Absences

I debated long and hard about taking Ladybug to Disney.  Not because I didn't want her to go.  But because the trip was planned for a time she was suppose to be in school.  Obviously, in the end, I decided to go.  I mean, she is in first grade, it was the first week of school, seriously how much could she miss?

So before heading out on our adventure I sent a note to the school letting her teacher know Ladybug would be out for 3 days.  Bases covered.  I would help her catch up when we returned.  I was happy with my decision.

Apparently, others were not.

Each day we were in Disney I got a phone call.  From the school.  That I did not answer.  Telling me that my child was not in school.  And that I needed to send a note regarding her absence when she returned to school.

Okay, I know it is a recorded call.  But they had a note.  I covered my bases.  Why was I on their call list?  I told them she wasn't going to be there.  Why do I need a call?

So, to be on the safe side, I sent a note with Ladybug when she returned to school.  Stating that she was "out of town traveling" and missed school.  I asked that any make up work be sent home and I would take care of her doing it.

Homework came home that night.  And she did it.  All.  On the first night.  It was over.

Or maybe not.

A couple of days later I got a note home from school asking me to explain exactly where my child was during her absences.  And they requested that I explain what educational benefit my child receive by missing school.

Really?  I have to justify this?  It is not like I was letting my child stay home from school because she didn't want to go.  We were out of town!

And please look at her school record for last year.  She didn't miss one day.  Not one!

After a few days I did send the note back to the school saying we went to Disney World and there was no educational part of it.  But we had a ton of fun.  And Ladybug was now all caught up with her work.

Done?

Not quite.

I then got a note home from the school a few days later saying that the absences were not approved by the school and that they would be counted as unexcused.  I was told in this note that unless a child was sick, attending a funeral, or attending an educational activity that they were expected to be in school and that I needed to take my child's education seriously.

I seethed.  But I said and did nothing.  Dropped it.  They obviously think I am a bad mother who does not believe in the importance of education.  I am not going to win this battle, so I gave up.

And then today, I received another note from the school.  She missed August 30, September 1, and September 2.  And on September 26th I am receiving yet another note about the fact that my child missed school.  This note?

It said my child has had 3 absences.  I think we have already established that - a couple of times.
It said that I need to keep track of the time my child is out of school.  I am well aware of it - with all the notes.
It said that school is important.  DUH!
It said that time away hurts her education.  Which I thought I had addressed with doing all the make up work.
It said that I am required to tell the school any time she is out.  HUH?  The 3 notes I sent in were not enough?

Do you think I should tell them that she is missing a day in a few weeks to go to St. Louis to see family?  Family that she hasn't seen in 2 years.  Family that is getting so old that it is likely she will never see again if we do not take this opportunity.

Mean Mama