Truancy warming letters sent to homes on the rise

Well I have two friends of my that have children that are affected by this that should not be affected by it one is a chronicly ill child and the schools are aware. she has been sick or has to leave out of town to recive her medical treatments, because we don't offer or have the facilties. My friend has taken excusses from her doctors to the school and had been told that it don't matter if they are excussed or not she was put on contract even thought she could not help it due to her treatment. The other one had to have surgery in Albuquerque due to her medical situation that no doctors were willing to operate on her so she too was out of school and her mom also took the excuses to the school and was also told that it did not matter and she was placed on contract. I do think that there parents should be held accountable for there children if they are not going to school because they choose not to make them, but I don't think that parent that have child that are chornic or have surgery and have to be out of school due to the situation should not be pentalies for unforseen event. Here is the question for them to think about with this H1N1 going around and hitting the youth the hardest and are having to be out for 7-14 days due to the symptom and the school that are sending the students home because they are having flu like symptoms. I guess you will have to take every parent in san juan county to court because there children were sick and could not go to school. They need to look at there truancy policy when we have seasonal flu that it not our typical flu.

Lesa H wrote:

Well I have two friends of my that have children that are affected by this that should not be affected by it one is a chronicly ill child and the schools are aware. she has been sick or has to leave out of town to recive her medical treatments, because we don't offer or have the facilties. My friend has taken excusses from her doctors to the school and had been told that it don't matter if they are excussed or not she was put on contract even thought she could not help it due to her treatment. The other one had to have surgery in Albuquerque due to her medical situation that no doctors were willing to operate on her so she too was out of school and her mom also took the excuses to the school and was also told that it did not matter and she was placed on contract. I do think that there parents should be held accountable for there children if they are not going to school because they choose not to make them, but I don't think that parent that have child that are chornic or have surgery and have to be out of school due to the situation should not be pentalies for unforseen event. Here is the question for them to think about with this H1N1 going around and hitting the youth the hardest and are having to be out for 7-14 days due to the symptom and the school that are sending the students home because they are having flu like symptoms. I guess you will have to take every parent in san juan county to court because there children were sick and could not go to school. They need to look at there truancy policy when we have seasonal flu that it not our typical flu.

It appears as though you've missed quite a bit of school. With your misspelled words, run on sentences, and lack of proper punctuation, your incoherent post rambles on.

This article made me laugh. Typical Farmington. First of all, the second offense is "$500 and 6 months in jail" That punishment for parents is harder than most DWI/murders get around here. Courts have it backwards once again on priority. Don't get me wrong, education is the most important thing you can have, especially in this world now a days. Yes, make parents accountable for their kids but why aren't the kids being fined with work like community service? Send the kid to juvie/jail. Show them where children end up who make bad choices. The article sounds like the majority of the problem lies with highschool kids. They are old enough to know the difference between right and wrong, there should be no excuse on their part and they should get some form of punishment just like the parent(s). The other thing that I thought was hilarious was the "$20 gift card to a popular teen store" I remember being in highschool which wasn't too long ago and I sure would not have cared about a $20 gift card to a store popular among my peers. I just don't see how that is going to help kids get motivated to stay in school. To reward for bad behavior just isn't right. It will be to give attention to the kids making an improved effort.. I thought good grades and having confidence in yourself for making the right choices were a reward? Now we have to start paying/bribing these kids to go to school?? I have an idea of improving all of their efforts....since the problem seems, they stated, due to the open door lunch hours they have, make the school a closed campus. Thousands and thousands of dollars went into building a cafeteria so make them eat at school! That should make attendance greatly improve! Save the money on the gift cards and instead put it to good use on extra school security or something. Just close the campus....Simple solution to a HUGE problem!!

The reason the schools have the contracts with parents is because the no child left behind rules. The Schools are just doing their job. Schools must count all students in their data. If the children are not attending it makes it hard to impossible to achieve AYP. The State Board of Education needs to address this problem now. As all schools will fail with the flu pandemic we are experiencing.

