Chronic Absenteeism in APS

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the chronic absenteeism is concentrated on the families that have more food and housing insecurity and generally less means. Our option elementary school is more diverse regarding these factors versus a neighborhood school and the principal continues to talk about attendance pretty much every time she talks about anything. At this point I've shared with others I wish she would move on and talk about something else because parents either get that attendance is important, or they don't and have heard other parents comment as much. Since it's an immersion school, a lot of the meetings have Spanish English translation, and they go ON AND ON about it when they are doing the Spanish translation. At one meeting they said it in English - attending school is important - and then in Spanish they gave several examples "if your kid tells you they are tired, they still need to come to school" which was a bit surprising for me that it needs to be said, but I guess not everyone has the same background that education is important, and schools were closed for a year and a half....

or the schools are clueless and just think that saying attendance is important will solve the problem when it clearly does not.

What else can the school really do?

Just telling families that attendance is important is clearly not working. Look at the FCPS Superintendent's statement. A lot of the absenteeism is due to actual illness. Schools could certainly do a lot more to promote healthy school environments that don't spread disease.

People say their kids are sick because it’s an excused absence. If you are pulling data the day is officially recorded as illness. Were they actually sick? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Whenever my kids were absent they were "sick" regardless of whether they actually were or not.

+1. The schools get on some sort of weird power trip about this. Once I picked my DD up early from HS, and said she had an appt. The office secretary rudely demanded my DD come back with a "note from the doctor" the following day or the absence would be marked "unexcused." Well, we didn't and the absence was still "excused." But ever since then, I just say they are sick even if they aren't. Its none of the school's business - I don't even think they should ask.

If a parent is signing them out, I agree that it shouldn't matter for what. If, however, the parent is pulling them out excessively, resulting in too many inconveniences for the teacher or the class or too much disruption to the child's learning and progress, the school should be having some conversations with the parents.

Of course it's the school's business why you are taking them out of school. There is literally a law for compulsory school attendance and there are reasons that count for school absences and reasons that don't. The entitlement of parents never ceases to amaze me.

+1. If you’re that offended at having to tell the school why your kid is out, just homeschool.

Nope. I'll just keep telling them my child is "sick" and they can get over it. Don't hate the player, hate the game (that the schools created.)

well they might work against you when they require documentation that you cannot provide and it becomes clear that you are lying. but you do you.

There is no "documentation" that proves fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, migraine, menstrual cramps, etc. Clearly you are new at this. I would welcome the opporunity to discuss attendance and other things with the school. It has literally never, not once ever, happened in the 13 years I have had a child in public school. I'd mention how suddenly "unimportant" school was during the pandemic (can't unring that bell), or on "bad weather" days, or days where entire class blocks are set aside for kids to turn in late assignments they never completed during the quarter, or every time there is a sub and the students are only left busywork. Just to name a few.

No I'm not new at this, thanks. Check your school district's policy. They usually don't require documentation at first, but they sure will after a certain number of days. For future reference, it's called a dr's note.

You need to get over your bitterness from Covid.

The APS policy as outlined here doesn’t mention doctors note just that a parent must provide the school the notification their child is out. After 15 days of unexcused absences it says the child will be automatically withdrawn.

https://www.apsva.us/attendance/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Didn't they used to arrest parents when kids were truant?

they still can

so cute...

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the chronic absenteeism is concentrated on the families that have more food and housing insecurity and generally less means. Our option elementary school is more diverse regarding these factors versus a neighborhood school and the principal continues to talk about attendance pretty much every time she talks about anything. At this point I've shared with others I wish she would move on and talk about something else because parents either get that attendance is important, or they don't and have heard other parents comment as much. Since it's an immersion school, a lot of the meetings have Spanish English translation, and they go ON AND ON about it when they are doing the Spanish translation. At one meeting they said it in English - attending school is important - and then in Spanish they gave several examples "if your kid tells you they are tired, they still need to come to school" which was a bit surprising for me that it needs to be said, but I guess not everyone has the same background that education is important, and schools were closed for a year and a half....

or the schools are clueless and just think that saying attendance is important will solve the problem when it clearly does not.

What else can the school really do?

Just telling families that attendance is important is clearly not working. Look at the FCPS Superintendent's statement. A lot of the absenteeism is due to actual illness. Schools could certainly do a lot more to promote healthy school environments that don't spread disease.

