CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — The first day of school is fast approaching for many students around central Alabama.
As families take these last few days to prepare, some districts are trying to help them plan out the year and reduce absenteeism.
Students in Cullman County have 25 learning days off from school. To keep attendance in the classroom up during the rest of the days, Cullman County Schools recommends families take vacations and schedule appointments during the days kids are already out of class.
“By that suggestion that was shared, they really can sit down and plan for several months in advance of saying, ‘Look, we’re going to be out for four days here, so let’s find one of those days that we can do one of those visits or even go on a trip,’” said Cullman County Superintendent Shane Barnette. “I know many people plan their trip over the weekend and several of those, fall break and things, they’ll have a four-day weekend, so that’s a great opportunity for them to plan their trips.
“We hope they take advantage of it. At the end of the year, maybe we can look back, and we’ve had kids more in class more, and therefore their learning has improved.”
Barnette said when the post was first made on social media, some families were concerned the district was following in the footsteps of a Tennessee school district, which has a new rule that doctor’s notes will not be excused absences. He reassured families that is not the case in their district.
“There will always be a need for unexpected doctor’s visits, and we know that,” Barnette said. “We have kids of our own. We’ve been there. Since COVID, we were doing a really good job with our attendance, and then COVID hit and everything was out of whack, and we’ve been working back to get back to where we were pre-COVID.
“The biggest thing is, it’s on our state report card where we’re measured for chronic absenteeism. But the other thing is kids can’t learn if they’re not here. So we’re going to do our absolute best to have kids in the classroom as much as we possibly can.”
Even if class itself isn’t many students’ favorite part of the day, many said they’re ready to be back.
“I love first grade,” one elementary student said. “I can’t wait to meet my new teacher and friends.”
The families CBS 42 spoke with Tuesday thought the new recommendation from the school board was a good idea.
“I think that’s wonderful,” said Summer W., who has children enrolled in Cullman County Schools. “Bring awareness to the certain days students have off.”
“Used to you couldn’t miss school to go on vacation,” said Cullman County resident Kathy Milligan. “When I was growing up, you got counted out.”
Some families said having a strong support system is important while taking care of kids.
“My daughter and son-in-law work Monday through Friday, my husband and I are both in health care, and we have certain days off that we make sure they get to school, and if not, the great-grandparents get them to school,” Milligan said. “We’re a working community.”
“It could be pretty hard still with some of them, but a lot of people have close family or friends, so maybe that will help out,” Summer W. said.
Barnette said a student is considered “chronically absent” by the state when they’ve missed 18 days or more, including because of doctor’s visits.
The post Cullman County Schools recommendation aims to reduce absences appeared first on WHNT.
