Attendance pressure

[Anonymous]

So you didn’t like the COVID policy that kept your kid out of school and you don’t like the attendance policy to keep your kid in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you didn’t like the COVID policy that kept your kid out of school and you don’t like the attendance policy to keep your kid in school.

I don’t like the decision making priorities at FCPS which makes the well being of children secondary to the desires of adults, leading to both a policy of keeping children out of school for years AND attempts by FCPS to bully parents regarding vacations to benefit the school, not the student.

The same attitude gets both outcomes.

[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:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

You do realize that the attendance metric influences funding for your child’s school?

You keep saying this. Here’s an easy fix:

The day before winter break has a very high absence rate. Next year make that a teacher planning day. Now the school average attendance is higher!

Why doesn't FCPS take the steps within their control?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The messaging about the importance of attendance is getting more and more aggressive. And now also kind of racist.

"December Attendance
Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after winter break. It’s time to break that cycle. Give your child the gift of attendance and help build a habit of attendance.

We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away and exposing your children to your home and language, whether you grew up in another part of the United States or a different country. The price of plane tickets often influences when you want to travel. But keep in mind the costs to your children’s education if they miss too much school.

Make sure your child is in school every day, right up until vacation starts. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning. But it’s harder to teach and it’s harder to learn when too many students are absent.

Two weeks to go! Let's finish strong. Winter break is December 22nd through January 2nd. School resumes on January 5th, 2026."

Calling this racist is a stretch.

[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:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

You do realize that the attendance metric influences funding for your child’s school?

You keep saying this. Here’s an easy fix:

The day before winter break has a very high absence rate. Next year make that a teacher planning day. Now the school average attendance is higher!

Why doesn't FCPS take the steps within their control?

DP. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, are we? If you make that day a planning day, parents will treat that as the start of winter break and take their kid out a day earlier.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

Then, quit complaining about unexcused absences or teachers who don't produce packets of work for you. Your child obviously does not need instruction.

The one complaining is the power mad principal. As I’ve said my experience is supportive teachers happy to provide material.

If that changed I’d get the absence excused and the teacher would have to provide makeup work. I think most teachers aren’t so bitter as the ones here who begrudge children a few days with their grandparents.

They can have "a few days" with their grandparents without missing school.

Sorry no she can’t. With taking extra days off (4) including travel my kid will get 13 days with her ill, 80+ grandfather this year.

I will not make it nine days just so she wont miss school, and yes, 13 days is only a few. Begrudge her that all you want, but her teachers do not. If she ever has a bitter teacher like you, you can bet she’ll have a doctors 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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

You do realize that the attendance metric influences funding for your child’s school?

Oh yeah? Tell me more

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

You do realize that the attendance metric influences funding for your child’s school?

You keep saying this. Here’s an easy fix:

The day before winter break has a very high absence rate. Next year make that a teacher planning day. Now the school average attendance is higher!

Why doesn't FCPS take the steps within their control?

DP. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, are we? If you make that day a planning day, parents will treat that as the start of winter break and take their kid out a day earlier.

Try it and see. Or put planning days on other high-absence days like the Monday after Thanksgiving. FCPS has 100% control over where those days are and 0% credibility with parents, so start making the decisions within their control, it will help with both problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The messaging about the importance of attendance is getting more and more aggressive. And now also kind of racist.

"December Attendance
Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after winter break. It’s time to break that cycle. Give your child the gift of attendance and help build a habit of attendance.

We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away and exposing your children to your home and language, whether you grew up in another part of the United States or a different country. The price of plane tickets often influences when you want to travel. But keep in mind the costs to your children’s education if they miss too much school.

Make sure your child is in school every day, right up until vacation starts. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning. But it’s harder to teach and it’s harder to learn when too many students are absent.

Two weeks to go! Let's finish strong. Winter break is December 22nd through January 2nd. School resumes on January 5th, 2026."

Calling this racist is a stretch.

Somehow, I'm thinking this is a lot more time off than most of us realize.

But, most people care about their kids' grades. Does this go on when the kids are also in high school?

School has a simple solution: unexcused. Teacher is free to give a summary of what will be taught, but not required to prepare materials. That is very time consuming and teacher should focus on the present kids.

[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:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

You do realize that the attendance metric influences funding for your child’s school?

You keep saying this. Here’s an easy fix:

The day before winter break has a very high absence rate. Next year make that a teacher planning day. Now the school average attendance is higher!

Why doesn't FCPS take the steps within their control?

You know why they don’t do that. None of the teachers would show on that planning day. LOL.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

Then, quit complaining about unexcused absences or teachers who don't produce packets of work for you. Your child obviously does not need instruction.

