MOMania

By smomma

March 3, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this

That’s a good question Theresa. I think it’s one that most responsible mothers worry about. If my children are excessively coughing or have an excessively runny nose, even if it is clear, I keep them home. Fevers and rashes are a sign to stay home. Nothing irritates me more than to walk into one of my daughter’s preschool class and see a child with green snot running down his face. Honestly, some mothers have no respect for other children’s health and safety. All some of them care about is getting their child off their hands. Fevers are more understandable as they can develop later in the day and a parent may send their child to school or preschool without realizing there is a problem. But the green snot, come on! How can you miss the green snot?!?! Ok, i’m done venting…

By moonie

March 3, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this

i agree with above…but i do know that some parents dont get paid if they miss work and so that brings a much larger problem to that parent…no pay no food, rent..whatever…in an ideal world parents wouldnt get pay docked for staying home when a child (or themselves) are sick…but alas we do not live in an ideal world…the thing i have tried to do is teach my children NOT to drink after their friens…to always wash their hands at key times..and to use a kleenex at appropriate times…and to try to use some kind of sanitizer on keyboards at school…of course this isnt always complied with..but its worth it to try!!!

By Jesse's Girl

March 3, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this

Awesome topic this morning. I would like to take it a step further however. Two of my children are in elementary school. And all of you with kids know that not every illness is reason to speed to the Dr., but it is probably enough to keep them out of school. The rub occurs when I know that they have the latest cold dejour and all that is needed is some good old fashioned rest and a couple of Disney movies. However, our school all but demands they get a DR. excuse. We have a wonderful Pediatrician who has seen us through more than you can imagine…but she is at Piedmont Hospital and we live just outside of West Cobb. Not a convenient drive! We are allowed 3 Dr. excused absenses every quarter, anything after that and we get nasty little letters stating that we have exceeded our absense allowance. Now, I understand that they are making an attempt to keep school attendance in check. But our kids are honor roll, and are all around excellent students. If they didn’t act like they had ebola with every cough and sniffle at school, we wouldn’t have this problem. But our school sends them home for every little thing! I try to keep childhood illnesses in perspective, but they make it very difficult. Last year we actually had to sit through a “hearing” when both the girls missed 8 days due to basic winter issues. Honestly, we try to cooporate….but it isn’t easy.

By meme

March 3, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

Missing 8 days of school is considered excessive in our school system. After 5 absences the social worker is contacted. Yes, there are some valid reasons that kids miss 5 or more days of school but these usually come with a doctor’s note. Our rules here are that is the child has a fever of over 100 and/or is throwing up, they should stay at home. Otherwise, they need to be in school. However, it is difficult to teach a child who keeps falling asleep because of cold/flu medication. It is really hard to determine when to send them and when to keep them home.

By Jenn

March 3, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

I feel your pain… it’s so frustrating when they get sick.

My oldest is prone to the occassional sinus infection…she seemed to get a horrible cough at the same time that my face seemed to be reacting to the weather, so I’d give her cough med in the morning and send her on to school with a note.

After 8 weeks or so of two weeks of coughing, a week off, two weeks on, etc. I took her to the doctor, he diagnosed the sinus infection and she started antibiotics.

About 7 days in to the treatment, the cough was basically gone, but she broke out into a full-body rash—apparently, she’s allergic to all-meds penecillin. They did a strep test to rule it out, and she was diagnosed with asymptomatic strep, which meant a new, non-illin antibiotic that would knock out that and the rest of her sinus infection.

I’m still likely to send her to school if it’s the familiar coughing routine, unless it’s an especially bad day. I even send notes to her teachers so that they know she’s not contagious! But, when she has an actual cold, I keep her home until the nasty drippiness stops. After that point, I send her on…there are so many things that they spread to each other for days prior to exhibiting symptoms; it’s not worth stressing over.

By Jesse's Girl

March 3, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this

We did have a Dr’s excuse for the entire 8 days. Of course we did! My point is that they treat parents as if we don’t know our children! I know when my child needs to stay home, and I know when they need to be examined. Our school seems to believe however that ALL absenses need to be accompanied by a Dr’s excuse. I’m sorry, but not every ailment is worthy of that. Sometimes they just need to be home, away from all the yuck at school where they got sick in the first place. Again, I realize they have their rules for a reason. But honestly, I would like to see the administrators’ track record for Dr’s visits vs stay at home in bed. This is all I’m saying…..

