My first 2 court cases today!!!
 

Good morning all! I have my first 2 court cases this morning and I'm pretty nervous...just gotta get past the first one and I think I'll be okay.

I work at an elementary school and my job is more or less like a truant officer's job. We have 2 kids that have missed too many days so we get to talk about it with the parents in front of a judge. I'll be representing my school and also the school district.

Should've taken a picture of myself this morning. I never dress up this much and even I surprised myself! :p

Anyway, should have a couple of more cases coming up next month...BUT...wish me luck!

Okay...this is my one thread for the day. :D

GO GET EM Miss MATLOCK !! You can do it !

These kids need to know how important it is to stay in school !

Good Luck, I'm sure it will go well for ya, especially if your are so Jazzed up today, how could it not. :thumbup:

Good luck, Kimberley! You'll do a great job, I know it! Good luck!!! :thumbup:

Good Luck!
 

What you are doing is a very important job and I commend you for it. There are way too many kids skipping school and everything that can be done to put a stop to it should be done. Too much going wrong with our young people today and the sad part is that in a lot of these cases, the parents just don't seem to care:( Let us know how it goes!

Suzi

Good Luck today! Let us know how it goes!

I agree there are quite few parents who just don't seem to "care". That said, however, I had a friend whose dd (darling is subjective here) who decided at age 16 that she was NOT going to school. Nothing this mother did worked. She could not physically pick her up and take her. And even if she could've....the child would just leave the premises. Fortunately now that she's older she's made some life (decision making) changes and everything is fine, but I was really at a loss with any advice, because really none of it seemed to work. Punishing this parent wasn't the answer, she wanted her in school as much as the district did. Btw, tossing her out of the house wasn't the answer either....cause YOU can't do that. Had another friend tried that, kid called the police on them....but that's another story.

Good luck in court :) And I'm sure you looked just as snazzy as those tv lawyers ;)

You are absolutely right! There are wonderful parents out there who are literally pulling their hair out over their child's lack of interest in school and wanting to go. When they reach the legal age in their state and no longer want to go, a parent can't make them.

WOW! I am impressed and I bet you are great in this job :D

Can't wait until you fill us in how it went.

It is sad that young people make decision that will effect so much of their future until it is usually to late. :(

Thanks, guys! The sad part is that at the elementary level, it's the parents that are keeping the kids out. So, it's really not the kid's fault.

Just this morning, had a parent that has gotten in trouble before and she's notorious for bringing the kids late. She is here on a Request to Remain on Campus since they've moved out of our attendance zone. Anyway, she brought her kids in late AGAIN but didn't check into the office. I saw her leave with one of her kids...teacher came and talked to me, since their child was late, teacher told kid to get a tardy slip from the office...mom didn't like that response so she left with the child. This child has been here since mid September and has already missed too many days. Looks like we're going to have to revoke her RRC.

Another parent's child has been tardy 47 times, today included. Her court case will be coming up next month.

But yes, at the junior high and high school level, I've seen parents that have no control over their kids. Sure, they drop them off in the morning but then the kids skip, while parents are at work and then parents end up having to go to court. What are you suppose to do with those kids????? :(

What is wrong with these parents?

Our legal age is 18, and the parents are still responsible for "making" them go until then. My friend's daughter was 15 or 16 when she stopped going. Ever wrestle a 4 yr old to dress them....try that when they are the same size as you, then physically carry them and put them in a car. Friend was literally at this point......

Sounds like the first parent doesn't really want to REMAIN. In our district there are a limited number of these spots, quite a few people would jump at the chance to have their out of district kids attend this school and would certainly follow the rules. I think the kids in elementary school with parents like you describe, will certainly not "feel" the need to finish school nor any of the other endeavors later in life. I could tell "horror" stories on the work ethics (or lack of) of teens.

What are the junior high & high school parents supposed to do?
That was essentially my friend's question cause she had run out of answers. If she could've volunteerialy released her to the state, when she was at the end of her rope...I'm certain she would have. It was that bad

Good Luck Kimberly, It is so sad that parents some parents are so appathetic, I think what a child does later in life depends on how they were raised from the get go. Keep up the good work.

Good luck Kimberley. Please fill us in on how it turned out. I know you will do a great job.Don't let the legal process be intimidating...You are the one that is in the right!!Go get 'em. :)

Good Luck Kimberley, with your skills at researching knowledge- you are already a lawyer- you'll do great!! :hug: