Attendance pressure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a staff meeting this week stating each CT needed to create interventions and document strategies and implementation dates to improve grades and test scores. “By name and by need” implement specific strategies for identified kids.

When I stated the only kids with Ds and Fs in my classes were those with 10+ missed classes so far, I was told not to focus on attendance and to determine ways to adjust my teaching strategies to catch them up on days they come.

Pass the buck to teachers. Again. I’m tired.

Do what you suggest on this thread and remember it’s not your business why they’re out, and perhaps they’re in the ICU.

Different teacher here. I DON’T care why they’re out. I DO care that admin makes it MY responsibility to try any means possible to avoid giving them the F they earned when they attended class 2 times the entire quarter. It’s admin’s deal to figure out why they’re out and if it’s an ICU thing then they need to be on homebound. But admin does nothing and then just tells teachers “catch them up” when they show up on the last day of the quarter looking for a miracle because heaven forbid a kid who is never at school actually fails school

I think the pressure on kids/families managing well is insane but 100% agree with this. FCPS has massive admin bloat. What are they doing if not dealing with these issues so teachers can teach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s all about qualifying for dollars by having butts in seats when school is scheduled to be in session. Nothing more than that.

This! I've posted this several times with different language: Average daily attendance affects the bottom line.

You have posted it, but never been able to explain my FCPS doesn’t do the much more obvious fixes to increase average daily attendance.

Please share what all these "obvious fixes" are and why you think FCPS isn't trying them/hasn't tried them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s all about qualifying for dollars by having butts in seats when school is scheduled to be in session. Nothing more than that.

This! I've posted this several times with different language: Average daily attendance affects the bottom line.

You have posted it, but never been able to explain my FCPS doesn’t do the much more obvious fixes to increase average daily attendance.

They should call CPS if they miss a certain number of days

You want an incredibly well-funded organization to call a notoriously under-resourced organization and tell them to go yell at the wealthy parents whose children are well cared for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s all about qualifying for dollars by having butts in seats when school is scheduled to be in session. Nothing more than that.

This! I've posted this several times with different language: Average daily attendance affects the bottom line.

You have posted it, but never been able to explain my FCPS doesn’t do the much more obvious fixes to increase average daily attendance.

Please share what all these "obvious fixes" are and why you think FCPS isn't trying them/hasn't tried them.

Attendance on early-release Weds’ is in the gutter. Stop those and the averages improve.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:DS reports no subs, presentations and exams this week. A few parties on Thursday and Friday. He as at least one essay due in class on Friday.

Teachers being in class is always variable. It has been rare for DS to have subs during this week over the 9 years he has been in school but that could be an anomaly. The data shows that this is a week where there are lots of subs and lots of absences. Do your thing, just don’t expect that the teachers are required to get your kid caught up. I think most make an effort to get missed work to kids but they don’t have to.

I remember being in school in the 80’s and asking friends to let me know what the assignments were and to give me copy of notes when I missed school for some reason. The teacher wasn’t providing that info, I called and asked a friend. I am not sure why things would be different today.

Parents should write the board and request the number of subs this week. They should send it to the principal as well as gatehouse to discourage further rude and badly received communication.

For what, exactly? Do you want the schools to be closed all of December? Then another group of parents would be upset. Teachers are professionals that are allowed to take vacation days off also.

Yes, teachers can take vacations, and so can parents. If a principal is going to say “our teachers will be teaching” he should have more respect for the parent body that to lie.

Yup. They are most definitely not teaching right up until break. They are administering tests or bs group projects to kill time or have subs. lol.

My entire grade-level subject area is giving a short quiz AND teaching an entire lesson tomorrow/Friday.

My son will be absent from 2nd period on Friday because he has a cardiologist appointment, so he spoke with his teacher about what he will be missing in his class. He is missing a quiz, notes on a new concept, and classwork related to that new concept, during which his teacher always pulls small groups for reteaching. That sounds like teaching is occurring.

As a secondary school teacher, I can 100% guarantee you that no secondary teacher is "killing time." There is no flexibility in the curriculum that would allow for "killing time." We can barely get through our curriculum as it is.

But some of you can have your classes taught by a sub all week so clearly the time pressure is not acute on all of you. Again, I don’t see anything wrong with this. But a principal shouldn’t be saying Teachers will be in the classroom when they will not.

As a teacher, I can assure you that there’s not more than one teacher out in the whole school for the entire week. I don’t even think there’s one teacher out for the entire week.

And yet there are parents on this thread with more than one.

There’s nothing wrong with teachers being out, but its quite a look to send a scolding email to parents when the people who work for you were on a plane last Friday.

