45% of San Antonio public school students missed school yesterday

In My Humble Opinion
1

http://www.ksat.com/news/violent-threat-sends-school-attendance-into-freefall/25649220

In brief: Some anonymous dipshit made some vague threats towards a random elementary school in the SA area, threats which the police and FBI have deemed a hoax, this threat scheduled to occur yesterday.

In response, almost 50% of public elementary school kids were absent yesterday, which cost the local school districts approximately $1.3 million in state funding.

Is this a rational response? Or were many people taking advantage of the timing of this and giving themselves a four-day vacation*?

What would you have done - sent your kid to school, or keep them at home?

*Today is the “Battle of the Flowers” parade and the city shuts down. Government, businesses, schools, even the Post Office is closed today for the two-week, city-wide party called Fiesta.

2

No, but parents often react irrationally when they perceive (rightly or wrongly) a threat to their children.

3

At my daughter’s school, the principal was very clear: You WILL attend school (yesterday) or you will NOT participate in the various dances scheduled this weekend (excused absences excepted.)

And… 98% of the kids made it to school.

4

Not just often. Parents are surprisingly stupid when it comes to perceived vs actual risks.

Is that the case for any unexcused absence? Kind of shitty to drop a surprise policy like that on everyone at the last minute.

5

Well, this story broke this past Sunday and the rumors were flying on Monday, so yes, she reiterated the standard policy.