Thousands of students miss 1st day
Despite a plea from Superintendent Nancy McGinley that parents get their children to school on the first day, more than 3,500 Charleston County students didn't show up Tuesday.
The district's projected enrollment was 42,725 students, but enrollment on the first day was 38,985. That absentee rate of 9 percent is consistent with past years.
Students at three schools were not included in the district's first-day count: Susan Boykin Academy, Sea Islands YouthBuild Charter and East Cooper Montessori, which didn't start until Wednesday. An estimated 400 students are enrolled in those schools.
Wednesday morning, McGinley responded to the absences by sending an e-mail to every principal in the district. She directed them to mobilize any resource they had to follow up with students who did not show up on the first day. And she asked for specific school employees or volunteers to be assigned to make phone calls and home visits to get students to school.
"Every day a child misses school is a day he/she falls further behind," she wrote.
Charleston's problem of first-day absences is consistent with a national trend. It is common in some larger, urban school districts for some parents to wait until after Labor Day to send their children to school.
North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey promised that city police would work more closely with the district to ensure that more students got to school on the first day. School officials were supposed to let police know the areas where truant students typically congregate, and patrol officers would target those areas to find absent students. But Police Chief Jon Zumalt said the department didn't get any calls from the district, and so officers continued their regular patrols and monitoring for children who weren't in school.
North Charleston Police Department spokesman Spencer Pryor said schools were busy Tuesday and focused on other priorities. He expected schools to begin working more closely with police soon.
Eleven percent of North Charleston students weren't present on the first day, one of the highest absentee rates in the district.
Even when officers begin more focused patrols for truant students, Zumalt said, that wouldn't be enough to address the issue. He wants the school district to hire one or more employees in middle and high schools who are dedicated to reducing the number of truant students. The state gives that authority and responsibility to schools, not police, he said.
Charleston police officers keep watch for truant students and will ask children they encounter during the day why they aren't in school, said police spokesman Charles Francis. That's been a department practice for years, he said.
The police department would be glad to work more closely with the district in coming up with solutions to the first-day absence issue, but it's not a problem that police alone can solve, Francis said.
"It's a situation where everybody should be involved," he said. "It should be the entire community."
In Charleston, first-day absences don't affect the district's funding or placement of teachers. The number of students in the district increases by a few thousand by the third day of school; and by the 10th day, the district's projection and its actual enrollment typically are only a couple of hundred students apart.
Students are counted on the first day by teachers, and a number of factors could affect an accurate count, said Barbara Hess, the district's recruitment and staffing director. Some high school students might not be counted because they're waiting for schedules from the school guidance counselor. Some students might arrive late. Some teachers' attendance cards might not be counted. But Hess didn't think more than 3,500 students were at school but not counted.
The city also has tried for the past five years to get families excited about the upcoming school year by hosting the First Day Festival. This year's event on Sunday had a record attendance of more than 7,000 children and parents. City officials didn't return calls for comment.
Editor's note: Spencer Pryor was quoted incorrectly in Thursday's print edition. The Post and Courier regrets the error.
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Comments
jsmcadory (anonymous) says...
Just like the comment I left for a similar article, I believe the parents of elementary school aged children should be punished if their child misses the first day of school and for the middle schoolers and up, both parent and child should be punished in some way. There is absolutely no excuse for missing the first day of school unless an illness is to blame.
August 23, 2007 at 4:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
orpheus (anonymous) says...
huh things have not changed much there i see. still a bunch of uneducated slack jawed yokels. no wonder the crime rate is so high there.
August 23, 2007 at 5:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
poorboy (anonymous) says...
"MAYOR" you hit it!
Lets just all guess where these kids live? In the poorer, inner city, predominately black areas of the cities. I call it like I see it...
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT KIND OF KIDS YOUR ARE GETTING Mr Mayor, the Mike Vick thugs that have total disregard for LIFE, LIBERTY, or OUR LAWS! The type you see on th evening news every freaking night killing pizza delivery people, robbing deli's, and yes killing EACH OTHER at such alarming rates! That's what you get. Hey NAACP great move asking that Michael Vick get a second chance and asking that the NFL not be to hard on him. I'm sure it wasn't his fault and this keeps your precedent that your known for, it's always someone else's fault and you don't have to take responsibilty for your own actions! We can blame it on slavery, the government, and the confedrate flag. people!
August 23, 2007 at 6:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wayne (anonymous) says...
Simple solution: Make every one of those student attend additional classes, at their cost, on the first weekend after school opens. Make the parents pay for any overtime costs, food, electricity, janitorial services and police presence. Not as punishment, but as compensation to the STUDENT, who is automatically put at a disadvantage because of the lazy, self centered and probably ignorant parent who is too busy with their own interests to set aside a day or so for their kids.
August 23, 2007 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
datadiva (anonymous) says...
Just curious...
Why does school start before Labor Day in the South? I'm in the Northeast - moving to Charleston area next week and I've always wondered about that...
Unfortunately my kids will be late getting into school too, but thats only due to our relocation issues and work schedules up here. Plus, they didn't get out of school until June 28th due to snow days, so I hope I'm justified...
::::::hiding in corner:::::::
August 23, 2007 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kma71 (anonymous) says...