People say their kids are sick because it’s an excused absence. If you are pulling data the day is officially recorded as illness. Were they actually sick? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Whenever my kids were absent they were "sick" regardless of whether they actually were or not.

+1. The schools get on some sort of weird power trip about this. Once I picked my DD up early from HS, and said she had an appt. The office secretary rudely demanded my DD come back with a "note from the doctor" the following day or the absence would be marked "unexcused." Well, we didn't and the absence was still "excused." But ever since then, I just say they are sick even if they aren't. Its none of the school's business - I don't even think they should ask.

If a parent is signing them out, I agree that it shouldn't matter for what. If, however, the parent is pulling them out excessively, resulting in too many inconveniences for the teacher or the class or too much disruption to the child's learning and progress, the school should be having some conversations with the parents.

Of course it's the school's business why you are taking them out of school. There is literally a law for compulsory school attendance and there are reasons that count for school absences and reasons that don't. The entitlement of parents never ceases to amaze me.

+1. If you’re that offended at having to tell the school why your kid is out, just homeschool.

Nope. I'll just keep telling them my child is "sick" and they can get over it. Don't hate the player, hate the game (that the schools created.)

well they might work against you when they require documentation that you cannot provide and it becomes clear that you are lying. but you do you.

There is no "documentation" that proves fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, migraine, menstrual cramps, etc. Clearly you are new at this. I would welcome the opporunity to discuss attendance and other things with the school. It has literally never, not once ever, happened in the 13 years I have had a child in public school. I'd mention how suddenly "unimportant" school was during the pandemic (can't unring that bell), or on "bad weather" days, or days where entire class blocks are set aside for kids to turn in late assignments they never completed during the quarter, or every time there is a sub and the students are only left busywork. Just to name a few.

No I'm not new at this, thanks. Check your school district's policy. They usually don't require documentation at first, but they sure will after a certain number of days. For future reference, it's called a dr's note.

You need to get over your bitterness from Covid.

Sorry to disappoint you, but they aren’t harassing middle class parents of straight A honors students about absences. They aren’t even questioning it.

Oh, so it's a racist thing! Disproportionately going after specific students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the chronic absenteeism is concentrated on the families that have more food and housing insecurity and generally less means. Our option elementary school is more diverse regarding these factors versus a neighborhood school and the principal continues to talk about attendance pretty much every time she talks about anything. At this point I've shared with others I wish she would move on and talk about something else because parents either get that attendance is important, or they don't and have heard other parents comment as much. Since it's an immersion school, a lot of the meetings have Spanish English translation, and they go ON AND ON about it when they are doing the Spanish translation. At one meeting they said it in English - attending school is important - and then in Spanish they gave several examples "if your kid tells you they are tired, they still need to come to school" which was a bit surprising for me that it needs to be said, but I guess not everyone has the same background that education is important, and schools were closed for a year and a half....

or the schools are clueless and just think that saying attendance is important will solve the problem when it clearly does not.

What else can the school really do?

Just telling families that attendance is important is clearly not working. Look at the FCPS Superintendent's statement. A lot of the absenteeism is due to actual illness. Schools could certainly do a lot more to promote healthy school environments that don't spread disease.

People say their kids are sick because it’s an excused absence. If you are pulling data the day is officially recorded as illness. Were they actually sick? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Whenever my kids were absent they were "sick" regardless of whether they actually were or not.

+1. The schools get on some sort of weird power trip about this. Once I picked my DD up early from HS, and said she had an appt. The office secretary rudely demanded my DD come back with a "note from the doctor" the following day or the absence would be marked "unexcused." Well, we didn't and the absence was still "excused." But ever since then, I just say they are sick even if they aren't. Its none of the school's business - I don't even think they should ask.

If a parent is signing them out, I agree that it shouldn't matter for what. If, however, the parent is pulling them out excessively, resulting in too many inconveniences for the teacher or the class or too much disruption to the child's learning and progress, the school should be having some conversations with the parents.

Of course it's the school's business why you are taking them out of school. There is literally a law for compulsory school attendance and there are reasons that count for school absences and reasons that don't. The entitlement of parents never ceases to amaze me.

+1. If you’re that offended at having to tell the school why your kid is out, just homeschool.

Nope. I'll just keep telling them my child is "sick" and they can get over it. Don't hate the player, hate the game (that the schools created.)

well they might work against you when they require documentation that you cannot provide and it becomes clear that you are lying. but you do you.

