Here’s my rep Mateo Dunne coming right out and saying that they’re going to be annoying pains in the ass about attendance this year because of the new state regs. This was the literal opening of his most recent newsletter. Gird your loins, folks!

School Attendance

We are fortunate to live in a time and place where the Constitution requires the State to provide “a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age” and “ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained.” Fairfax County Public Schools is an exemplar of public education, but each child’s educational attainment and ability to realize their potential is contingent on regular school attendance.

During the pandemic, our children lost the habit of attending school every day. Chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 18+ days (or 2 days per month) in the school year—nearly doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels. This is a universal phenomenon, affecting students at all income levels in every region of the country. It is also highly destructive. Chronic absenteeism has been linked to reduced student achievement, social disengagement, and feelings of alienation because students miss out on opportunities to learn, to build friendships, to get involved in their school communities, and to pursue their interests.

There is no grade level at which school attendance should be considered optional. For example, students who are chronically absent in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade fall behind in learning to read. At every age level, chronic absenteeism can make it difficult for students to keep up with the pace of learning. Once students fall behind, it can be hard for them to catch up, especially if they have limited resources. If we learned anything from the pandemic, there is no substitute for being in the classroom.

Virginia is in the process of enacting school accreditation standards that will penalize schools with higher chronic absenteeism rates. FCPS is going above and beyond to ensure students attend school every day, but it is imperative that we work together as a community to reduce absenteeism and ensure every child receives a world-class education.

Anonymous wrote:

Interestingly, it is estimated that 50-60% of schools are going to fall into the lower two categories of “off track” or “needs intensive support” because mastery is going to be weighted more than “growth” on the new rating system.

That was based on 2022-23 data. SOL data for 2023-24 should show improvement so that share should be less.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed more than 10 days this year. Our ES kept begging me to bring my kids in on a teacher workday for what they called a two hour reading and math "workshop". I asked if my kids were behind? No. I asked for details on what the workshop would cover? It was told it would be "independent learning".

Then my teacher friend told me this was a way for schools to cook the books on attendance numbers.

Also good for your kids, where being in school is good for learning and for valuing education. Whether they were sick or on vacation, missing over 10 days of school is very hard for kids, although you don't seem to realize it.

My oldest missed 15 days of school two years ago from covid, flu, and covid again (has never regained his sense of taste). And that school year, academically, was a struggle for him.

Kids are all different. One of mine struggled HORRIBLY when FCPS failed to live up to their promise to let kids go two days a week.

The other decided it was going to be regular school or nothing and chose the 100% online option and did well.

That one came to the conclusion that in-person was not required to excel and when FCPS went back to a traditional schedule skipped whenever and continued to excel.

FCPS dragged their feet on reopening long after it was shown to be safe. Those who run the system can’t now turn around and pretend to care about education and the wellbeing of children.

🙄

Yes, the pandemic was a once-a-generation disaster that will affect us, adults and children, for a long time, possibly for the rest of our lives. It has left its mark on my family and on yours.

It wasn’t the pandemic, it was how the local government reacted.

Had we lived in some counties in VA (going 2-3 days in person and fully reopening earlier than FCPS) or Florida, Texas etc. it wouldn’t have been an issue.

Those kids aren't the same either. Do you have family or friends in those states?

One of my kids basically missed 2nd grade entirely. But I'm not bashing FCPS because of the pandemic. You're doing your kids no favors.

Why? My kid was in 2nd grade online and then returned in person at the end. He didn't miss anything.

"He didn't miss anything"?

Early ES teacher here . . . A lot of work still needs to be done. The only kids who come in reading on grade level in 3rd grade are the ones whose parents taught them to read or read with them during the pandemic. Sadly that is usually less than half of the class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed more than 10 days this year. Our ES kept begging me to bring my kids in on a teacher workday for what they called a two hour reading and math "workshop". I asked if my kids were behind? No. I asked for details on what the workshop would cover? It was told it would be "independent learning".

