MCPS Announces New Attendance Plan and Policy on 8/22

[Anonymous]

So MCPS is set to hold a press conference for its new attendance plan and policy that they were supposed to announce last spring, but delayed and deferred till now.

The livestream from YouTube will be here at 10:45 on 8/22:

Let's see if what Monifa and the gang has come up with will be worth the wait.

[Anonymous]

Is there a summary of the new policy?

[Anonymous]

It better not be a whole lot of nothing if they are scheduling a press conference about it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It better not be a whole lot of nothing if they are scheduling a press conference about it

They need a press conference to deflect and change the narrative from the Biedleman. There are regulations already on the books that MCPS doesn’t enforce. Just talk by Central Office without follow through at the school level is a huge part of the problem.

[Anonymous]

If they want better attendance, how about keep kids safe from viral infections like COVID? Especially mine who is medically vulnerable

[Anonymous]

Odd. MCPS disabled the live feed via its YouTube channel, but here's the press release for the press conference: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/press/index.aspx?pagetype=showrelease&id=13317&type=current&startYear=&pageNumber=&mode=

August 18, 2023
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will be hosting a press conference to introduce a comprehensive Attendance Action Plan titled "ALL TOGETHER Now: In School Together, Learn Together, Achieve Together / Attendance Action Plan" This multifaceted initiative aims to address a significant problem faced by school systems across the country – student attendance in school.

During the press conference, MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight and MCPS Staff will unveil the Attendance Action Plan, which encompasses various strategies and interventions to promote consistent attendance and enhance student learning outcomes. The plan focuses on fostering a collaborative effort among students, parents, educators, and the wider community to ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed academically.

Chronic Absenteeism is defined as 18 or more days absent in a school year without permission (10%)

Members of the media are invited to attend the event.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 22, 10:45 A.M.
WHERE: Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Dr., Rockville, MD 20850 (in the auditorium)
WHO:

Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, Superintendent of Schools
Damon Monteleone, Associate Superintendent, Office of School Support and Well-Being
Steven Neff, Director, Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services
Elba Garcia, Senior Community Liaison
To RSVP or request further information, please contact Chris Cram, Director, Department of Communications, at [e-mail]

About Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS):
Montgomery County Public Schools is the largest school system in the state of Maryland, serving over 162,000 students across 211 schools. MCPS is committed to providing high-quality education and ensuring all students have the support they need to achieve academic success.

For more information about MCPS, please visit www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they want better attendance, how about keep kids safe from viral infections like COVID? Especially mine who is medically vulnerable

Exactly. I plan to keep my kids home when they are sick. I'm not sending a kid to school miserable to give it back to someone else who didn't care enough to give it to us.

[Anonymous]

If they want kids to attend, then they need to add a consequence for being absent! Kids can be absent as often as they want and still earn high grades (or passing grades if that’s what the child is trying for). There’s no motivation to attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they want kids to attend, then they need to add a consequence for being absent! Kids can be absent as often as they want and still earn high grades (or passing grades if that’s what the child is trying for). There’s no motivation to attend.

Or, here's an idea, if your kids skip school, you punish them at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they want kids to attend, then they need to add a consequence for being absent! Kids can be absent as often as they want and still earn high grades (or passing grades if that’s what the child is trying for). There’s no motivation to attend.

I thought they weren’t able to make up work for an unexcused absence?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they want kids to attend, then they need to add a consequence for being absent! Kids can be absent as often as they want and still earn high grades (or passing grades if that’s what the child is trying for). There’s no motivation to attend.

I thought they weren’t able to make up work for an unexcused absence?

Chuckle! 🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they want better attendance, how about keep kids safe from viral infections like COVID? Especially mine who is medically vulnerable

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they want better attendance, how about keep kids safe from viral infections like COVID? Especially mine who is medically vulnerable

Kids get sick. It’s normal. And you certainly should have understood and expected that long before you had kids.

Maybe you can find bubble boy's special suit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they want kids to attend, then they need to add a consequence for being absent! Kids can be absent as often as they want and still earn high grades (or passing grades if that’s what the child is trying for). There’s no motivation to attend.

Or, here's an idea, if your kids skip school, you punish them at home.

In my home, there are consequences if we are informed. Our high school was marking my child present though when he wasn’t - even when I was with him at a doctor’s appointment. Not sure why the assistant principal and principal didn’t seem to care enough to fix the record keeping problems when I sent emails.

[Anonymous]

Blah blah blah nothing.