Ok mayor, you probably should have paid more attention in school too. It's your parents, not you're parents. That is a contraction for you are. Good job.
August 23, 2007 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ex_charleston (anonymous) says...
I live in Northeast Ohio and many of our schools start this week. There is just too much to learn to wait until after Labor Day. Any school days missed are critical to a complete education.
August 23, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
halfsheli (anonymous) says...
Q:What exactly are the ramifications for parents should they not bother to send their children to school?
A: NONE!!!!!
August 23, 2007 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Magpie (anonymous) says...
Northerners move South and then complain we didn't do it that way up North. No place is perfect - the South is not but neither is the North.
Tripsa - the same road that brought you to SC leads right back up North. If you don't like it, work to change it. Blasting it only makes things worse.
If you focus on the problem, it only gets worse. If you focus on the solution, things can get better.
August 23, 2007 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
halfsheli (anonymous) says...
Magpie,
What IS the solution? How exactly can we get parents to accept even a modicum of responsibilty for this? Schools are being blamed and punished (in the form of NCLB school report cards and such) for this problem. Surely there is an answer!
August 23, 2007 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blondjes (anonymous) says...
These parents are idiots, and then they are going to wonder why they're kids are complete failures when they grow up, these are the kids that will be working in McDonalds till they are 60, thanks to their moron parents, jeez i'm sure glad my parents cared about my future
August 23, 2007 at 9:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hondais1 (anonymous) says...
Anyone who believes there is a way to get any money (for a fine or fee) from these parents is definitely living on a different planet! If they don't care enough about their children to send them to school, what makes you think they can/will come up with cash?? All they want is a free ride--for everything: day care, welfare, PUBLIC schools, etc.... and then they don't even bother to make the kids go to the free schools! Go figure.........
August 23, 2007 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MHA (anonymous) says...
If we want better school systems, we have to be willing to pay the teachers and administrators more. That means we pay more taxes or we cut funding to other areas. Most other areas are already under funded and no one ever wants to pay more taxes. The curriculum in SC is no worse than any other state. Pay enough to get good quality teachers in here, and have the parents actually care about their child's education and everything would be fine.
On a side note, it's kind of funny looking at the spelling and grammar in all of these comments posted on an article about education.
August 23, 2007 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Magpie (anonymous) says...
Halfsheli,
I don't know what the solution is, but maybe by brainstorming positive solutions instead of blasting, criticizing, and running the system down, we could create something better. I don't think putting a parent (usually a single mom) in jail is the answer but somehow the parent needs to be held responsible. How do you educate the parent? On what day does the child actually finally come to school? The 2nd day, the 3rd day? Is this a problem across the board or with a particular group of students? Could local businesses be contacted to encourage employees to get their kids to school the first day? I see it as a community problem that needs community input. Maybe even get local churches to get on the bandwagon of get your kids to school the first day. These are just the ideas I could think of while writing this note. My children are grown with children of their own (who go to school the first day) but I am still concerned about all of the children in our community.
MHA - you are so right - looks like many of those posting need a grammar course!!
August 23, 2007 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burton (anonymous) says...
"Despite a plea from Superintendent Nancy McGinley that parents get their children to school on the first day, more than 3,500 Charleston County students didn't show up Tuesday."
What is going on? I remember we were excited about the first day of school. What has happened to change this in the last 20 years? What is up with these parents? What message are you sending to your children when you let them sit at home when they should be in school? Now, the parent and the children are sitting on the couch watching The Young & Restless together. Sad!
August 23, 2007 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
MHA, I am sure that superintendent Mcginley is doing all she can to attract high quality teachers for our schools, but, like everyone said, the parents have to take responsibility for making sure their kids go to school. If I was a teacher in another state looking for employment, after seeing articles like this from SC schools, I doubt if I would chance coming here. I believe a small fine like maybe 5 or 10 bucks per absence, to be paid by the absentees parents, would help wake some people up and also provide more much needed funds for the schools.
August 23, 2007 at 9:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Charlestonians have long felt an education was a liability. You won't get a job at the State Port driving a truck if you have an education and Charlestonians treasure those Port jobs. Why else would they elect the same leadership over and over. I thought Inez fixed all this at least that's what she promised to do. So did then Govenor Rielly who was later the Secretary of Education under Clinton. That was a funny apppointment! You take the leader from the State with the worst record to help Nationally, really strange no matter where you're from! You would think the influx of non-residents would strengthen the gene pool here but it seems to dummy down the new arrivals instead. You got to give it to them, they seem unfazed by being a special needs State!
August 23, 2007 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pluffmuddy (anonymous) says...
MHA,
You're right on target with your observation that caring parents are a key to their children's educational success (or any other venture, for that matter), but it's been shown time and again that simply throwing more money into a school system does NOT guarantee any improvements. There are plenty of schools in the low $-per-student category who do an excellent job at education. It's all about the attitude of the student. What we need to remember is that no school can give a child an education if he doesn't want it! Students are given the opportunity to learn, but no teacher can pour knowledge into a kid's head...it's up to the student to GET the education.
August 23, 2007 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
taleele_e (anonymous) says...
Why is it that the majority of the comments being posted here revolve around race? If some of you were taught grammar in Charleston County schools you didn't pay attention in class,or you were one of the ones that didn't go to school on the first day.
