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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
 
| Our High School Finals (middle school division) is this weekend. There are 3 performances, and 2 slacks. this is spread out over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I made a request (in writing) back in mid April, for my daughter to excused from the Friday performance, and make her runs in one of the other 4 performances. The reason for the request, is she has had perfect attendance Kindergarten through 6th grade. She would need to leave school early to make it to the friday performance. For some reason, one of her major goals is to have perfect attendance all the way through school. The board denied the request this weekend. They approved some other students for Prom, and graduation. (I totally understand, and am very happy for those children). There is no need in suggesting going to the principal, central office, or school board. That is not an option. She is faced with attending finals, or staying at school. She has very good chance at buckles in all 4 of her events, and the rookie. Possibly all around. No need in beating a dead horse on was the decision right, should the school distrct excuse it, or what your state does. What decision would you make? Attend school, or the finals? |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | It is her goal to have perfect attendance. So I would think that the final decision should be your daughters. She sounds like a strong willed child. She will make the right choice either way. If it were me, I'd attend the Finals. But perfect attendance was not my strong suit. Good luck. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| I left it to her. |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | Just my opinion, but in the whole scheme of things, perfect attendance is really not that big of a deal. I get it that it's an important goal for your daughter, but there's no guarantee that she will never be sick or need to miss for something super important later on.
One of my cousins had perfect attendance, then a close relative died, and her parents were actually conflicted about taking her out of school for the funeral because it would ruin her perfect attendance.
Does anyone (college, employers, etc) actually care about perfect attendance? I'm just curious what the benefit is, other than being able to say you did it.
ETA: just wanted to add that I think it's admirable that your daughter finds it very important, since so many kids try everything they can to get OUT of going to school, she just needs to look at the big picture and decide if it's really worth missing out on certain things.
Edited by Gunner11 2016-05-24 10:15 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| Gunner11 - 2016-05-24 10:11 AM
Just my opinion, but in the whole scheme of things, perfect attendance is really not that big of a deal. I get it that it's an important goal for your daughter, but there's no guarantee that she will never be sick or need to miss for something super important later on.
One of my cousins had perfect attendance, then a close relative died, and her parents were actually conflicted about taking her out of school for the funeral because it would ruin her perfect attendance.
Does anyone (college, employers, etc) actually care about perfect attendance? I'm just curious what the benefit is, other than being able to say you did it.
Ne benefit, beyond personal pride. My fault, I drilled it in them at an early age. 23 years in the same career, and never missed a day. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| While perfect attendance is a good goal to have, I think I'd go to Finals.
The only reason I'd push her to stay at school is if it's one of the last days of school and she has final tests.
Otherwise, she's worked way too hard on the rodeo goals to throw them away for 1/2 day attendance. Grades are what colleges look at for scholarships and such...she MIGHT get a certificate for attendance, or nothing at all....but her knowledge of it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| I should add, I am a teacher, and my wife is an administrator. |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Bigfoot - 2016-05-24 10:13 AM Gunner11 - 2016-05-24 10:11 AM Just my opinion, but in the whole scheme of things, perfect attendance is really not that big of a deal. I get it that it's an important goal for your daughter, but there's no guarantee that she will never be sick or need to miss for something super important later on. One of my cousins had perfect attendance, then a close relative died, and her parents were actually conflicted about taking her out of school for the funeral because it would ruin her perfect attendance. Does anyone (college, employers, etc) actually care about perfect attendance? I'm just curious what the benefit is, other than being able to say you did it. Ne benefit, beyond personal pride. My fault, I drilled it in them at an early age. 23 years in the same career, and never missed a day.
So you've never gone on vacation? Never been to a funeral? Never took care of a sick kid? Never had to take off to take an animal to the vet?
Spent so much time working that your family doesn't see you?? If she's in middle school and you have to take her to the rodeo...doesn't that mean you'll miss that day of work too?? |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Bigfoot - 2016-05-24 10:16 AM I should add, I am a teacher, and my wife is an administrator.
I'm a teacher too. |
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Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | Bigfoot - 2016-05-24 10:13 AM
Gunner11 - 2016-05-24 10:11 AM
Just my opinion, but in the whole scheme of things, perfect attendance is really not that big of a deal. I get it that it's an important goal for your daughter, but there's no guarantee that she will never be sick or need to miss for something super important later on.
