The attendance office has had problems with being tasked with lots and not enough hands to complete them. With many complaints from parents and irritation from students I wanted to see what we can do to ease everyone’s concerns.
First, I interviewed Connie Henson who works in the attendance office. I asked her what would help speed up the process of pulling students out of school. She said, “Honestly calling and leaving a message beforehand or sending your student with a note that says when they are supposed to leave school and where they are going is a good way to let the school prepare the pass and the student.”
Not only is preparation better for the office but it also ensures the student will be pulled out on time with no wait time for the parents. I also asked Henson what the school can do to help quicken the process or lighten the load, she said the school has done a good job at trying to give as much help as possible.
Then I talked to a parent Kirsten Coates who I asked if she had any problems picking up her daughter ever. Her answer was this, “Not typically because the office knows us by now but also, I just am patient and in communication with my daughter [Izzy Coates].”
Which is a good example of how following the process is a big help.
I also briefly talked to English teacher Shauna Baker who brought up another good point. She said the office struggles because sometimes when parents call to excuse an absence, they are in parent mode and forget to give the child’s full name. Which can lead to further complications because of the reach out the attendance workers have to do, to figure out which student is excused.
Now some students and parents get upset when the process is slow, however, when you follow the correct procedure and do as much as you can they can help just that much more.