By Theresa

March 3, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

WHat are you ladies saying — this is a revelation to me —- You’re penalized for keeping your child home when sick so other children don’t get sick and so your child can recover!!! — You’re trained in playgroup, music class, and mother’s morning out NOT to send them with the slightest cold — What on earth are they thinking? Who would keep their kids home if they weren’t really sick??? I have no idea how many days they are going to be sick a quarter — that’s terrible!! Glad to know this before we start kindergarten next year!! I am literally on the floor shocked!!

By Jesse's Girl

March 3, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this

Well, sweep yourself up baby….cause’ this is reality to some extent in every public school system. Our school calls me at home to come pick them up for anything…..coughing heavily is seen as a distraction. So they have to be home. Fevers, obvious and understandable. But really, the basic runny nose and sniffle is no reason to call me at home. Thankfully, I work from home as well, so it isn’t a back breaking task to come get them. But even when they are very ill, we still have to explain ourselves. I just overlook it now. My oldest is in the third grade now, we have gotten used to it. Some of the other parents have had it worse. I really think they need to make bigger allowances during the winter months. It would lesson the headahes greatly.

By core

March 3, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

I typically take the approach that if the kids are not going to actually stay in bed and rest for the day then they are going to school. I have one in elementary school and one in preschool. The preschool rules are much stricter than the elementary schools about not coming in when the kids are sick. They have babies to worry about and I am fine with that. I have noticed that with a cold that is just lingering, if that is really all it is, my kids are bored and miserable at home. They would rather be at school. They feel okay enough that when they are at home that they are still asking to go play outside, so they might as well go to school and learn. I don’t get to take a sick day because I have a lingering cold, I still go to work and go through the paces of my day. Of course, if they are throwing up, have a fever or the Dr says they are contagious, they stay home. But with small childhood illnesses, I try to keep it in perspective.

By Theresa

March 3, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

But wait will they call you to pick them up because they have already been marked as being present?? So basically they just want to be able to show the state (or whoever) that they had the decided-upon attendance record but take your sick-a** kid home after we marked them present?? — am I understanding this right??

By Judy

March 3, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

I think it is common sense. I have always kept them home one additional day after a fever ended or they were throwing up. As for a cold, unless they feel really horrible, have a fever, or are just so drippy, I usually send them. I think be respectful of everyone else. When my daughter was in kindergarten, one child was getting chemo. Chicken pox was his mom’s main concern. She asked other parents to please either keep your child home or call me and I will keep mine home if your child gets the chicken pox - it could kill him while he is chemo. While the kids treated him with kid gloves, washed all the time to keep him healthy, it was a parent who didn’t care. She sent her child to school with chicken pox. Her reply as to why she sent him and didn’t even call the other parent - it was only a few pox what could it hurt? I was shocked that she could show so little regard to a 6 yo who was fighting for his life. I know she is an educated woman because she has a job that would require her to be which even shocked me more. I think we should think about our children but also all the other children in the class. If it saves a few kids from getting sick to keep your child home an extra day - isn’t it worth it?

By Theresa

March 3, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this

Ok but so I’m not a jerk for sending her in wiht a cough that has lasted a few weeks — I did keep her out when she was drippy —

By meme

March 3, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this

Oh, Theresa, you are in for a big surprise. There are a lot of parents who let their children say home even if they are not sick. Here, if the parents are called to pick up the child, he/she is counted present only if they are there for at least 1/2 of the day. We don’t call parents unless the child is running a fever or throwing up or having some sort of reaction. We have a school nurse that decides whether or not to call.

By meme

March 3, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this

Theresa, I have one now who is coughing so much that the kids can barely hear me teach over her. I just keep a supply of cough drops in my desk. I have permission from her mom. Oops, got to go. The bell just rang.