August 23, 2007 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
datadiva (anonymous) says...
I wonder, Harpo if anything can be done at all.
I feel as though if this apathetic attitude toward education is rampant in a family, there's not much you can do to fix the situation.
I guess my question here is, if they aren't there at the first day of school, where exactly are they? Could it be that the family is on vacation, are they new to the area and simply getting settled.
Here's another thing to consider, are these statistics that we're taking at face value skewed? "Thousands" of students did not attend - I need more of a demographic than that to ensure that the info is being reported properly.
What are the age and grade ranges of these "thousands" of students, are they factoring in children that are homeschooled?
I think I need more info from the school district to really have an opinion on their numbers.
August 23, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
datadiva (anonymous) says...
taleele_e - good question.
I'm new to this forum too, coming from Boston next week to move to the Charleston area; I'm also biracial and for a while was a bit curious about the same thing.
From what I've noticed on this forum, race is often thrown into the equation - I take a "That's just the way it is down here" attitude now....
What can ya do... There will always be that segment of the population that has that 'us' and 'them' attitude and doesn't regard that all African Americans and Hispanics are not the same... Just as not all Caucasians, Asians, etc are not the same.
Goes back to that same old adage, there are good and bad people everywhere, regardless of race/gender/social status.
I'll continue to live my life, teach my children to be the best they can be and know that there are people with this mentality out there, don't dwell on it, just do your thing and get ahead.
August 23, 2007 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
huntress87 (anonymous) says...
OK HERE IT IS, DO ANY OF YOU HAVE KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL.
mine does and he rides the bus, guess what, Half the kids weren't picked up the first day of school, because of this fact, the routes had not been given until the day before, and the drivers had no clue as to where half the places were. I had to leave work, to take him to school after his aunt called and said he was still there. When I called the school, they were apologetic, and said we had just left a message at the house.
Day two- same thing, only this time the school called early in the morning, and explained the routes have been taken care of and this problem should be fixed. So before you start blasting parents, maybe you should figure out what happend, and attendence is takin first thing, the kids brought in late, ARE NOT COUNTED..
August 23, 2007 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
datadiva (anonymous) says...
See finally, some REAL background info!
Thanks you huntress87 for helping us with the numbers, I'm sure there are stories like that throughout the district and the schools' numbers are skewed and don't take into considerations the things that huntress87 mentioned.
That's what I'm talking about - you can't say much about anything until you know for sure where this "thousands" number comes from.
Both the school district and the P&C need to be a little more forthcoming in their reporting, methinks.
Ok, and on a side note to the side note about the grammar; I am a self-proclaimed "Grammar Geek Girl" and I notice little things like "then/than" "their/they're/there" and it irks me to no end when they're used incorrectly..
HOWEVER, in the defense of some posters, I must say - sometimes when you're typing fast and trying to get your point across you overlook certain things and just type away. Hey even this Grammar Geek has written a grammatically incorrect post or "too" [sic]
And for those that thing I'm sending my attack dogs after you w/ that "sic" reference, I'm not:
[Sic] definition: A misspelled or incorrect word in a quotation followed by "[sic]" indicates that the error appeared in the original source.
ciao!
August 23, 2007 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
School choice is an answer that has been on the table for years and has worked everywhere it has been tried. That won't happen here as the elected officals have no interest in succeeding and want business (check out what's going on in Mt P) and education as usual. Our leadership will spend their energy and our resources on string bean museums, purchasing recreational land for double it's value and gold plating a rusted hull of the Hunley but not a dime for school choice. God forbid some teacher should lose their job because nobody wants to attend their failing school!
August 23, 2007 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
THANKS POORBOY, someone brought up race before I did. I guess you are guilty of bringing up the race card. Hmm, someone who complains about blacks bringing up the race card yet is always quick to bring up race. I guess only black students missed the first day and only black people are in daycare and welfare. Look at this everyone. This is what happens when your kids go to school in Charleston County. They graduate with a diploma in ignorance. Let me tell you something. The solution starts with ending ignorant beliefs. Welfare and daycare is not the cause of Charleston County's problems. This kind of ignorance is the cause. This is why SC is always ranked low. If Mississippi passes us then we're really shot.
August 23, 2007 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TonyaC (anonymous) says...
I have children that are in school! Here's a good example as to why those children may not have been in school...
just this morning, I dropped my children (5th and 2nd grade) off to the bus stop and headed into work. At 9am i got a call at work from my 5th grader saying the bus never came to pick up the children and they all walked home. They noticed that another child who's in 1st grade was left out at the bus stop, in the rain, by herself. I called the school (who had no idea what happened), and then called transportation. They then told me that the bus was in an earlier accident, and had just road past the stops to pick the children up, but all the stops were empty (now 9:30)!!! When I asked them why they did not inform the school so that the school can inform the parents....He asked me why I did not show any concern for the bus driver!!!
I called the school back, and they informed me that today will be an EXCUSED day for the kids!!! NOT MY BIGGEST CONCERN OFCOURSE!! I have now taken a day off from work to be home with my kids!
My even bigger concern is for the little 1st grader who was left at the bus stop! We are new to the area, and my children do not know where this child lives. We spent over an hour walking and knocking on doors!!!
So...to all of you who read this article, and immediately blamed the parents, race, and what ever else. Try next time to hear both sides and not be so judgemental.