The one complaining is the power mad principal. As I’ve said my experience is supportive teachers happy to provide material.

If that changed I’d get the absence excused and the teacher would have to provide makeup work. I think most teachers aren’t so bitter as the ones here who begrudge children a few days with their grandparents.

They can have "a few days" with their grandparents without missing school.

Sorry no she can’t. With taking extra days off (4) including travel my kid will get 13 days with her ill, 80+ grandfather this year.

I will not make it nine days just so she wont miss school, and yes, 13 days is only a few. Begrudge her that all you want, but her teachers do not. If she ever has a bitter teacher like you, you can bet she’ll have a doctors note.

I’m back again wondering what jobs do people have that they have left AND can take 2 weeks of vacation at end of year? I seriously can’t figure out what jobs even allow this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The messaging about the importance of attendance is getting more and more aggressive. And now also kind of racist.

"December Attendance
Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after winter break. It’s time to break that cycle. Give your child the gift of attendance and help build a habit of attendance.

We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away and exposing your children to your home and language, whether you grew up in another part of the United States or a different country. The price of plane tickets often influences when you want to travel. But keep in mind the costs to your children’s education if they miss too much school.

Make sure your child is in school every day, right up until vacation starts. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning. But it’s harder to teach and it’s harder to learn when too many students are absent.

Two weeks to go! Let's finish strong. Winter break is December 22nd through January 2nd. School resumes on January 5th, 2026."

Calling this racist is a stretch.

Somehow, I'm thinking this is a lot more time off than most of us realize.

But, most people care about their kids' grades. Does this go on when the kids are also in high school?

School has a simple solution: unexcused. Teacher is free to give a summary of what will be taught, but not required to prepare materials. That is very time consuming and teacher should focus on the present kids.

Teacher here. Most people “care about their students’ grades” in the way they want the school to ensure their kid is being given good grades. Many don’t “care about grades” to the extent they insist their children are in school almost all school days, don’t miss for silly reasons, are being good students who are practicing outside of school, etc etc. Especially not in the face of a family vacation the parents really want to take. But they care about grades enough to be mad at the teacher if the kid misses 16 days of school and now their grade is poor and they’re confused where we are in class.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

Then, quit complaining about unexcused absences or teachers who don't produce packets of work for you. Your child obviously does not need instruction.

The one complaining is the power mad principal. As I’ve said my experience is supportive teachers happy to provide material.

If that changed I’d get the absence excused and the teacher would have to provide makeup work. I think most teachers aren’t so bitter as the ones here who begrudge children a few days with their grandparents.

I’m a teacher. It isn’t about being bitter. It’s about being disrespected.

I’m all for your trip to see the grandparents. I’ll make the packets, meet after school to get your kid caught up, check in multiple times, etc. But just be gracious about it and not entitled. (And your comment about just forcing the work by getting it “excused”? That’s disrespectful, dismissive, and entitled.)

This is taking time I don’t have and it’s keeping me from 1,000 other things I need to be doing at that moment. I’m overworked, overextended, and tired.

So the sense of entitlement needs to disappear. Say “thank you” and all will be fine. And make it sincere.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

You do realize that the attendance metric influences funding for your child’s school?

You keep saying this. Here’s an easy fix:

The day before winter break has a very high absence rate. Next year make that a teacher planning day. Now the school average attendance is higher!

Why doesn't FCPS take the steps within their control?

DP. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, are we? If you make that day a planning day, parents will treat that as the start of winter break and take their kid out a day earlier.

Try it and see. Or put planning days on other high-absence days like the Monday after Thanksgiving. FCPS has 100% control over where those days are and 0% credibility with parents, so start making the decisions within their control, it will help with both problems.

Teacher here. I don’t think missing a day before break is the big deal. Even two days before break. It is when kids are missing a full week or two to extend an already two week break. This is the main reason the two week winter break will stay put.

Parents, you are in control of your kids attendance. If you want to pull them, there is nothing we can do. It is up to you though that the kids catch up with what is missed. They may have tests the first week back, essays due, projects due, etc. They will have content they missed.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If I encountered it I would probably discuss our plans with our pediatrician and see whether they thought the kids socioemotional health was best served by being in school or with family.

If your child does not need the instruction and is not missing anything important--then why are you worried about it being excused? Why are you demanding that the teacher provide work if she is not teaching? PP claims her child will be just fine academiclally.

If she’s not teaching there wont be any assignments to provide.

If i was taking a long flight or had significant downtime I’d ask for the material. If i got pushback id seek an excused absence. I wouldn’t follow an arbitrary rule so a teacher felt powerful not doing what others do hsppily.

