Not surprisingly, a lot of students and teachers skipped school Monday and will likely do so again today.
As noted in today's article by Jane Ruffin and Josh Shaffer, the student absenteeism rate hit 18.5 percent on Monday compared to a more typical 5.5 percent. Families opted to go ahead with the spring break plans they had made before the first two days of this week were changed to makeup days.
Staff absenteeism was also a problem. For instance, a shortage of teacher assistants for cafeteria duty at Davis Drive Elementary was to have caused students to eat lunch in their classrooms. At Broughton High, 16 percent of the staff was out.
According to the article, Michael Evans, Wake's chief communications, officer said they might have used a Saturday instead of spring break if only one day had to be made up.
Comments
I can't help but laugh
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 05:50 — MarvinSchwartzOooh, the comments in this post are so filled with irony that I can't help but laugh. I find it funny that:
1. Parents hold their children out and then complain that the makeup days are useless. Teachers do not want to give tests, start new materials, etc when half their students or more are going to be gone. My child's teachers polled the class to see how many were going to be there for the makeup days.
Attendance at my child's school was about 50% yesterday. You can't tell me that nearly half of Wake County students and parents had out-of-town plans that required them to miss two days. If parents would have sent their kids to school so that only 2-3 kids per class were out, I'm sure teachers would have responded with more appropriate materials.
2. Louise Lee has some chutzpah to post on this topic given that this mess is a direct result of the school calendar law that she holds so dear. And does anyone else find it funny that her child was the only one to have a "normal" week? Yeah, right.
If these days had been put on to the end of the school year, then the entire calendar of scheduling and activities would have been pushed back two days, rather than wasting these two this week.
3. I always get a chuckle that some poster will blame this, like everything, on MYR. In other news, MYR is responsible for AIG executive bonuses, global warming, and tooth decay.
How is planning a family
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:23 — Big_PictureHow is planning a family vacation according to WCPSS calendar and then making the decision not to change those plans to watch movies in class termed *hooky*?
Why the sick pleasure at others' pain Marvin?
There is no schadenfreude...
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 18:22 — MarvinSchwartz...in my comments. I only said I had to laugh when I come on here and find people who will complain about anything.
As for my comments about Saint Louise, it was sarcasm. Read between the lines, people. I truly believe her child had a normal day. I'm quite sure any class that was assured of a near-normal attendance would have a near-normal day. My point was that of course she can't say anything negative about the make-up days since it was her beloved calendar law that caused this foul-up in the first place. Besides, it is apparent that Louise can take care of herself, thank you very much.
But to answer your question, Louise, I am one of tens of thousands of parents who want local calendar authority returned to local boards and not determined by a "one-size fits all" policy from the legislature. But that is a discussion for another time.
What I try to teach my children, to answer Angela, is that actions have consequences. I can't do what I want and the effect on others be damned. But the prevailing opinion of many who post on here is that the only thing that matters is what I want and everyone else can just deal. I want to send my kids to school when I want, I want to go to the school that I want, etc etc etc
Big_Picture .. why do
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:14 — user1234Big_Picture .. why do parents put up with that? They paid for 180 days of education and did not get them.
If the fast food they paid for was not in the bag, they would be angry and confront the manager. Where is the energy to fire the administration or teacher? How can people worry so much about education in general but when an example like watching worthless movies for two days comes around they say, "oh, well".
Taking away 2 days of a
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:44 — Big_PictureTaking away 2 days of a scheduled break is not the same as only scheduling 178 days of instruction. The fact is, knowing that subs would be showing R (unacceptable) or Disney cartoons gave parents all they needed to make an informed decision.
Scheduled teaching days with instruction taking place vs. scheduled vacation days taken away and replaced with games and movies is not equal.
Hooky is cutting class to hang with your peeps and smoke cancer sticks behind the 7-11. Taking a scheduled family vacation is not hooky.
Spread too thin to fight
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:28 — Chris_HUser1234 I admire what you are saying. However reality is this. It takes 5 minutes to fight getting back something missing froma fast food bag. People are over worked, over stressed, and have oh so many battels to fight that this one does not seem worth it. Also as many of of us has experienced you become too big a pain at a school and somehow all the sudden your kid gets the crappy teachers and the bad end of the stick. Also I would think that you of all people who have had his kids in home schooling in the past - would understand those that kept their kids home had their reasons. I have gone to battle for my kids but over things that affect them in the long run - this isn't one of them. Appreciate your passion on these subjects though.