August 23, 2007 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
datadiva (anonymous) says...
TonyaC,
Thing is... the P&C and school district aren't reporting both sides!!
It's great that people like yourself and huntress are stepping up and getting the real story out there.
August 23, 2007 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MHA (anonymous) says...
What the hell is biracial??? Does that mean you only tolerate two races or you only hate two races? Please tell me that it is not a word you use to explain that your parents are not of the same race???
Any solution to the problem with our schools (and when I say "our schools" I mean the US, not just SC) would involve spending a lot of money. If you want to better monitor attendance, that will cost more. If you want to pursue punishing the parents that let kids stay out of school, that will cost more. If you want to fix the bus system (the Berkeley County School bus system is HORRIBLE), that will cost money. crankyyankee made a good point, we spend too much money on fluff projects, but in the end, the answer would be higher taxes. No one wants to pay higher taxes, yet so many are quick to complain about poor schools, poor roads, inadequate police and fire protection and numerous other problems.
I'm not sure the problem can be fixed. Throwing money at it won't help unless the people managing the money spend it properly. Arguing about race won't fix it either. Like so many other problems we face today, I'm starting to believe that this one is beyond "fixable". One day we'll wake up and find that the US is no longer a world leader.
August 23, 2007 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Magpie (anonymous) says...
Datadiva, I'm with you about the grammar. To those of you who missed this in school:
There - not personal, a place. "Put the book over there." "There is a pothole in the road."
Their - refers to people. "This is their first year in Charleston." "What is their connection to Mt. Pleasant council?" "There is no connection between Mt. Pleasant and corruption." (NOT a political statement - just trying to make a grammatical point amusing.)
August 23, 2007 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fergie50 (anonymous) says...
Are these days not "charged" against the number of days the kids are allowed to miss each school year? It's my understanding that they are allowed a certain number of days each year (is it 10?) without a doctor's excuse. If they miss more than the allowed number, they should not be allowed to move to the next grade. Does this not work anymore?
August 23, 2007 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
datadiva (anonymous) says...
biracial, multi-racial - same difference.
And yes, my parents are of two different races.
What is your point MHA?? And I don't hate any races - do you? :)
August 23, 2007 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
taken0025 (anonymous) says...
Do any of you care that this report can't possibly be accurate. I know this for sure because I got a call this morning from a Berkeley County school wanting to know why my daughter hasn't been there. My daughter transferred to Charleston County and even had to have special approval from the School Board to attend the school she is at.No one from the district or the new school contacted the old school for records or anything yet. I know I can't be the only one. Sure thats my case and probably not the exact cause of all of the other absentee students. But you have to ask yourself how many other families moved or transferred and the info has been communicated to the district yet. Why such an outrage over half incorrect reports? By the way what does income level or education level of the parents or race have to do with this issue?
August 23, 2007 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TonyaC (anonymous) says...
Does everything have to always be about race? Some articles warrant the race discussion, but this clearly does not!
BTW - my 2nd grader said to me "Mommy, I thought we had to be sick to miss school"...after the ordeal they'd been through this morning, I thought it best to keep them home. But, after that, I took them in. LOL...good thing WE SAW THE 1ST GRADER IN THE OFFICE WITH HER DAD! another good thing...I'm not going back to work today so i have the house all to myself...lol
August 23, 2007 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DevilsAdvocate (anonymous) says...
If North Charleston has 11% of the absences what are the numbers for the other areas in the district that make for 100%? Why not report the numbers for all areas relative to the district in the article? Nobody seems to be asking that question. How can anyone make an informed, intelligent comment about this article when there are facts missing? I would think the objective in this forum would be to discuss solutions to the problem rather than make uninformed comments. Do any of you actually know how many of those children absent came from ethnic versus any other household, the inner city or uneducated parents? SC has been for years (and still is) ranked in the bottom percentile in the country in regards to education. I am sure that there are others that think SC must be the most ignorant, uninstructed individuals in the world. Some of the comments here substantiate that. I suggest some of you think before you speak. It takes a closed mind to complain, point fingers and keep a problem going, but a rational mind to identify a problem and come up with a solution. A lot of people here have opinions, but I've seen no feasible solution to the problem. You all are too busy attacking each others education level, economic background &/or race when in fact you should be addressing the issue (Why are so many children absent on the first day of school?) I will tell you that you all are your own worst enemy. Things will never change here with the mindset the way it is. It is a shame that such ignorance is what is really holding this city/state back economically and educationally.
August 23, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ImRhonda (anonymous) says...
It is sad that a lot of kids missed the first day of school! I remember growing up that's all we look forward to is the first day of school, but as you know times have changed and people have changed school is not important anymore to a lot of people. I've read a lot comments on this subject and to me they were all negative and stereotyped everyone is suggesting what should be done and even categorizing these parents and children; you can't put everyone in jail for everything they do how will they learn? We see that there is a problem, is anyone helping to make sure these kids get to school not just on the first day but the rest of the school year? People are going to say that's not my responsibility but you know what make them your responsibility show them that you care and you're willing to help out with school supplies, clothes, transportation etc. help with homework when parents are at work and can't help with homework especially single parent homes and inner city children!as they were labeled in some of these commets. These are kids not inner city kids not outer city kids not rich or poor living kids they are kids someone's child so we need to stop categorizing and stereotyping them. My one wish is for parents to get the idea of the children head that every school year you are suppose to get new clothes for school if they have out grown the clothes from the previous year yes get them new clothes if not don't get new school clothes and shoes for them to go school because that's not why they got to school. Lets go back to the basics. Lets get the kids involve in after school programs keep them busy as it stands right now they have to much idle time on their hands.
