NFF Parents: The new state law regarding school absences took effect on July 18. As children throughout Nebraska head back to school over the next couple of weeks, we will begin seeing how our own school districts and county attorneys handle the changes. (Please click on this link for a reminder of the primary changes included in the new law.)
http://nebraskafamilyforum.org/2014/03/amendment-2164-fix-to-nebraskas.html
The new law has returned discretion over attendance back to the school districts, within the guidelines set forth in LB464, and many of those districts have revised their attendance policies over the summer. Some of the new policies look great; others continue to be unreasonable. Case in point is Lincoln Public Schools, which still categorizes parent-approved illnesses and medical appointments as “unexcused,” with no differentiation between parents calling their children in sick and kids who are really skipping school.
The Nebraska Family Forum as a group had a great impact on getting state law changed and returning discretion to the local level. It’s now up to you, the parents of each district, to communicate with your school boards if you are unhappy with your local attendance policy.
Several members of the NFF, myself included, have experience dealing with school boards and administrators, organizing other parents, and effecting change. We would be happy to guide you through that process. However, a parent in Omaha, or a statewide group such as ours, cannot resolve a bad attendance policy in No. Platte or Lincoln or Hastings. That is up to individual community members.
Don’t be intimidated by your local school board members. You elected them, and they are there to do what’s best for your children and your families. They are your friends and neighbors and fellow parishioners. NFF members have found that school boards are, for the most part, approachable and open to hearing from the parents they represent. Most of them are parents too, and are more than willing to listen to your concerns.
My advice to all of you is to read your district’s new attendance policy NOW. If you think it’s reasonable, that’s great. If you have issues with the way your district plans to implement the changes to state law, I suggest you take action right now. Don’t let the new policies catch you by surprise. Be proactive, instead of being forced into the position of reacting after the fact. Protect your kids and protect your family, now rather than later. These are OUR schools and they exist to educate OUR children. It is our right and responsibility as parents to speak up and ask for change when school policy is hurting our children.
Brenda Vosik, Director
Nebraska Family Forum
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