SW in Farmington wrote:

This article made me laugh. Typical Farmington. First of all, the second offense is "$500 and 6 months in jail" That punishment for parents is harder than most DWI/murders get around here. Courts have it backwards once again on priority. Don't get me wrong, education is the most important thing you can have, especially in this world now a days. Yes, make parents accountable for their kids but why aren't the kids being fined with work like community service? Send the kid to juvie/jail. Show them where children end up who make bad choices. The article sounds like the majority of the problem lies with highschool kids. They are old enough to know the difference between right and wrong, there should be no excuse on their part and they should get some form of punishment just like the parent(s). The other thing that I thought was hilarious was the "$20 gift card to a popular teen store" I remember being in highschool which wasn't too long ago and I sure would not have cared about a $20 gift card to a store popular among my peers. I just don't see how that is going to help kids get motivated to stay in school. To reward for bad behavior just isn't right. It will be to give attention to the kids making an improved effort.. I thought good grades and having confidence in yourself for making the right choices were a reward? Now we have to start paying/bribing these kids to go to school?? I have an idea of improving all of their efforts....since the problem seems, they stated, due to the open door lunch hours they have, make the school a closed campus. Thousands and thousands of dollars went into building a cafeteria so make them eat at school! That should make attendance greatly improve! Save the money on the gift cards and instead put it to good use on extra school security or something. Just close the campus....Simple solution to a HUGE problem!!

I couldn't agree with you more!!!

I had to re-read this article 3 times just to digest it's reasoning....

They sent out 89 letters and yet are looking for funding and "rewards" to keep kids in school...

Well here are a few "facts" they truly forgot...

No Child Left Behind - is a loss cause... More children are actually "left behind" with this idiotic law than are actually helped.... Besides it requires a High School student to pass a competency test prior to Graduation. Here's a great Idea.... IF a student can pass that test at any time... ie Junior High or High School, graduate them... Then they won't be inclined to ditch because classes are BORING... Age has nothing to do with Graduation... My son could pass the test in the 7th grade & did. They made him "stay in school"...

Education NEEDS to be a priority in ALL households. Sadly it is not. Greed is the priority... You maybe amazed to realize that by High School 95% of children have already been taught greed out rules Education. They have also documented that children whose parents actually took an active role in their education at the Elementary level were more likely to stay in school at the High School level. Get parents involved.. keep parents involved.. You wold not believe how many times I was told "don't worry we have it covered"...

What of economic issues.. How many of these student on the high school level have to work. I remember as a student of Bloomfield High, living on my own; they would NOT grant me work release. I dropped out and went to College. Under the "no child left behind" my parents would have received one of these letters. I can tell you where it would end up.

For children with medical conditions, family discordance, etc.. offer tutors... Why are we wasting tax payer money sending these children letters and placing them on contracts when there is documented "issues"... IF a parent is willing to go to this trouble.. than by all means help that parent.. They are obviously concerned about their child's education.

Honestly, sadly most of these letters get tossed.. If a parent cares about their child's education, They are at the school long before they ever receive a letter. Although I will say San Juan County schools do NOT know how to handle a parent who does just that. While my kids attended an Oregon High School, I went in and got weekly attendance records.. I requested that here and got a blank stare. When she did speak, "I have no clue what you are asking for".

Yes education starts at home... and Educators need to be reminded of that.. Encourage parents.. Encourage them at the Elementary level... Keep the informed, keep them active... and not only when there is "trouble".... and as for their rewards... none of the "kids" I know would be caught dead getting a $20 gift certificate to a "popular teen store"... Maybe free tickets to a popular music group.. but honestly $20 won't get you a pair of socks at most "teen" hang out stores...

Also closing the High School campus won't work either.. If a student wants to ditch... They WILL find away...

How ironic... schools are receiving some of the largest budget cuts and they find a way to waste money by sending out letters... Pick up the damn Phone.... If you aren't interested why should the parents be....