August 23, 2007 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AL4854 (anonymous) says...
presto - thanks for the definition! I am also of mixed heritage and was wondering what MHA was finding so offensive about the word "biracial". I did attend a SC school, so I was beginnig to think there was something I missed about that word. Sorry if people find it upsetting, but there is just something lacking in our education system here. My mom took my younger siblings elsewhere to improve their chances of getting a better education. I think missing the first day of school is only the tip of the iceburg on educational issues around here!
August 23, 2007 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AL4854 (anonymous) says...
oops! "beginning" is what I meant. Well, that just goes to prove some kind of point, I'm sure.. LOL!
TonyaC - So glad you saw that other child! Enjoy your free day while you can!
August 23, 2007 at 1:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
In response to poorboy...get a life. If you haven't notice, most black people don't even bother with the NAACP and many of us have very good jobs. Before Mike Vick got caught fighting dogs, you were all over his butt as a great football player. You even bet on him I would guest. Stop making it sound like all black people are bad people and I have not heard to many of us say its the government, slavery, or your bigget comments thats keeping us down. If you would read more then your local paper and listen to more then your local news, who don't report on all the problems in the city, you would be more knowledgeable.
August 23, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sprintsation1130 (anonymous) says...
Wow! I lived in Charleston for 10 years. Reading the comments posted here remind me why I will never go back!! Yes, there is a problem with uneducated parents not wanting to break the cycle. It is not just a "black" problem, nor does it have anything to do with "Yankees." Some of you who commented obviously have a South Carolina public school education. It is the parent's responsibility to make sure that their children attend school. It is not the responsibility of the teachers or the police. Parents who cannot parent should be punished. How? Hit them where it hurts the most... the pocketbook. Fine these parents. If the parents do not pay the fine, then jail them. If it continues to be a problem, then take the children. I understand that will pose another set of issues with placement of the children and jail overcrowding, and let's not forget funding. I also think that if you make an example out of a few parents maybe it would curb the problem of truancy. Poorboy... You should check your comments for your spelling errors! You should also seek medicinal treatment for your attention span. You started writing about the school issue and then you switched to Michael Vick. After that you switched to the NAACP! You are a racist! I will call it like I see it!!! You are just as ignorant as those parents who allowed their children to miss the first day of school. STOP PREACHING HATE!!!!!!
August 23, 2007 at 1:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MHA (anonymous) says...
I didn't say I found the word biracial offensive, I just find it silly. Is this yet another silly politically correct term that I have to hear over and over in the future?
Wikipedia is far from a reliable source. Hell, a lot of it is written by those same kids that missed the first day of school. I can add a word right now... let me see... I'm part Irish, part American Indian and part Spanish. Hmm... I'm triethnic! I can go and enter the word on Wikipedia so that it becomes "real". Then... ah nevermind, I had no intention of turning this into a debate on silly words.
August 23, 2007 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MHA (anonymous) says...
You're exactly correct presto. Biracial is in Webster's. I learned something new... so it's a good day. Still, it's the first time I've heard it used and I still think it's silly. According to Webster's... a person cannot be biracial. A couple can be.. a group can be, but not a person. A person can be a product of a biracial relationship. Whatever happened to "inter-racial"?
Anyway, as I said before, I didn't mean to hijack the topic. I'm done with this one. Kids need to go to school, parents need to make sure they go to school, teachers and administrators need to do a better job and they need to get paid more. We need to be willing to pay them more. I am.
August 23, 2007 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thepingun (anonymous) says...
The first day of school is a waste of time. I missed around 50-55 days a year throughout my entire k-12 education and I graduated from high school with honors, so take that and tell me that public schools really use time wisely. If parents want to keep their kids home then so be it, the parents outweigh the school no matter what the issue. If a parent believes their child should not be in school then that should be the final word, they should not be harassed by schools to force their children to be bored for 8+ hours per day. By the way, I missed all those days because the school was going to have some waste of time pep rally or other event so I felt my time was best spent elsewhere and my parents agreed. Perfect attendance does not guarantee success, hard work got me to my current status as a college senior preparing for graduate school.
August 23, 2007 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
datadiva (anonymous) says...
MHA, good point... I guess I'm not biracial, just a product of two people intent upon confusing me for the rest of my life. (kidding) LOL
I'll just call myself "Other" from now on :)
You're totally right about kids needing to go to school, parents needing to make them, teachers needing to get paid, etc... thats what it boils down to.
:)
August 23, 2007 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinabeachgirl (anonymous) says...
I am not shocked by the numbers of students that miss the first day but it is sad. As a product of the Charleston County School District, I will admit that I cut my fair share in high school but while in elementary and middle school it was unacceptable to my family that you be out for any reason other than an illness. I agree that an alarming majority of parents these days do not provide the values that are needed for kids to WANT to go to school or better themselves.
August 23, 2007 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GG (anonymous) says...