By Reader

March 3, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

As for school attendance policies: another problem you can chalk up to No Child Left Behind. Our elementary school, a much-sought after school with very high test scores, didn’t make AYP because of too many student absences. The school walks a thin line, telling kids to come when they’re able but stay home if they have a fever or are throwing up.

With my 3 year olds, I keep them home for a fever within the last 24 hours, throwing up more than once in the last 24 hours, or if they just seem to feel bad. The bad thing with twins is, one wants to go to pre-school no matter what and one would always prefer to stay home with mommy or daddy. So it’s tough when the homebody is well and the socialite is sick!

By Jason

March 3, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

Staying home when you’re sick is a courteous gesture to other students. Nothing makes me more mad that when some jerk comes in caughing and sneezing and we’re not even doing more than a lecture they can grab off the internet. If I’m sick, I dont show unless I can keep my symptoms under control or we have an exam.

By stayinvolved

March 3, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

My son is in a private school so we don’t have to worry about DFAC knocking on our door because he is sick or we choose to take in an afternoon ballgame.
I agree with others, you can tell when your child just needs to rest and that is when we keep him home. If he does go to school(2nd grade) I tell him if you start to feel bad go to the nurse. After one incident when he was not allowed to go to the nurse and I picked him up that day in afterschool with a 102 temp I told him if they don’t let you go, go to the principle or have them call me. He is not one to abuse it like some kids that will go for anything. Luckily, it was just that one teacher, but he knows to put his foot down from now on if he starts to feel yucky.

By Jesse's Girl

March 3, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

Ok…granted I am not in the business of instititional education. But I am an eduacted woman who is able to make sound decisions on belalf of her children. When the school calls me up, be it in the morning or the afternoon(after they have been counted as present for a full day), I am expected to take then to the Dr. If they feel really yucky, but have no fever, I am not going to take them! Most of the time, they need rest and some soup. Yet, if they stay out the next day…I am expected to bring in a Dr’s excuse with them. It just isn’t necessary every time! It isn’t difficult to tell the difference between an habitual absentee and the one who is just a little under the weather. I realize school officials have a million things to worry about during the course of the day. But I have only 2…my daughters. I know when they need to be seen by the ped. I just think sometimes it would be a nice idea to acquiesce to the parent every now and again.

By waterbug24

March 3, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

As a teacher, if your child has thrown up, has a fever, or has diarrhea-please don’t send them to school. If they have strep or the flu, keep them home until they are not contagious anymore. If they are coughing or have a runny nose, use your best judgement.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

Theresa, I have two friends who had kids with the flu, (which doesn’t go away fast!) and they got letters that were out and out threatening, even though they had doctors excuses.

If the schools want me to rush off to the doctor every time one of my kids is sick, they need to figure out a way to help me pay all those $20 co-pays. When your kid has a stomach virus, or a cold, the doctor does NOT need to see them to tell you what you already know. They don’t even have TIME for that stuff and would rather you didn’t bring them in to infect the whole waiting room.

Luckily I have a pediatrician who will write me a note and leave it with the receptionist for me to run by and pick up. so if you have a pediatrician who is being overrun by these idiotic school requirements, maybe you can just get them to write you a note.

It’s too bad you have to find a way around it, but like I said, $20 times 3 for every little sniffle would put me into bankruptcy, so I do what I have to, and luckily my ped knows that after 16 years of doing this mom thing, I know the difference between a fevery cold and pneumonia.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

The thing is, with parents getting threatened with freakin jail time, they are forced to send sick kids to school. Which in turn infects the rest of them! The schools need to rethink this whole thing…which is worse, having 1 kid out sick for 5 days or having 75 of them out, even for 1 day, because the kid with the flu came to school because his parents were scared to keep him home??? Will someone please just answer me that?

Back in the fall, all three of my kids got that stomach thing that was going around. They only missed one day each, (two of them had to be picked up in the middle of the day, though, so it was really a day and a half, but they got credit for the half day.) Anyway, the school secretary told me that about a third of the school was out sick! My little one’s teacher one day only had 7 (SEVEN) out of 21 kids in class one day, and they just had a “play day,” because most of the class was missing any instruction she did. So the whole day was pretty much lost. She let them read AR books and take AR tests, that sort of thing. They played “times tables bingo,” and other educational games. but as for actual school work, the day was lost.

