Latest news with #LawrenceCounty
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tennessee school won't accept doctor's notes for absences
(NewsNation) — One Tennessee school district will no longer accept doctors' notes to excuse an absence despite objections from parents. Lawrence County School System officials said the school is instituting the policy to teach students work ethic and reliability, saying that students will be expected to go to work sick or injured as adults. It is also intended to address chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10 percent or more of instructional time. In the 2023-2024 school year, Lawrence County had a 14 percent rate of chronic absenteeism. With no federally mandated sick leave, many Americans do go to work when sick, but public health officials advise against it. Staying home when sick can reduce the spread of viruses like the flu and COVID-19 and protect vulnerable people in the community. The new attendance policy says students will simply be marked absent or present, with no options for doctors to verify a child is absent because they are sick or injured, need to stay home to recover or to prevent spreading contagious illnesses to their classmates. The policy is meant to help improve attendance rates, but parents have objected, noting that an absence for an illness like the flu could now mean a referral to the Lawrence County Juvenile Court for truancy. Children who get sick at school or are sent to school sick and sent home by a nurse will be counted as tardy. Three tardies will equal an absence. The new policy also says schools will start intervention after just three days, and eight or more days marked absent will result in a court referral. Other penalties could include failing a class or grade, not being allowed to participate in graduation or get a driver's license or permit. There will be exemptions for students with documented chronic illnesses and emergencies out of the student's control, as well as allowances for deaths in the family and some religious observances. The school district sent a letter to medical providers asking them to emphasize regular school attendance and warning that medical notes could imply students should stay home even after their health improves. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tennessee district bans doctor's notes to exempt kids from school to teach them good work ethic
A school district in Tennessee will no longer accept doctor's notes as an excuse for a child's absence in an apparent attempt to prepare them for the workplace. New rules set out by the Lawrence County School System Board of Education state that 'absences are not excused' and only permits them in a number of specific circumstances. Regular illness is not included in the list. Sanctions for multiple instances of alleged truancy include loss of school event privileges and even referral to juvenile court for truancy. 'If you have the sniffles, that is fine,' Director of Schools Michael Adkins said during a recent meeting. 'You are going to have them when you go to work one day. We have all gone to work sick and hurt and beat up.' The new attendance policy states that 'absences shall be classified as absent' and 'absences are not excused or unexcused.' Social media users acted with outrage to the news, with one writing: 'I hope teachers send kids to his office to throw up.' 'Where were the parents when this type of policy was being passed?' questioned another. 'What can be the reasoning behind this?' another person asked 'This is not right nor fair to the children.' '[If] I was a parent I would pull my kid out of school cause you are putting other students and their parents at risk of potential illness!' added another. The district's policy adds that exemptions can be made by a school's principal in circumstances including a death in the family, religious observance, court summons, school-endorsed or military activities, or circumstances out of the students' control. Absence is also permitted in cases of chronic illness 'verified by a licensed medical provider practicing in Tennessee,' according to the policy. That includes pregnancy-related issues and births, according to the policy. However, there is no option given for doctors to verify a child is absent because they are sick or injured, or if they need to stay home to recover and prevent spreading contagious illnesses. 'Attendance is a key factor in student achievement, and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session,' the attendance policy states. 'The Lawrence County School System believes attendance is vital to one's educational experience and future financial earnings.' The new policy is also designed to address the issue of 'chronic absenteeism,' which the district defines as missing 10 percent or more time meant to be in class. Such students will also automatically fail the subjects and grades regardless of their academic results. 'We are going to take control of the attendance of our students,' Adkins said. 