There is no "documentation" that proves fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, migraine, menstrual cramps, etc. Clearly you are new at this. I would welcome the opporunity to discuss attendance and other things with the school. It has literally never, not once ever, happened in the 13 years I have had a child in public school. I'd mention how suddenly "unimportant" school was during the pandemic (can't unring that bell), or on "bad weather" days, or days where entire class blocks are set aside for kids to turn in late assignments they never completed during the quarter, or every time there is a sub and the students are only left busywork. Just to name a few.

No I'm not new at this, thanks. Check your school district's policy. They usually don't require documentation at first, but they sure will after a certain number of days. For future reference, it's called a dr's note.

You need to get over your bitterness from Covid.

The APS policy as outlined here doesn’t mention doctors note just that a parent must provide the school the notification their child is out. After 15 days of unexcused absences it says the child will be automatically withdrawn.

https://www.apsva.us/attendance/

I guess you missed this -"Supporting documentation, such as a doctor’s note, must be provided promptly
upon the student’s return to school for the absence to be considered excused."

[Anonymous]

Also this -
At the elementary level, the principal’s designee, attendance personnel, or other assigned school
personnel investigate the reason for each student’s absence after the first day has passed by
contacting the parent/guardian by phone or email, or any other electronic means to obtain an
explanation.

[Anonymous]

Generally there is some leeway in taking the parents word for it at first, but if there is reason to suspect the parent isn't being truthful or absences become excessive, yes they investigate and require a dr's note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the chronic absenteeism is concentrated on the families that have more food and housing insecurity and generally less means. Our option elementary school is more diverse regarding these factors versus a neighborhood school and the principal continues to talk about attendance pretty much every time she talks about anything. At this point I've shared with others I wish she would move on and talk about something else because parents either get that attendance is important, or they don't and have heard other parents comment as much. Since it's an immersion school, a lot of the meetings have Spanish English translation, and they go ON AND ON about it when they are doing the Spanish translation. At one meeting they said it in English - attending school is important - and then in Spanish they gave several examples "if your kid tells you they are tired, they still need to come to school" which was a bit surprising for me that it needs to be said, but I guess not everyone has the same background that education is important, and schools were closed for a year and a half....

or the schools are clueless and just think that saying attendance is important will solve the problem when it clearly does not.

What else can the school really do?

Just telling families that attendance is important is clearly not working. Look at the FCPS Superintendent's statement. A lot of the absenteeism is due to actual illness. Schools could certainly do a lot more to promote healthy school environments that don't spread disease.

People say their kids are sick because it’s an excused absence. If you are pulling data the day is officially recorded as illness. Were they actually sick? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Whenever my kids were absent they were "sick" regardless of whether they actually were or not.

+1. The schools get on some sort of weird power trip about this. Once I picked my DD up early from HS, and said she had an appt. The office secretary rudely demanded my DD come back with a "note from the doctor" the following day or the absence would be marked "unexcused." Well, we didn't and the absence was still "excused." But ever since then, I just say they are sick even if they aren't. Its none of the school's business - I don't even think they should ask.

If a parent is signing them out, I agree that it shouldn't matter for what. If, however, the parent is pulling them out excessively, resulting in too many inconveniences for the teacher or the class or too much disruption to the child's learning and progress, the school should be having some conversations with the parents.

Of course it's the school's business why you are taking them out of school. There is literally a law for compulsory school attendance and there are reasons that count for school absences and reasons that don't. The entitlement of parents never ceases to amaze me.

I just believe that if the parent is "excusing" their child's absence, the school should accept that. Except in the types of instances I noted above. There are things, worthwhile experiences, that I believe it's ok for students to miss a half day or a day for that the school does not accept as official excused absences. And if the student is keeping up with their work, not holding a group project up or otherwise interfering with instruction, parental permission should be sufficient for the absence to be "excused" v. "unexcused."

I'm not arguing that excessive absences are ok. Geez. Like I stated, if you read my comments thoroughly, if a parent is pulling a student out excessively, the school should be having a conversation with them.

No sorry, the school is more than entitled to ask for documentation to make sure there is a real reason for the absence.

I fall very much on the side of kids should be in school unless there is a really good reason to be absent, but I don't follow your logic in the bolded. Has a vested interest in ensuring students are ok, are tasked with the responsibility to ensure students are ok, sure. But entitled?

Sure it's the law, sorry you don't like it.

