-a-family-adoption-trip-led-to-a-truancy-referral-child-neglect-charge/2015/02/09/156af9ae-b069-11e4-886b-c22184f27c35_story.html?hpid=z12

[Anonymous]

Bring it! In the last couple of years, I have taken my youngest out of school for his siblings college graduations and when his brothers (both of them) got home from Afghanistan. He is in AAP and makes excellent grades. I would LOVE to see them charge me with neglect.

A couple of years ago a vision screening found a problem with my daughter's eye sight. I was very glad they caught it and of course immediately took her to the optometrist where she was examined and given prescription glasses. The school (this was in North Carolina) demanded a note from the optometrist to prove she had been seen. I refused. They threatened to call CPS. I told them I would wait while they called.

School systems need to back the fuck out of parenting issues.

[Anonymous]

The problem is in DC there is a big truancy problem. And so the Council, in all their wisdom, decided there weren't enough deterrents to truancy. I do't know, maybe they were right, maybe DCPS was too permissive. But rather than build a system of carrots and sticks, the Council developed a system of sticks, where the school is legally required by DC law to puruse these situations aggressively, with little judgement allowed.

I don't know what the solution is, but we're certainly seeing the backlash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is in DC there is a big truancy problem. And so the Council, in all their wisdom, decided there weren't enough deterrents to truancy. I do't know, maybe they were right, maybe DCPS was too permissive. But rather than build a system of carrots and sticks, the Council developed a system of sticks, where the school is legally required by DC law to puruse these situations aggressively, with little judgement allowed.

I don't know what the solution is, but we're certainly seeing the backlash.

The system as set up doesn't really address the truancy problem. As the article indicates, it was a year and a half after the trip before the mother was contacted about the issue. That certainly does nothing to deter truancy.

[Anonymous]

The children described in these articles are older children. Are the rules different for PK3 and PK4 kids who have not yet reached the age at which school is mandatory?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The children described in these articles are older children. Are the rules different for PK3 and PK4 kids who have not yet reached the age at which school is mandatory?

Nope, once you're in school, you're in school.

I always tells that to parents at open houses who are treating PreK3 like free preschool. You are IN IT and have to treat school accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The children described in these articles are older children. Are the rules different for PK3 and PK4 kids who have not yet reached the age at which school is mandatory?

I've taken my PK kid out numerous times for vacation - no one cares at our DCPS.

[Anonymous]

What a waste of taxpayer's money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The children described in these articles are older children. Are the rules different for PK3 and PK4 kids who have not yet reached the age at which school is mandatory?

Nope, once you're in school, you're in school.

I always tells that to parents at open houses who are treating PreK3 like free preschool. You are IN IT and have to treat school accordingly.

This document seems to indicate that that's not the case: http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Articles/Forms/Attendance%20Brochure%20for%20Parents%20&%20Students.pdf

If there is somewhere that I could point to specifically that says these rules apply to students of all ages (even 3-4yo), I would love to see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The children described in these articles are older children. Are the rules different for PK3 and PK4 kids who have not yet reached the age at which school is mandatory?

I've taken my PK kid out numerous times for vacation - no one cares at our DCPS.

My 3yo missed a week of school to travel to a family wedding, and even though we notified them in advance, we were contacted by the school social worker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is in DC there is a big truancy problem. And so the Council, in all their wisdom, decided there weren't enough deterrents to truancy. I do't know, maybe they were right, maybe DCPS was too permissive. But rather than build a system of carrots and sticks, the Council developed a system of sticks, where the school is legally required by DC law to puruse these situations aggressively, with little judgement allowed.

I don't know what the solution is, but we're certainly seeing the backlash.

The system as set up doesn't really address the truancy problem. As the article indicates, it was a year and a half after the trip before the mother was contacted about the issue. That certainly does nothing to deter truancy.

the bigger issue was that the parent discussed the matter in advance with the principal and was given assurances that the absence was acceptable. The principal fouled up by renegging and/or forgetting to take the appropriate actions to make good on promised actions. He basically told her it was ok and then proceeded to report all of the absences as unexcused, which put the bureaucratic wheels in motion. It's appalling and he should be ashamed of himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The children described in these articles are older children. Are the rules different for PK3 and PK4 kids who have not yet reached the age at which school is mandatory?

I've taken my PK kid out numerous times for vacation - no one cares at our DCPS.

My 3yo missed a week of school to travel to a family wedding, and even though we notified them in advance, we were contacted by the school social worker.

I SO don't get this -- 3 & 4 year olds are not in mandatory schooling. If DCPS wants to tie maintaining enrollment with child's attendance that's one thing (ie kick out PK kids with too many unexcused absences). But where on earth do they assume the authority to go beyond that?

[Anonymous]

DCPS should re-pay her expenses. Somebody in their general counsel's office is a complete idiot moron who should be fired for allowing the complaint to be filed in court. Complete disfunction from top to bottom in DCPS management.

[Anonymous]

Why did the Brent principal file the papers? This is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did the Brent principal file the papers? This is ridiculous.

It is notable that Brent's principal, Young, is not commenting in his article: his job is at stake if he throws his masters under the bus. Salmanowitz is a hack -- and she's not commenting how the referral was made, who processed it, what lawyer reviewed the case before filing the complaint, on down the line. Complete a-hol-ery going on here. I don't see enough to blame the principal, without any statement from him, at all.