Is there anyone else who sees the irony of thepingun's post?
August 23, 2007 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AL4854 (anonymous) says...
Just wanted to point out how sad it is that we can have a civilized, educated discussion about such a silly topic! Views were expressed and answers given that, I think, resolved in a general respect for each other's opinion. Isn't it just pathetic that others feel the need to go for the throat of someone (I'm assuming) they do not even know?!
caolinabeachgirl - I agree with you! That kind of ambition is instilled by the family unit. If you are not taught to value an education, why would you care if you showed up to receive your class schedule? I dipped out of class a few times myself, but I knew that if I didn't buckle down when it counted I was in trouble!
August 23, 2007 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
native1 (anonymous) says...
I am moving back home to Charleston in November. My family is originally from there (Hanahan). I have switched to reading the P+C because I am interested in the "pulse" of the city.
I am dismayed about the state of the public schools and am at a loss as to what to do: pay more for a house in an "excellent" public school district (whatever excellent means in Charleston) or live wherever and put my kids in private?.......
I agree that it is the parents' responsibility to ensure school attendance of their kids, but am concerned when a child can miss "50-55" (see thepingun above) days per year and be an honor student (that's 27% absence rate.......). Geez.
I also agree that the article is narrow and forces the reader to make many assumptions, many of them wrong. The bus system, parents, demographics, and such should be gleaned before making conclusions based on this article.
Sorry this post seems fragmented, but many thoughts course through my mind about this article and the public school system in general!!
August 23, 2007 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realintheus (anonymous) says...
Are there any reasons listed for the children missing shcool on the first day? If they are listed, I didn't see any. Stop, think, and let common sense override the racist, confederate mentality that hoovers over most of this area called Charleston, SC.,the place where slaves were bought and sold. One of the places that killed the family structure that "black" families knew by hanging and murdering the heads of those households, the black men. If you who have all the answers were so bright, you would know to go to dictionary.com while you are online to ensure that you have the correct spelling of the words that you have so carefully chosen. It is free. Looks like some others may have missed the first day of school as well! Datadiva isn't from here but she sounds more sensible than most of the racist minded "folks" who think they know it all. The comments that have been made are they coming from parents, or again, are they coming from the "think" they know it all folks who have no real answers or understanding about anything? They only speak from their empty bellies and selfish minds becasue they have never experienced any "real" situations. Before you judge any situation, understand all of the facts so that you will be able to make intelligent comments. Real people will need to read these comments you know.
August 23, 2007 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawneena (anonymous) says...
I don't have kids in primary education anymore, thank God.
After reading some of these comments I am now understanding why more parents are choosing to homeschool.
Frankly, I wouldn't have the patience to do it, but for those that do, more power to you.
August 23, 2007 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wewonthewar (anonymous) says...
Good Luck datadiva - we have been down here from Boston for almost four years now - and while we loved being able to purchase our own home and go to the beach from March through October, once our oldest child started attending the supposedly excellent schools in Dorchester District II, we quickly became disillusioned with life in the Palmetto State. The state of education here in South Carolina rests SOLELY on the backs of the parents, and ALL its taxpayers. The fact that a salary earned at one of the many fried chicken restaurants can get you into a double-wide with a satellite dish does nothing to motivate these fine Southern citizens to 1) get their kids to school, 2) get them to do homework (which the schools start giving in kindergarten by the way), 3)teach their children that graduating from high school is valuable (try 54% dropout rate!!), or 4) that it might be worthwhile to pay more taxes so your kids can ride on a bus that was built before 1975. If you can afford it, datadiva, you best go for a private school. Of course, that is part of the mentality that got SC into the trouble it is now - those that can, jump ship. They want to keep things "separate", if you know what I mean.. But do you want to sacrifice your children's education to make a point? And trust me, it is a sacrifice! The kids sure sound nice with that drawl, but unless they get in with the good ole boys handing out permits to build subdivisions or doing construction around here, their varsity letter in football is the last and only success they will experience. Dixie Pride, y'all?! This is one Yankee who can't wait to start renting in MA again!
August 23, 2007 at 8:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jsmcadory (anonymous) says...
realintheus, it doesn't matter what the excuse is unless it's an illness. I can assure you, that wasn't the case for all those children that didn't attend the first day of school. I do have a child in high school and am as real as they come. Get out from under your rock and stop with the excuses that allow these so called parents to think that what their doing is excusable. It's not!! Oh, and my spelling might not be great but your punctuation is just as good.
August 23, 2007 at 8:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawneena (anonymous) says...
wewonthewar, I'm sorry you feel that way.
We do have educated people in the South.
MUSC Children's Hospital is ranked in the top ten in the nation.
We have a law school right here in Charleston.
Celebrity chefs have graduated from top Southern universities.
The list could go on indefinitely.
I'm sorry, but your "Yankee" attitude is one reason that people down here are so defensive.
Lastly, don't let the door hit you in the rear on your way back to Kennedyland.
P.S. Ask Teddy boy what really happened at Chappaquiddick.
August 23, 2007 at 8:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wewonthewar (anonymous) says...
Oh, hawneena, I did not say that there were NO educated people in the South. But MUSC, the Charleston School of Law and all the celebrity chefs you could fit in Shem Creek (that is a strange measure of educated people by the way) cannot make up for the fact that SC is often ranked 48th (!!) out of 50 for public education.
