My first 2 court cases today!!!

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Jaspermom

It's good to have the waters tested now! Next time you won't be nervous at all, hardly!

I am happy that you have this job and you take it so seriously. That poor little 7 year old that was beaten to death in NY this past week by her stepfather had been absent 45 days from school. That was the authority's first clue that there was a problem. Unfortunately, their intervention was not very effective.

Hang in there, Kimberley! Speak for the CHILDREN!

That is horrible! Glad you are fighting the good fight Kimberley...you never know what's going on behind the scenes and unfortunately this is the only way to get to the bottom of it. Keep up the good work girl!

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by red98vett

Sorry for this - but it's up to US as parents to make SURE our kids get to school - it's like one of the #1 things we as parents must do... besides feed and clothe them.... and for someone to let this slide so much - she really NEEDED to be taken to court ....hopefully they won't fine her... but it will sure open her eyes that people are paying attention.

I couldn't agree with you more. My kid comes first, before ANYTHING else. You can't always rely on the parents' word. It's not like they are going to admit that they beat their kid and that's why they were not at school. am sure there are special cases, but how are you going to know unless it's looked into?

[Carters Mom]

Originally Posted by txshopper73

She was taken to court last year for her daughter that had 40-50 absences so this year is a big improvement. Her daughter failed 1st grade last year and her son is failing kindergarten. Hopefully, this will open mom's eyes that her kids need to be in school. Not only is it a state law but for her kid's own sake.

Thanks for the support, guys!

Ok -- let's do the math here!!!! You all know I love math!!

In Loiusiana, it states that there is to be 180 days of instruction. If a child misses their classes 40 times . . . . even if they are tardy 40 days and miss the first or first and second class 40 times . . . . they have missed 22% of the total instruction for that subject!!!!

The laws in Louisiana state that a child cannot miss more than 10 days during a semester if the school is on a 4x4 schedule or block schedule or 20 days in a school year if on a traditional 7 classes per day.

Excused abscences are death in the family with proper documentation and a valid doctor's excuse. Other exceptions are made on a case by case basis.

This mom is raising a child that will not succeed in life if truancy is allowed to continue. Doesn't the child deserve a chance in life? Doesn't the child deserve to be self-supportive in the future? The child needs an advocate and that is what these types of hearings are all about. Responsibility and accountability of the parent!

If you miss 22% of the workdays in a year . . . . do you think you'll have a job? How would your boss like you to miss 55 days in a calendar year? (50 weeks * 5 days per week * 22% = 55 days ==== understanding 2 weeks vacation time per year)

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

I too feel sorry for the mom even though I don't know all of the circumstances but she sounds like she could use a break and I am glad the judge is giving her another chance. I doubt she can afford a $600 fine...wowzers!!!!

Kimberley, I am just curious, in Texas, how many absences (and in what time period) does a child have to have to be taken to court and possibly fined? How many school days are there where you live? Does the school lose money when a child is absent?

I have four kids, a husband who works hard, a full time job myself, and I am the Secretary for the Middle School Foundation. I also have my daughter in a school outside our zone and because we live so far away we depend on "good" traffic everyday to make it on time. If the traffic is bad it doesn't matter how early you leave you will be late. She was late last friday due to an accident under the freeway overpass and even her teacher was late but it was not excused. Even with an involved husband and a teenager who drives it is hard to get everyone to and from their activities on time everyday. I feel like a full time taxi driver sometimes.

I totally agree with the need for kids to be in school regularly but we are all human and I think humanity has to be part of the puzzle. We should look for solutions to problems and ways to help instead of jumping the gun to punish. I know if I am so sick I cannot drive, and there is no one to take the kids to school, they have had to stay home. I am sure that this mother wants the best for her kids and understands the need for a good education.

Kimberley~ I am glad your first case was an easy one for you. Now you know what to expect.

You're right. She has a minimum wage job and cannot afford to pay the hefty fine.

The kids are allowed 18 absences (excused or unexcused)for the school year. We are in school for 180 days and students must be present 90% of the days. Once a kid has 3 unexcused absences, a statutory warning is signed by the parent. This more or less lets the parent know where the student is on unexcused absences. Once the child reaches 10 unexcused absences, the statutory warning is filed with the DA's office and a court date is set. Parents are served with a summons and if they don't show up and have been served, a Fail To Apprear warrant is issued. Fines are $300 + court costs but this judge is one to give a second chance and a second court hearing is set.

If a child has excused absences...let's say 12, and has parent notes or doctor's notes for these days, then we go by the 90% rule. As of today, school has been in session for 110 days. This child with 12 excused absences is not in compliance. Therefore, an attendance committee meets which consist of myself, our principal, vice principal and counselor. The attendance committee can then decide if doctor notes are required for all future absences. THEREFORE, kid gets sick, misses a day, must have doctor's note to excuse the absence. If a child does not have insurance, the parent can bring the child to the school to have our nurse check the child out. If the nurse sends the child home, then the absence is excused.

