Parents of truant students miss meeting

A.P. ^ | 3-16-05 | Kramster

[Kramster]

Prosecutors summoned parents of repeatedly truant children to attend a meeting about the law concerning excessive absences, but 241 of the adults didn't show up. Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols mailed letters about the Tuesday evening meeting to 582 parents, and about 41 percent were absent.

State law allows prosecutors to to hold parents accountable for their children's school absences. Knox County in February arrested 19 parents whose children had 10 or more unexcused absences from school. Parents found guilty can be punished by a year in jail. ---

[Kramster]

I guess the acorn doesn't fall to far from the tree after all?

[RetiredArmy]

Don't do as I do, do as I say. Wasn't that the theme?

[tfecw]

"10 or more unexcused..."

I think i had about 20 unexcused periods all together my senior year. We had block scheduling so 4 periods a day. I'd take long lunches and early days. Almost didn't graduate but my English teacher cut me a break.

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

"I don't want to hear what Randy Nichols has to say," she said. "He needs to call my house when (my grandson is) up at 3 in the morning throwing up everything he ate."

I don't know how it works in this school system, but in ours, all parents have to do is send in a note explaining their child's absence and it will be excused. I have never heard of a child being penalized for absences due to illness, so I have a hard time believing that the school is punishing this kid simply because he's frequently sick.

[eccentric]

I knew a lady who was charge with this in the '80's. Her daughter was first grade. My sister-in-law also didn't bother sending her girl to first grade.

We are not talking about delinquent teenagers here. Many of these are mother's too lazy to get out of bed.

[Dianna]

I have never heard of a child being penalized for absences due to illness, so I have a hard time believing that the school is punishing this kid simply because he's frequently sick.

You are probably right, concerning a single day's absence. Many schools require a note from a Dr if a child is out 3 or more days in a row.

I guess it is possible that the child was sick and mom didn't get a note. I doubt it though.

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

Many schools require a note from a Dr if a child is out 3 or more days in a row.

Each school system is different I guess. My daughter missed a week of school last year because she had the flu and I didn't have to get a doctor's note for her.