Then my teacher friend told me this was a way for schools to cook the books on attendance numbers.

Also good for your kids, where being in school is good for learning and for valuing education. Whether they were sick or on vacation, missing over 10 days of school is very hard for kids, although you don't seem to realize it.

My oldest missed 15 days of school two years ago from covid, flu, and covid again (has never regained his sense of taste). And that school year, academically, was a struggle for him.

Kids are all different. One of mine struggled HORRIBLY when FCPS failed to live up to their promise to let kids go two days a week.

The other decided it was going to be regular school or nothing and chose the 100% online option and did well.

That one came to the conclusion that in-person was not required to excel and when FCPS went back to a traditional schedule skipped whenever and continued to excel.

FCPS dragged their feet on reopening long after it was shown to be safe. Those who run the system can’t now turn around and pretend to care about education and the wellbeing of children.

🙄

Yes, the pandemic was a once-a-generation disaster that will affect us, adults and children, for a long time, possibly for the rest of our lives. It has left its mark on my family and on yours.

It wasn’t the pandemic, it was how the local government reacted.

Had we lived in some counties in VA (going 2-3 days in person and fully reopening earlier than FCPS) or Florida, Texas etc. it wouldn’t have been an issue.

Those kids aren't the same either. Do you have family or friends in those states?

One of my kids basically missed 2nd grade entirely. But I'm not bashing FCPS because of the pandemic. You're doing your kids no favors.

Why? My kid was in 2nd grade online and then returned in person at the end. He didn't miss anything.

"2nd grade online" is....not a real thing.

I’ve heard that those who did 1st, 2nd, and 3rd online are in the worst spots academically and in terms of behavior right now. Remember those kids also had a shortened previous year (K, 1, 2 respectively). Some kids aren’t reading even by the end of K, and almost all early ES kids are still learning to read. They’re still behind even now. A kid who wasn’t reading in K by March 2020, then did 1st online and didn’t absorb much, then 2nd in a masked and restricted environment … then you expect them to be 100% caught up and hunky dory in normal 3rd? It’s not realistic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed more than 10 days this year. Our ES kept begging me to bring my kids in on a teacher workday for what they called a two hour reading and math "workshop". I asked if my kids were behind? No. I asked for details on what the workshop would cover? It was told it would be "independent learning".

Then my teacher friend told me this was a way for schools to cook the books on attendance numbers.

Also good for your kids, where being in school is good for learning and for valuing education. Whether they were sick or on vacation, missing over 10 days of school is very hard for kids, although you don't seem to realize it.

My oldest missed 15 days of school two years ago from covid, flu, and covid again (has never regained his sense of taste). And that school year, academically, was a struggle for him.

Kids are all different. One of mine struggled HORRIBLY when FCPS failed to live up to their promise to let kids go two days a week.

The other decided it was going to be regular school or nothing and chose the 100% online option and did well.

That one came to the conclusion that in-person was not required to excel and when FCPS went back to a traditional schedule skipped whenever and continued to excel.

FCPS dragged their feet on reopening long after it was shown to be safe. Those who run the system can’t now turn around and pretend to care about education and the wellbeing of children.

🙄

Yes, the pandemic was a once-a-generation disaster that will affect us, adults and children, for a long time, possibly for the rest of our lives. It has left its mark on my family and on yours.

It wasn’t the pandemic, it was how the local government reacted.

Had we lived in some counties in VA (going 2-3 days in person and fully reopening earlier than FCPS) or Florida, Texas etc. it wouldn’t have been an issue.

Those kids aren't the same either. Do you have family or friends in those states?

One of my kids basically missed 2nd grade entirely. But I'm not bashing FCPS because of the pandemic. You're doing your kids no favors.

Why? My kid was in 2nd grade online and then returned in person at the end. He didn't miss anything.