There’s email wasn’t “scolding” and teachers didn’t send it. Move on. If you want to take a vacation, take a vacation. Nobody cares about this as much as you do.

You’re right, the teachers didn’t send it, but it makes commitments on their behalf.

And since you’re on page 37 it seems like you really care.

I call out nonsense where I see it. You've spent 37 pages whining about teachers because a principal sent a letter stated that attendance is important.

Write an angry letter to the principal and call out all those horrible teachers for taking their leave. Come back and let us know what response you get.

I think you’re mixing up posters. I’ve been clear this whole thread I think teachers should take their vacation and everyone else should too.

+1 the principal shouldn’t be calling out families for going on vacation…when they have plenty of teachers out…on vacation.

Why are teachers being held to the same standard as kids?

Because their principal sent an email saying they’d be in the classroom. You’ll have to ask the principal why he didn’t limit his statement to students.

Its a dumb email, disrespectful of parents and lying on behalf of teachers.

It wasn’t a dumb email, and (as a parent) I didn’t see it as disrespectful.

I’m also a teacher. Saying teachers are teaching wasn’t lying. They are! You think every class was filled with subs? Nonsense.

Put it to rest.

I’m sorry you’re not permitted to dictate to others how they feel about an email, or what they’re permitted to talk about. Do you try to exert this level of control another area areas of your life?

When I’m upset about something, I take action.

You seem very upset about that email, so much so that you’ve complained for many pages.

Have you emailed the principal? Have you called out those teachers for using their leave?

If not, then you’re simply spewing negativity into the universe. Do something or hush.

Again, literally no one needs to “hush” because you say so.

+1 plus, we are doing something. We are complaining. The PP can move along if they don’t like it.

And what has complaining on DCUM accomplished? Feel better now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s all about qualifying for dollars by having butts in seats when school is scheduled to be in session. Nothing more than that.

This! I've posted this several times with different language: Average daily attendance affects the bottom line.

You have posted it, but never been able to explain my FCPS doesn’t do the much more obvious fixes to increase average daily attendance.

They should call CPS if they miss a certain number of days

They get dropped from the school if they miss a certain number of days.

Only if it's over 15 consecutive days. Kid comes for one period of one day, it resets the counter. I had a student that I saw less than 20 days out of 180, but they conveniently came late on enough days to stay enrolled.

I have another one this year that only comes on the day they like their classes and miss their English/Math days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS reports no subs, presentations and exams this week. A few parties on Thursday and Friday. He as at least one essay due in class on Friday.

Teachers being in class is always variable. It has been rare for DS to have subs during this week over the 9 years he has been in school but that could be an anomaly. The data shows that this is a week where there are lots of subs and lots of absences. Do your thing, just don’t expect that the teachers are required to get your kid caught up. I think most make an effort to get missed work to kids but they don’t have to.

I remember being in school in the 80’s and asking friends to let me know what the assignments were and to give me copy of notes when I missed school for some reason. The teacher wasn’t providing that info, I called and asked a friend. I am not sure why things would be different today.

Parents should write the board and request the number of subs this week. They should send it to the principal as well as gatehouse to discourage further rude and badly received communication.

For what, exactly? Do you want the schools to be closed all of December? Then another group of parents would be upset. Teachers are professionals that are allowed to take vacation days off also.

Yes, teachers can take vacations, and so can parents. If a principal is going to say “our teachers will be teaching” he should have more respect for the parent body that to lie.

Yup. They are most definitely not teaching right up until break. They are administering tests or bs group projects to kill time or have subs. lol.

My entire grade-level subject area is giving a short quiz AND teaching an entire lesson tomorrow/Friday.

My son will be absent from 2nd period on Friday because he has a cardiologist appointment, so he spoke with his teacher about what he will be missing in his class. He is missing a quiz, notes on a new concept, and classwork related to that new concept, during which his teacher always pulls small groups for reteaching. That sounds like teaching is occurring.

As a secondary school teacher, I can 100% guarantee you that no secondary teacher is "killing time." There is no flexibility in the curriculum that would allow for "killing time." We can barely get through our curriculum as it is.

But some of you can have your classes taught by a sub all week so clearly the time pressure is not acute on all of you. Again, I don’t see anything wrong with this. But a principal shouldn’t be saying Teachers will be in the classroom when they will not.

As a teacher, I can assure you that there’s not more than one teacher out in the whole school for the entire week. I don’t even think there’s one teacher out for the entire week.

And yet there are parents on this thread with more than one.

There’s nothing wrong with teachers being out, but its quite a look to send a scolding email to parents when the people who work for you were on a plane last Friday.