I never said I didn't like it. I said I didn't understand why you say schools are entitled to ask for documentation. Please share the citation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the chronic absenteeism is concentrated on the families that have more food and housing insecurity and generally less means. Our option elementary school is more diverse regarding these factors versus a neighborhood school and the principal continues to talk about attendance pretty much every time she talks about anything. At this point I've shared with others I wish she would move on and talk about something else because parents either get that attendance is important, or they don't and have heard other parents comment as much. Since it's an immersion school, a lot of the meetings have Spanish English translation, and they go ON AND ON about it when they are doing the Spanish translation. At one meeting they said it in English - attending school is important - and then in Spanish they gave several examples "if your kid tells you they are tired, they still need to come to school" which was a bit surprising for me that it needs to be said, but I guess not everyone has the same background that education is important, and schools were closed for a year and a half....

or the schools are clueless and just think that saying attendance is important will solve the problem when it clearly does not.

What else can the school really do?

Just telling families that attendance is important is clearly not working. Look at the FCPS Superintendent's statement. A lot of the absenteeism is due to actual illness. Schools could certainly do a lot more to promote healthy school environments that don't spread disease.

People say their kids are sick because it’s an excused absence. If you are pulling data the day is officially recorded as illness. Were they actually sick? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Whenever my kids were absent they were "sick" regardless of whether they actually were or not.

+1. The schools get on some sort of weird power trip about this. Once I picked my DD up early from HS, and said she had an appt. The office secretary rudely demanded my DD come back with a "note from the doctor" the following day or the absence would be marked "unexcused." Well, we didn't and the absence was still "excused." But ever since then, I just say they are sick even if they aren't. Its none of the school's business - I don't even think they should ask.

If a parent is signing them out, I agree that it shouldn't matter for what. If, however, the parent is pulling them out excessively, resulting in too many inconveniences for the teacher or the class or too much disruption to the child's learning and progress, the school should be having some conversations with the parents.

Of course it's the school's business why you are taking them out of school. There is literally a law for compulsory school attendance and there are reasons that count for school absences and reasons that don't. The entitlement of parents never ceases to amaze me.

+1. If you’re that offended at having to tell the school why your kid is out, just homeschool.

Nope. I'll just keep telling them my child is "sick" and they can get over it. Don't hate the player, hate the game (that the schools created.)

well they might work against you when they require documentation that you cannot provide and it becomes clear that you are lying. but you do you.

There is no "documentation" that proves fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, migraine, menstrual cramps, etc. Clearly you are new at this. I would welcome the opporunity to discuss attendance and other things with the school. It has literally never, not once ever, happened in the 13 years I have had a child in public school. I'd mention how suddenly "unimportant" school was during the pandemic (can't unring that bell), or on "bad weather" days, or days where entire class blocks are set aside for kids to turn in late assignments they never completed during the quarter, or every time there is a sub and the students are only left busywork. Just to name a few.

No I'm not new at this, thanks. Check your school district's policy. They usually don't require documentation at first, but they sure will after a certain number of days. For future reference, it's called a dr's note.

You need to get over your bitterness from Covid.

Sorry to disappoint you, but they aren’t harassing middle class parents of straight A honors students about absences. They aren’t even questioning it.

Oh, so it's a racist thing! Disproportionately going after specific students.

Nope, it’s a scores thing. They are going after the kids who can’t pass the SOLs, which negatively affect the school. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the chronic absenteeism is concentrated on the families that have more food and housing insecurity and generally less means. Our option elementary school is more diverse regarding these factors versus a neighborhood school and the principal continues to talk about attendance pretty much every time she talks about anything. At this point I've shared with others I wish she would move on and talk about something else because parents either get that attendance is important, or they don't and have heard other parents comment as much. Since it's an immersion school, a lot of the meetings have Spanish English translation, and they go ON AND ON about it when they are doing the Spanish translation. At one meeting they said it in English - attending school is important - and then in Spanish they gave several examples "if your kid tells you they are tired, they still need to come to school" which was a bit surprising for me that it needs to be said, but I guess not everyone has the same background that education is important, and schools were closed for a year and a half....

or the schools are clueless and just think that saying attendance is important will solve the problem when it clearly does not.

What else can the school really do?

Just telling families that attendance is important is clearly not working. Look at the FCPS Superintendent's statement. A lot of the absenteeism is due to actual illness. Schools could certainly do a lot more to promote healthy school environments that don't spread disease.