How is THAT better than ONE kid missing a few days, rather than infecting an entire class??

By Susie

March 3, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

Careful, Meme, I wanted to send Ludens Wild Cherry cough drops with my son to middle school, and was told that they were “drugs,” even though they amount to Life Savers, (they actually don’t have a drug IN them!) and that I could ONLY send them to the school nurse, and if he needed one he could go get one from the nurse. Of course he needed access to them all day, so I just told the school never mind, that they could try to teach around his hacking.

By E. Lewis

March 3, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

How sick may depend on your perspective.

If you are the parent who doesn’t have enough, if any, time to take off from work when you can’t find an affordable sitter you have one perspective.

As a former educator, let me tell you that if you are the teacher who has to deal with 120+ potential virus carriers you have another perspective.

If you are the overwhelmed school nurse, if there is one, or the office administration if not, you probably have your own view point on this.

Then there are the other students and their parents who really don’t want to deal with a sickness being passed through school again.

Schools are not meant nor funded and equipped to baby-sit sick children. If we lived in a time when there was always a stay at home parent or a close knit family in the immediate area, this would not be an issue. Since those days are long gone, it may be left to the school district to come up with a clearly defined policy that lets everyone know what is acceptable for the schools to deal with and at what level of illness the child becomes the responsibility of the parent.

By Stressed with school

March 3, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

I can feel everyone’s pain. At what point do we actually get to be parents again without the permission of the school system? My son, who has never been sick more than a two day cold, has been sick every time you turn around this year—-even to the point that the doctor is running tests on him to see what may be going on. I have kept his teacher informed of everything going on and the doctor’s recommendations. At his parent/teacher conference the other day, they expressed concern that he has been out 15 days this year, 3 of which were unexcused, and after his 5th, I will be fined minimum $100/occurence and face the possibility of 30 days community service, etc. by STATE LAW!!!! One of his teachers even had the nerve to tell my son that “no-one can be sick that long!” HELLO………did they not listen or read the doctor’s documentation? Since when did the School Board and the system become so knowledgeable about how our children feel and what the approporiate recovery time for them might be? Is someone looking in my windows watching without me knowing?!? If so, come on in and help pay some of the doctor bills and give me a moments rest.

By LWA

March 3, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this

Do some schools require a dr’s note and others do not? My 13year old was in W. Cobb schools between 2nd and 6th grade. I never took a dr’s excuse to school. Never! Yes, she was sick often. Spring allergies (the pollen), winter colds, strep throat,etc. I believe this, if you called me at work to come and pick her up, then you have put yourself in a dr’s position and decided that she needed to go home. With that, regardless if I take her to the dr’s or not, she will return when she is well. I agree with the previous post. Every illness does not require a dr’s visit and with the cost of co-pays, I won’t take mine everytime to satisfy the school nor the state.

By lwa

March 3, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

E.Lewis, even if every mother or father stayed home, there is still the issue of “too may absences” according to the other post.

Stressed with school - send the child to school in the morning if he can dress himself. Them wait for the school to “play dr.” and call you. Document the times that the school called for you to pick them up. Then you have some additional documentation to back you up.

If the shchools requests/asks for a dr’s note and if I provide one, I will not attend a hearing or have any further discussion regarding any absences. Period. If I try to follow the guidelines, then we will only discuss those times when I didn’t. Until a principle has a DR. in front of their name vs. a PhD, they are not qualified to question the state of my childs health.

By Kimberly Schatz

March 3, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

I figure, if the school calls me and tells me to drive 45 minutes from work to pick my son up, then they are well aware of how sick he is. If he’s throwing up or if he’s running a fever, I don’t always run straight to the Dr., I wait and see if it lasts all night and get an appointment the next day. I’ll call the school to say he’s still sick, but I don’t send in a Dr’s excuse, I just write a note stating that he was sick, so he can give it to his teacher when he goes back. The school tried to get on us once about excessive absences, but it was due to me checking him out of school for Dr’s appointments (he has ADHD). My response: Fine, we can take him off his meds, I try to be considerate and schedule them as late as possible in the afternoon so he doesn’t miss anything, but they still count check-outs all the way up until dismissal. Stupid, huh? Needless to say, when I told them they could get over it because of his medicine (a controlled substance, so new ‘script every month, and he HAS to see the Dr. according to STATE Law) or I could just take him off it and let THEM deal with the consequences, they haven’t bothered me or my husband since.