There’s email wasn’t “scolding” and teachers didn’t send it. Move on. If you want to take a vacation, take a vacation. Nobody cares about this as much as you do.

You’re right, the teachers didn’t send it, but it makes commitments on their behalf.

And since you’re on page 37 it seems like you really care.

I call out nonsense where I see it. You've spent 37 pages whining about teachers because a principal sent a letter stated that attendance is important.

Write an angry letter to the principal and call out all those horrible teachers for taking their leave. Come back and let us know what response you get.

I think you’re mixing up posters. I’ve been clear this whole thread I think teachers should take their vacation and everyone else should too.

+1 the principal shouldn’t be calling out families for going on vacation…when they have plenty of teachers out…on vacation.

Why are teachers being held to the same standard as kids?

Because their principal sent an email saying they’d be in the classroom. You’ll have to ask the principal why he didn’t limit his statement to students.

Its a dumb email, disrespectful of parents and lying on behalf of teachers.

It wasn’t a dumb email, and (as a parent) I didn’t see it as disrespectful.

I’m also a teacher. Saying teachers are teaching wasn’t lying. They are! You think every class was filled with subs? Nonsense.

Put it to rest.

I’m sorry you’re not permitted to dictate to others how they feel about an email, or what they’re permitted to talk about. Do you try to exert this level of control another area areas of your life?

When I’m upset about something, I take action.

You seem very upset about that email, so much so that you’ve complained for many pages.

Have you emailed the principal? Have you called out those teachers for using their leave?

If not, then you’re simply spewing negativity into the universe. Do something or hush.

Again, literally no one needs to “hush” because you say so.

+1 plus, we are doing something. We are complaining. The PP can move along if they don’t like it.

And what has complaining on DCUM accomplished? Feel better now?

What has scolding accomplished? Do you feel like you really told everyone what to do?

[Anonymous]

I am a HS teacher where attendance is critical.

These attendance policies are abusive and turn a blind eye to the different life conditions students have.

We need to make school feel less obligatory and more inviting, which is not at all what FCPS is doing or has done historically, and by that, I am disgustedly appalled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a HS teacher where attendance is critical.

These attendance policies are abusive and turn a blind eye to the different life conditions students have.

We need to make school feel less obligatory and more inviting, which is not at all what FCPS is doing or has done historically, and by that, I am disgustedly appalled.

Thoughtful and accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a HS teacher where attendance is critical.

These attendance policies are abusive and turn a blind eye to the different life conditions students have.

We need to make school feel less obligatory and more inviting, which is not at all what FCPS is doing or has done historically, and by that, I am disgustedly appalled.

I'm also a teacher. What do you think FCPS should do differently?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a HS teacher where attendance is critical.

These attendance policies are abusive and turn a blind eye to the different life conditions students have.

We need to make school feel less obligatory and more inviting, which is not at all what FCPS is doing or has done historically, and by that, I am disgustedly appalled.

I'm also a teacher. What do you think FCPS should do differently?

I'd like to know this, as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a HS teacher where attendance is critical.

These attendance policies are abusive and turn a blind eye to the different life conditions students have.

We need to make school feel less obligatory and more inviting, which is not at all what FCPS is doing or has done historically, and by that, I am disgustedly appalled.

I'm also a teacher. What do you think FCPS should do differently?

Retired teacher: spend more time teaching and less on training/paperwork

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a staff meeting this week stating each CT needed to create interventions and document strategies and implementation dates to improve grades and test scores. “By name and by need” implement specific strategies for identified kids.

When I stated the only kids with Ds and Fs in my classes were those with 10+ missed classes so far, I was told not to focus on attendance and to determine ways to adjust my teaching strategies to catch them up on days they come.

Pass the buck to teachers. Again. I’m tired.

Do what you suggest on this thread and remember it’s not your business why they’re out, and perhaps they’re in the ICU.

Different teacher here. I DON’T care why they’re out. I DO care that admin makes it MY responsibility to try any means possible to avoid giving them the F they earned when they attended class 2 times the entire quarter. It’s admin’s deal to figure out why they’re out and if it’s an ICU thing then they need to be on homebound. But admin does nothing and then just tells teachers “catch them up” when they show up on the last day of the quarter looking for a miracle because heaven forbid a kid who is never at school actually fails school

Teacher here, I gave up on this years ago. I won’t catch them up, I just keep teaching for those that are there.

[Anonymous]

Treat parents well, be respectful of family time and resources. Stay away from latitudes and excuses, and assume that the parent body is equally or more motivated by their child’s best interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Treat parents well, be respectful of family time and resources. Stay away from latitudes and excuses, and assume that the parent body is equally or more motivated by their child’s best interest.

What does this mean?