P.S I will have that conversation with Teddy (again, a strange reach, this one to criticize MA, way back when) when Ravenel gets out of rehab and all of Strom's children gather together for a big family reunion ;)
August 23, 2007 at 9:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Reader (anonymous) says...
I have read the article and the comments, and I have to say that I just don't see what is newsworthy here. In fact, according to the article, 9% is about what to expect.
I can think of lots of reasons that there would be more missing students on Day 1 than any other day including bus route problems, last-days-of-summer travel plans, failure to get all the right shots, and changes in school attendance zones. Add those to the regular reasons, and 9% just doesn't seem that high for one day.
As for the comments in response to the article:
1. It is preposterous to say that Charlestonians have long thought of education as a liability.
2. Grammar is important even when posting to a discussion board.
3. Punishing students and parents for repeated failures to attend school is not only a good idea, it is already the law. Truancy might not be prosecuted, but it can be.
August 23, 2007 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
movingon (anonymous) says...
I have to agree with some of my expats from the North. We missed the first day of school last year because of our moving schedule. So for those of you assuming that everyone who missed their first day of school needs to be jailed, or is black, on crack (or welfare) and breeding criminals - sorry to disappoint you!
It's also interesting to me that anytime race comes up, its always that black folks are ignorant. If that's all you know, you have a very sheltered life.
By the way, I do know of a few children who missed the first day of school (actually will be absent the entire first week) because their families are still on their summer vacations in Europe. Just like those broke, dumb, non-contributors to society to be out of the country when school begins! How dare they supplement their child's education with real life experience and exposure.
August 23, 2007 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawneena (anonymous) says...
wewonthewar, there was a reason for mentioning the educated people in that way. It is to show diversity. As I said that was just the start of the list.
A college professor told me that one of the main reasons SC ranks so low in the nation is because every student is allowed to take the SAT. Many other states only allow select students to participate in the testing. Some people will tell you that has no bearing on the ranking, but it most certainly does. We do have alot of rural areas in SC with parents who have little to no education. They have a tendency to produce children that follow in their footsteps.These are some of the kids taking these tests.
As far as Ravenel goes, he is an embarrassment to the state. Good old Strom is just proof that not every man needs Viagra.
The reason I mentioned Kennedy is that his family will always be a hot topic no matter how much time has passed.
BTW, I am not a Southern redneck that hates people from the North.I have lots of friends from up there and they are very dear to me.
We Southerners just hate to be stereotyped because of our geographical location.
If everything I have posted tonight sounds disjointed I must apologize for being fatigued. :)
August 23, 2007 at 10:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wewonthewar (anonymous) says...
Hawneena, the SAT is a test that one elects to take; states cannot dictate who takes it and who does not. Or are you mistaking it for the PSAT? Even so..
Do you REALLY believe that those SAT scores are dragging SC to the bottom?! When is the last time you were in an elementary classroom, even here in the up-and-coming counties of the metro Charleston area?? Have you seen any PACT scores lately? Those tests' scores are dismal before even getting into high school.. trust me, the best teacher in the world can't make a kid who first saw a book in kindergarten pass that test!
August 23, 2007 at 10:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
datadiva if you value your children's success either move to Dorchester 2 district or put them in private school
CCSD will only teach them how to disrespect people, all the wrong things to learn about sex, the in's and out's of how to smoke crack, the need for biracial relationships, and as thepingun said - why you don't even need to show up half the year and can still pass ( because it's so dumbed down )
due to the lack of support from the CCSD taking discipline seriously there are some really good teachers but they aren't allowed to teach and there are some really good students but they aren't allowed to advance near where they could
too many seriously problematic kids in public schools that take up way too much time from those that could have an actual chance to advance... the system won't do anything about it, even after teachers themselves successfully sue the school system for the same
colleges are having desperate times in this area because of this as well, they can't find enough students that are actually college prepared... they are adding semesters just for this problem, to try to bring the young adults up to speed enough to take and pass actual college courses
it's a real problem here, and it all starts at home... kids aren't taught to respect anything, DSS has taken away the parents right to discipline their own kids, the schools are scared to death they will be called racist or the likes if they actually try to show some backbone and stop these kids from misbehaving
it's going to take a complete revamp of the entire system from the ground up, and I don't see that happening... too many ignorant cry babies in this area
other than that welcome to this area !!!
August 23, 2007 at 10:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lacaci64 (anonymous) says...
I won't get into the whole saga, but my 16 year-old son missed every day of school so far this week. Why? My ex and I had to fight with Dorchester District II to get him registered. I had to go so far as calling the state department of education to get the situation straightened out. Simply because the person in charge of registration doesn't understand the law and/or follows it arbitrarily. And this is supposed to be one of the best districts in the state! When the school officials are ignorant, rude and unprofessional, what are they teaching our kids?
August 23, 2007 at 10:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawneena (anonymous) says...
wewonthewar, I am only familiar with Mt. Pleasant schools. As much as a mess this town has become, our schools are good. I think the rest of Charleston County is getting cheated, because Mt. P. gets brand new schools when other areas have schools that are falling apart.
I never went to public schools, but all 3 of my kids did. The test scores from their schools were excellent.