One of my cousins had perfect attendance, then a close relative died, and her parents were actually conflicted about taking her out of school for the funeral because it would ruin her perfect attendance.
Does anyone (college, employers, etc) actually care about perfect attendance? I'm just curious what the benefit is, other than being able to say you did it.
Ne benefit, beyond personal pride. My fault, I drilled it in them at an early age. 23 years in the same career, and never missed a day.
I just don't want her to miss out on something so important when she could miss more days later on for things out of her control, so then she missed out for nothing. I personally think it's an awesome goal, but you really have to weigh the pros and cons.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| Looking like I'm in the minority. I am personally missing finals, to watch my students graduate. Bad Dad, I know.
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I would have done the same thing - left it up to my child. It's not what is important to everyone else, it is what is important to her. She set a goal, probably several, now she has to decide which one is more important TO HER. As adults our goals usually are much different than a child's. I know as an adult, I would probably have done several things differently as a child, but I did what was right for me at that moment. Kudos to you for raising a child that is able to set goals and then not give up on them, AND has the ability to decide for herself which is more important to her. Either way she chooses, she'll be able to feel good about herself.  |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I was sitting at a high school graduation last week barely paying attention as they called out hundreds of names to walk across the stage. I heard only two of the names. My little brother's, which is the reason I was there. And one young lady who as they called her name they recognized her for having perfect attendance from Kindergarten through 12th grade. She had not missed a single day of school in thirteen years! The entire stadium erupted into applause. It truly is a remarkable accomplishment.
I would be willing to bet any future employer will think so too. Buckles? Not so impressive on a resume.
That being said, I missed plenty of school growing up to go to rodeos. I still went to college on academic scholarships, and now have a great job. I don't think there's a wrong decision here.
Edited: because now I see that you left it up to her!
Edited by BamaCanChaser 2016-05-24 10:26 AM
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| I would think that as long as she is there part of the day it should still count as a day for attendance purposes, even if she left a few hours early?
Edited by LAC 2016-05-24 10:33 AM
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  Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | 20 years from now, perfect attendance won't even be a memory. It will be forgotten, nobody will really care, and it won't really matter.
20 years from now, her memories from the finals, and possibly any awards she could win, will be a highlight for her to share with her children (or 30 years from now depending on her dad)......
I applaud you for leaving it up to her, but just a thought to share. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | missroselee - 2016-05-24 11:13 AM 20 years from now, perfect attendance won't even be a memory. It will be forgotten, nobody will really care, and it won't really matter.
20 years from now, her memories from the finals, and possibly any awards she could win, will be a highlight for her to share with her children (or 30 years from now depending on her dad)......
I applaud you for leaving it up to her, but just a thought to share.
I agree.
This could really be a huge experience for her, and a memory of a lifetime. If she has excellent grades, I'd say go for it. But good idea on leaving the choice up to her.
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | Life choices are tough, but you have to make them.
Good luck to her, what ever she decides.
Oh and to directly answer your orginal question.
What would I do? The answer is Nothing.. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| LAC - 2016-05-24 10:32 AM
I would think that as long as she is there part of the day it should still count as a day for attendance purposes, even if she left a few hours early?
Unfortunatly, it doesn't work like that. I checked. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| Nateracer - 2016-05-24 10:17 AM
Bigfoot - 2016-05-24 10:13 AM Gunner11 - 2016-05-24 10:11 AM Just my opinion, but in the whole scheme of things, perfect attendance is really not that big of a deal. I get it that it's an important goal for your daughter, but there's no guarantee that she will never be sick or need to miss for something super important later on. One of my cousins had perfect attendance, then a close relative died, and her parents were actually conflicted about taking her out of school for the funeral because it would ruin her perfect attendance. Does anyone (college, employers, etc) actually care about perfect attendance? I'm just curious what the benefit is, other than being able to say you did it. Ne benefit, beyond personal pride. My fault, I drilled it in them at an early age. 23 years in the same career, and never missed a day.
Spent so much time working that your family doesn't see you?? If she's in middle school and you have to take her to the rodeo...doesn't that mean you'll miss that day of work too??
