Unexcused absences, holidays and “chronic truancy” and how DC handles these issues.

[Anonymous]

Our child missed 6 days of school within the last 2 months and we received a warning letter from our DCPS elementary school about unexcused absences. Our kid is doing well in school. I get that truancy is a real issue, but we are not out there missing 43 days of school a year or a crazy amount of days.

We are planning to be out again for 4 more days in the coming months, which would ultimately get us up to 10 days of unexcused absences at that point.

Can someone expand on how serious it is if my child ends up missing 10 days of unexcused absences in a year (unless we can get a doctors note or some other way to have the absence excused)?

What would 10 days mean? Essentially the letter notes at 10 absences they will refer the student to the District of Columbia Child and family services agency.

Do unexcused days impact the upcoming school lottery in any way? Ex. Would a prospective school see these on permanent record and factor that in the decision?

What are some grounds for having absences excused? Is religious observance a good one to use? Or family emergency?

It seems since the pandemic there has been a serious effort to crack down on truancy, which is completely understandable, but it’s pretty rigid and want to better understand the consequences.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It does not count in the lottery, that's not allowed. It does count for selective high schools though.

If it's a religious reason, go ahead and tell them. But if you really just like to blow off school, I don't have any good advice for that. You'll have to put up with their communications about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does not count in the lottery, that's not allowed. It does count for selective high schools though.

If it's a religious reason, go ahead and tell them. But if you really just like to blow off school, I don't have any good advice for that. You'll have to put up with their communications about it.

What do you mean by selective high schools? Would absences count for Latin?

[Anonymous]

Schools can (and are supposed to) refer you to cps after 10 unexcused absences. They rarely do, though, and even more rarely does cps do anything when it's only 10 non-consecutive days.

But I don't know why your child's absences are any more justified than other people's, just because you're not poor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does not count in the lottery, that's not allowed. It does count for selective high schools though.

If it's a religious reason, go ahead and tell them. But if you really just like to blow off school, I don't have any good advice for that. You'll have to put up with their communications about it.

What do you mean by selective high schools? Would absences count for Latin?

No, Latin is by lottery. Selective means the schools you apply to, such as Walls, Banneker, McKinley Tech, Phelps, CHEC, and others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools can (and are supposed to) refer you to cps after 10 unexcused absences. They rarely do, though, and even more rarely does cps do anything when it's only 10 non-consecutive days.

But I don't know why your child's absences are any more justified than other people's, just because you're not poor.

This is the key point.

Your child is missing school for reasons that are not excused. This means you get the same communications and deal with the same consequences as every other family whose child misses that much school.

You aren’t special; you’re making a choice to pull your child out for reasons that DCPS doesn’t consider valid. If you don’t want to deal with it, don’t take your kid out of school so much. It’s pretty simple.

[Anonymous]

I had friends here on a work visa from Australia with kids in DCPS. They had a family wedding in early January so opted to stay in Australia until after the wedding given the cost of flights and travel time. Their young elementary students missed the first two weeks back, so 10 days total. They did have to meet with CPS. It all seemed strange because the kids and parents weren't US Citizens. Nothing came of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools can (and are supposed to) refer you to cps after 10 unexcused absences. They rarely do, though, and even more rarely does cps do anything when it's only 10 non-consecutive days.

But I don't know why your child's absences are any more justified than other people's, just because you're not poor.

This is the key point.

Your child is missing school for reasons that are not excused. This means you get the same communications and deal with the same consequences as every other family whose child misses that much school.

You aren’t special; you’re making a choice to pull your child out for reasons that DCPS doesn’t consider valid. If you don’t want to deal with it, don’t take your kid out of school so much. It’s pretty simple.

Sure. I guess I am just wondering what the actual, real consequences are, realistically, for 10 days of non-consecutive unexcused absences. Like could I lose my OOB spot?

Also, what are some good excuses to use to get some days excused after the fact of missing a few days. I know that’s a morally ambiguous inquiry, but I’m okay with that. A doctor’s note excusing a few days would be great, but I wonder if I could even use the religious observance excuse, which seems like it would be a pretty broadly accepted excuse, especially since we’re in the US with so much religiosity. Pretty hard, legally, to argue with “firmly held beliefs”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They did have to meet with CPS. It all seemed strange because the kids and parents weren't US Citizens.

You think CPS is only for US citizens? No, it's protective services for ANY KID living in DC. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools can (and are supposed to) refer you to cps after 10 unexcused absences. They rarely do, though, and even more rarely does cps do anything when it's only 10 non-consecutive days.

But I don't know why your child's absences are any more justified than other people's, just because you're not poor.

