Attendance pressure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Sorry “platitudes”.

Excuses like blaming Richmond for things (which are then verifiably not their fault…) and platitudes like “the gift of attendance”. They just offend people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We’ve never had a teacher ‘catch up’ DC after being sick even one day. You are on your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We’ve never had a teacher ‘catch up’ DC after being sick even one day. You are on your own.

+1 Yup. In fact, after being out sick a couple of days, we have found teachers expect the kids to come back already having done the makeup work and to already be ready for any quizzes or tests. As if being out sick was a vacation and the kids actually could do any work. Ridiculous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We’ve never had a teacher ‘catch up’ DC after being sick even one day. You are on your own.

+1 Yup. In fact, after being out sick a couple of days, we have found teachers expect the kids to come back already having done the makeup work and to already be ready for any quizzes or tests. As if being out sick was a vacation and the kids actually could do any work. Ridiculous!

+1 The teachers expect the DC to be caught up upon their return. We have never had a teacher re-teach anything. You are on your own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We’ve never had a teacher ‘catch up’ DC after being sick even one day. You are on your own.

+1 Yup. In fact, after being out sick a couple of days, we have found teachers expect the kids to come back already having done the makeup work and to already be ready for any quizzes or tests. As if being out sick was a vacation and the kids actually could do any work. Ridiculous!

How would you expect the teacher to know if your child was out sick or took mental health days or was on vacation when parents call all of those things in as kids being out sick so they have excused absences? I would bet that a large number of kids called in sick are on vacation. I know parents who went on a cruise and called their kids in sick during that time. How many times do you think the teacher has a kid who was “sick” who comes in talking about the trip to Disney or the cruise or whatever other trip the family took?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We’ve never had a teacher ‘catch up’ DC after being sick even one day. You are on your own.

+1 Yup. In fact, after being out sick a couple of days, we have found teachers expect the kids to come back already having done the makeup work and to already be ready for any quizzes or tests. As if being out sick was a vacation and the kids actually could do any work. Ridiculous!

How would you expect the teacher to know if your child was out sick or took mental health days or was on vacation when parents call all of those things in as kids being out sick so they have excused absences? I would bet that a large number of kids called in sick are on vacation. I know parents who went on a cruise and called their kids in sick during that time. How many times do you think the teacher has a kid who was “sick” who comes in talking about the trip to Disney or the cruise or whatever other trip the family took?

The teacher can easily check SIS for the reason - it was marked as an illness and symptoms were described. Whatever the reason, the teachers have little to no compassion for the students and expect them to have makeup work done right away. It’s stressful for my child. Yet the teachers can continue to take weeks to grade things. And no one bothers then when they are sick and expects them to be all caught up the moment they return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We’ve never had a teacher ‘catch up’ DC after being sick even one day. You are on your own.

+1 Yup. In fact, after being out sick a couple of days, we have found teachers expect the kids to come back already having done the makeup work and to already be ready for any quizzes or tests. As if being out sick was a vacation and the kids actually could do any work. Ridiculous!

How would you expect the teacher to know if your child was out sick or took mental health days or was on vacation when parents call all of those things in as kids being out sick so they have excused absences? I would bet that a large number of kids called in sick are on vacation. I know parents who went on a cruise and called their kids in sick during that time. How many times do you think the teacher has a kid who was “sick” who comes in talking about the trip to Disney or the cruise or whatever other trip the family took?

The teacher can easily check SIS for the reason - it was marked as an illness and symptoms were described. Whatever the reason, the teachers have little to no compassion for the students and expect them to have makeup work done right away. It’s stressful for my child. Yet the teachers can continue to take weeks to grade things. And no one bothers then when they are sick and expects them to be all caught up the moment they return.

I'm so sorry that has been your experience!

My kids have had a ton of teachers, and we've only encountered one or two who havent been compassionate and empathetic.

Kid one had 12+ teachers in K-6 (some years, there was more than one), 14 teachers in 7-8, and 30+ teachers in 9-12.

Kid two had 8 teachers in K-6, 14 teachers in 7-8, and at least 20 different teachers (some " repeat" teachers) in 9-12.

Kid three had 7 teachers in K-6, at least 16 in 7-8, and has had at least 12 in high school so far.

Kid four had 7 teachers in K-6 and has had at least 14 in 7-8 so far.

That's over 150 teachers, yet we've only encountered 1-2 who have been less than compassionate. Either we have been exceptionally fortunate, OR the hyperbolic statements regarding teachers, painting them all as ogres, continues. I suspect it's the latter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We’ve never had a teacher ‘catch up’ DC after being sick even one day. You are on your own.

+1 Yup. In fact, after being out sick a couple of days, we have found teachers expect the kids to come back already having done the makeup work and to already be ready for any quizzes or tests. As if being out sick was a vacation and the kids actually could do any work. Ridiculous!

How would you expect the teacher to know if your child was out sick or took mental health days or was on vacation when parents call all of those things in as kids being out sick so they have excused absences? I would bet that a large number of kids called in sick are on vacation. I know parents who went on a cruise and called their kids in sick during that time. How many times do you think the teacher has a kid who was “sick” who comes in talking about the trip to Disney or the cruise or whatever other trip the family took?