Been fortunate, I guess. Children were born either in summer, and one on fall break. Didn't even have to miss for that. Grandparents were gone by the time I started teaching, and parents are still alive. |
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 Saint Stacey
| I'm glad you are letting her decide. I personally think the rodeo is more important. Especially if she has achance at Rookie or qualifying for Nationals. My daughter missed her high school graduation for a rodeo. Her choice. The people in the school and community were mad. They all made her life miserable and told her she'd regret not walking across that stage. 4 years later, she still has no regrets and would do the same thing in a heartbeat. When she was deciding what to do, I told her it was her choice but once she made it to never look back and say What If. |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | I would let her make the decision.
I don't understand the perfect attendance thing??? I have vacation at work and I am going to use it! In fact, I use most of mine to go to rodeos. That's why we all work, right? |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | BamaCanChaser - 2016-05-24 10:23 AM I was sitting at a high school graduation last week barely paying attention as they called out hundreds of names to walk across the stage. I heard only two of the names. My little brother's, which is the reason I was there. And one young lady who as they called her name they recognized her for having perfect attendance from Kindergarten through 12th grade. She had not missed a single day of school in thirteen years! The entire stadium erupted into applause. It truly is a remarkable accomplishment. I would be willing to bet any future employer will think so too. Buckles? Not so impressive on a resume. That being said, I missed plenty of school growing up to go to rodeos. I still went to college on academic scholarships, and now have a great job. I don't think there's a wrong decision here. Edited: because now I see that you left it up to her!
Sorry - but you're really grasping for things to put on a resume if you're down to listing perfect attendance in grade school. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| If buckles/saddles were all that was at stake, the decision would be a little easier. This is the qualifications for the National Finals. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Perfect attendance will mean very little to future employers beyond her first job: however, her dedication to her training, her animals, her responsibilities on the farm etc will overshadow her perfect attendance anyway.
Personally I would suggest going to the finals. The lessons learned there will stay with her longer and you can make take this opportunity to teach her how important it is to have goals but that occasionally you may have to adjust them as life happens. It doesn't mean she's failed at her goal it just means that she can be flexible to achieve something greater.
If she never needs to take another day off then she can still say she only missed 1/2 day of school which is still very impressive.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Also I would suggest you miss going to graduation to watch your daughter. Your students likely won't remember you being there but your daughter WILL remember that you missed her event to stay behind for your students! It's admirable that you've never missed a day of work but I just this once it would be good to miss a day :)
Edited by RunNitroRun 2016-05-24 1:35 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1314
Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass | I would encourage her to go to the finals. The day after she graduates nobody will care about her attendance. But she will have memories for years about what she will do at finals. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Northwest Florida | I know I would go to finals. However, this is coming from a person who had missed so much school for races, that I had to get fake doctor's notes from my friend's father who was a doctor, in order to get enough absences excused to be able graduate!
I always had straight A's, so my parents left the decision up to me because I was able to keep my grades up... and I always chose the race.
ETA- Not once did I regret missing school for a race! She may regret missing finals in the future, though.
Edited by BigStarBound 2016-05-24 1:37 PM
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I agree with the majority...
When I applied for jobs at the county and state level, both of which I got and still here, I used my involvement in the horse industry as points in an interview. Being involved in an organization is going to bring her much farther than perfect attendance. I also think I learned so much from horses and rodeo that school never could have taught me.
Perfect attendance is a bragging right but to be honest, I wouldn't be impressed by it. No offense. Great for her if she has that goal and I think its admirable that it is important to her but I guess I am not seeing this as much of a debate. However, I do agree it should be her decision. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 938
Location: Texas | Will the school not excuse the absence? Both my middle and high school both excused any horse show or rodeo as long as I had proof I was entered. I have friends from other towns who also got their absences excused. I even got mine to count as a gym credit. And I do not live in a horse community. |
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Addicted to Baseball
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright, TX | No one is going to pay attention to barrel races attended on a resume either.
I'm with you in letting her decide. Her goals are her goals and should be entertained - just because a bunch of barrel racers who never had perfect attendance in mind think she should go barrel racing doesn't mean a thing in her life. Both are going to just be a memory. My kids are the same age and one thing I've learned is they need to shine where they choose to. It may not be my choice of activity or goal but as long as they're between 2 good choices, it's theirs and they are committed to do it, no harm in letting her/him write their own story. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| Time2beat - 2016-05-24 1:40 PM
Will the school not excuse the absence? Both my middle and high school both excused any horse show or rodeo as long as I had proof I was entered. I have friends from other towns who also got their absences excused. I even got mine to count as a gym credit. And I do not live in a horse community.
