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Purcellville woman arrested over kids tardiness in school | LoudounTimes.com

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Purcellville woman arrested over kids tardiness in school

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 by Laura Peters | 98 comments | Email this story

27 Loudoun County Public Schools are making headlines with their policy against excessive tardiness and absences after a Loudoun County mother was arrested and charged with three counts of contributing to the delinquency to a minor. Maureen Blake, 42, of Purcellville, was served a warrant on Jan. 21, informing her to appear in court on Jan. 25. She was released on a $3,000 bond the same day. Her children attend an unidentified western Loudoun school close to where the muchpublicized Denicore familys children attend and have been cited for excessive tardies. Mark and Amy Denicore appeared in court on Feb. 6 after they were summoned for their daughter Sophies excessive tardies to school. The Denicores three children have been tardy 85 times since September, but have only missed less than three hours each of school. Mark Denicore, a lawyer, said he could potentially lose his license to practice law if he loses the case and paying up to $3,000 in fines for his childrens tardiness. They will go to trial March 14. The warrants were obtained by a Loudoun County [Attendance Officer] via a magistrate on the afternoon of Jan. 19, Liz Mills, public information officer for Loudoun County Sheriffs office said. The sheriffs office didnt initiate the arrest and we didnt determine probable cause. Thats up to the school. The warrant was served by a Loudoun County Sheriffs deputy and a Purcellville Police Officer. According to Wayde Byard, Loudoun County Schools public information officer, Loudoun County Juvenile and Domestic Relation judges have asked the school system to report excessive absences or tardies to them. The judges have asked for the reports from the schools for a year. But, according to Byard, the school system tries to work out constant absence and tardy problems with the parents directly before taking the next step. This is not a position we want parents to be in, Byard said. The schools do everything in their power to help families who encounter difficulties in getting their children to school, Byard said. But if the family isnt receptive, the schools need to take it to the next level. All we do is report to the court intake officer and from there its the legal system, Byard said. The judges ask to see all of the excessive absences of tardiness. We dont issue summons, we dont send out deputies. Thats up to the court to do that. Byard also said that in the beginning of each year, parents sign a Student Rights and Responsibilities packet that addresses their attendance policy. Under the Students Rights and Responsibilities, after 15 or more consecutive absences or excessive tardies the Virginia Administrative Code requires the student be dropped from the attendance rolls. Its then up to the principal to discipline the child. If any student gets a minimum of five unexcused absences, a parent or guardian is required to provide the school with documentation from a licensed physician in regards to their absence. According to the Student Rights and Responsibilities a student is truant any time he or she willfully absents himself or herself from school or from any assigned class or activity.
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Comments

Thu, Feb 09 at 11:08 AM by Oscar | Report this comment

Raising a generation of White trash losers

Thu, Feb 09 at 10:32 AM by Just Curious | Report this comment

Is it really true that the only serious cases of tardyism/truancy in the entire county are at two of the smaller, most academically successful elementary schools? Could it be that most schools are busy dealing with other issues? Or possibly some schools are more lenient about documenting every tardy when they are close calls? I am surprised these parents arent more concerned about getting their kids to school on time since it appears that they care about their childrens education . . . but I have a feeling were just hearing about them because the policy is not being handled consistently throughout the county (or because they are being more vocal about it).
Thu, Feb 09 at 10:28 AM by LC lifer | Report this comment View our other print publications available online. The Loudoun Times-Mirror

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By Loudoun County Maybe this is LCPS way of lashing out at the voters. The administration is mad that its rubber stamp School Board got voted out, so LCPS is going to be as mean an vindictive as it can. And some thug tactics fit the bill. For a nano second that though crossed my minddont think it would be a good strategy if so. I suspect tardiness is an issue with kids(parents) and always will be..part of the public school system. However, it makes me wonder: Why all the publicity now?? Is this a common action of LCPS but public isnt privy to? My only observation that gives me some pause. My Byrd, and others express their concern about disruption it causes with school, students, etc. But his response to employees coming in drunk to school, etc. he expressed compassion (Crittenden teacher) for the teacher. Four of our children have gone through LCPS and left with wonderful experiences (us too), but our last is a different story. Ive noticed a shift. There use to be a partnership feeling with teachers, parents and community. Now there is this us vs. them mentality. Dont know where it is coming from, but it permeates in many of our schools. Teachers talking about children in a not so educational way. Teachers blogging anonymously and slamming (their) kids in awful blanket statements. The one underlying statement that I have heard from educators during this shift of attitudes, is the rich spoiled kids and their rich parents argument. I dont know if this is a non-official message being sent out to counter LCPS attempts to get funding, but it has offended many hardworking parents. I get teachers are feeling frustrated during these economic times, but many LC households have felt that same.insurance premium increases, 10-20% pay cuts, increased taxes, etc. My apologies for going off topic here, but the nastiness on this blog and

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