too strict attendance policy at Lewis and Clarke

[fedup]

I am parent whose child attends Lewis and Clarke Elementary. I'm pretty upset because their attendance policy is ridiculous. I understand wanting to cut back on chronic absenteeism but they have gone overboard being the children are so young.

My child has ongoing appointments and I arrange for them to be as late as possible. When I went to pick my child up from LCE last week I was brought to tears by an administrator, I was picking my child up a mere 5 minutes early! I've seen several other parents get reprimanded rather harshly for picking their children up a few minutes early for doctor appointments. I was told that picking a child up 5 minutes early 3 times a quarter equals an absence! When are we supposed to get our children to their appointments?
I think something needs to be done about this, its insane.

[Eric95]

Does it still count as an excused absence, or unexcused?

Either way, you're the parent, and you're clearly trying to do what you think is best for your child... how dare they reprimand you for that.

[John]

Our kids have been in home school/private school up until this year. My son just started at LCE as well. And this is exactly one of the reasons I don't like public school--they are not the parent, WE ARE! If I need to pick up my child early for a medical appointment, then that is how it will be done. Just let them try to pull that on my wife or me, because they will be quickly put into their place. The Virginia Department of Education sets the rules for school attendance. While individual school districts that have absentee problems (like Carolince County) would like to curb the issue, the VDE is what sets the regulations! I understand this is a policy the local school board has put into place for the county. The administrators have no business reprimanding a parent for picking up their own child--this makes me furious!

[Skylar]

Woooow! U peaple wine and complain about the stupidist sh^t. Just follow the rules how ever they apply and be thankful your child is getting
a sound education in a BRAND NEW facility!

[ivnws4u]

I guess it all comes down to how the person at the school talked to the parent. If they were simply apprised of the policy the parent has been notified and I'm also sure it's somewhere in the beginning of the school paperwork that's typically handed out.
I'm sorry rules are rules whether you like them or not and I can understand that childen have medical appointments from time-to-time, but being the parent of three boys who attended Caroline schools you schedule those appointments AFTER school hours.
If your child has an ongoing medical situation then YOU should make an appointment to talk to the school administrator to work out something so the child isn't missing assignments, etc.
Puling a child out 5- 10 minutes early may not seem like a lot to the parent, but if memory serves me well teachers usually give out homework in those last few minutes.
Also, did the parent notify the tecaher they would be picking up the student early or did they just show up.
Partents need to begin to shoulder some responsibility for raining their kids and not just think "I'm the parent and can do as I damn well please" because sometimes that's where the kids get their attitude and where things have gone 'sideways' on us.

[Allthatbull]

I sooooo agree

[Caroline citizen]

You have a right to feel upset and should be mad enough to start documenting this action from the school (names,dates,times,reasons - everything should be documented)and go to the very next school board meeting and be vocal about how you feel. Even before the school board meeting, schedule an appointment with the school principal to address how their attendance rule is conflicting with your ability to get your child to his/her medical appointments and ask what avenue they have in place for such appointments. Be sure to document everything that is discussed and told to you from you meeting.

I can't stress documentation enough as it is can be the most important tool if you need it further down the way. Hopefully your meeting with the principal will produce an outcome that will end the matter there without you going higher up the ladder. Good Luck!

[Chilesburg Resident]

Move back to NOVA