"Vicki" wrote in message
news
Today we received a warning letter for truancy for our 2nd grader. The
principal said she was concerned about dd's absences. I am not concerned
about dd's absences--she is bright, she knows the material [she's missed
five days this month, but received 100 on her test for materials covered.]
I don't think the teacher is concerned. But the principal said dd is only
allowed 5 excused absences per semester.

I'm not happy about the possibility of legal sanctions for keeping dd home
(she was sick this month, but I wouldn't hesitate to take her out of
school
for other things we feel are important.) Can they prosecute us for
truancy
when dd is top of her class? I don't see the harm to anyone in dd not
going.

It is hard for the teacher, because he has to do extra work to make sure she
is up-to-date. And it is bad for the other kids, because she is a member of
the class. Having her there EVERY day helps keep the classroom more
consistant and predicable.

And she *will* miss more school at Thanksgiving (important family
time.)

We had planned to talk at school conferences about keeping dd home one day
per week, or bi-weekly, to enhance her education. But from what I've read
about truancy laws tonight, this doesn't seem to be allowable. Has anyone
done this or know if it is doable?

Yes, this is doable. Take your daughter out totally and do home schooling.
However, if you want her to benefit from the school district, the school
needs her to be in school, every day.

dd does not want to homeschool full-time--she likes seeing her friends at
school and we think this is good for her.

And her friends, which is why she should be there every day.

We have discussed getting
appropriate challenge in her classroom--the teacher has been helpful, but
there is only so much she can do. We chose not to skip dd to the next
grade
as she is already the youngest in her class.

Have others faced this truancy problem? How do you approach it? If this
is
a law (5 days/semester,) does the principal have much leeway in enforcing
it?

Possibly. But you should not have much leeway in breaking it.

If not, then who do we talk with? The DA? Is it possible to
homeschool part-time (the days dd misses) and avoid a truancy enforcement?
Could we test out of second grade and attendance be optional?

There is more to education than just knowlege. Like learning to be part of a
class and participate.

dh is calling the principal next week, and we will meet with dd's teacher
in
three weeks. I'd like to have a sense of our options before we go so we
do
what's right by dd and cause the least distress to her teacher and
principal
(who are quite nice.) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Simple, don't take her out of class. There is plenty of time for additional
education: weekends, the summer, vacations. It is not fair to the teacher,
your daughter or the other kids in the class.

Jeff

Thank you.
Vicki