"2nd grade online" is....not a real thing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed more than 10 days this year. Our ES kept begging me to bring my kids in on a teacher workday for what they called a two hour reading and math "workshop". I asked if my kids were behind? No. I asked for details on what the workshop would cover? It was told it would be "independent learning".

Then my teacher friend told me this was a way for schools to cook the books on attendance numbers.

Also good for your kids, where being in school is good for learning and for valuing education. Whether they were sick or on vacation, missing over 10 days of school is very hard for kids, although you don't seem to realize it.

My oldest missed 15 days of school two years ago from covid, flu, and covid again (has never regained his sense of taste). And that school year, academically, was a struggle for him.

Kids are all different. One of mine struggled HORRIBLY when FCPS failed to live up to their promise to let kids go two days a week.

The other decided it was going to be regular school or nothing and chose the 100% online option and did well.

That one came to the conclusion that in-person was not required to excel and when FCPS went back to a traditional schedule skipped whenever and continued to excel.

FCPS dragged their feet on reopening long after it was shown to be safe. Those who run the system can’t now turn around and pretend to care about education and the wellbeing of children.

🙄

Yes, the pandemic was a once-a-generation disaster that will affect us, adults and children, for a long time, possibly for the rest of our lives. It has left its mark on my family and on yours.

It wasn’t the pandemic, it was how the local government reacted.

Had we lived in some counties in VA (going 2-3 days in person and fully reopening earlier than FCPS) or Florida, Texas etc. it wouldn’t have been an issue.

Those kids aren't the same either. Do you have family or friends in those states?

One of my kids basically missed 2nd grade entirely. But I'm not bashing FCPS because of the pandemic. You're doing your kids no favors.

Why? My kid was in 2nd grade online and then returned in person at the end. He didn't miss anything.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed more than 10 days this year. Our ES kept begging me to bring my kids in on a teacher workday for what they called a two hour reading and math "workshop". I asked if my kids were behind? No. I asked for details on what the workshop would cover? It was told it would be "independent learning".

Then my teacher friend told me this was a way for schools to cook the books on attendance numbers.

Also good for your kids, where being in school is good for learning and for valuing education. Whether they were sick or on vacation, missing over 10 days of school is very hard for kids, although you don't seem to realize it.

My oldest missed 15 days of school two years ago from covid, flu, and covid again (has never regained his sense of taste). And that school year, academically, was a struggle for him.

Kids are all different. One of mine struggled HORRIBLY when FCPS failed to live up to their promise to let kids go two days a week.

The other decided it was going to be regular school or nothing and chose the 100% online option and did well.

That one came to the conclusion that in-person was not required to excel and when FCPS went back to a traditional schedule skipped whenever and continued to excel.

FCPS dragged their feet on reopening long after it was shown to be safe. Those who run the system can’t now turn around and pretend to care about education and the wellbeing of children.

🙄

Yes, the pandemic was a once-a-generation disaster that will affect us, adults and children, for a long time, possibly for the rest of our lives. It has left its mark on my family and on yours.

It wasn’t the pandemic, it was how the local government reacted.

Had we lived in some counties in VA (going 2-3 days in person and fully reopening earlier than FCPS) or Florida, Texas etc. it wouldn’t have been an issue.

Those kids aren't the same either. Do you have family or friends in those states?

One of my kids basically missed 2nd grade entirely. But I'm not bashing FCPS because of the pandemic. You're doing your kids no favors.

DP - I have friends and family in those states. Pandemic was a 6 week break with family for them and back to school. Those kids are the same.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ELL students, if managed correctly, are an advantage to the school they are at because they have the potential to show the most growth compared to kids who are already on grade level and just pass.

But the new ratings are going to weight “mastery” more than “growth.”

+1 there will be many schools with high ELL populations that will be screwed. And this school board will redraw boundaries to cover it up.

You can’t really re-draw boundaries to cover it up. Aside from Langley, most schools will continue to see an increase in ELL and FARMS.