Actually...
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 08:44 — louiselee44the school calendar law is to blame for the things you mentioned in #3 - plus the economic crisis - worldwide!
You must not be among the tens of thousand of families who prefer not to start "traditional" schools in late July or early August. :^)
I guess not every parent in Wake County reads this blog (do ya think?), thus no one to corroborate my make-up days story - oh well! I must confess that they did watch a movie in Spanish class yesterday - Lion King - Spanish dialogue.
I hope you have a blessed Easter!
Louise Lee=Classy (even when
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:27 — Big_PictureLouise Lee=Classy (even when dealing with the classless.)
Thanks!
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 14:30 — louiselee44:^)
Louise is ALWAYS first class!
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 19:24 — g88ky07Marvin is the guy who eats everything, along side Mikey! Every ounce of red meat the BoE can throw at him! Heck, probably draws a paycheck from them!
Don't lose ANY steam moving full throttle ahead Louise and keep it up! YOU ROCK!!!
And we AND our children THANK YOU!!!
Sir
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 08:11 — Chris_HYou know this is somewhat Chicken and Egg - if your kids come home telling you that the teachers tell them to stay home, they won't even be there..... My high school student just finshed mid-terms, teachers said stay home we won't be starting anything new, he has 3 A's and a B. Senior. My MYR is off - wow a 5 days with no school. Took off work and spending time with them. I won't apologize. Sorry but MYR and 2 schedules has affected my family. You probably wouldn't understand the constant, constant stress it has created, but light at the end of the tunnel - #1 son graduates and #2 enters high school. Even the college to high school calendar is more similar, it will be nice.
MYR to me was the straw that broke the camels back and now with underenrolled schools, track's collapsing and other ill effects my youngest son has encountered I feel duped and cheated for the last two years.
As far as the calendar law - I don't understand really why it is all so hard to contain. My nieces and nephews in northern states start later than we do and get outabout the same time as traditional. Plus they build in snow days. But if we need a week of leeway built in then lets look at that.
nice, hope you don't teach your kids this
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 07:08 — AngelaWSchadenfreude is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.
Tuesday's make up day at Enloe
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 15:06 — CaryiteMuch fewer students on Tuesday's make-up day at Enloe HS. Only one of my son's teachers was absent. My son's day:
elective - about 12 kids, watched movie Shrek
math - about 15 kids, talked & sang
chemistry - 8 kids, played cards, listened to ipod, texted
English - 5 kids, watched movie Joy Luck Club
biology - class watched movie Slumdog Millionaire, my son went to lunch instead
elective - about 10 kids, watched movie Howl's Moving Castle
world history - 7 kids, played hangman
But having at least one
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 15:46 — user1234But having at least one student there gave them $5000/180 days of funding for all the students.
So, your son made $112k for Enloe for sticking in there while everyone else went to the beach. (I assumed Enloe had 2000 kids). Thanks for taking one for the team. :-)
$5000 state portion / 180 days = $28/day-student
$28/day-student x 2000 students = $56k/day
$56/day x 2 days = $112k
families count too
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 12:41 — momof2goodboysI have said this before, but family is important too! We made plans during the week of spring break to AVOID missing school days, like many others. Without a crystal ball, it is impossible to know what else to do. I will not change my plans just because the board can not plan the make-up days better. School is important, but so are other things in life!
Families first. I pity the
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:47 — Big_PictureFamilies first. I pity the poor children whose parents do not feel that way.
If you have to make a choice,...
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 12:55 — louiselee44"real life" skills and quality family time trump "book-learning" for me - and I even used to teach!
certainly in our case
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 12:47 — AngelaWcertainly in our case too......it hasn't been until the inception of MYR that my attitude towards this school (system) has completely changed. and as I said 10 out of 20 3rd grade Track 1 kids on Saturday.
We have the UTMOST respect for our elementary school staff and teachers and I am there always!
BUT, with certain things, families come first over schooling.
my middle schooler IS making up snow days yesterday and today (watching movies, BTW in classes combined due to low attendance) but mainly because the MYR's are AT school, had we been able to be a FAMILY on the SAME schedule and made spring break plans, it would be another story.
until you walk in someone else's shoes......
