Many jobs are forcing people back to the office, and now, schools may be forcing kids back into the classroom. No matter what.
A school district in Tennessee announced that doctor’s notes would no longer excuse a child’s absence. The Lawrence County School System said the stricter policy is to improve the district’s attendance rate.
Kids will just be marked present or absent, and there are punishments for absence, sick or not. After three no-shows, schools will start an intervention. If a kid misses eight or more days, they’ll be referred to juvenile court for truancy.
If a child goes to school sick, can’t make it through, and the school nurse sends them home, that child will be marked as “tardy.”
The Director of Schools is Michael Adkins, and he’s NO NONSENSE. He says, “We are going to take control of the attendance of our students. You can bring all the doctor’s notes you want, but it is still unexcused . . .
“You can fail the grade, you can fail the course, you are going to be petitioned to court. You are not going to participate in graduation, get your driver’s license or permit.”
There may be exemptions for “verified chronic illnesses” and severe injuries.
He says, “If you have the sniffles, that’s fine. You are going to have them when you go to work one day. We have all gone to work sick, and hurt, and beat up.”
The district didn’t just send notices out to all the parents, they also notified “local medical providers,” and encouraged them to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance while treating children.
Some parents are upset about the rule. One said, “Ultimately, I’m going to do what is right for my kid regardless of this policy.”
For now, the neighboring school districts in Tennessee say they’re still accepting doctor’s notes for extended absences, and say those aren’t even necessary for one- or two-day absences.
(WSMV)