By Judith

March 3, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

Well how about when a teacher comes to school with a FEVER and my daughter who suffers with Allergies/Sinus infections on a continuous basis, infects my child and I have to keep her out of school. I was livid to say the least, and at that same time, I do not show any of my frustrations toward her because she is a sweet ole’ lady, so how can I vent to her about coming to school with a fever infecting half the student body. Like most of you, who is going to help pay my co-pay, better yet, the medications needed to cure my daughter. My medical bills along is enough to put me in retirement, because I too suffer with Allergies/Sinus. With that all being said, I do not have any guilt because my daughter is a straight “A” student with EXCELLENT conduct, a model student. I can’t brag too much because she definitely did not inherit that from me. Nonetheless, when my child suffers, you have to understand that the illness wears down on the body, so like many of you, I keep her home an extra day…for her sake and the sake of the school. Now for the mother who seemed heartless about sending her child to school with the chicken pox in full knowledge of the other kid’s illness, that is a shame. However, we do not know her circumstances, so let’s help one another by coming up with suggestions. Maybe one of the stay-at-home Moms can babysit the child with the chicken pox, and if she does not respond to kindness, then you follow you gut on how to proceed.

By Robin

March 3, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

As an elementary school employee, I see first hand the hostility that parents exhibit toward school personnel when the school wants to send students home sick. Picture yourself at home when your child doesn’t feel well, whining, sniffling, “I want some water,” “My head hurts,” etc. Now multiply that by 2-3 of those sick ones in a class of 20. The teacher must still teach her lesson, break students into small groups, and maintain order. Then multiply that by a school who has over 1000 students (45 classrooms), with one clinic aide who handles all of the children who are sent by their teachers. On a “good” day, the clinic aide (who is usually a Mom, although many are RN’s)may see over 50 children. The clinic isn’t a “holding tank” for sick children. The aide must make a quick assessment and either send them back to class or call mom or dad to come pick up. Moms: Yes it may be an inconvenience but they are your children. If the school says come get them, come without the complaints. Fulton County Schools does not require a doctor’s note. If just requires a written note saying why your child was absent. The school knows that not all illness need a doctor visit.

By lawrecevillemom

March 3, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

Just wait until you have a child who hits the high school level…then it becomes even more complicated because if they have more than 10 unexcused (no doctor’s note) absences or tardies then they can’t get or can lose their driver’s license.

When the implemented the “you must have a doctor’s excuse for every absence policy” a few years ago I asked my daughter’s teacher “So, if she comes to school and pukes on your shoes and you send her home - then I don’t have to have a doctor’s note?” her reply “Yes.”

I have a straight A student who is in 6th grade and has horrible allergies AND PMS (to the point of puking)…but she has to go to school every day for fear of what if she gets the flu or strep and then we exceed that magic “5 day” rule.

I think the schools are too involved in the parenting issues…sometimes they do need to be if they have a parent who won’t but sometimes common sense needs to rule.

By E. Lewis

March 3, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

I agree that schools should allow parents to parent, but at the same time parents should let schools educate, not baby sit and medicate.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

LWA, things are different now than they were a few years ago…in the past my older kids never had to worry about a doctors note, a note from me was fine. It’s all about the whole AYP thing…which wasn’t an issue in years past. The only reason they are obssessed with kids being there (sick or not) is because they want to pass AYP.

By oldster

March 3, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

Susie, we have told our kids that they may bring in cough drops but they must be in the package or wrapped so that we can tell what they are. If they had to go through the nurse, I would gladly send them there.

You are absolutely right that teachers who are sick should stay home too. I make sure that if I don’t feel good, I check to see if I have a fever. I don’t go to the doctor every time I am sick either but after a certain number, we have to bring in doctor’s notes too.

I do think that taking kids to the doctor should be the parent’s choice. And all systems do not require the same excuse notes but NCLB is really making schools crack down on absences.

