School absence

[amammabear]

My son just got a sticker at school for 100% attendance, but my daughter only got one for 95%. She has only had time off for medical appointments, in all cases I advised the school in advance, we have a genetic condition that means we all have a lot of appointments and it can't be helped.

Firstly am I being unreasonable to be upset that that has been held against her when she can't help it and I have no choice (it's not like I'm taking them on holiday!)? Secondly, how is this fair when my son has also had appointments, just not as many, and yet he got 100%?

[bookwormnerd]

Yanbu, it's ridiculous. Why should children be rewarded for being well or not having medical appointments. It's punishing children for when they are off sick. It's not a huge achievement it's just lucky that they have not got sick (though in some cases it's children going in when not well enough)or have not had medical appointments. I know with daughters appointments it's not always possible to do in holidays

[Sirzy]

The whole system for rewarding attendance is bonkers!

[PoochiePoo]

It's all to do with if the child is present for registration in both morning and afternoon. If you took DS out mid morning but he was back by lunch, or out mid pm, he will be classed as present.

[amammabear]

One appointment that we all went to was half the day, so he definitely missed a registration. It's not her fault that she suffers more symptoms than him, he's under one consultant, she's under eight different specialties!

I also agree that it encourages people to send in kids who are really too poorly and then they pass it on to everyone else!

So I'm NBU?

[Rainydayspending]

I don't see how it's a reward? It's a figure of their attendance or are they special stickers?. Unless they're going as far as giving out doughnuts to the winning class (I have queried whether this is really a good message with healthy eating/ work ethic. I'm fairly sure teachers don't get treats for dragging themselves in every day).
It's sad but has caused the odd twitch of amusement that the attendance obssessed new HT is now off sick at our school.
Usually unobservant children have been working out her attendance % (well trying to)