Yes, schools run by ADA money. If a child is absence, the school looses money for that child that day.

We take into consideration the parents whose child misses here and there. But these are the parents that have abused the system. They take advantage everywhere they can.

For example, there is a student with over 45 tardies. The judge does hear cases on excessive tardies. I have counseled with this parent, our counselor has counseled with her, she came to me for help because she wants to move out of the home she's in. I referred her to agencies that can help her, gave her phone numbers, filled out forms. She's still living there, has not contacted these agencies and her child was tardy again, this morning.

When is enough enough? Court is a last resort. We do try to work with the parents, find out what is going on, etc. Many of these kids come from very sad situations...they are victims.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

I hear ya.....

I was the pro bono attorney for the Women's Shelter in my community for many many years and there were so many women in domestic violence situations who were afraid to send their children to school out of fear of the father and what would happen if he came to the school.

We had to work with the schools and the courts in those situations to insure that the children and the mother were protected at all times. Safety is always foremost.

I have also had cases where a child has a serious injury or illness and this creates a lot of difficulties and added stress for the family. The last thing they need in those cases is the school complaining about the child's absences. Those are usually resolved with doctor's written letters.

From what I know about states with "criminal truancy laws" the schools are actually "required" to take them to court after a certain number of unexcused absences which is usually ten, I believe.

Is kindergarten required in Texas and are this woman's other two children older or younger than the two you described in Kindergarten and 1st grade? I remember what it was like when my four were little. I had my last baby in the month of October when my oldest had just started kindergarten. There is no way I could have had a job with four children that young. I needed lots of help in addition to what my husband offered even. I cannot imagine doing that all alone and having a job!!

Interesting thread.

[red98vett]

Kimberley ...in answering your last post.....that must be SO FRUSTRATING to see - you're doing a great job and I can see how much you care...Keep it up momma !

Since I already posted a serious post - here's my NOT serious one - I bet you looked better than that old Erin Brockovich does on a good day !

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by red98vett

KimberleySince I already posted a serious post - here's my NOT serious one - I bet you looked better than that old Erin Brockovich does on a good day !

Oh you know she did. Big ole hair, Aqua-Net and all....

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

I hear ya.....

I was the pro bono attorney for the Women's Shelter in my community for many many years and there were so many women in domestic violence situations who were afraid to send their children to school out of fear of the father and what would happen if he came to the school.

We had to work with the schools and the courts in those situations to insure that the children and the mother were protected at all times. Safety is always foremost.

I have also had cases where a child has a serious injury or illness and this creates a lot of difficulties and added stress for the family. The last thing they need in those cases is the school complaining about the child's absences. Those are usually resolved with doctor's written letters.

From what I know about states with "criminal truancy laws" the schools are actually "required" to take them to court after a certain number of unexcused absences which is usually ten, I believe.

Is kindergarten required in Texas and are this woman's other two children older or younger than the two you described in Kindergarten and 1st grade? I remember what it was like when my four were little. I had my last baby in the month of October when my oldest had just started kindergarten. There is no way I could have had a job with four children that young. I needed lots of help in addition to what my husband offered even. I cannot imagine doing that all alone and having a job!!

Interesting thread.

We do have a couple of sick children. One has leukemia and the other has some type of colon cancer. These two children haven't missed half the days as some of our others. Anyway, these children are overlooked because of their medical history and besides, they have always provided medical documentation from their doctors.

I've not had to deal with women shelters and women of abuse. I'm sure that provisions could be made for those children as well.

Pre-K is an elective but once you decide to enroll your child in pre-k, you must abide by the rules. Kinder is a state law. If your child is 5 by September 1st, they must be enrolled in school.

This particular parent has one child that is out of high school, but I do not believe he works and a toddler around 2. Dad comes in and out of their lives so the situation as a whole is sad...but they live less than 1/4 mile from school and drive a fairly new/nice truck, so there is really no excuse for them to miss so much school.

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by red98vett

Since I already posted a serious post - here's my NOT serious one - I bet you looked better than that old Erin Brockovich does on a good day !

HAHAHA! Girl, I DID have it going on this morning!!!!!!! Big hair and all!!!!!

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by txshopper73

HAHAHA! Girl, I DID have it going on this morning!!!!!!! Big hair and all!!!!!

No...not you....Texas hair? Really? Let's see the photo!

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

No...not you....Texas hair? Really? Let's see the photo!

hehehehe! Should have taken one! Yes, I was fluffy but it did look cute!