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In Which I Vent My Frustrations with the "education system"

While I wait for my pumpkin patch pictures to upload, I need to say some things about a stupid letter and policy that was recently brought to my attention. 

I knew when we took a 10 day vacation in the middle of September, that there would be consequences. Ten absences without a medical note is sure to raise eyebrows. But Mrs. Pope was so great about it. She gave Brooklyn some work to do so she wouldn't fall behind and was very supportive of all the wonderful educational benefits of such an exciting experience.

Anyway, parents received a policy reminder during conference week, about the same time I received a standard letter from the principal informing me that a social worker may need to get involved to help us improve Brooklyn's attendance. But what really got my goat was the page on the back of the policy with Attendance Tips for Parents, particularly this one:
As a rule of thumb, children should only be absent in cases of illness or emergency. Absences due to shopping trips, special vacations, etc. should be avoided because they tend to minimize the value of school and education.
I go into a little bit of a blind rage every time I read this!  That trip to Yosemite and Bass Lake had more educational value than many of the days wasted in the school building. Education is about more than academics. It's about character and manners and morals. So frustrating that the institution doesn't get this! At least Mrs. Pope does.
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  1. Mrs. FriedmanOctober 26, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Jaime, I hate to say it, but it's all about the money. Brooklyn's school get a dollar amount from the state for every day she is physically in the building. I worked public school and education is a big money business sometimes. I'm sorry they are still harassing you. You know what else...? I bet you could have withdrawn her from the school and then re-enrolled when you returned. Parents used to do that all the time and then say they were doing homeschool for a period of time.

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