By Theresa

March 3, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

oldster was the NCLB? and what the heck is AYP?? help those of us who aren’t in real school yet —

By Carrie

March 3, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this

NCLB - No Child Left Behind

AYP - not sure what it stands for, but basically determines if a school is passing or failing under NCLB

By Susan

March 3, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Generally schools say that if your child is running a fever, please keep them at home. Of course, you can be realy sick and not have a fever, but those ailments are generally more obvious (vomiting, etc.)

By oldster

March 3, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Sorry, also AYP means adequate yearly progress. This has to do with the passing of CRCT and attendance.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

Ugh, Kimberly, I understand your situation, I work 45 minutes from home too…but the only times they’ve ever called me was when they were truly ill. Even though they all got the stomach bug last fall, for the most part, I’ve been really lucky with my kids not being sick for most of their lives.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

Robin, I feel sorry for those poor kids who don’t feel well enough to be at school, but are sent there anyway.

I also know that if there weren’t parents who let their kids stay out of school just because they don’t want to go, the attendance problems wouldn’t be so bad that sick kids can’t even stay home anymore. It’s like they have to beat up on the parents of sick kids to get the ones who let their kids play hooky!

By Jesse's Girl

March 3, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

For the record…I have never shown hostilty toward the school for calling me to pick up my child. If she isn’t feeling well, she isn’t going to learn anyway. What I take issue with is the apparent hard and fast rule of of a Dr’s excuse.If my child is still keeping up with their work and passing all tests? What is the problem? I just checked, and our system rule is as follows…….3 “parent” excuses.(yes, parent was actually in quotes) and everything after MUST be accompanied by a Dr excuse or the student will not be able to make up work. This to me is entirely unexceptable! You cannot make sweeping statements like that….everyone’s situation is unique. I have always been a supporter of public education, but these are the types of things that make me consider a private school.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

Carrie and Theresa, AYP = Adequate Yearly Progress.

By oldster

March 3, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

We have actually had a teacher’s child here sick with mono. She has been in the hospital and under a doctor’s care. The parents still got a note about her being absent so much. The state of Georgia doesn’t care why they are out. Absences with doctors notes are still absences and counted against the school system.

By GTK

March 3, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

The answer to all of society’s ills: blame the schools. Why not? Schools are easy targets, because they are bound by so many regulations and requirements, put into place to satisfy the demands of the very self-righteous parents who I see complaining on this board. If you don’t like the laws that schools are required to enforce, blame yourselves for voting for the board members, state legislators, and president who created them. Otherwise, if your kid is sick, do the right thing: be quiet, suck it up, and deal with it without potentially harming other children.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

Well, GTK, that’s all well and good, but when your child is sick enough for a long enough amount of time that it starts costing you $100 per absence, get back to us.

By Stressed with school

March 3, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this

Why is looked at it as a “complaint” from those of us that actually have the problem instead of a “concern” from the parents perspective. GTK—you obviously are the type the school system/boards love—-always looking from the school perspective instead of a parental perspective. I don’t remember the “we’re uping the ante on child absences” speech when they were running for office in my area………….

By katsuke

March 3, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this

I worry about this. My 12yo’s already missed 6 days this school year, 3 from miscellaneous virus and 3 from vertigo/dizziness/etc. About 2 years ago, he had his first episode of severe vertigo and covered my walls, floor, car, emergency room, and heck, even the cat with vomit as he stumbled about. Strangest thing I’ve seen in a long, long time. Anyway, so they gave him medicine, some sort of vestibular suppressing drug. But it totally knocks him out! Way worse than any cold/flu medicine. I just dont know the school could expect me to send him onward when he’s not able to walk or sit upright. I agree with lawrencevillemom. The schools are way too involved. When they started overiding parental decisions on whether a dropout can have a license, it went too far.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

Stressed With School, I think our school board members somehow forgot to mention that whole “limit on sick days before the threat of jail time, fine, and/or community service thing too.” I think I’d have remembered it. Really.

By oldster

March 3, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

Susie, I am sure that you know that all school employees don’t look at it as a complaint. I even told one of my students this morning that I wouldn’t bother her mother at work about such a minor problem (too many time to the bathroom).

