Letter from principal - excessive absences (FCPS)

[Anonymous]

My dd (in 3rd grade) was sick in the Fall for 2 weeks with a virus (many others in her class were as well). Then starting around mid-January, she has had one case of strep after the other, and had four cases of strep total. Her absences have been 22. In each strep case, she experienced symptoms, fever, headache, etc., and her strep was diagnosed at the dr or urgent care.

We received a letter from the principal expressing concern over her excessive absences, and it said that he was concerned about the impact on her education.

The letter did not ask for a response, but it seems like I should respond? What would you do? I could send evidence of her strep tests to document why she has been absent?

We have an ENT appointment scheduled, and we are considering removing her tonsils. It seems like that might help, but that is not going to help with the past absences.

[Anonymous]

Call the Principal and talk about your concerns.

[Anonymous]

If you went to the doctor, I would just get a note confirming the illnesses. Its probably a form letter sent to all the parents who had over x amount of absences.

[Anonymous]

Yes I would probably follow up just in case there are future absences. Know the school is only doing as required..

[Anonymous]

Well what ARE you doing about her academics?
The school is raising valid concerns here.

[Anonymous]

22 days=more than four weeks of school.

With all the snow days, she has missed a good portion of the school year. You should be concerned about her education. Have you talked with her teacher?

[Anonymous]

It's probably a form letter triggered by a certain # of absences. As long as your kid isn't falling behind academically now, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Anonymous]

I'm not questioning your decisions, but two weeks out for any illness that didn't require hospitalization is a long time.

[Anonymous]

I'm the OP, of course, I am concerned about her education. What do you mean, what am I doing? I am taking her to the dr and trying to get her well. I am going to schedule surgery for goodness sake. We spend weekends doing homework. What else can I do pray tell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's probably a form letter triggered by a certain # of absences. As long as your kid isn't falling behind academically now, I wouldn't worry about it.

This. They are probably required to send that out. As long as you have confirmed excused absences, and are in contact with the teachers and they feel your kid not falling behind, then I wouldn't worry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's probably a form letter triggered by a certain # of absences. As long as your kid isn't falling behind academically now, I wouldn't worry about it.

This. They are probably required to send that out. As long as you have confirmed excused absences, and are in contact with the teachers and they feel your kid not falling behind, then I wouldn't worry.

+2
The principal is just covering his/her ass.

[Anonymous]

It's a form letter and likely doesn't require a response.

As long as you've stayed in touch with her teacher and the teacher isn't expressing concerns I wouldn't worry about it.

[Anonymous]

I would call the principal and make sure it's clear in her record that these were all excused absences for medical reasons, and then to discuss whether there are particular concerns with her school performance that need to be addressed. If it's just a form letter and nothing to worry about, the principal can clarify quickly, but if there are issues, better to be proactive rather than waiting for an actual demand for response.

[Anonymous]

get the kids tonsils taken out and be done with it.

[Anonymous]

Good Lord. 22 days AND all these snow days----that's a helluva lot of absences!! It's a form letter for sure, but I'd be concerned about how much s/he's missed.