Marine Mom wrote:

I had to re-read this article 3 times just to digest it's reasoning....
They sent out 89 letters and yet are looking for funding and "rewards" to keep kids in school...
Well here are a few "facts" they truly forgot...
No Child Left Behind - is a loss cause... More children are actually "left behind" with this idiotic law than are actually helped.... Besides it requires a High School student to pass a competency test prior to Graduation. Here's a great Idea.... IF a student can pass that test at any time... ie Junior High or High School, graduate them... Then they won't be inclined to ditch because classes are BORING... Age has nothing to do with Graduation... My son could pass the test in the 7th grade & did. They made him "stay in school"...
Education NEEDS to be a priority in ALL households. Sadly it is not. Greed is the priority... You maybe amazed to realize that by High School 95% of children have already been taught greed out rules Education. They have also documented that children whose parents actually took an active role in their education at the Elementary level were more likely to stay in school at the High School level. Get parents involved.. keep parents involved.. You wold not believe how many times I was told "don't worry we have it covered"...
What of economic issues.. How many of these student on the high school level have to work. I remember as a student of Bloomfield High, living on my own; they would NOT grant me work release. I dropped out and went to College. Under the "no child left behind" my parents would have received one of these letters. I can tell you where it would end up.
For children with medical conditions, family discordance, etc.. offer tutors... Why are we wasting tax payer money sending these children letters and placing them on contracts when there is documented "issues"... IF a parent is willing to go to this trouble.. than by all means help that parent.. They are obviously concerned about their child's education.
Honestly, sadly most of these letters get tossed.. If a parent cares about their child's education, They are at the school long before they ever receive a letter. Although I will say San Juan County schools do NOT know how to handle a parent who does just that. While my kids attended an Oregon High School, I went in and got weekly attendance records.. I requested that here and got a blank stare. When she did speak, "I have no clue what you are asking for".
Yes education starts at home... and Educators need to be reminded of that.. Encourage parents.. Encourage them at the Elementary level... Keep the informed, keep them active... and not only when there is "trouble".... and as for their rewards... none of the "kids" I know would be caught dead getting a $20 gift certificate to a "popular teen store"... Maybe free tickets to a popular music group.. but honestly $20 won't get you a pair of socks at most "teen" hang out stores...
Also closing the High School campus won't work either.. If a student wants to ditch... They WILL find away...
How ironic... schools are receiving some of the largest budget cuts and they find a way to waste money by sending out letters... Pick up the damn Phone.... If you aren't interested why should the parents be....

Your last comment sums up your intelligence.

Street Slum Slayer wrote:

<quoted text>Your last comment sums up your intelligence.

Thank you.... So did yours....

Lesa H wrote:

Well I have two friends of my that have children that are affected by this that should not be affected by it one is a chronicly ill child and the schools are aware. she has been sick or has to leave out of town to recive her medical treatments, because we don't offer or have the facilties. My friend has taken excusses from her doctors to the school and had been told that it don't matter if they are excussed or not she was put on contract even thought she could not help it due to her treatment. The other one had to have surgery in Albuquerque due to her medical situation that no doctors were willing to operate on her so she too was out of school and her mom also took the excuses to the school and was also told that it did not matter and she was placed on contract. I do think that there parents should be held accountable for there children if they are not going to school because they choose not to make them, but I don't think that parent that have child that are chornic or have surgery and have to be out of school due to the situation should not be pentalies for unforseen event. Here is the question for them to think about with this H1N1 going around and hitting the youth the hardest and are having to be out for 7-14 days due to the symptom and the school that are sending the students home because they are having flu like symptoms. I guess you will have to take every parent in san juan county to court because there children were sick and could not go to school. They need to look at there truancy policy when we have seasonal flu that it not our typical flu.

You grossly misunderstand the intent of this program. Plus, you can't spell. The majority of parents that warrant these letters receive them because they come from homes where education is not reinforced or a priority. Of course there will be children that have special circumstances (your friend for example), but this is a very small percentage of the problem students. Bottom line, kids on the streets mean trouble for YOU and everyone else. Applaud the system for trying to make a difference, and tell your friend to relax. She's not going to jail.

