Absent days what counts?

[Anonymous]

Hello, our first year in middle school. Before it was just full days reported in ES, once you have more than five, they call to ask.

In middle school we missed only one full day when child had fever, and then had multiple appointments where we would miss either first hour of school or last ( I try to schedule to avoid missing more than one period). I was surprised to see those are also tracked.

When should I be worried about consequences? The child is pulled only for appointments.
So far straight A grades.

[Anonymous]

Does your child have a medical need that requires more appointments than most kids? If so, talk to the school about a 504. If not, you're fine.

[Anonymous]

They only worry when you have excessive absences, like double digit full days in one quarter. You are fine, yours are minimal and excused.

As your kid gets older and into higher level classes, I would try really hard not to miss math or science, as those seem to be the hardest to catch up on with absences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your child have a medical need that requires more appointments than most kids? If so, talk to the school about a 504. If not, you're fine.

For the September -January I say one appointment per 2 weeks , missing one period on average every two weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They only worry when you have excessive absences, like double digit full days in one quarter. You are fine, yours are minimal and excused.

As your kid gets older and into higher level classes, I would try really hard not to miss math or science, as those seem to be the hardest to catch up on with absences.

So far we have PE as our last period every other day and I try to schedule then. I.e. PE was missed the most. I feel they couldn't even if I pull him 15 minutes before period ends ( there were several 2pm pulls, when school is over at 2-15).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello, our first year in middle school. Before it was just full days reported in ES, once you have more than five, they call to ask.

In middle school we missed only one full day when child had fever, and then had multiple appointments where we would miss either first hour of school or last ( I try to schedule to avoid missing more than one period). I was surprised to see those are also tracked.

When should I be worried about consequences? The child is pulled only for appointments.
So far straight A grades.

What consequences? FCPS no longer cares, there are no consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does your child have a medical need that requires more appointments than most kids? If so, talk to the school about a 504. If not, you're fine.

For the September -January I say one appointment per 2 weeks , missing one period on average every two weeks.

That’s more than most kids but nothing to worry about. It’s also not that unusual. Some kids miss regularly for therapy on occasion because it’s the only time spot the parents can get, until a better time opens up. Just write in appointment and it’s excused. No one will call to ask you why you have the appointment if you are missing a class here and there. There isn’t a reason for a 504.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They only worry when you have excessive absences, like double digit full days in one quarter. You are fine, yours are minimal and excused.

As your kid gets older and into higher level classes, I would try really hard not to miss math or science, as those seem to be the hardest to catch up on with absences.

So far we have PE as our last period every other day and I try to schedule then. I.e. PE was missed the most. I feel they couldn't even if I pull him 15 minutes before period ends ( there were several 2pm pulls, when school is over at 2-15).

It’s very hard to pull a kid 15 min before the day ends. Many schools have a time where you can’t, like 30 min before the end of the day. You can’t get in and out right at the end because of busses. My kids have also had end of the day appt and I get them at the beginning of the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They only worry when you have excessive absences, like double digit full days in one quarter. You are fine, yours are minimal and excused.

As your kid gets older and into higher level classes, I would try really hard not to miss math or science, as those seem to be the hardest to catch up on with absences.

So far we have PE as our last period every other day and I try to schedule then. I.e. PE was missed the most. I feel they couldn't even if I pull him 15 minutes before period ends ( there were several 2pm pulls, when school is over at 2-15).

It’s very hard to pull a kid 15 min before the day ends. Many schools have a time where you can’t, like 30 min before the end of the day. You can’t get in and out right at the end because of busses. My kids have also had end of the day appt and I get them at the beginning of the class.

In our school I can fill in form online to state what time he needs to be on the front office. I asked my son, he said he comes out from the last period at 1-55pm, I pick him at 2, busses are standing by on the far side of the school and they do not leave for about 30 minutes after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They only worry when you have excessive absences, like double digit full days in one quarter. You are fine, yours are minimal and excused.