Something is seriously wrong with the system here, and someone needs to figure out how to deal with the problem. We pay high enough taxes, so where is the money going? Obviously not where it should.
August 23, 2007 at 11:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinabeachgirl (anonymous) says...
Maybe I am misunderstanding some parents, as well as the yankees, commenting here. Again, yes I am a product of the CCSD but if you are waiting for teachers to teach kids there is a problem. Learning begins at home. My dad taught me to read long before the average child reads, the same with writing. Unlike kids these days, we weren't allowed to park our asses in front of a tv watching crap. We were encouraged to go outside and play, to learn, to achieve. The sedentary life that a vast number of parents are promoting by being indifferent is absurd. Education is what you make of it and you can't blame the district. If you have a problem, supplement their learning at home. Don't whine about how you have to work all day, make time for what's important, your kids. To all the yankees, if you don't like it here, just go back to the north.
August 23, 2007 at 11:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
datadiva (anonymous) says...
Wow!
Well, first I must say to everyone thanks for the welcome (cvs, hawneena, wewonthewar, jammer and anyone I may have inadvertently missed)
wewonthewar? Where in Boston are you from? I'm currently in Waltham, MA where I am used to paying $1800 for a 3 bedroom, 1 bath apartment w/ no yard. We're moving to Summerville so we will in fact be in Dorchester 2. And, Oh, yeah, unfortunately homework is given in kindergarten here too - my little ones were learning fractions in kindergarten. (BLEH!!)
Hmm, lets see, what else? Oh, I'll take the cute drawl over Mumbles Menino (Boston Mayor) anyday.
As far as schools, I'm hoping for the best - my children are above grade level so I figure if they stay engaged throughout the rest of elementary and middle school, then by high school they can probably count on a few scholarships coming their way. (hey, one can only hope right?) I agree wholeheartedly w/ carolinabeachgirl in terms of supplementing their education, we've done that since day one - its the ONLY way to get it done, especially since now in Massachusetts they're teaching to the MCAS (standardized tests) so a student receives a general idea about an assignment and is expected to go home and do it with the assistance of parents (totally fine with me - it's my job as a mom)
Anyway, thanks for the welcome and putting up w/ my tangents!
August 24, 2007 at 12:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realintheus (anonymous) says...
You still don't know the real reasons for the absences jsmcadory. Do you read well? Have you not read several reasons why some of these children did not make it to school on the first day? The rock that you would like for me to be under has already been removed and thrown away! Unfortunately, you don't realize that. This article is very vague. Unless you work for the school district and you know the statistics, please stop guessing. If you do, please share them with us. Stop fooling yourself and wake up an smell the coffee, because now it's brewing!
August 24, 2007 at 1:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jammer (anonymous) says...
datadiva, good decision to move to Dorch2
my kids went there for elem school, then went to a well known private school for middle and didn't miss a beat
they were in the GATE (gifted and talented) classes at flowertown elementary public and were right up to speed
kids that came from other public schools, especially chas co, had a real hard time catching up... several failed out
and yes both kids knew how to read, write, add and subtract etc. several years before kindergarten
both are almost in high now and both have had several offers for scholarships already, so yes it is possible to get a good education down here
August 24, 2007 at 5:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jsmcadory (anonymous) says...
realintheus, my coffee is great this morning!!! I am going by exactly what the article says. If there isn't a problem with truancy at the beginning of the school year, we wouldn't be commenting on the articles being published, correct? I have seen this on the news as well and you hear the same excuses. Parents keep their kids out until after labor day. WHY? Parents don't know when the first day of school is. WHY? Parents planned vacations around that time. WHY? Some kids just don't want to go to school. Where are their parents? As far as the attendance cards, schedules, and those that are late, do not make up the number of kids said to have missed the first day or week. Apparently there is a huge concern since police officers, phone calls to parents and home visits are being conducted. ITS A PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE NOW!!! I did stop fooling myself and my children a long time ago and moved them to private school.
August 24, 2007 at 5:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
There is nothing much else to say about this sad situation. Obviouly the children who didn't show up don't want to be there - when they do show up, they will be the ones who disrupt the learning process, intimidate those who want to learn and in general make life a living hell for the teachers - so maybe it is a good thing and gives the teachers a short break. Don't increase the budget for education - increase it for social services and correction institutions as that is where the future needs will be, otherwise we are casting pearls to the swine.
August 24, 2007 at 6:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
Just another thought - beef up DSS and unlease them - tell them to make a lot of unpleasant visits to parents, especially at work - delinquent parents will hate that - build a fire under them. And when students become a serious disruption in class, unleash DSS again with more unpleasant visits
August 24, 2007 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realintheus (anonymous) says...
Good for you jsmcadory! Again, the article hasn't given any reasons for the absences. It is so ignorant for the assumption to be made that only welfare recipients, or "ghetto" children miss shcool on the first day. Now, the reasons that you listed could very well account for many of those abesences. Wake up people, refresh your minds and attitudes. For all of you who can afford private school, that's great. My children have attended public school all of their lives and they do very well. They are there on the first day, and are only absent when necessary. Both my children are in advanced classes and respect the administrators, their teachers,and their peers. For all of you who think only a certain class of people miss the first day you need to attend the classroom of life again.
August 24, 2007 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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