Solving this issue will require the schools and parents to work together.

1.) Parents need to be responsible for their children. Teach them the value of education and commitment at home. We don't have time at school to teach this to them. Instead of complaining about education and your child's school..get involved in it and let your voice be RESPECTFULLY heard. Make your student turn off the video games, computer games, and TV while teaching them the value of a book, or better yet family time with mom and dad doing something together.

2.)Administration and teachers need to work within the confines of NCLB (until our officials wake up and realize this is failing our students) while making school interesting. Yes we have standards, benchmarks and tests to do as teachers but that doesn't mean that we can't meet those requirements in fun and creative ways. Teachers need quit being lazy or leave the profession so someone can do the job right. That said administration and the NMPED need to quit trying to control teachers by placing so much paperwork and testing mandates so those of us who love to teach...CAN TEACH.

It's not about $20 gift cards, closed campus, attendance letters, and court dates. Its about shifting our priorities as parents while encouraging professional teachers to do what they do best, not loading them down with BS that doesn't do a thing for our kids. Only then will we see truancy, and our education system, turn around.

Marine Mom wrote:

I had to re-read this article 3 times just to digest it's reasoning....
They sent out 89 letters and yet are looking for funding and "rewards" to keep kids in school...
Well here are a few "facts" they truly forgot...
No Child Left Behind - is a loss cause... More children are actually "left behind" with this idiotic law than are actually helped.... Besides it requires a High School student to pass a competency test prior to Graduation. Here's a great Idea.... IF a student can pass that test at any time... ie Junior High or High School, graduate them... Then they won't be inclined to ditch because classes are BORING... Age has nothing to do with Graduation... My son could pass the test in the 7th grade & did. They made him "stay in school"...
Education NEEDS to be a priority in ALL households. Sadly it is not. Greed is the priority... You maybe amazed to realize that by High School 95% of children have already been taught greed out rules Education. They have also documented that children whose parents actually took an active role in their education at the Elementary level were more likely to stay in school at the High School level. Get parents involved.. keep parents involved.. You wold not believe how many times I was told "don't worry we have it covered"...
What of economic issues.. How many of these student on the high school level have to work. I remember as a student of Bloomfield High, living on my own; they would NOT grant me work release. I dropped out and went to College. Under the "no child left behind" my parents would have received one of these letters. I can tell you where it would end up.
For children with medical conditions, family discordance, etc.. offer tutors... Why are we wasting tax payer money sending these children letters and placing them on contracts when there is documented "issues"... IF a parent is willing to go to this trouble.. than by all means help that parent.. They are obviously concerned about their child's education.
Honestly, sadly most of these letters get tossed.. If a parent cares about their child's education, They are at the school long before they ever receive a letter. Although I will say San Juan County schools do NOT know how to handle a parent who does just that. While my kids attended an Oregon High School, I went in and got weekly attendance records.. I requested that here and got a blank stare. When she did speak, "I have no clue what you are asking for".
Yes education starts at home... and Educators need to be reminded of that.. Encourage parents.. Encourage them at the Elementary level... Keep the informed, keep them active... and not only when there is "trouble".... and as for their rewards... none of the "kids" I know would be caught dead getting a $20 gift certificate to a "popular teen store"... Maybe free tickets to a popular music group.. but honestly $20 won't get you a pair of socks at most "teen" hang out stores...
Also closing the High School campus won't work either.. If a student wants to ditch... They WILL find away...
How ironic... schools are receiving some of the largest budget cuts and they find a way to waste money by sending out letters... Pick up the damn Phone.... If you aren't interested why should the parents be....

You truly don't know the facts of NCLB or the intent of the truancy program. Our schools are plagued by noncompliant parents, who do very little to provide for the academic needs of their children. Parent involvement is encouraged at every level of education, but again, the priorities are not there. Our school systems also have voice messages that are sent daily to inform parents when their children are not at school. BTW, if you can't buy a pair of sock for $20, then you should have taken a class in economics, and find the address to your local Walmart.

