Waste of money -- attendance letters

[Anonymous]

I just received a USPS letter from MCPS informing me that my child was absent for 5 days in November, and that missing more than 2 days per month is considered chronically absent and I should try harder to get him to school. I was, of course, aware that he was absent, as evidenced by the fact that every day I filled in the online google attendance form from his school. He was puking his guts out the whole week, so I assume MCPS did not actually want me to send him?

Also, if MCPS really cares about the education of children who miss school for illness, maybe they could make it easier for them to make up assignments? He failed a make up test because he had to take it the week after returning, despite having missed the entire week of instruction. He couldn't eat lunch for an entire week (after returning weakened from illness) because he had to go in to some class every single day at lunch to make up work.

What an absolute waste of resources to send these letters out to parents. I'm sure the parents who have kids struggling with chronic illnesses are even more irked to get these sanctimonious letters urging us to care more about our child's attendance.

[Anonymous]

You cant expect a high quality experience from a low quality institution.

[Anonymous]

How are they supposed to know your snowflake was puking his guts out versus the kid who went to DisneyWorld on a family vacation? Calm down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are they supposed to know your snowflake was puking his guts out versus the kid who went to DisneyWorld on a family vacation? Calm down.

I'm sure OP sent in a note. But MCPS doesn't care -- you get the same note whether it's excused or unexcused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just received a USPS letter from MCPS informing me that my child was absent for 5 days in November, and that missing more than 2 days per month is considered chronically absent and I should try harder to get him to school. I was, of course, aware that he was absent, as evidenced by the fact that every day I filled in the online google attendance form from his school. He was puking his guts out the whole week, so I assume MCPS did not actually want me to send him?

Also, if MCPS really cares about the education of children who miss school for illness, maybe they could make it easier for them to make up assignments? He failed a make up test because he had to take it the week after returning, despite having missed the entire week of instruction. He couldn't eat lunch for an entire week (after returning weakened from illness) because he had to go in to some class every single day at lunch to make up work.

What an absolute waste of resources to send these letters out to parents. I'm sure the parents who have kids struggling with chronic illnesses are even more irked to get these sanctimonious letters urging us to care more about our child's attendance.

I agree with the part about taking make up tests when you've missed work for excused illness by a certain deadline. It's not right. And not being able to eat lunch bec of make up work that is only able to be done at lunch - MS parent here.

[Anonymous]

The reason these letters come out is because the state is up our @*@ about chronic absenteeism rates. You earn a certain number of points on the MD Report Card based on the percentage of students who are not chronically absent.
MCPS is really trying to get as many schools to have a 4 or 5 star rating and getting absenteeism in check is one key focus area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are they supposed to know your snowflake was puking his guts out versus the kid who went to DisneyWorld on a family vacation? Calm down.

I'm sure OP sent in a note. But MCPS doesn't care -- you get the same note whether it's excused or unexcused.

You might need a doctor's note after a certain amount of time to stop the clock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are they supposed to know your snowflake was puking his guts out versus the kid who went to DisneyWorld on a family vacation? Calm down.

I did write it on the attendance note.
But I’m also sure that the parent who went to DW doesn’t care about the letter so they are still a waste of money and everyone’s time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are they supposed to know your snowflake was puking his guts out versus the kid who went to DisneyWorld on a family vacation? Calm down.

I'm sure OP sent in a note. But MCPS doesn't care -- you get the same note whether it's excused or unexcused.

You might need a doctor's note after a certain amount of time to stop the clock.

Doctors note is after 5 days.

[Anonymous]

Got one of these letters 2 years ago after my son had bronchitis and then pneumonia in his first 3 months of school for a total of 6 days missed. I laughed and shredded the letter.

[Anonymous]

The attendance letters aren't meant to be effective. They're just legal CYA so MCPS can tell the state that parents were formally notified of their children's attendance issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just received a USPS letter from MCPS informing me that my child was absent for 5 days in November, and that missing more than 2 days per month is considered chronically absent and I should try harder to get him to school. I was, of course, aware that he was absent, as evidenced by the fact that every day I filled in the online google attendance form from his school. He was puking his guts out the whole week, so I assume MCPS did not actually want me to send him?

Also, if MCPS really cares about the education of children who miss school for illness, maybe they could make it easier for them to make up assignments? He failed a make up test because he had to take it the week after returning, despite having missed the entire week of instruction. He couldn't eat lunch for an entire week (after returning weakened from illness) because he had to go in to some class every single day at lunch to make up work.

What an absolute waste of resources to send these letters out to parents. I'm sure the parents who have kids struggling with chronic illnesses are even more irked to get these sanctimonious letters urging us to care more about our child's attendance.

Calm down, OP. No need for your histrionics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just received a USPS letter from MCPS informing me that my child was absent for 5 days in November, and that missing more than 2 days per month is considered chronically absent and I should try harder to get him to school. I was, of course, aware that he was absent, as evidenced by the fact that every day I filled in the online google attendance form from his school. He was puking his guts out the whole week, so I assume MCPS did not actually want me to send him?

Also, if MCPS really cares about the education of children who miss school for illness, maybe they could make it easier for them to make up assignments? He failed a make up test because he had to take it the week after returning, despite having missed the entire week of instruction. He couldn't eat lunch for an entire week (after returning weakened from illness) because he had to go in to some class every single day at lunch to make up work.

What an absolute waste of resources to send these letters out to parents. I'm sure the parents who have kids struggling with chronic illnesses are even more irked to get these sanctimonious letters urging us to care more about our child's attendance.

They are doomed if they do, they are doomed if they don’t .

[Anonymous]

We got one of these letters when our kid missed a few days for a variety of issues that happened around the same time (illness, attending a family member's funeral). I didn't care since the absences were excused so we ignored the letter. Don't worry about this OP, there aren't any consequences for excused absences like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are they supposed to know your snowflake was puking his guts out versus the kid who went to DisneyWorld on a family vacation? Calm down.

I did write it on the attendance note.
But I’m also sure that the parent who went to DW doesn’t care about the letter so they are still a waste of money and everyone’s time.

I feel you op just ignore it