People say their kids are sick because it’s an excused absence. If you are pulling data the day is officially recorded as illness. Were they actually sick? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Whenever my kids were absent they were "sick" regardless of whether they actually were or not.

+1. The schools get on some sort of weird power trip about this. Once I picked my DD up early from HS, and said she had an appt. The office secretary rudely demanded my DD come back with a "note from the doctor" the following day or the absence would be marked "unexcused." Well, we didn't and the absence was still "excused." But ever since then, I just say they are sick even if they aren't. Its none of the school's business - I don't even think they should ask.

If a parent is signing them out, I agree that it shouldn't matter for what. If, however, the parent is pulling them out excessively, resulting in too many inconveniences for the teacher or the class or too much disruption to the child's learning and progress, the school should be having some conversations with the parents.

Of course it's the school's business why you are taking them out of school. There is literally a law for compulsory school attendance and there are reasons that count for school absences and reasons that don't. The entitlement of parents never ceases to amaze me.

+1. If you’re that offended at having to tell the school why your kid is out, just homeschool.

Nope. I'll just keep telling them my child is "sick" and they can get over it. Don't hate the player, hate the game (that the schools created.)

well they might work against you when they require documentation that you cannot provide and it becomes clear that you are lying. but you do you.

There is no "documentation" that proves fever, diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, migraine, menstrual cramps, etc. Clearly you are new at this. I would welcome the opporunity to discuss attendance and other things with the school. It has literally never, not once ever, happened in the 13 years I have had a child in public school. I'd mention how suddenly "unimportant" school was during the pandemic (can't unring that bell), or on "bad weather" days, or days where entire class blocks are set aside for kids to turn in late assignments they never completed during the quarter, or every time there is a sub and the students are only left busywork. Just to name a few.

No I'm not new at this, thanks. Check your school district's policy. They usually don't require documentation at first, but they sure will after a certain number of days. For future reference, it's called a dr's note.

You need to get over your bitterness from Covid.

The APS policy as outlined here doesn’t mention doctors note just that a parent must provide the school the notification their child is out. After 15 days of unexcused absences it says the child will be automatically withdrawn.

https://www.apsva.us/attendance/

I guess you missed this -"Supporting documentation, such as a doctor’s note, must be provided promptly
upon the student’s return to school for the absence to be considered excused."

If you are “sick” for 15 straight school days, yes they want a note. Not for a week of the flu or Covid.

[Anonymous]

This school year, our elementary is not asking for a Covid test to return after routine illness. In the 22-23 school year, I had a kid get sent home for red puffy eyes after playing in the hay at Cox Farms the prior day. He needed a covid test to come back to school.

I can imagine that for some families, $20 for a covid test or taking the bus to get one is not possible. If it’s Wednesday, might as well keep the kid home for the rest of the week to wait out the 5 days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, the lesson of the pandemic is that in-person school matters a lot, as evidenced by all of these outcomes. The message of COVID sent by our leadership is that school is not that big a deal and lost learning can be made up easily down the line.



Yes, this is a huge problem. When APS said coming to school didn't matter, parents believed them. I can understand a parent thinking oh well, they didn't make kids go to school for almost 2 years so I guess my kid doesn't really need to be there, they can just read the assignment on canvas. It's the same thing.

if APS wants to fix the issue, they need to come out and admit the mistake of keeping schools closed, apologize and begin a campaign to get kids back to school.

Oh, c'mon. It's time to stop blaming everything on the schools and the pandemic. Look at the numbers--the SA schools are experiencing MUCH higher absentee numbers than NA schools. That would indicate that something else is wrong, correct? If it was just the pandemic causing this, the numbers would be low across the board.

The problem has more to do with SES. There needs to be more outreach to immigrant and low-income families so school expectations are understood--that education is critical to student futures and that parents understand the direct link between grades and absenteeism. In some cases, students are not attending school because they are expected to care for younger siblings or other family members. Perhaps the bloated equity office should take this on--more home visits, etc. to provide information to families in their home languages. The schools themselves are overwhelmed, having only one social worker and a limited number of counselors to do this work.

Maybe if APS elementary schools had grades, parents would understand and care. If your kid just gets “meets” in all their standards, how are you supposed to know the difference between C level and A level work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at a public library and I'm shocked at the number of school aged kids who come in with their parents during school hours. I used to make conversation to see if they were homeschooled, sick, on their way to a doctors appointment, etc, but since the vast majority of them are just not going to school that day because parent or kid didn't want to make it happen, so I just act like it is normal now.