As your kid gets older and into higher level classes, I would try really hard not to miss math or science, as those seem to be the hardest to catch up on with absences.

So far we have PE as our last period every other day and I try to schedule then. I.e. PE was missed the most. I feel they couldn't even if I pull him 15 minutes before period ends ( there were several 2pm pulls, when school is over at 2-15).

It’s very hard to pull a kid 15 min before the day ends. Many schools have a time where you can’t, like 30 min before the end of the day. You can’t get in and out right at the end because of busses. My kids have also had end of the day appt and I get them at the beginning of the class.

Nah, I have kids leave anywhere from 10-30 minutes before the end of the day all the time.

--HS teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They only worry when you have excessive absences, like double digit full days in one quarter. You are fine, yours are minimal and excused.

As your kid gets older and into higher level classes, I would try really hard not to miss math or science, as those seem to be the hardest to catch up on with absences.

So far we have PE as our last period every other day and I try to schedule then. I.e. PE was missed the most. I feel they couldn't even if I pull him 15 minutes before period ends ( there were several 2pm pulls, when school is over at 2-15).

It’s very hard to pull a kid 15 min before the day ends. Many schools have a time where you can’t, like 30 min before the end of the day. You can’t get in and out right at the end because of busses. My kids have also had end of the day appt and I get them at the beginning of the class.

Nah, I have kids leave anywhere from 10-30 minutes before the end of the day all the time.

--HS teacher

Is this reported as missing entire period?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They only worry when you have excessive absences, like double digit full days in one quarter. You are fine, yours are minimal and excused.

As your kid gets older and into higher level classes, I would try really hard not to miss math or science, as those seem to be the hardest to catch up on with absences.

So far we have PE as our last period every other day and I try to schedule then. I.e. PE was missed the most. I feel they couldn't even if I pull him 15 minutes before period ends ( there were several 2pm pulls, when school is over at 2-15).

It’s very hard to pull a kid 15 min before the day ends. Many schools have a time where you can’t, like 30 min before the end of the day. You can’t get in and out right at the end because of busses. My kids have also had end of the day appt and I get them at the beginning of the class.

Nah, I have kids leave anywhere from 10-30 minutes before the end of the day all the time.

--HS teacher

Is this reported as missing entire period?

No, in SIS it will say "COU" for "check out early".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello, our first year in middle school. Before it was just full days reported in ES, once you have more than five, they call to ask.

In middle school we missed only one full day when child had fever, and then had multiple appointments where we would miss either first hour of school or last ( I try to schedule to avoid missing more than one period). I was surprised to see those are also tracked.

When should I be worried about consequences? The child is pulled only for appointments.
So far straight A grades.

What consequences? FCPS no longer cares, there are no consequences.

This. Consequences have long been over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello, our first year in middle school. Before it was just full days reported in ES, once you have more than five, they call to ask.

In middle school we missed only one full day when child had fever, and then had multiple appointments where we would miss either first hour of school or last ( I try to schedule to avoid missing more than one period). I was surprised to see those are also tracked.

When should I be worried about consequences? The child is pulled only for appointments.
So far straight A grades.

What consequences? FCPS no longer cares, there are no consequences.

As a parent and teacher, I’m curious what you think the consequences should be? A kid misses a couple periods due to doctors’ appointments or gets pulled out 15 minutes early a couple times a quarter for appointments. Again, what consequences are you expecting?

The number of absences required to call the truancy officer hasn’t really changed. I think a few years ago they increased the number of absences required before they unenrolled the students, but those seem like normal consequences to me.

Should we be giving them detention? What were your thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I have had no issues in this school district/state with excused absences. Moved here from PA, it was very strict (IMO a misinterpretation of a 50s law...).

to the PP asking the parent what the consequences should be, all normal parents would say absolutely none. Parents scarred from other states will say being harassed by the front office staff for signed notes from the dr office for every absence, an inability to take children on educational trips, an inability to take more than 10 EXCUSED absences before the district starts truancy court proceedings, etc.