Vote for a presidential candidate who supports deportation

They all do.

Actually Harris said as recently as January tht we should be trying for amnesty. Elizabeth Warren said the quiet part out loud last week when she said Harris is going to get amnesty done. So no, they don't all support deporting people here illegally

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ELL students, if managed correctly, are an advantage to the school they are at because they have the potential to show the most growth compared to kids who are already on grade level and just pass.

But the new ratings are going to weight “mastery” more than “growth.”

+1 there will be many schools with high ELL populations that will be screwed. And this school board will redraw boundaries to cover it up.

You can’t really re-draw boundaries to cover it up. Aside from Langley, most schools will continue to see an increase in ELL and FARMS.

Vote for a presidential candidate who supports deportation

Definitely don’t vote for Trump since he killed the bipartisan immigration reform bill. He only wants to use the issue for political gain; no interest in fixing it.

So, like Biden FINALLY writing a border EO during his last year - an election year, no less? After telling Americans for four years that there was "nothing he could do"? Funny that you didn't mention this.
DP

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed more than 10 days this year. Our ES kept begging me to bring my kids in on a teacher workday for what they called a two hour reading and math "workshop". I asked if my kids were behind? No. I asked for details on what the workshop would cover? It was told it would be "independent learning".

Then my teacher friend told me this was a way for schools to cook the books on attendance numbers.

Also good for your kids, where being in school is good for learning and for valuing education. Whether they were sick or on vacation, missing over 10 days of school is very hard for kids, although you don't seem to realize it.

My oldest missed 15 days of school two years ago from covid, flu, and covid again (has never regained his sense of taste). And that school year, academically, was a struggle for him.

Kids are all different. One of mine struggled HORRIBLY when FCPS failed to live up to their promise to let kids go two days a week.

The other decided it was going to be regular school or nothing and chose the 100% online option and did well.

That one came to the conclusion that in-person was not required to excel and when FCPS went back to a traditional schedule skipped whenever and continued to excel.

FCPS dragged their feet on reopening long after it was shown to be safe. Those who run the system can’t now turn around and pretend to care about education and the wellbeing of children.

🙄

Yes, the pandemic was a once-a-generation disaster that will affect us, adults and children, for a long time, possibly for the rest of our lives. It has left its mark on my family and on yours.

It wasn’t the pandemic, it was how the local government reacted.

Had we lived in some counties in VA (going 2-3 days in person and fully reopening earlier than FCPS) or Florida, Texas etc. it wouldn’t have been an issue.

The pandemic left a mark on everyone!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ELL students, if managed correctly, are an advantage to the school they are at because they have the potential to show the most growth compared to kids who are already on grade level and just pass.

But the new ratings are going to weight “mastery” more than “growth.”

+1 there will be many schools with high ELL populations that will be screwed. And this school board will redraw boundaries to cover it up.

You can’t really re-draw boundaries to cover it up. Aside from Langley, most schools will continue to see an increase in ELL and FARMS.

Vote for a presidential candidate who supports deportation

Definitely don’t vote for Trump since he killed the bipartisan immigration reform bill. He only wants to use the issue for political gain; no interest in fixing it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed more than 10 days this year. Our ES kept begging me to bring my kids in on a teacher workday for what they called a two hour reading and math "workshop". I asked if my kids were behind? No. I asked for details on what the workshop would cover? It was told it would be "independent learning".

Then my teacher friend told me this was a way for schools to cook the books on attendance numbers.

Also good for your kids, where being in school is good for learning and for valuing education. Whether they were sick or on vacation, missing over 10 days of school is very hard for kids, although you don't seem to realize it.

My oldest missed 15 days of school two years ago from covid, flu, and covid again (has never regained his sense of taste). And that school year, academically, was a struggle for him.

Kids are all different. One of mine struggled HORRIBLY when FCPS failed to live up to their promise to let kids go two days a week.

The other decided it was going to be regular school or nothing and chose the 100% online option and did well.