This is the key point.

Your child is missing school for reasons that are not excused. This means you get the same communications and deal with the same consequences as every other family whose child misses that much school.

You aren’t special; you’re making a choice to pull your child out for reasons that DCPS doesn’t consider valid. If you don’t want to deal with it, don’t take your kid out of school so much. It’s pretty simple.

Sure. I guess I am just wondering what the actual, real consequences are, realistically, for 10 days of non-consecutive unexcused absences. Like could I lose my OOB spot?

Also, what are some good excuses to use to get some days excused after the fact of missing a few days. I know that’s a morally ambiguous inquiry, but I’m okay with that. A doctor’s note excusing a few days would be great, but I wonder if I could even use the religious observance excuse, which seems like it would be a pretty broadly accepted excuse, especially since we’re in the US with so much religiosity. Pretty hard, legally, to argue with “firmly held beliefs”.

I think you're being kind of gross and would think less of you for it if I knew you. You need to understand that what happens is CPS may call you and tell you that school is important, but close out the case because your child is not actually being neglected or abused.

I think you could technically lose your OOB spot but probably they wouldn't bother. However if you act like an entitled PITA in other ways, that can subtly affect your experience. It seems like you're treating school like a daycare where you can come and go as you please, and teachers resent that because it's disrespectful and it's more work for them to catch your kid up.

[Anonymous]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Out%2520of%2520Boundary%2520Guidance_FINAL.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi25L_9-_yKAxV7D1kFHUTkLvYQFnoECBcQBg&usg=AOvVaw255rQYgix05zcfc1iN5suH

Basically they can kick you out, they don't have to, and only after they've implemented certain interventions such as counseling you, offering transportation assistance, referring to CPS, etc. And then you can appeal.

It can also make them resent you and that will matter in ways that are hard to define and predict, but real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools can (and are supposed to) refer you to cps after 10 unexcused absences. They rarely do, though, and even more rarely does cps do anything when it's only 10 non-consecutive days.

But I don't know why your child's absences are any more justified than other people's, just because you're not poor.

This is the key point.

Your child is missing school for reasons that are not excused. This means you get the same communications and deal with the same consequences as every other family whose child misses that much school.

You aren’t special; you’re making a choice to pull your child out for reasons that DCPS doesn’t consider valid. If you don’t want to deal with it, don’t take your kid out of school so much. It’s pretty simple.

Sure. I guess I am just wondering what the actual, real consequences are, realistically, for 10 days of non-consecutive unexcused absences. Like could I lose my OOB spot?

Also, what are some good excuses to use to get some days excused after the fact of missing a few days. I know that’s a morally ambiguous inquiry, but I’m okay with that. A doctor’s note excusing a few days would be great, but I wonder if I could even use the religious observance excuse, which seems like it would be a pretty broadly accepted excuse, especially since we’re in the US with so much religiosity. Pretty hard, legally, to argue with “firmly held beliefs”.

I think you're being kind of gross and would think less of you for it if I knew you. You need to understand that what happens is CPS may call you and tell you that school is important, but close out the case because your child is not actually being neglected or abused.

I think you could technically lose your OOB spot but probably they wouldn't bother. However if you act like an entitled PITA in other ways, that can subtly affect your experience. It seems like you're treating school like a daycare where you can come and go as you please, and teachers resent that because it's disrespectful and it's more work for them to catch your kid up.

I’m sorry but with a chance for my kid to see Bratislava for 4 days vs. miss a few days of school, I think it’s okay. You can pass moral judgments. It’s not as they matter to me because you have no impact on my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools can (and are supposed to) refer you to cps after 10 unexcused absences. They rarely do, though, and even more rarely does cps do anything when it's only 10 non-consecutive days.

But I don't know why your child's absences are any more justified than other people's, just because you're not poor.

This is the key point.

Your child is missing school for reasons that are not excused. This means you get the same communications and deal with the same consequences as every other family whose child misses that much school.

You aren’t special; you’re making a choice to pull your child out for reasons that DCPS doesn’t consider valid. If you don’t want to deal with it, don’t take your kid out of school so much. It’s pretty simple.

Sure. I guess I am just wondering what the actual, real consequences are, realistically, for 10 days of non-consecutive unexcused absences. Like could I lose my OOB spot?

Also, what are some good excuses to use to get some days excused after the fact of missing a few days. I know that’s a morally ambiguous inquiry, but I’m okay with that. A doctor’s note excusing a few days would be great, but I wonder if I could even use the religious observance excuse, which seems like it would be a pretty broadly accepted excuse, especially since we’re in the US with so much religiosity. Pretty hard, legally, to argue with “firmly held beliefs”.

