Problem with school, need advice?

Two days ago, my husband collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital. I picked up my two daughters from school early (one is in preschool and the other is in first grade).


I called the school the next day and left a message saying that they wouldn't be able to come in for a few days due to a family emergency.


Today my daughter's teacher called and informed me that the children had to be in school tomorrow since a parent being in the hospital is not a valid reason for absence. This really made my head spin.


The school doesn't even know the severity of my husband's condition but, yet my children can't miss two days of school to be by their father's side? It sounded so ludicrous that I thought someone was playing a prank on me.


But, no..the teacher insisted that it was not a valid reason. I got kind of upset and voiced my displeasure (don't worry, I was not rude). Continued...Problem with school, need advice?
I would have done the same thing you did. A parent in the hospital to me is good enough reason to miss school and like you said preschool and a first grader. Come on now what are they really missing from not being in school. You have enough on your plate dealing with your husband being in the hospital. No one knows what tomorrow may bring. Trying to get them off to school and picked up from school is a problem by itself when you're trying to be there for your husband. That teacher would have received a nice earful from me also. That's none of her business to tell you what to do with your kids. I always thought as long as your child had an excuse they would be fine. I swear parents who are out here doing the right thing in life with their children receive a hard time from people. Parents who are out here letting their kids do who knows what gets nothing. Once I get time and my husband is back on his feet I would request a meeting with the teacher, the principal and whoever else wants to be involved. Make sure you get that note from the hospital for your kids absences.I send my blessings to your husband for a speedy recovery.Problem with school, need advice?
First let me start by saying that I hope your husband recovers quickly. I know that you are in a state of upheaval and turmoil right now with not knowing what is happening with your husband. I would not completely agree with the teacher, but I would say that stability is key for the kids right now. Yes they need to see their father and they need to understand that he is sick right now, but the idea of him hospitalized and (god forbid) dying is far more traumatic to kids than keeping their routine and having them stay in school. I dont' think the teacher worded things correctly for you, but ask any grief counselor and they will tell you that routine is key. Be open and honest with the girls but maintain their daily routine. To address the situation you may want to call the school administration and perhaps their counselor. I would have contacted the school and counselor and had the kids meet with the counselor and maintain their routine during the school day.
The teacher was just doing her job. Most schools have strict standards as to how many days you can have off for what reason. For example, if a relative other than parents or immediate family passes away, then the child only gets one day off of school. I'd hate to tell you to lie and say that your kids are the sick ones, but sometimes you have to when dealing with school absences.
The teacher has no place to call you like that. Only the principal does.





Keep the kids out for as long as you need to. Talk directly to the principal. Tell them about the teacher's call and how you were upset and don't appreciate it and want any contact about this from the principal.





Most schools have a policy and will be understanding in situations. I'd have just kept my children out as long as needed and threw a fit at the teacher, then called the principal.





The teacher was out of line. Only the principal can call you about that.
Take it to the school superintendent....that should shut the teacher up...good grief~ yes, you had the right to take them out of school.......blessings to you, I hope your husband is better soon......
well i have to agree with both sides... for one, a family emergancy is very much a valid reason for kids to miss school. But at the same time, if their father is fine, and just in the hospital now under observation, and isnt on life support or on his last days of survival, then there really is no need for the kids to miss school. they can visit there father after school is over. Do you really think a grade 1 or pre schooler would rather spend the 8 hours in a hospital..... Im sorry, i understand where you are coming from, and i DO think the school was ignorant telling you the kids had to be back in class, but i dont think you needed to pull them out other than the day he collapsed.
It sounds like you did absolutely the right thing. In your school handbook (if your school has one)....children are allowed a certain number of days absent before there is any concern for repeating that grade....but good heavens...in our school it is like 15 days absent. Your children were where they should have been. You are the parent and know better than the school where they should be. I wouldn't even worry about any illegal absences at this point. Has anyone ever said that they have missed a job opportunity because they were illegally absent in first grade??!!
You are NOT wrong. These are your children before they are anything. YOu are not REQUIRED to even send them to school. They could be homeschooled. I would call the district office, and, speak with the superintendent of schools. I would tell him the story and simply state that your children will not be there. Period. Tell him how inappropriate thsi teacher's conduct was, and, I would, personally, follow it up with a letter to the child's teacher, the principal of the school, the superintendent, and, the family attorney (if you have one).
I would call and speak with the principal about the situation. You have every right to have your children out of school for a couple of days for a family emergency. I would speak with the principal about how upset you are that this teacher was not more sympathetic to your situation. You could pick up your daughter's work so she doesn't get behind. I hope everything turns out ok for your husband.
Advice? Whats to advice? You got the 2 days off.





Hope your husband recovers.





The school wouldn't do anything anyway, just the teacher is an ****.
Don't bring them to school tomorrow! The teacher isn't the one that has the right to deal with this issue, it is between you and the principal. If the principal doesn't understand you need to go straight to the Board of Education.No matter what they say, do what you think is right. I for one wouldn't bring them to school until they are ready and deal with the school issue when everything is back to normal. Hopefully, someone will think about what's best for your kids.
I think perhaps the school is trying to retain a sense of normality for the children - your children will be disturbed by this anyway and breaking their routine may well upset them more - if they continue to go into school at least their days will be 'normal' and they can presumably visit after school?


Hope he gets better soon - you are obviously very distressed
I never heard of such a thing! Not a valid reason? What is a valid reason then? This teacher does not know what she is talking about! I would call the main office and ask to speak to the principal about this. I If a child's father is in the hospital, that is a valid enough reason if you ask me.
My personal opinion would be if your husband is that ill, and at the hospital, he probably has tubes, bruising, and is not in his best state, and quite honestly would not want my children to see thier father in that state. Now if he is dying, first I am so sorry, but I would allow my kids to go in and say good bye and that's about it. Adult health issues, and hospitals are not a good place for small children to be, and if you think that your 2 children are going to make your husband better by being there wake up and think about what your putting those children through. Now knowing my thoughts about children being in hospitals, I would much rather my children being in school than at the hospital with their sick dad. I think that the teacher was out of line, and very disrespectful to you and your family, and if a family emergency, (whatever anyone considers one to be) happens they should not even have the right to question what it is. Now with one of your children being in pre-school, if it's a private pre-school you may want to re read your contract most pre-schools do have some policy on how many days a child can miss school before they are no longer allowed at that school. I do hope the best for both you and your husband and good luck on this tough situation.
Ask to speak to the headmaster/mistress
You're not over-reacting.


The woman was obviously (possibly a single), very unhappy woman who was clearly not understanding a word you said.


Your husband is ill, so let your children have time off school if thats what is needed, thats for you to decide and not for some woman who has no idea of the extent of your husbands illness, or the way in which his illness could potentially impact upon your family.





I hope he recovers well.
The teacher don't have right to tell your child when to go to school or when to stay.


Few things you can do 1. Get note from doctor 2. take it to school. 3. If you will have same problem with school take it to the school district.


I stayed home from school three days because I was waiting to get internet connection school and teachers was fine with that.


So try doing these steps.
to long write sorter