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Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Folchert Family



Our daughter is a Kindergarten student who has missed 5 days of school. I have always informed the school of her absences and the reasons for those absences. Four absences were due to illness, 3 of which were consecutive days due to a very bad cold and cough. I did not take her to the doctor because there was nothing he could do - she just needed rest and fluids. The fifth absence was due to a visit to her grandparents in North Platte, who she does not often see.

When I received the "form" letter, there was a statement about "keeping the school informed" and I felt confused because I had done that every time. Initially I thought the school had made a mistake in thinking I hadn't been in communication with them, and then I realized it was a form letter. I can't totally recall the letter, but I thought there was something that implied medical absences might need to be verified by a doctor, which raised my level of concern, thinking I now had to pay for a doctor's visit for every illness, even a cold.

There are a number of factors that put a child at risk for failure. Certainly school absences are one such factor. However form letters and notifications from the County Attorney are not going to solve this problem for repeat transgressors. It may raise the level of concern for parents like me - but I'm not the parent the schools most need to reach. My daughter is a good student and I'm involved in her education. I take care to make sure that she attends school, is well rested and well nourished. I read to her every night. I inform the school when she won't be there.

The Folchert Family
Millard Public Schools
Omaha, NE
2010/2011 School Year

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