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Unknown-Creation · 03-31-2013 02:52 PM

I just got a letter in the mail today from the school district stating that I've been withdrawn from all of my classes due to being absent more than 15 times this semester.

Apparently, they'll withdraw you even if all of the absences were excused. The district's attendance policy last year was if you have more than 15 unexcused absences, you get withdrawn. This year, they don't care if the absences are excused or not.

In all honesty, I don't mind being kicked out all that much. The only thing I'll miss is the choir. But, I must say, I miss nothing else. I don't regret it much at all, other than that.

My mom wants to file for an appeal, but she's not going to be the one writing the letter to the district. I will be the one, but her name will be the one signed at the bottom. But, the thing is, I don't want to go back. No longer having to deal with school means that I will have no obstacles between me and what is important (to learn and gain experience through living and doing, along with research, at the moment, plus other things).

I have talked to my mom about the possibility of unschooling a couple of times. I've come really close to convinving her one time, which was the last time I've talked to her about it. But she went to my school counselor and asked him for his thoughts. Being the asshole that he is, he went ahead and told my mom that the homeschooling stuff was complete and utter bullshit (in those exact words). My mom, thinking that he was the expert on all related to education, thinks that his words completely invalidates any logical, reasonable argument I gave before she talked to him.

So, I'm stuck. Should I go ahead and write the letter filing for an appeal, just to appease her, or not? I honestly would rather not write one, but I don't know if that's a good decision.

ryukenden · 03-31-2013 03:13 PM

You know, if your classes is excused, you most clear it with your professor so they can clear it and don't drop you, In this case they did. With that said, 15 times is a lot of classes missed. In my college, there are only 16 weeks.

brainiac3397 · 04-01-2013 12:51 AM

I've been absent a month.

TheCancer · 04-01-2013 01:18 AM

Is this high school or college?

Lime · 04-01-2013 02:40 AM

Quote:But she went to my school counselor and asked him for his thoughts. Being the asshole that he is, he went ahead and told my mom that the homeschooling stuff was complete and utter bullshit (in those exact words).

What a cunt.

What sort of parent is your mother, as far as child care goes?

Unknown-Creation · 04-01-2013 03:56 AM

(04-01-2013 01:18 AM)TheCancer Wrote: Is this high school or college?

High school.

Lime Wrote:What a cunt.

What sort of parent is your mother, as far as child care goes?

My mom lets me live in the house, have food, etc. Basic amenities have always been quite good. On the other hand, we're not exactly close to each other. I can't really talk to her about serious issues without her plugging her ears, saying, "Unknown-Creation, I have a headache! Go away!" every time.

Lime · 04-01-2013 06:44 AM

Is she harsh and punishing? If you feel like you'll get into a nasty situation by not writing the letter, perhaps you will need to endure a few more years of hell.

TheCancer · 04-01-2013 07:05 AM

Do you mind saying what state you're in?

Unknown-Creation · 04-01-2013 12:52 PM

(04-01-2013 06:44 AM)Lime Wrote: Is she harsh and punishing? If you feel like you'll get into a nasty situation by not writing the letter, perhaps you will need to endure a few more years of hell.

Currently, she actually hasn't given me a hard time about the withdrawal. I'm perplexed, and I wonder if I should use this opportunity to go ahead and "challenge" her a bit. I'm leaning towards not writing the letter, but she can go ahead and write the letter herself if I choose not to (she is technically supposed to be the one writing it, anyway). I still haven't made a decision yet, though. I still have a few days to make the decision.

TheCancer Wrote:Do you mind saying what state you're in?

I live in the state of Alaska.

timf · 04-02-2013 12:46 AM

You may want to contact some home school moms in your area and see if they would be willing to talk with your mother. Most mothers are very nervous about home schooling because they think is it difficult, complex, and requires advanced training. Moms who have been homeschooling for awhile know that it is children that learn and not teachers that teach.

You want to avoid the Moms that use a curriculum and essentially do "school" at home. It might be more helpful to follow the "unschool" path as you suggested earlier.

Unknown-Creation · 04-02-2013 02:02 AM

(04-02-2013 12:46 AM)timf Wrote: You may want to contact some home school moms in your area and see if they would be willing to talk with your mother. Most mothers are very nervous about home schooling because they think is it difficult, complex, and requires advanced training. Moms who have been homeschooling for awhile know that it is children that learn and not teachers that teach.

You want to avoid the Moms that use a curriculum and essentially do "school" at home. It might be more helpful to follow the "unschool" path as you suggested earlier.

Thank you very much for the suggestion. I'll consider doing that. Smile

**SoulRiser** · 04-02-2013 02:20 AM

Quote:I can't really talk to her about serious issues without her plugging her ears, saying, "Unknown-Creation, I have a headache! Go away!" every time.

Literally? That's a really odd way to behave.

And yeah, definitely look up homeschooling groups and stuff like that in your area.

Some stuff that might help convince your mother:
http://forums.school-survival.net/showth...?tid=28471
http://forums.school-survival.net/showth...?tid=26147

Lime · 04-02-2013 07:40 AM

(04-01-2013 12:52 PM)Unknown-Creation Wrote: Currently, she actually hasn't given me a hard time about the withdrawal. I'm perplexed, and I wonder if I should use this opportunity to go ahead and "challenge" her a bit. I'm leaning towards not writing the letter, but she can go ahead and write the letter herself if I choose not to (she is technically supposed to be the one writing it, anyway). I still haven't made a decision yet, though. I still have a few days to make the decision.

Don't write the letter. If she's adamant about public school, she can write it herself.

Ky · 04-02-2013 09:19 AM

Yeah, don't write the letter. If she attempts to write it, subtly sabotage her efforts.

You've got an opening to get out of school once and for all. Take it.

Sunbourn · 04-02-2013 09:33 AM

I spent quite some time away from public school as I had been suspended from mainstream schooling and then got kicked out of the night-school program I was attending in 8th grade. I learned more in my time outside of school than I would have ever learned boxed in a classroom. Don't write the letter and do what you want. Wink

Unknown-Creation · 04-02-2013 11:37 AM

SoulRiser, thank you for those links. I'll show them to her at some point.

Lime, DoA, and |55555|: Thanks for the encouragement. I won't write the letter. Smile

She can write it herself if she really wants me to go back.

Also, I have some news. Apparently, my mom got a call from the attendance principal. There are SBA and HSGQE tests going on throughout the week starting tomorrow, and she wants me to come back to take those tests. This person is the same person who wrote that letter to me in the first place. Why didn't she just write that in the letter to begin with?

Anyway, mom wants me to show up and take the tests to "prove" my smartness to her. Great. Way to show that you have no confidence in your daughter, unless someone else has good things to say. :/

I'll end up showing up for those tests. The attendance principal said they might consider appealing withdrawal if I do well on those tests. Even if they end up wanting me back, I'm not going to consider going back there unless a compromise can be made: allow me to drop all of my classes, minus choir, and allow me independent study time in place of the dropped classes. I've had enough of the bullshit. The chances of this proposal being allowed are probably slim, but hey, if they don't take it, I won't go back.

V.R. · 04-02-2013 11:42 AM

I was going to recommend going Bartleby Project on it, but since they've given you a plea bargain, go for it.

I myself am currently away from the public school system, but for a different reason entirely. Anonymous letter accusing me of conspiracy to commit racially motivated shooting -> get arrested -> spend 72 hours in psych ward -> expulsion from school.

Who knew being a foreign HS freshman would open up such an exciting journey of police state tribulations?

Ky · 04-03-2013 08:00 AM

Oh, they think they're giving you a second chance? They aren't getting away with threatening you that easily.

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