So, who is the one here claiming to be powerful?

What a weird reaction— parents get work for their traveling kids every day. Isn’t this what you want? Parents working with their kids out of school?

Really nothing will satisfy you. Don’t take kids out — even if there is a sub or non important materials. Don't fall behind but don’t keep up!

Your kid actually can’t “keep up” with 4 weeks of packet work. What we can’t send along is all the instruction and activities we do to help them learn the content and master the skills that work should assess. At BEST we can send 4 weeks of busy work which is pointless to ask us to put together and pointless for your kid to do. We can’t send the next 4 weeks of lessons and new content. I’ve mentioned in this thread before the kid who went to India for over a month last year and the dad wanted us to have 1:1 Google meet lessons (this was denied). But we did post all the work for him online, even though in my class no assignments are even done online. Nevertheless I did it. He emailed us saying his son was having trouble understanding the material posted in Schoology. No duh!! He was not here to be taught it!

Wait a second— we just had a retired teacher tel us that busywork was SO IMPORTANT that kids should come to school to receive instruction from her pre-positioned busywork folder instead of spending time with their families.

LOL! I'm the retired teacher whose words you have conveniently twisted. You skipped the part about the detailed plans and the materials for the lessons that were left on my desk. The folder of "busy work" was "just in case."

But, the part I really don't understand is the parent who thinks that lessons go in "lock step." This assumes that every lesson is a complete success and that all of the students clearly "get" it. Gee, sometimes a lesson needs repetition and more practice--and sometimes, the kids get it so quickly that you can skip along to the next one.

But, PP has decided that the teacher is supposed to anticipate exactly what her child needs.

And, as preparing the lesson for the kids with "strep." If she cannot see the difference here, then she cannot be helped. And, kids are seldom out sick for weeks--and, believe me, most teachers would lovingly do as much as possible to help that kid. But, traveling mom thinks this is the same thing. And, FWIW, a sick child definitely suffers and a really sick child is going to need lots of extra help on return--because they likely have not been able to keep up because he does not feel well.

As for the doctor--sounds like a quack if he is giving excuses for travel.

If you don’t know how over FCPS most local pediatric practices are you’re living under a rock. There are memes about them printed out in the nurses station of ours.

Is it a school’s responsibility to keep pediatricians happy?

No.

Of course, not, but don’t be shocked that many pediatricians are more than happy to make sure their patients aren’t being arbitrary penalized by FCPS. They remember being at work while their kids were at home “learning”

Ah one of the idiotic “Schools were closed during a pandemic when millions of people were dying” geniuses. I can’t wait for you rkid to get to college and watch the Professors laugh at her COVID is the excuse of everything attitude.

COVID may not be the reason for everything but its definitely the reason my pediatricians office has FCPS memes on the wall and has no problem keeping their patients insulated from dumb policies.

They also require vaccination so don’t worry its not only MAHA fringe who is over FCPS.

Complaining about COVID policies on the one hand and claiming that expecting kids not to take extended vacations while school is in session is a little ironic.

I hated the COVID policies and think they made terrible decisions. I also think kids should be in school when school is in session.

It may seem ironic. You concluded that kids should be in school whenever FCPS decides they feel like having school. I concluded that FCPS doesn’t remotely care about the well-being of their students or their families, and so that— and not FCPS’ whims— is my primary concern. It’s in my child's best interest and mu families best interest that we travel and spend time together. That this doesn’t help FCPS meet their attendance metric is for them to worry about.

You do realize that the attendance metric influences funding for your child’s school?

You keep saying this. Here’s an easy fix:

The day before winter break has a very high absence rate. Next year make that a teacher planning day. Now the school average attendance is higher!

Why doesn't FCPS take the steps within their control?

DP. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, are we? If you make that day a planning day, parents will treat that as the start of winter break and take their kid out a day earlier.

Try it and see. Or put planning days on other high-absence days like the Monday after Thanksgiving. FCPS has 100% control over where those days are and 0% credibility with parents, so start making the decisions within their control, it will help with both problems.

Teacher here. I don’t think missing a day before break is the big deal. Even two days before break. It is when kids are missing a full week or two to extend an already two week break. This is the main reason the two week winter break will stay put.

Parents, you are in control of your kids attendance. If you want to pull them, there is nothing we can do. It is up to you though that the kids catch up with what is missed. They may have tests the first week back, essays due, projects due, etc. They will have content they missed.

I don’t think they’re a big deal either but the principal and some
posters here think average attendance reporting is SUPER important. So why not improve those averages with the tools available to the schools?