'You can bring all the doctor's notes you want, but it is still unexcused.' The policies follow a notable increase in diseases affecting children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 216 children died during this past flu season — a higher number than any time since the 2009 U.S. swine flu pandemic. 2025 also saw an outbreak of measles explode into a total of 1,319 confirmed cases as of Wednesday, according to the CDC. Cases have been recorded in 40 states stretching across the country, while vaccination rates dropped in 78 percent of American counties, with an average decline of 2.67 percent to below the 95 percent herd immunity threshold to predict or limit the spread of measles. In addition, a new study in the medical journal JAMA found that the health of America's children has significantly worsened across several key indicators since 2007. A U.S. child is 15 to 20 percent more likely to have a chronic condition in 2023 than a child in 2011 with the prevalence of conditions such of depression, anxiety, sleep apnea and obesity all increasing.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Tennessee district bans doctor's notes to exempt kids from school to teach them good work ethic
A school district in Tennessee will no longer accept doctor's notes as an excuse for a child's absence in an apparent attempt to prepare them for the workplace. New rules set out by the Lawrence County School System Board of Education state that 'absences are not excused' and only permits them in a number of specific circumstances. Regular illness is not included in the list. Sanctions for multiple instances of alleged truancy include loss of school event privileges and even referral to juvenile court for truancy. 'If you have the sniffles, that is fine,' Director of Schools Michael Adkins said during a recent meeting. 'You are going to have them when you go to work one day. We have all gone to work sick and hurt and beat up.' The new attendance policy states that 'absences shall be classified as absent' and 'absences are not excused or unexcused.' Social media users acted with outrage to the news, with one writing: 'I hope teachers send kids to his office to throw up.' 'Where were the parents when this type of policy was being passed?' questioned another. 'What can be the reasoning behind this?' another person asked 'This is not right nor fair to the children.' '[If] I was a parent I would pull my kid out of school cause you are putting other students and their parents at risk of potential illness!' added another. The district's policy adds that exemptions can be made by a school's principal in circumstances including a death in the family, religious observance, court summons, school-endorsed or military activities, or circumstances out of the students' control. Absence is also permitted in cases of chronic illness 'verified by a licensed medical provider practicing in Tennessee,' according to the policy. That includes pregnancy-related issues and births, according to the policy. However, there is no option given for doctors to verify a child is absent because they are sick or injured, or if they need to stay home to recover and prevent spreading contagious illnesses. 'Attendance is a key factor in student achievement, and therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session,' the attendance policy states. 'The Lawrence County School System believes attendance is vital to one's educational experience and future financial earnings.' The new policy is also designed to address the issue of 'chronic absenteeism,' which the district defines as missing 10 percent or more time meant to be in class. Such students will also automatically fail the subjects and grades regardless of their academic results. 'We are going to take control of the attendance of our students,' Adkins said. 'You can bring all the doctor's notes you want, but it is still unexcused.' The policies follow a notable increase in diseases affecting children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 216 children died during this past flu season — a higher number than any time since the 2009 U.S. swine flu pandemic. 2025 also saw an outbreak of measles explode into a total of 1,319 confirmed cases as of Wednesday, according to the CDC. Cases have been recorded in 40 states stretching across the country, while vaccination rates dropped in 78 percent of American counties, with an average decline of 2.67 percent to below the 95 percent herd immunity threshold to predict or limit the spread of measles. In addition, a new study in the medical journal JAMA found that the health of America's children has significantly worsened across several key indicators since 2007. A U.S. child is 15 to 20 percent more likely to have a chronic condition in 2023 than a child in 2011 with the prevalence of conditions such of depression, anxiety, sleep apnea and obesity all increasing.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
DD levy rally set for Aug. 1
