Taking BUSD 4th grader out of school for up to 5 days - new policies?
We would very much like to hear some up-to-date advice and feedback from parent experiences taking an elementary student in the BUSD system out for about 3-5 days. Her grandmother who lives out of state is "not doing well" and my husband needs to visit. The postings on BPN are either very old or refer to the high school. My impression is that policies might be different at the elementary school level and also may have gotten stricter over the past few years (see http://www.berkeleyschools.net/departments/student-services/attendance-… and FAQs). Can any one please share their recent experiences in managing a hopefully "excused" absence by perhaps getting an independent study approved ahead of time or any other way to avoid the truancy notices, which are generated with 3 days of unexcused absences.
Parent Replies
Talk to your child's teacher or principal about independent study. I've known lots of families that have done it for an extended trip.
Hi! It has been a few years now, but we took our son out for more than a week for sick grandmother. We told the teacher and she prepared a package, and signed necessary forms and also told the office. Don't let them bully you into thinking they shouldn't miss school!!! And BTW, we received a few truancy letters because one teacher was so strict, she would mark them absent straightaway, and if they arrived 5/10 min late, she would not send info to office to fix it. I ignored one truancy letter (and nothing happened) because I got so fed up with it, especially since I was a very active parent and the principal saw me almost every day, volunteering, so clearly my child was not actually truant. That trip to see his grandmother was PRICELESS and so much more important than being in school. It was the last time he got to see her.... Family first!!
Hi. I can speak to this from both an elementary and middle school perspective. There really is no more independent study. We took our kids to a family reunion on the East Coast last October in order to see an Aunt who was very ill. This was not a vacation by any means, but it was very important for our whole family to be there. I gave notice to the school in writing 2 weeks before we left that we would be taking schoolwork and assignments with us, and working with our teachers to stay current. The kids completed all of their work and turned it in when we got home and had no problems getting right back into classwork. However, all of this work was for naught. I got letter after letter for truancy, requesting us to meet with the principal and truancy officer, threatening punishment, etc. It was discouraging, yet after all of the threats, nothing happened. My kids are good students and we are supportive parents. I think it is ridiculous to put families through this charade when that is not what the truancy system was created for. But, unfortunately it all boils down to money. Each day that our children were not seated in their chair in the class, the school missed out on payment. It is downright pathetic that the schools are that desperate for funds, but that is what it has come to. So- go if you need to, family is so important, be prepared to fight when you return, and know that you are not alone.
Three years ago we took my 5th grader out of BUSD for a week for a family vacation overseas to visit relatives and explore. We told his teacher in advance, and the teacher was fine with it as my son was doing fine academically, and he had a great attendance record. We got a truancy letter after we got home informing us we had to meet with a truancy officer and the principal, per BUSD policy. I e-mailed the principal and was honest about why my son was absent. He thanked me and I did not have to attend the meeting. Overall, that part was stressful, but I think sometimes you have to do what you feel is right for your child and family, even if it is breaking the rules. We had a wonderful time and our family will always remember this trip.
We did this 3 years ago, when my son was a BUSD 5th grader, to take a family vacation overseas. We chose not to go in summer due to weather and vacation schedule of relatives we were visiting. He missed about 7 days of school. I figured it was better to do it during elementary school than when he got older. We got sent a truancy letter and told we had to meet with the truancy officer and the principal. I contacted the principal and just told him the truth, and we did not have to attend that meeting. Our son had an excellent attendance record and was doing fine academically so it didn't harm his education. We felt it was well worth it. I hate breaking rules, but am glad I did for a trip of a lifetime. I recommend doing what you think is right for your child and family.
We would go to the teachers a week or two ahead of time (or however much notice you have) and ask for an independent study assignment. A copy I believe stayed at the school, of the assignments, we would bring it back when we returned, teachers would grade it,a nd the secretary would stamp and file it. Then the school did not loose daily attendance money.
Most teachers are not aware of the administrative requirements of short-term independent study. Under the FAQ section of the link you posted, it notes that it's up to the principal to grant such approvals. I took a number extended leaves with my kids while they were in BUSD elementary school. It was never a problem. The school received its money and my kids never suffered academically. But, I would personally request the forms from the school office and walk them to their teachers, and then make sure the completed forms found their way back to the office. And, of course, my kids did their required work. Only once did we receive a truancy letter which I brought into the school office. The secretary apologized and took care of it. Family is important and it will be much more difficult to take time off when your kids are in middle and high school.