I think you're being kind of gross and would think less of you for it if I knew you. You need to understand that what happens is CPS may call you and tell you that school is important, but close out the case because your child is not actually being neglected or abused.

I think you could technically lose your OOB spot but probably they wouldn't bother. However if you act like an entitled PITA in other ways, that can subtly affect your experience. It seems like you're treating school like a daycare where you can come and go as you please, and teachers resent that because it's disrespectful and it's more work for them to catch your kid up.

I’m sorry but with a chance for my kid to see Bratislava for 4 days vs. miss a few days of school, I think it’s okay. You can pass moral judgments. It’s not as they matter to me because you have no impact on my life.

You're a real peach. Please enjoy your CPS calls! I hope little Fancypants enjoys his world tour!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools can (and are supposed to) refer you to cps after 10 unexcused absences. They rarely do, though, and even more rarely does cps do anything when it's only 10 non-consecutive days.

But I don't know why your child's absences are any more justified than other people's, just because you're not poor.

This is the key point.

Your child is missing school for reasons that are not excused. This means you get the same communications and deal with the same consequences as every other family whose child misses that much school.

You aren’t special; you’re making a choice to pull your child out for reasons that DCPS doesn’t consider valid. If you don’t want to deal with it, don’t take your kid out of school so much. It’s pretty simple.

Sure. I guess I am just wondering what the actual, real consequences are, realistically, for 10 days of non-consecutive unexcused absences. Like could I lose my OOB spot?

Also, what are some good excuses to use to get some days excused after the fact of missing a few days. I know that’s a morally ambiguous inquiry, but I’m okay with that. A doctor’s note excusing a few days would be great, but I wonder if I could even use the religious observance excuse, which seems like it would be a pretty broadly accepted excuse, especially since we’re in the US with so much religiosity. Pretty hard, legally, to argue with “firmly held beliefs”.

I think you're being kind of gross and would think less of you for it if I knew you. You need to understand that what happens is CPS may call you and tell you that school is important, but close out the case because your child is not actually being neglected or abused.

I think you could technically lose your OOB spot but probably they wouldn't bother. However if you act like an entitled PITA in other ways, that can subtly affect your experience. It seems like you're treating school like a daycare where you can come and go as you please, and teachers resent that because it's disrespectful and it's more work for them to catch your kid up.

I’m sorry but with a chance for my kid to see Bratislava for 4 days vs. miss a few days of school, I think it’s okay. You can pass moral judgments. It’s not as they matter to me because you have no impact on my life.

Bratislava FFS?

Look, you asked and people are answering. The consequences of making the school staff think you're an entitled liar are subtle but real. That's the consequence. You may care, you may not, you may not even connect the dots when it happens. But it's real. That is the answer to the question you asked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools can (and are supposed to) refer you to cps after 10 unexcused absences. They rarely do, though, and even more rarely does cps do anything when it's only 10 non-consecutive days.

But I don't know why your child's absences are any more justified than other people's, just because you're not poor.

This is the key point.

Your child is missing school for reasons that are not excused. This means you get the same communications and deal with the same consequences as every other family whose child misses that much school.

You aren’t special; you’re making a choice to pull your child out for reasons that DCPS doesn’t consider valid. If you don’t want to deal with it, don’t take your kid out of school so much. It’s pretty simple.

Sure. I guess I am just wondering what the actual, real consequences are, realistically, for 10 days of non-consecutive unexcused absences. Like could I lose my OOB spot?

Also, what are some good excuses to use to get some days excused after the fact of missing a few days. I know that’s a morally ambiguous inquiry, but I’m okay with that. A doctor’s note excusing a few days would be great, but I wonder if I could even use the religious observance excuse, which seems like it would be a pretty broadly accepted excuse, especially since we’re in the US with so much religiosity. Pretty hard, legally, to argue with “firmly held beliefs”.

I think you're being kind of gross and would think less of you for it if I knew you. You need to understand that what happens is CPS may call you and tell you that school is important, but close out the case because your child is not actually being neglected or abused.

I think you could technically lose your OOB spot but probably they wouldn't bother. However if you act like an entitled PITA in other ways, that can subtly affect your experience. It seems like you're treating school like a daycare where you can come and go as you please, and teachers resent that because it's disrespectful and it's more work for them to catch your kid up.

I’m sorry but with a chance for my kid to see Bratislava for 4 days vs. miss a few days of school, I think it’s okay. You can pass moral judgments. It’s not as they matter to me because you have no impact on my life.

No one is judging you for your choice to take your kid out of school. We're judging you for lying in order to avoid the consequences.