I’ve heard this too. Lots of kids at underperforming schools are skipping class to spend the day at our public libraries.

Why are they going to the public library but not public school? I’m really interested because that doesn’t sound like a parent who doesn’t care.

It’s sarcasm because there’s NO WAY this is happening in shocking numbers.

Anecdotally, I work from home and run errands at lunch and I also see a seemingly large number of elementary age kids at the grocery store, post office, library, etc. I have elementary age kids so I think I can accurately gauge kids that are 6-10yr old - not just tall preschoolers or 6th graders who get out of school earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes, the lesson of the pandemic is that in-person school matters a lot, as evidenced by all of these outcomes. The message of COVID sent by our leadership is that school is not that big a deal and lost learning can be made up easily down the line.



Yes, this is a huge problem. When APS said coming to school didn't matter, parents believed them. I can understand a parent thinking oh well, they didn't make kids go to school for almost 2 years so I guess my kid doesn't really need to be there, they can just read the assignment on canvas. It's the same thing.

if APS wants to fix the issue, they need to come out and admit the mistake of keeping schools closed, apologize and begin a campaign to get kids back to school.

Oh, c'mon. It's time to stop blaming everything on the schools and the pandemic. Look at the numbers--the SA schools are experiencing MUCH higher absentee numbers than NA schools. That would indicate that something else is wrong, correct? If it was just the pandemic causing this, the numbers would be low across the board.

The problem has more to do with SES. There needs to be more outreach to immigrant and low-income families so school expectations are understood--that education is critical to student futures and that parents understand the direct link between grades and absenteeism. In some cases, students are not attending school because they are expected to care for younger siblings or other family members. Perhaps the bloated equity office should take this on--more home visits, etc. to provide information to families in their home languages. The schools themselves are overwhelmed, having only one social worker and a limited number of counselors to do this work.

Maybe if APS elementary schools had grades, parents would understand and care. If your kid just gets “meets” in all their standards, how are you supposed to know the difference between C level and A level work?

Why is this hard? If a kid is doing meets that means they are doing the work consistently and well and would be getting As because that is what an A is (consistently getting right answers, concepts, etc).

If they are developing standards they aren't doing things consistently or right all the time do not an A, probably a C.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the chronic absenteeism is concentrated on the families that have more food and housing insecurity and generally less means. Our option elementary school is more diverse regarding these factors versus a neighborhood school and the principal continues to talk about attendance pretty much every time she talks about anything. At this point I've shared with others I wish she would move on and talk about something else because parents either get that attendance is important, or they don't and have heard other parents comment as much. Since it's an immersion school, a lot of the meetings have Spanish English translation, and they go ON AND ON about it when they are doing the Spanish translation. At one meeting they said it in English - attending school is important - and then in Spanish they gave several examples "if your kid tells you they are tired, they still need to come to school" which was a bit surprising for me that it needs to be said, but I guess not everyone has the same background that education is important, and schools were closed for a year and a half....

or the schools are clueless and just think that saying attendance is important will solve the problem when it clearly does not.

What else can the school really do?

Just telling families that attendance is important is clearly not working. Look at the FCPS Superintendent's statement. A lot of the absenteeism is due to actual illness. Schools could certainly do a lot more to promote healthy school environments that don't spread disease.

People say their kids are sick because it’s an excused absence. If you are pulling data the day is officially recorded as illness. Were they actually sick? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Whenever my kids were absent they were "sick" regardless of whether they actually were or not.

+1. The schools get on some sort of weird power trip about this. Once I picked my DD up early from HS, and said she had an appt. The office secretary rudely demanded my DD come back with a "note from the doctor" the following day or the absence would be marked "unexcused." Well, we didn't and the absence was still "excused." But ever since then, I just say they are sick even if they aren't. Its none of the school's business - I don't even think they should ask.

If a parent is signing them out, I agree that it shouldn't matter for what. If, however, the parent is pulling them out excessively, resulting in too many inconveniences for the teacher or the class or too much disruption to the child's learning and progress, the school should be having some conversations with the parents.

Of course it's the school's business why you are taking them out of school. There is literally a law for compulsory school attendance and there are reasons that count for school absences and reasons that don't. The entitlement of parents never ceases to amaze me.

