Remind text from MCPS re absences

[Anonymous]

Did anyone else get this? Tone was somewhat sanctimonious, checking in to see if they can “help [DC] attend school regularly.” Like many of us, my kid has been out for a few days this past quarter due to illness. Hopefully they expect us to keep our kids home when they are contagious? I’m sure it’s a mass text but it’s worth grumbling about

[Anonymous]

Ignore.

[Anonymous]

It's automated. They told everyone going to school was not important during the pandemic and now they are trying to make up for it with mass texts shaming parents for keeping sick kids home for a few days Ignore it.

[Anonymous]

Haha I get them and always feel vaguely offended

[Anonymous]

Get a life

[Anonymous]

I was pissed to get this when my kids missed three days of school to attend a funeral of a very loved family member. Extensive travel was required and both kids schools and all their many teachers knew about this excused absence and were sympathetic. I know it was an automated message but it felt really insensitive and unnecessary when I’d clearly communicated the reason for the absence.

[Anonymous]

I got it a while back for 4 absences. Been 5 now. HS kid who was sick a few times and run down during their sports season. Wrote the counsellor, they said to ignore and that the messages were "not something the school chooses to send" and automated.

[Anonymous]

Our school has a form to fill out if your child is absent.

[Anonymous]

These are required steps. Our social worker went over the required steps the district has to take before a kid's case can go to truancy court. These mass emails/call/messages are the first step. Then comes the letters sent to the home address. Then home visits, etc. They have to follow the same steps for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are required steps. Our social worker went over the required steps the district has to take before a kid's case can go to truancy court. These mass emails/call/messages are the first step. Then comes the letters sent to the home address. Then home visits, etc. They have to follow the same steps for everyone.

These are excused absences. Are they required to do this for excused absence???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school has a form to fill out if your child is absent.

That’s irrelevant. You receive these messages for excused absences after you’ve correctly informed the school, using their form or otherwise

[Anonymous]

My kid was suspended and we STILL got the text. It was MCPS’s decision not to have her in school (because of her actions, not trying to deflect), but the text made my jaw drop.

[Anonymous]

Chronic absenteeism includes both lawful and unlawful absences.

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/meeting_material/2024/jpr%20-%20133500817125541676%20-%20January%2018%20Presentation.pdf

[Anonymous]

This shows why automation in communications is not a good idea. It does more harm than good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid was suspended and we STILL got the text. It was MCPS’s decision not to have her in school (because of her actions, not trying to deflect), but the text made my jaw drop.

Sounds like your kid needs help learning how to attend school.