That's right this is the week! I totally forgot until the symptoms were too obvious to ignore. That special time in a young woman's life that repeats over and over again until they are no longer able to bear children. Why do these episodes seem to be getting worse?
However, I am not certain the only reason things seem to be particularly bad lately is because of PMS. You can be the judge.
Yesterday in my children's back packs I received a nice little letter threatening me with criminal charges. That's right! Me, the soccer mom only without the kids who play soccer - just the mom part.
This is what the letter said:
"We are concerned as your child has missed at least (3) days or parts of days this school year. If your child misses (3) days or parts of days in a four week period or ten (10) days or parts of days in a six-month period, without excuse, you are subject to prosecution for the Class C Misdemeanor charge of Parent Contributing to Nonattendance - punishable of a fine not to exceed $500.
The district's goal in contacting you today is to avoid taking legal action. Upon receipt of this letter you are requested at a conference scheduled on 1/30/13 at 9:00 am to discuss your child's attendance."
Seriously, my kids are 6 and 8 - they aren't playing hooky! I know exactly where they have been. I have been with them. And I have taken them out of school for a total of 6 whole days this entire year. And one day I picked them up one hour early for a doctors appointment. And every time I have had notes providing them with an excuse. What more do they want?????? Yes I am guilty!!!!!
I cannot believe this is really happening. Are the schools that short of funds that now they are resorting to fining parents who take their kids out of school? Is this my punishment for letting my children spend time with their grandparents? Is this my punishment for taking them out of school an hour early for a doctors appointment? Is this my punishment for contacting the teachers ahead of time to find out what assignments they need to complete? Is this my punishment for providing notes and documentation? If you need some cash, just send home an envelope asking for $1,000. I would probably be more apt to write the check than allow you to harass me over something as trivial as a few days of school.
Yes, I am sure it is inconvenient having to prepare the homework packet for me. Yes, I am sure it is somewhat disruptive, but they are my kids! They are well behaved, do their work, don't cause problems, and aren't a menace to the classroom. Unless of course the teachers and their report card is all a bunch of lies.
Only 5 more months at this school, but who is to say the next school is going to be better. Is there a school that lets me, the parent, really be in control of my children? I am getting so tired of the school telling me what to do. I am the parent for heaven's sake, not a criminal! Surely if the kid does all the work what is the problem?
This time next week you may read a post about how I pulled my kids out of their public education opting to homeschool instead. It looks better and better every day. If you can't tell I like to be in charge of the things I am supposed to be in charge of. I take my job pretty seriously.
Don't forget to check back on Monday's for the monthly installment of Medical Mondays. It is sure to be a bright spot after this week. Please come hang out with us, it will make my day:-)
Update:
My husband called on his way home from work, and offered to pick me up something to make me feel better. Code word: ice cream. He is also picking up pizza because I didn't make anything for dinner and it's nearly time to go to bed. I wonder why the kids didn't notice it was time for dinner. That's right. They wouldn't even get close to me. Maybe I am a negligent parent and should be fined or at least locked up for a while!
OH boy - I am so sorry for the rough start to the week. Crossing all digits it gets better. I am behind you 100 percent on the kids in school thing. Which is why my children are home schooled at the moment - we have too much traveling to do and I do not want to argue with the school about it. I understand there are situations that need this type of attention but they have crossed the line. I think it should be case by case. Your 6 and 8 year old are probably learning more in those days with you then if they were at school. When you move seriously look and see if you can find a good charter school with like minded folks - sometimes that can help. Positive thoughts coming your way!!!!
ReplyDeleteChey x
Thank you, that's good to know and I appreciate the positive thoughts - I am going to need them. I may need some homeschooling advice soon:-)
ReplyDeleteWhen the time is right... go private school. It is so much better! They don't harass you if you want to go on a vacation, because it doesn't crunch their budget. They are more than happy to put packets together for the kids to do on their own.
ReplyDeleteSending a letter like that home is over the top and sounds a little desperate, if you as me.
Here's hoping the week gets better! :)
I remember your tuition payments, the time is almost right.:-)
DeleteWTF? Did they lose your documentation of the reasons for the absences or something?
ReplyDeleteI had a conversation with the daycare teacher the other day. She said, "We will need to set up a meeting to talk about Dylan's transition to her new classroom. I will get back to you to tell you when that meeting will be." Uhhhhhh..... ok. I guess my availability is of no consequence to you. Have fun meeting with yourself.
Somedays I feel like everyone I deal with is incompetent. Especially because before I took them out for a week I was in the office and asked them what I needed to do. That might have been a good time for them to tell me that they would be sending me a nasty letter when we returned. According to state law it is "your parental duty to monitor your child's school attendance and require the student to attend school". Not happy with public school right now. My meeting tomorrow should be fun.
DeleteI cannot believe the letter you got from the school! Do they really have nothing better to do with their time or like you said, are they in need of money to the point that they fine parents and think it is OK!? This is insane. I am totally with you on this one. You are guilty but guilty of being a normal, fabulous mother to two disciplined kids. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your validation! I can see maybe sending a letter like this in middle school or maybe after my kids had missed some ridiculous amount of time without any reason, but we provided documentation for each of those 6 days. 6 DAYS!!!! They aren't falling behind and are current on their work. Report cards just came out and they are doing fine.
DeleteFirst of all, good husband with the ice cream! He deserves kudos for that!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, that letter is ridiculous! For 6 days?! I mean, c'mon! With the flu season the way it's been they must have had to send out a ton of those. I know that I had friends whose kiddos missed a week at a time because they were sick.
Ugh, that's just annoying.
He knows what I like! And the letter is so ridiculous it is almost laughable... except for the criminal charges part, not funny.
DeleteI have to agree with the private school suggestion. We're in private school & there's no way this day in age I'd ever put my kids in public - its such a ridiculous bureaucracy and frankly I don't want govt dictating about my kids education. I also want religion to be part of their days at school and at home. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you I am feeling pretty confident that public school is not a good fit for us. We shall see what todays meeting about my perceived charge of "parent contributing to nonattendance" yields. So glad to hear from so many people who are/have made different choices for the education of their family. Thank you, I am heading to my meeting in an hour and need some good luck:-)
DeleteI have to agree with the private school suggestion. We're in private school & there's no way this day in age I'd ever put my kids in public - its such a ridiculous bureaucracy and frankly I don't want govt dictating about my kids education. I also want religion to be part of their days at school and at home. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to public school! :) I taught in public school. Total goat rodeo pain in my ass! My preschooler attends private preschool and will attend private school when it's time to go to "real" school. You would never deal with this crap in private school. There is crap in private school but you, as a paying parent, do have a great deal of control over your kids education there --not in public school. They want to teach wacko crap to your kids you have to put up with it. I heard on NPR this week that TX is lying to it's students. They re-wrote history in the history books. If those sad little souls ever make it to college they will be heartbroken to find out they were lied to all those years in k-12 public school. passed some legislation on account of creationism and bible study making it's way into public school arena. homeschooling might drive you to the ledge but you can always balance it out with a couple day of full time day care a week :) good luck. you are not alone! the universe is screwing with me too this week. i'm ready to push the reset button like two days ago!!!
ReplyDelete