Ditto!
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 15:33 — g88ky07I always agree with AW!
MYR is as destructive as it comes. When coupled with ALL the rest of the school board's cockeyed BS agendas you guys are absolutely correct.
We can only take so many slaps to the face before we start slappin' back!
Angela - exactly how I feel
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 14:41 — Chris_HMYR has done a number on my family. In the last two years we really have not had a vacation together. No I am not taking about anything extravagant just a week together. Some people say well you have XMAS and Spring break and a small period of time in the summer. Well... here's the thing as you say unless you walk in my shoes.... I basically have two teens - the oldest graduates this year and is a lifeguard in the summer - it is next to impossible to get 4th of July off and really the time that the MYR child is off is the prime pool time. XMAS is nice but has its own stresses and we need to visit family at times also. This year Spring Break - well my husband and I are trying to work hard and hold on to our very demanding jobs just didn't get it together in time between jobs and trying to get oldest set for college. So this week I am home with boys but it is kinda of a normal week - Dad has to work and they are visiting with their friends. But nice to sleep late and make breakfast etc.... I am just plain tired and mad at the school district for putting us in this predicament. My family and kids are so imporatant to me but there are only so many different changes we can absorb. Can't believe they wanted kids in school Mon and Tuesday but still have a teacher workday next Monday. Whatever, my feelings obviously don't count. When my oldest graduates on June 14th this year we will have to forgo the 3 cousin graduation get together because the 8th grader will still be in school. How nice. Maybe one of us can go see the cousins from NH and VA.
My feelings toward the district have definitely changed for the worse.
:( my heart breaks for so
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 15:59 — AngelaW:( my heart breaks for so many families with stories like this ....
this is why I get so angry at those posters who support the machine with no regard for the families it affects....and spew rhetoric about government this and liberal that.....blah blah blah, WCPSS has brought SO much of this on to families on their OWN, under their own doing, with malice and forethought as proven by the conversion of LRMS as only ONE example.
what this system has forced down families throats and torn my own family into shreds with schedules all over the place is a crime....and if the Supreme Court can see their way clear, they will prove it! if not then....then October!!
my son slept while others watched movies
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 12:25 — mcacchionemy daughter watched movies all day too. they both attend different wake middle schools.
It all depends...
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 12:18 — louiselee44You know - the same thing happens no matter when the make-up days are. We just never hear about it when the days are tagged on at the end. In fact, I would think even more absences occur then - and just as many parents are upset about WCPSS "messing up" summer vacation plans.
I remember years ago when a week was added in June. I spoke with Bill McNeal (superintendent at the time) and was assured that students would spend those days studying material that they would be getting in the fall - a sort of "head start" as it were. I kid you not...
As I said in my earlier post, my 10th grade daughter had a normal day yesterday, with a test in Spanish. Same amount of homework last night (with new material introduced in math), in preparation for what they were to cover today. It all depends on who you talk to - and on the school and teachers, of course.
Actually, chorus varied a little, but hey... :-)
What about the kids who went to school?
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 11:10 — momsateacherI was adamantly opposed to kids staying home. A school day is a school day, right? Apparently not. When my middle schooler came home and said she had watched two full length movies in school on Monday, that was it. She's home today. Anyone else have a similar experience?
My middle schooler watched
Wed, 04/08/2009 - 06:20 — lilybugMy middle schooler watched "Twilight". After we'd refused to let her see at the movies. Fantastic use of a school day.
Bada Bing!
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 12:42 — g88ky07Good! That's time better spent, at
home!
Our last makeup day for trk4 they worked VERY hard
to entice kids to show. Pajama Day, Dr. Seuss all day movie fest, everything
except educating. What's the point?
Someone remind me, how many unexcused
abscenses can be had before they send the Nextel Police to get you?
Similar stories, separate post
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 12:01 — SDR256Momsateacher - there are several similar stories and some opposite ones under the other "make up day" post. Seems that as with many things in this school system, the execution was not as controlled and uniform as they'd like us to believe it is.
my child told me today...
Tue, 04/07/2009 - 15:29 — rr77rr99my child told me today... watched movies and even more kids were out ... at least half in every class. Waste of a day for sure. What a shame. But, I was a "good parent" and sent my child to school... keep those "Nextel cops" away from me...lol..what was funny whomever posted that.