Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

My daughter is in kindergarten. She has been sick a lot this year, absent 18 times. She sucks her thumb and no matter how much her teacher and I have her wash her hands she catches every illness. She is home now with pneumonia and double ear infection. Last month she had RSV and a double ear infection before that a stomach virus 2 times and then colds with fever. I only keep her home when she has fever or is throwing up and I have to fight with her every time because she LOVES school. Whenever she was out for 3 or more days I sent a drs note, if she was home for 1 or 2 days I sent a personal note. I've received 2 letters from the school attendance office. The first one in December just told me how many days she was absent and the 2nd one last week said that I'm neglecting and abusing my child because she isn't in school and they've never received any absent/DR notes from me. I spoke to the attendance lady 2 times and she was very rude telling me to send my daughter to school with fever if I have to. I just don't know what to do...I called her again today to let her know that my daughter is very sick and when she goes back to school I will personally bring in the Dr's note and again she was very rude telling me she's going to call an outside agency if this continues. I asked her if she ever checked with my daughters teacher about all the other Dr notes that I sent in and she said NO. Now I was told that kindergarten isn't mandatory in NYS. If that's true then why is this woman threatening me? My daughter is very smart. The principal looked up her file and said there's no reason why they should be worried because she is doing excellent and has great grades. I just don't know what to do, this woman is getting me very upset by telling me I'm abusing my child. I know how important it is to be in school but when your child is sick what do you do? Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

K is not mandatory and IMO, should be, but iif your child is legitimately sick, they should not be harassing you. Unfortunately, there are too many cases of children who are out often and not taken care of...I would get dr.'s notes for as much as possible and if you've spoke to the teacher and principal and they are understanding and there is no reason for a potential holdover, perhaps just try to curb the thumb sucking so that your daughter can be as healthy as possible...I don't mean that to sound harsh, but next year (first grade) is mandatory and the jump in curriculum makes it difficult for multiple absences...I am sorry your daughter is sick often and hope she gets better...

FTR..I've taught K and had kids absent many more than 18 days NEVER with any explanation or notes...as far as I'm concerned as a teacher, if she is sick, 18 days is not terrible and if she is sick, I would rather she be home recouperating instead of coming back in sick and making herself sicker and everyone around her...sending a child in with a fever is NEVER allowed so that woman is ridiculous for saying that...

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

I would be on the phone with the principal toot sweet. Who the heck is the attendance lady to speak to you that way?!!!

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

Thank you for your reply. The best part is when we went for kindergarten orientation they told all the parents to keep their children home even if they have the sniffles so the sickness doesnt get passed around. Now they are fighting with me because my daughter is home with fever and other illnesses. I dont get it.

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

and she tells me today that I have to take my daughter to get tubes in her ears because its ridiculous that she's had 3 ear infections this year. I'm doing everything I can to keep my cool because I don't feel that she should be diagnosing my daughter. I wanted to ask her who gave her a PHD?

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

Call the principal and set up a meeting. You have done nothing wrong and if she spoke to me like that I would be at the school in a heartbeat! If you sent her to school with a fever you know they would send her right home. The attendance lady is ridiculous! I am so mad for you!!

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

Is this is NYC or LI?

I have to say just based on the last comment where she's telling you that you have to get tubes in her ears, I'd be emailing the superintendent & the principal.

Email because it's documentation of your complaint.

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

I think they are more concerned with their bottom line than your child actually being out. It's my understanding that each day a child is absent, they lose the funding for that child for the day. Or something like that. A note was sent saying that a child only needs to be in school for like one hour to be declared as present for the entire day.

Sorry your daughter is getting sick so often. Try to up her vitamin C and D and maybe that will help a little bit.

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

1. Kindergarten is not state mandated, meaning that school districts do not have to offer kindergarten.

2. The school does not lose any funding if your child is out sick.

However, considering that 99% of districts DO have K, in order for your child to "skip" kindergarten, they would have to pass a test indicating that they are academically prepared for 1st grade.

Now, as far as the school threatening to call CPS, yes, they can do that if they think that you are "hindering your childs education". I think the technical term is "Educational neglect".

If your child is legitimately sick this often for long periods of time, then your doctor should contact the school nurse. You should also contact the district about having your daughter taught at home. Children who miss long periods of school are entitled to have a tutoring service come to your house to help her keep up academically.

Also, if your child misses an exorbitant amount of school, they are within their rights to suggest she repeat the grade.

Message edited 3/29/2011 2:27:06 PM.

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

sending you fm.

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

I would also set up an appoint with the principal. I bet that the attendance aide/secretary is only sending form letters based on a computer system that probably doesn't discriminate the different grades.

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

Thanks for all your replies! I called the school and left a message for the principal. I would like to set up a meeting between the attandance woman, her teacher, and my husband and i. Somewhere there is mis communication and for some reason the teacher isnt handing in my dr notes. I went to the dr today with my 3 year old and asked them to fax copies of the dr notes to the school for me. As far as her education she isnt behind in her work. Actually she is advanced in her class. Her report cards and progress reports are excellent and she is in 2 reading groups and has to read 14 books a week and gets tested on them. She is doing work now that i did in 2nd grade. So i dont think there is a problem with her learning. The teacher said she asks my daughter to help the other kids with their work. So if she leaves her back just because she missed days i will be very upset. She is not behind in her work at all. Can she do that?

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

They can if it's extreme absence AND academic issues...i know in our school, it's the principal's call...18 days is not extreme enough, i don't think, to hold her over just based on attendance...I had one child absent over 60 times AND had academic issues and we held him over... sounds like her immune system is having a hard time with all the new germs but I am glad she loves school and it sounds like she's doing terrific work!

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

Re: Is kindergarten mandatory in NYS?

Anytime! Please update!