By Susie

March 3, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

Well I dunno, oldster…if the kid has diarrhea, your whole class will come down with the rotavirus and they’ll all be living in the bathroom! Just don’t let the kid breathe on or touch anyone else. :)

By Susie

March 3, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this

Oldster, I’m sure all school employees don’t look at it as a complaint. I imagine there are many of them who hate the current setup as much as parents do, but really can’t do anything about it.

Having sick kids in class can’t be a good thing, and yet their parents are over a barrel in some cases and have to send them or face some kind of legal action. the schools are being pressured by the stupid AYP rules, and so they are pressuring the parents, who in turn can’t do what’s best for their children. There’s nothing good about that setup.

Sure, there are warm bodies in the desks, but what are they actually learning if they are sick? How many other kids are they making sick right along with them?

The law doesn’t care if they are learning anything, as long as they are there, apparently.

By oldster

March 3, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

I totally agree with you, Susie.

By oldster

March 3, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this

Not that kind of a bathroom problem. LOL We have a specific bathroom time and for the 3rd time this week, she has begged to go about 15 minutes after everyone else has gone. I just wanted mom to be aware in case there was a bladder problem. Because I wasn’t allowed to go when I needed to go once in 1st grade (and wet myself), I rarely deny someone the chance to go to the bathroom.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

I don’t blame you on the restroom thing, Oldster…hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go! Sometimes you don’t ‘gotta go’ at the specified time. LOL!

By Robin

March 3, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this

Hello,

This is a touchy topic. My 16 month old goes to daycare, and just had tubes put into her ears. She has had congestion and a constant ear infection since October. She has been on antibiotices since October. This is the first time since then she has not been on antibiotics.

I would have lost my job had I not sent her to daycare since October. Yes, she does have green snot. No, she is not contagious.

So, does my sending her to daycare with green snotty nose make me a terrible mom? You make the call.

By Susie

March 3, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

No, Robin, I don’t think you are a terrible mom…your child isn’t contagious, and that’s always been my criteria for keeping them home or sending them. Unless your little one was burning up with fever so badly that she couldn’t keep food down, I think you had to let her go to day care. Ear infections are something lots of kids have to deal with, you can’t keep them home with those unless they are severely ill with the infection. Your poor baby, I hope she’s feeling better now!

By ginger

March 3, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

By Theresa

March 3, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

But wait will they call you to pick them up because they have already been marked as being present?? So basically they just want to be able to show the state (or whoever) that they had the decided-upon attendance record but take your sick-a** kid home after we marked them present?? — am I understanding this right??

Yes, Teresa, you are entirely correct. Thank NCLB for this. I was told last year to bring my child to school, and they would determine if the child should stay or go home. As if having 4 healthy children and raising a few others has not taught me anything about when a child is sick enough to stay home but not need to go to the dr. Years ago, when my senior was a 3rd grader, my mother died. Kate was very close to Mama, so she did miss a few days here and there. I got a letter stating that my child had missed x # of FUNDABLE days. That told me right there it was about $, not whether your child was in school to learn. Says a lot, huh?

By jes8

March 3, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

I was raised with a strong work ethic. That now includes work, but when I was younger it was school. Unless I was dead or feverish, I went to school. A cold? You’re kidding me! Take day-quill and send them on their way. Every kid at school is going to get sick, no matter what you do. As an adult, you can’t stay out of work because of a cold. So are we teaching our kids it’s ok to bail because wah, they don’t feel good. Suck it up and get on with it. My son had a sore throat, he went to school until he got a fever, at which point I knew he had picked up strep (and no my kid didn’t start it, cuz I know that’s what you’re all going to say to me “My kid gets sick cuz you send yours to school sick” because the doctor said it’s been going around for weeks).

I’m gonna get skewered for this one, but oh well.

By Amy

March 3, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this

I can’t imagine having to have a doctor’s excuse for every single absence. I can’t afford $30 to have my doctor say, ‘It’s just a cold, rest and drink liquids.’ Duh!

Isn’t most of this a fairly new policy? I’ve heard something about it, especially having to do with driver’s liscenses.