Jul. 24—Event to serve as call to volunteers SOUTH POINT — A rally is set for Friday, Aug. 1 in support of a ballot levy in the general election in November that would fund the county's developmental disabilities services. Julie Monroe, superintendent of Open Door School, operated by Lawrence County Developmental Disabilities, said the event is being organized by Lawrence County Advocates for DD, a political action committee in support of the levy, and is set for 6-8 p.m. at the South Point Community Center. Trending * Piketon man found guilty of 4 counts of murder in traffic accident * Fair concludes with livestock auction Monroe said advocates are seeking a 2.5 mill levy on the ballot. "This will enable us to continue to provide services for people of all ages with developmental disabilities in the county," she said. Monroe said there has not been a levy in support of DD services approved since 2006. "And these levies don't increase," she said, noting this does not meet current needs. "So we are very far behind and that's why we are asking for an increase." The event will feature music by Emmy Davis and MacLean James, as well food. Monroe said its primary purpose is to serve for organizing and to recruit supporters for the campaign in backing the levy. Trending * Reds' 3rd baseman Stewart making name for himself * Facing Hunger Foodbank will have food giveaway in Ironton on Friday "There will be information on how to help, as well as yard signs," she said. "It's a call for volunteers." The last time a DD levy was on the ballot in the county was 2019, when a 10-year, 2.5 mill levy was defeated by less than two percent. You Might Like News, Local, Top Home, Politics, Z Newsletter — News Candidates begin filing for office News Ozzy Osbourne has died at age 76 News Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71 in Florida News Taste of Ironton canceled Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Parents left furious after school says doctor's note will no longer be an excuse for absences
Furious parents in Tennessee are threatening to take their children out of school after a county in the southern US state decreed that a doctor's note will no longer excuse a pupil's absence from school. In a change that has been branded 'ridiculous' and 'appalling' by some, kids in Lawrence County will now simply be marked as either absent or present. After three no-shows, 'intervention' will start, while eight would result in a referral to juvenile court. The policy purportedly aims to improve attendance, but many are against it, with some suggesting that they would now consider home-schooling their offspring. Rebecca Sanchez told WSMV 4, a local news station in Nashville, Tennessee, how her daughter ended up missing up lots of classes due to health issues. 'Between the strep throat and the flu, I can say she missed about 17 days,' the mother said. Disappointed by the new directive, she explained that having 'never been for or against homeschool,' the policy 'has definitely changed' her mind. The outlet also reported that during the area's June school board meeting, the Director of Schools for Lawrence County, Michael Adkins, laid out the policy, explaining that a child could 'fail the grade' for missing school days. Some were incensed by the new directive, with one person on social media branding it 'a ridiculous idea Michael said: 'You can fail the grade. You can fail the course. You are going to be petitioned to court. You are not going to participate in graduation, get your driver's license or permit.' 'We are going to take control of the attendance of our students,' he continued. 'You can bring all the doctor's notes you want, but it is still unexcused.' Although certain exemptions will exist - for example, for chronic illnesses - Michael emphasized that the new policy would help children develop a strong work ethic. He said: 'If you have the sniffles, that is fine. You are going to have them when you go to work one day. We have all gone to work sick and hurt and beat up.' At the same time, Lawrence County allegedly told local medical providers to 'emphasize the importance of regular school attendance while treating school-aged patients.' In the case that a child goes to school when they are feeling unwell and is sent home by the school nurse, they will also be marked as having missed some of the school day. Parents including Lauren argued that parents are being stripped of their parental responsibility. She said: 'As a parent, how can we give someone else the right to say what is wrong with our child?' The new policy has also been heavily criticized online, particularly on Reddit, where the changes were posted earlier this week. Writing in a subreddit called 'ZeroCovidCommunity', which appears to have been set up during the Covid-19 pandemic as a place for people to advocate for 'reducing transmission' through concrete measures, one person said: 'Well this sounds like a ridiculous idea. People love to focus on anything but the actual issue.' Another person argued: 'Said district needs to be sued for its incompetence.' A third Reddit user wrote: 'Their announcement said it training kids to sacrifice their health so someone else can make money. 'If I were a parent in the district, I would be tempted to bring a lawsuit. That is literally inhumane.' A fourth weighed in on the policy, writing: 'As someone with a severe chronic illness that would've caused a LOT of absences if I'd had it as a kid. This is terrifying.
