Sickies in the Classroom

Have you received your truancy letter?

I have, not for all the kids yet, but I'm bound to. California has a law that declares your child a truant if they miss three days unexcused and six days excused of school.

This is a piece of the pretty letter you get for the First Notification of Truancy

EC Section 48260.5: Upon a pupil's initial classification as a truant, the school district shall notify the pupil's parent or guardian, by using the most cost-effective method possible, which may include electronic mail or a telephone call:
(a) That the pupil is a truant.
(b) That the parent or guardian is obligated to compel the attendance of the pupil at school.
(c) That parents or guardians who fail to meet this obligation may be guilty of an infraction and subject to prosecution pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 48290) of Chapter 2 of Part 27.
(d) That alternative educational programs are available in the district.
(e) That the parent or guardian has the right to meet with appropriate school personnel to discuss solutions to the pupil's truancy.
(f) That the pupil may be subject to prosecution under Section 48264.
(g) That the pupil may be subject to suspension, restriction, or delay of the pupil's driving privilege pursuant to Section 13202.7 of the Vehicle Code.
(h) That it is recommended the parent or guardian accompany the pupil to school and attend classes with the pupil for one day.

You realize this threatening letter gets sent to Kindergarteners. Those rebels. When? When they miss three days- unexcused or six days excused (out sick/doctors appointments).

Granted I have a neighbor whose child was absent or late so often she was held back a year, poor girl, it wasn't her fault at all. This is a case where the school should attempt to intervene.

But truancy is not why I'm posting today.

I met a mother today who worked at the school that was convincing her child to eat up her school breakfast so she could get to class. The poor pale kid was sucking down her milk dutifully and shuffled to class 15 minutes late. The working mother mentioned that she threw up last night.
Last night.

There is a school policy that if you child has vomited or had a fever in the last 24 hours you do not allow them to go to school. I can only imagined either this mother is worried about attendance and possibly truancy, or she uses school as a babysitter or both. Maybe she doesn't know the policy. I forgive her because I understand, but I will be a sad panda when my family is praying to the porcelain gods.

Good heavens, that poor kid's face is stuck in my mind. I'll find out soon, when I pick up my son if she did toss cookies in the classroom. So now 20+ kids are most likely going to have the stomach flu in the next week.
Hoof and mouth hasn't made it to our home yet, but I know it's at my son's elementary school.

Come on village. Take care of your kids. Bare minimum keep the fever, diarrhea, and vomit home. These school kids have siblings, some of which are tiny babies.
Please consider how your actions affect others. Screw the truancy letter.
Don't let the man scare you into sending your sickies to school when they should be home so they can get better.

T4 is home with a fever today.