I do feel really sorry for public school parents and for the schools. Parents are caught between their kids getting sick or making others sick and DFACS being notified. Schools are caught between having sickness go around the whole school and not meeting standards.

All this rigamarole is just one of the reasons we home school. My kids do some schoolwork unless they are throwing up or are having to rest in bed. Even then, a science video, reading a classic book aloud or listening to an educational tape can help us salvage at least a partial day.

By Stressed with school

March 3, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

And on behalf of all working mothers out there, we are glad your husband makes enough that you can stay home and take care/home-school your children. the rest of us still have to make a living.

By Judith

March 3, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

Well it looks like we need to write to the School Board and get this rectified. If it is about the old mighty dollar or the schools being penalized for so many absences, more so than the welfare of our children…then this needs to be addressed. Yes there are those that abuse the system, however, should we be punish for their crime. Also, I am aware how overwhelming this can be to the teachers as well, so I want to be fair to them because it takes away from their jobs of teaching our kids. There are greater issues/concerns that the School Board/District needs to concern themselves with, and for them to tell me if my child should attend school when it is in the best interest to keep her at home for herself and others as well, I do not think so.

By momof3

March 3, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

Get over yourself Amy. We do appreciate your “sympathy,” however.

By Jesse's Girl

March 3, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Stressed With School…..Why the attitude toward the married ones? Honestly, that was a cheap, juvenile shot. It can be even harder for a married to operate with one salary. And before you get your girdle in a tizzy…I said CAN BE.

By just observing

March 3, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this

wow, momof3. you are so hostile and defensive that you’re mean. why can’t Amy make a comment?

By anne

March 3, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

Jes 8,

Sorry to break this to you, but when you send your child to school with a sore throat he IS contagious and spreading strep (a highly contagious disease) to his classmates. The reason it has been “going around for weeks” is BECAUSE lazy, unconcerned or selfish parents allow their children to go to school with sore throats, even though they know strep is “going around.”

Teaching children to take care of their bodies and to be respectful of others’ health and safety is not “babying” them. It is giving them the fundamentals one needs (respect, courtesy, etc.) to be a member of a civilized society.

By another teacher

March 3, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

We seem to be forgetting one major thing… most viruses get spread to other people before the carrier gets symptoms himself. In other words, once you get sick it’s too late. You’ve already spread it.

By Dragon

March 10, 2006 06:18 AM | Link to this

Our school system here in middle Georgia has what is called extension teachers. These teachers teach every kid in a particualr grade level certain subjects, such as science, Health, Social Studies. Their homeroom teacher teaches math, english and language arts. When it comes to grades, if my child is starting to fail a subject, I expect the teacher to be aware and let me know before my child fails. Last year, I had an extension teacher send me home a note that said she did not know why my child had failed two in class test. Material was never sent home to study, all materials were study in class and apparently gone over in class prior to the test. My question to her was, what was she doing to find out what the problem was. Was he not payign attention, goofing off, what? She said she didn’t know. Had she spoken with my child’s other teacher? She said she had not. My child had no problems with anything with his other teacher. This teacher’s first response to me was, I have over 80 kids to deal with, I can’t keep up with them all. And this was coming from someone who had just recieved teacher of the year award. I have a current problem with a teacher who is not teaching. The study material is sent home on a Thrusday or Friday. The tests are on Tuesdays, the study guide is sent home on Mondays, and rarely is any of this gone over in class, except for the study guide, and it is gone over the day before the test. All I can do is pick out what I think will be on the test and teach that to my child over the weekends. I currently have an investigation being done by the local Education Board, but I am sure it will go nowhere as I spoke to the prinicpal once about my concerns and he never got back with me, and then the second time I sent a letter and he turned everything over to the Borad of education sending me a letter saying he had done all he could do and could not do any more. He had never even gotten back with me about the first time and what was to be done or not to be done. If he is not communicating with me, how can he think he can do nothing to help me. ANd trust me, he likes the teacher I am having a problem with. Other parents feel he same as we do, but are afraid to say anything or do anything. Smaller classrooms would be great, but teacher who can teach actually don’t make having lager classrooms such a problem.