I just believe that if the parent is "excusing" their child's absence, the school should accept that. Except in the types of instances I noted above. There are things, worthwhile experiences, that I believe it's ok for students to miss a half day or a day for that the school does not accept as official excused absences. And if the student is keeping up with their work, not holding a group project up or otherwise interfering with instruction, parental permission should be sufficient for the absence to be "excused" v. "unexcused."

I'm not arguing that excessive absences are ok. Geez. Like I stated, if you read my comments thoroughly, if a parent is pulling a student out excessively, the school should be having a conversation with them.

No sorry, the school is more than entitled to ask for documentation to make sure there is a real reason for the absence.

I fall very much on the side of kids should be in school unless there is a really good reason to be absent, but I don't follow your logic in the bolded. Has a vested interest in ensuring students are ok, are tasked with the responsibility to ensure students are ok, sure. But entitled?

Sure it's the law, sorry you don't like it.

I never said I didn't like it. I said I didn't understand why you say schools are entitled to ask for documentation. Please share the citation.

go look it up yourself, there is a compulsory attendance law and the schools have to enforce it

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Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of the chronic absenteeism is concentrated on the families that have more food and housing insecurity and generally less means. Our option elementary school is more diverse regarding these factors versus a neighborhood school and the principal continues to talk about attendance pretty much every time she talks about anything. At this point I've shared with others I wish she would move on and talk about something else because parents either get that attendance is important, or they don't and have heard other parents comment as much. Since it's an immersion school, a lot of the meetings have Spanish English translation, and they go ON AND ON about it when they are doing the Spanish translation. At one meeting they said it in English - attending school is important - and then in Spanish they gave several examples "if your kid tells you they are tired, they still need to come to school" which was a bit surprising for me that it needs to be said, but I guess not everyone has the same background that education is important, and schools were closed for a year and a half....

or the schools are clueless and just think that saying attendance is important will solve the problem when it clearly does not.

What else can the school really do?

Just telling families that attendance is important is clearly not working. Look at the FCPS Superintendent's statement. A lot of the absenteeism is due to actual illness. Schools could certainly do a lot more to promote healthy school environments that don't spread disease.

People say their kids are sick because it’s an excused absence. If you are pulling data the day is officially recorded as illness. Were they actually sick? Maybe yes, maybe no.

Whenever my kids were absent they were "sick" regardless of whether they actually were or not.

+1. The schools get on some sort of weird power trip about this. Once I picked my DD up early from HS, and said she had an appt. The office secretary rudely demanded my DD come back with a "note from the doctor" the following day or the absence would be marked "unexcused." Well, we didn't and the absence was still "excused." But ever since then, I just say they are sick even if they aren't. Its none of the school's business - I don't even think they should ask.

If a parent is signing them out, I agree that it shouldn't matter for what. If, however, the parent is pulling them out excessively, resulting in too many inconveniences for the teacher or the class or too much disruption to the child's learning and progress, the school should be having some conversations with the parents.

Of course it's the school's business why you are taking them out of school. There is literally a law for compulsory school attendance and there are reasons that count for school absences and reasons that don't. The entitlement of parents never ceases to amaze me.

I just believe that if the parent is "excusing" their child's absence, the school should accept that. Except in the types of instances I noted above. There are things, worthwhile experiences, that I believe it's ok for students to miss a half day or a day for that the school does not accept as official excused absences. And if the student is keeping up with their work, not holding a group project up or otherwise interfering with instruction, parental permission should be sufficient for the absence to be "excused" v. "unexcused."

I'm not arguing that excessive absences are ok. Geez. Like I stated, if you read my comments thoroughly, if a parent is pulling a student out excessively, the school should be having a conversation with them.

No sorry, the school is more than entitled to ask for documentation to make sure there is a real reason for the absence.

I fall very much on the side of kids should be in school unless there is a really good reason to be absent, but I don't follow your logic in the bolded. Has a vested interest in ensuring students are ok, are tasked with the responsibility to ensure students are ok, sure. But entitled?

Sure it's the law, sorry you don't like it.

I never said I didn't like it. I said I didn't understand why you say schools are entitled to ask for documentation. Please share the citation.

go look it up yourself, there is a compulsory attendance law and the schools have to enforce it

But unless the behavior is really really egregious, they don’t. Missing a week for a family trip or taking a few “mental health days” a month isn’t going to get their attention.