No, you cant do that here. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| Tilt The Kilt - 2016-05-24 1:53 PM
No one is going to pay attention to barrel races attended on a resume either.
I'm with you in letting her decide. Her goals are her goals and should be entertained - just because a bunch of barrel racers who never had perfect attendance in mind think she should go barrel racing doesn't mean a thing in her life. Both are going to just be a memory. My kids are the same age and one thing I've learned is they need to shine where they choose to. It may not be my choice of activity or goal but as long as they're between 2 good choices, it's theirs and they are committed to do it, no harm in letting her/him write their own story.
I'm a little afraid, that at 11 years old, she doesn't have the skill set to make the best decision. As a child, shes offended that others were allowed to run another performance, but she's not. i say thats just a series of unfortunate events. She has to decide now, and thats the way it is. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 938
Location: Texas | Bigfoot - 2016-05-24 3:02 PM Time2beat - 2016-05-24 1:40 PM Will the school not excuse the absence? Both my middle and high school both excused any horse show or rodeo as long as I had proof I was entered. I have friends from other towns who also got their absences excused. I even got mine to count as a gym credit. And I do not live in a horse community. No, you cant do that here.
Wow, that's crazy. I got out of it because it is a college level sport. |
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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | Hmm really sounds like you don't want her to go to finals because you want the perfect attendance and you feel guilty because there's the "what if" if she wins this buckle or makes it to nationals.
Take a chance, get out of the bubble, missing half a day of school and being a supportive father sounds like it would be good for you.
And in my opinion, since you brought it up, if this little girl is really in the running to go to NATIONALS how could you let her miss that?! I gurantee you that is something worth putting on a resume or on a college application. |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| So, what was the verdict? What did she choose? |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | I just saw your post, Bigfoot. Hugs to you and your daughter for whatever decision was made. It sucks that she has to learn how unfair life can be this way. Y'all are in my prayers, cuz. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Let her make the decison, hope that she chooses rodeo, life is to short not to do something special like this. I would think a half of day of school would still be counted as being there  |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | I would personally go to the rodeo but if it were my daughter I would allow her to make the decision.
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I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | Southtxponygirl - 2016-05-26 9:40 AM Let her make the decison, hope that she chooses rodeo, life is to short not to do something special like this. I would think a half of day of school would still be counted as being there
I would to.....when I was in school (100 years ago LOL) if you were there a certain number of hours it was considered a full day. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 421
Location: Texas!! | Wow, it amazes me that other states can get their finals done in a weekend!! Here the Jr High finals check in was the 22nd and the finals run through the 28th. No chance for perfect attendance here....lol Good luck to your daughter!! (in which ever choice she makes) Those are some great times and it flies by!! |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Time2beat - 2016-05-24 1:40 PM
Will the school not excuse the absence? Both my middle and high school both excused any horse show or rodeo as long as I had proof I was entered. I have friends from other towns who also got their absences excused. I even got mine to count as a gym credit. And I do not live in a horse community.
In our school district there is a difference between excused absence and perfect attendance. So even if it is excused, you are still absent. Perfect attendance meant you were there all day every day. Truthfully, that is the only special recognition that some kids can get from the school. They aren't athletic, super smart or have any outstanding talents. NOT AT ALL saying this Bigfoot's daughter's reason because it's obvious its not, just saying for some kids it is, like my sister and I. |
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 Dancing in my Mind
Posts: 3062
Location: Eastern OH but my heart is in WV | I totally feel your pain and the agony of the decision. Last year, was my daughter's first year and we started late. We never dreamed she would qualify for Jr. High Nationals but she did. The problem was she was also dedicated to dance, approx. $600 in costumes already bought, all the routines done, part of a choosen line... well recital was the same weekend as move into nationals. She went to recital.
All I am going to say now is, it is one of the biggest regrets I have as a parent. She regrets it too. She has danced for 12 years/ 12 years of recitals BUT only had one chance at Jr. High Nationals. 
Edited by Rolling J 2016-05-26 11:28 AM
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | BigFoot whats the decision?!! Is she going to Rodeo?  |
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What in the world would you do?