Did anyone read the headline for this article?? WarMing truancy letters? I really don't get the impression that those that receive them are particularly "warmed" by them.....Way to edit, DT!

Marine Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
Thank you.... So did yours....

Please read Grumpy Old Guy's post. You might learn something from it.

Truancy targets the poor families. It is a given. Spend a week with an indigent family and you will recognize why children become truant. Some of the family I know are zero income barely able to keep up with their basic of the basic. Imagine holding up a bag of laundry all day and the only concern is the weigh and the tension of it. There is no time to go to teacher conference, repair homes, attend sport events, etc. The last on the list is school responsibility and teacher conference. Gas to get groceries, go to hospital, and go to relatives to ask for help are priorities.

Deluxelady wrote:

Did anyone read the headline for this article?? WarMing truancy letters? I really don't get the impression that those that receive them are particularly "warmed" by them.....Way to edit, DT!

And your comment adds to this thread in WHAT way? The headline was only on the post and not in the newspaper, which you would know if you weren't a useless troll. Online typos happen. Either contribute something valuable to the discussion or sign off.

REB wrote:

Truancy targets the poor families. It is a given. Spend a week with an indigent family and you will recognize why children become truant. Some of the family I know are zero income barely able to keep up with their basic of the basic. Imagine holding up a bag of laundry all day and the only concern is the weigh and the tension of it. There is no time to go to teacher conference, repair homes, attend sport events, etc. The last on the list is school responsibility and teacher conference. Gas to get groceries, go to hospital, and go to relatives to ask for help are priorities.

So what is the alternative for these children? I realize it is difficult for these families and I understand that making teacher conferences, being involved in school activities, etc. can be extremely difficult. Getting their child to school should be their first priority.

It amazes me that we are in one of the most wealthy nations in the world and that there are so many that do not have enough to subsist on a daily basis. It amazes me even more that parents in positions of poverty do not realize that it is DOUBLY important to get their kid to school so they don't face the same fate.

This issue is about getting their kids to school so they aren't condemned to the same fate. There are public programs out there to help these families and believe me schools try to connect them to those sources. It happens every single day in this county. We cannot excuse parental decisions to NOT have their child attend school.

REB wrote:

Truancy targets the poor families. It is a given. Spend a week with an indigent family and you will recognize why children become truant. Some of the family I know are zero income barely able to keep up with their basic of the basic. Imagine holding up a bag of laundry all day and the only concern is the weigh and the tension of it. There is no time to go to teacher conference, repair homes, attend sport events, etc. The last on the list is school responsibility and teacher conference. Gas to get groceries, go to hospital, and go to relatives to ask for help are priorities.

Where the hell do you people come up with these comments? Truancy and tardiness are the responsibility of the students and the parents....PERIOD!!!!! Buses provide transportation for every single student in this county. If a "poor" family lacks the discipline to wake their children up and help them to get ready for school, I call it laziness. It is the school's responsibility to provide children an education. It is the parents responsibility to make sure that child receives a proper education by ensuring they arrive to school on time.

Street Slum Slayer wrote:

<quoted text>Your last comment sums up your intelligence.

Look who is talking skum, I mean Slum Slayer. In a battle wits your are defenseless.

PinkRedRader wrote:

<quoted text>Look who is talking skum, I mean Slum Slayer. In a battle wits your are defenseless.

Who are you kidding 2cool4school? You can't even put a sentence together.

PinkRedRader wrote:

<quoted text>Look who is talking skum, I mean Slum Slayer. In a battle wits your are defenseless.

My my Grandma, what a thin vale you hide behind. You are really beginning to show your cowardice more and more.
You care nothing about this topic but only use it as an excuse to hide in ambush for S3. It's sickening.
Get some guts. Act like the Vet you claim you are and face this man in the open or STFU.
And don't think for one second that you're winning "the battle of wits" with S3 or anyone else on this forum, cause I promise you, you aren't.