The teacher can easily check SIS for the reason - it was marked as an illness and symptoms were described. Whatever the reason, the teachers have little to no compassion for the students and expect them to have makeup work done right away. It’s stressful for my child. Yet the teachers can continue to take weeks to grade things. And no one bothers then when they are sick and expects them to be all caught up the moment they return.

I'm so sorry that has been your experience!

My kids have had a ton of teachers, and we've only encountered one or two who havent been compassionate and empathetic.

Kid one had 12+ teachers in K-6 (some years, there was more than one), 14 teachers in 7-8, and 30+ teachers in 9-12.

Kid two had 8 teachers in K-6, 14 teachers in 7-8, and at least 20 different teachers (some " repeat" teachers) in 9-12.

Kid three had 7 teachers in K-6, at least 16 in 7-8, and has had at least 12 in high school so far.

Kid four had 7 teachers in K-6 and has had at least 14 in 7-8 so far.

That's over 150 teachers, yet we've only encountered 1-2 who have been less than compassionate. Either we have been exceptionally fortunate, OR the hyperbolic statements regarding teachers, painting them all as ogres, continues. I suspect it's the latter.

This is one of the most meaningful posts I’ve seen. Thank you!

- a hard working teacher who often feels defeated by the attacks on this site

[Anonymous]

Growing up, many years ago, if I was out sick I called a classmate to find out what my homework was. I don't recall any illnesses that kept me out for more than a day or two at a time. I'm sure that any teacher I asked would have been kind and compassionate, however.

Of course, that was before the internet and assignments available online.

And, I was a teacher. If kids were out sick, I helped them when they returned--I don't remember contacting mom to tell her what I was doing to help her kid. So, mom--you may not be aware of what is happening in class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Growing up, many years ago, if I was out sick I called a classmate to find out what my homework was. I don't recall any illnesses that kept me out for more than a day or two at a time. I'm sure that any teacher I asked would have been kind and compassionate, however.

Of course, that was before the internet and assignments available online.

And, I was a teacher. If kids were out sick, I helped them when they returned--I don't remember contacting mom to tell her what I was doing to help her kid. So, mom--you may not be aware of what is happening in class.

This is a good point. I always post my plans (daily and weekly) online. Each entry has links to the day’s notes, slides, and assignments.

Students don’t need to ask me what we did during their absence because it is already available online, including any necessary instructions.

[Anonymous]

How does attendence compare in first semester versus second semester? After winter break, the HS parking lot always seems emptier second semester. Where do all the kids go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does attendence compare in first semester versus second semester? After winter break, the HS parking lot always seems emptier second semester. Where do all the kids go?

Admission letters are out. Kids who already have their placement only need to maintain they don’t need to excel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing up, many years ago, if I was out sick I called a classmate to find out what my homework was. I don't recall any illnesses that kept me out for more than a day or two at a time. I'm sure that any teacher I asked would have been kind and compassionate, however.

Of course, that was before the internet and assignments available online.

And, I was a teacher. If kids were out sick, I helped them when they returned--I don't remember contacting mom to tell her what I was doing to help her kid. So, mom--you may not be aware of what is happening in class.

This is a good point. I always post my plans (daily and weekly) online. Each entry has links to the day’s notes, slides, and assignments.

Students don’t need to ask me what we did during their absence because it is already available online, including any necessary instructions.

Not really making a case for the “gift” of attendance here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We’ve never had a teacher ‘catch up’ DC after being sick even one day. You are on your own.

+1 Yup. In fact, after being out sick a couple of days, we have found teachers expect the kids to come back already having done the makeup work and to already be ready for any quizzes or tests. As if being out sick was a vacation and the kids actually could do any work. Ridiculous!

How would you expect the teacher to know if your child was out sick or took mental health days or was on vacation when parents call all of those things in as kids being out sick so they have excused absences? I would bet that a large number of kids called in sick are on vacation. I know parents who went on a cruise and called their kids in sick during that time. How many times do you think the teacher has a kid who was “sick” who comes in talking about the trip to Disney or the cruise or whatever other trip the family took?

The teacher can easily check SIS for the reason - it was marked as an illness and symptoms were described. Whatever the reason, the teachers have little to no compassion for the students and expect them to have makeup work done right away. It’s stressful for my child. Yet the teachers can continue to take weeks to grade things. And no one bothers then when they are sick and expects them to be all caught up the moment they return.

DC’s teacher took off for Disney and came back and bragged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Growing up, many years ago, if I was out sick I called a classmate to find out what my homework was. I don't recall any illnesses that kept me out for more than a day or two at a time. I'm sure that any teacher I asked would have been kind and compassionate, however.

Of course, that was before the internet and assignments available online.

And, I was a teacher. If kids were out sick, I helped them when they returned--I don't remember contacting mom to tell her what I was doing to help her kid. So, mom--you may not be aware of what is happening in class.

This is a good point. I always post my plans (daily and weekly) online. Each entry has links to the day’s notes, slides, and assignments.

Students don’t need to ask me what we did during their absence because it is already available online, including any necessary instructions.

Not really making a case for the “gift” of attendance here.

What’s the better alternative? Should I gatekeep everything so students are forced to sit though my lessons?

Of course it’s better to get the lesson during class, with examples and ample class discussion. But if you’re sick, I’d like you to get the second best option: complete access to everything we discussed in class.

I’m sorry that’s not acceptable to you. If it’s okay, I’ll keep doing it because it’s the right thing to do.