That one came to the conclusion that in-person was not required to excel and when FCPS went back to a traditional schedule skipped whenever and continued to excel.

FCPS dragged their feet on reopening long after it was shown to be safe. Those who run the system can’t now turn around and pretend to care about education and the wellbeing of children.

🙄

Yes, the pandemic was a once-a-generation disaster that will affect us, adults and children, for a long time, possibly for the rest of our lives. It has left its mark on my family and on yours.

It wasn’t the pandemic, it was how the local government reacted.

Had we lived in some counties in VA (going 2-3 days in person and fully reopening earlier than FCPS) or Florida, Texas etc. it wouldn’t have been an issue.

Those kids aren't the same either. Do you have family or friends in those states?

One of my kids basically missed 2nd grade entirely. But I'm not bashing FCPS because of the pandemic. You're doing your kids no favors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed more than 10 days this year. Our ES kept begging me to bring my kids in on a teacher workday for what they called a two hour reading and math "workshop". I asked if my kids were behind? No. I asked for details on what the workshop would cover? It was told it would be "independent learning".

Then my teacher friend told me this was a way for schools to cook the books on attendance numbers.

Also good for your kids, where being in school is good for learning and for valuing education. Whether they were sick or on vacation, missing over 10 days of school is very hard for kids, although you don't seem to realize it.

My oldest missed 15 days of school two years ago from covid, flu, and covid again (has never regained his sense of taste). And that school year, academically, was a struggle for him.

Kids are all different. One of mine struggled HORRIBLY when FCPS failed to live up to their promise to let kids go two days a week.

The other decided it was going to be regular school or nothing and chose the 100% online option and did well.

That one came to the conclusion that in-person was not required to excel and when FCPS went back to a traditional schedule skipped whenever and continued to excel.

FCPS dragged their feet on reopening long after it was shown to be safe. Those who run the system can’t now turn around and pretend to care about education and the wellbeing of children.

🙄

Yes, the pandemic was a once-a-generation disaster that will affect us, adults and children, for a long time, possibly for the rest of our lives. It has left its mark on my family and on yours.

It wasn’t the pandemic, it was how the local government reacted.

Had we lived in some counties in VA (going 2-3 days in person and fully reopening earlier than FCPS) or Florida, Texas etc. it wouldn’t have been an issue.

Nevertheless, the kids learned a valuable lesson about governmental overreach and exactly why you should limit its power.
So, not a complete loss.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids missed more than 10 days this year. Our ES kept begging me to bring my kids in on a teacher workday for what they called a two hour reading and math "workshop". I asked if my kids were behind? No. I asked for details on what the workshop would cover? It was told it would be "independent learning".

Then my teacher friend told me this was a way for schools to cook the books on attendance numbers.

Also good for your kids, where being in school is good for learning and for valuing education. Whether they were sick or on vacation, missing over 10 days of school is very hard for kids, although you don't seem to realize it.

My oldest missed 15 days of school two years ago from covid, flu, and covid again (has never regained his sense of taste). And that school year, academically, was a struggle for him.

Kids are all different. One of mine struggled HORRIBLY when FCPS failed to live up to their promise to let kids go two days a week.

The other decided it was going to be regular school or nothing and chose the 100% online option and did well.

That one came to the conclusion that in-person was not required to excel and when FCPS went back to a traditional schedule skipped whenever and continued to excel.

FCPS dragged their feet on reopening long after it was shown to be safe. Those who run the system can’t now turn around and pretend to care about education and the wellbeing of children.

🙄

Yes, the pandemic was a once-a-generation disaster that will affect us, adults and children, for a long time, possibly for the rest of our lives. It has left its mark on my family and on yours.

It wasn’t the pandemic, it was how the local government reacted.

Had we lived in some counties in VA (going 2-3 days in person and fully reopening earlier than FCPS) or Florida, Texas etc. it wouldn’t have been an issue.