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School wants us to come in for a conference

KatFCoKatFCo member
in School-Aged Children

Because of family stuff, we've had to take 2 out of town trips this year, causing DD to have 5 unexcused absences. We got a letter yesterday saying we need to come in for a conference and "discuss her high rate of absence" so they can "help her attend more consistently."

Has anyone else taken their kids away during the school year? This seems excessively alarmist, especially since the absences happened in Septembe and October and this is now December. It seems if it was a problem, there would have been more absences by now.

I know the school has to follow policy, but I'm just kind of annoyed. I feel like I'm being painted as an irresponsible parent.

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Re: School wants us to come in for a conference

  • littlemermaidlittlemermaid member

    I am sure they just need to document the reasons why she was absent.  Once you explain your reasons for the absences all will be well.  Plus the letter is probably a standard form that is used for all unexcused absences. 

    Our school policy is whenever you are taking your kids out of school for reasons other than illness than you need to come into the school and fill out an "unexcused absence" form so it is documented.  Does your school have a policy like this? 

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  • KatFCoKatFCo member

    Our school hasn't given us any policy other than write a note for excused absences and what counts as excused. I did write a note, both before and after the fact, and when we had a conference with the teacher nothing was said about the trips being a bad thing.

    I have a call in to the social worker because she wrote the meeting as being from 8:15 to 11:15, which has got to be wrong. I'm going to ask for details about the policy then.

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  • jlw2505jlw2505 member
    The only extended time I took the girls out this year (they are PreK and K) was for our Disney trip in the fall and the girls miss 4 days and then school was closed 2 days.  It was not an issue and I won't be doing anything like that again - they are in K and PreK so this year it was not a big deal.  They will miss a day or 2 now and again when we travel or get picked up early.  My family is all out of town from where we live so we do end up traveling a number of times a year but we try to really plan around school but things happen and its not a big deal.  I always send in a written note in advance and with my K student, ask for any work missed in advance so I am following school policy and its 100% documented when the girls are missing school.
    Jenni Mom to DD#1 - 6-16-06 DD#2 - 3-13-08 
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  • KatFCoKatFCo member

    imagejlw2505:
    The only extended time I took the girls out this year (they are PreK and K) was for our Disney trip in the fall and the girls miss 4 days and then school was closed 2 days.  It was not an issue and I won't be doing anything like that again - they are in K and PreK so this year it was not a big deal.  They will miss a day or 2 now and again when we travel or get picked up early.  My family is all out of town from where we live so we do end up traveling a number of times a year but we try to really plan around school but things happen and its not a big deal.  I always send in a written note in advance and with my K student, ask for any work missed in advance so I am following school policy and its 100% documented when the girls are missing school.

    I wrote notes too, and asked for work to be sent home. Our handbook is very vague.

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  • neverblushedneverblushed member

    I'm also guessing that your school district has a policy that schools HAVE to follow up on kids who have a certain number of unexcused absences by this time of year. Schools systems know there's a huge correlation between consistent attendance and academic performance, so they are make a big deal out of the attendance thing now.  

    Just go in there and assure the social worker that you understand how important attendance is, and that this was a sort of unusual situation.  Make her understand that you take school VERY seriously and that you're a conscientious, involved parent.  She'll give you the speech she's required to give, check you off her list, and then move on. 

    High School English teacher and mom of 2 kids:

    DD, born 9/06/00 -- 12th grade
    DS, born 8/25/04 -- 7th grade
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  • KatFCoKatFCo member
    imageneverblushed:

    I'm also guessing that your school district has a policy that schools HAVE to follow up on kids who have a certain number of unexcused absences by this time of year. Schools systems know there's a huge correlation between consistent attendance and academic performance, so they are make a big deal out of the attendance thing now.  

    Just go in there and assure the social worker that you understand how important attendance is, and that this was a sort of unusual situation.  Make her understand that you take school VERY seriously and that you're a conscientious, involved parent.  She'll give you the speech she's required to give, check you off her list, and then move on. 

    That's kind of what I figure; I just wish they had made their attendance policy more public. It kind of blindsided me and when I called to try to ask a question, the tone of voice of the person in the office was kind of patronizing. Like, "well, if you have a question, read the letter."

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