Parents should play a key role in their children’s education. I have acted under this belief for the last eight years and have had great experiences sending my first three children to public school in Marshfield.

Imagine my distress when I got a phone message just one day before school started this year unapologetically informing me that policy did not allow half-day kindergarten—even though I had already done it three times—so my child would be enrolled full day.

When I indicated that I intended to do half-days anyway, the conversation skipped right over the individual needs of my child and my valuable input as a parent, and I was threatened with truancy charges if I did not send her full day.

I could hardly believe it. These children are only 5 years old. State law, while mandating kindergarten, does not even require a child to attend school until they are 6. As a parent I know what is best for my child. Why would my insight be ignored?

I ended up getting a medical excuse to send her only half days. It seems a little ridiculous to need a doctor’s note to go home and take a nap when you are only 5, but there you go.

The school board has the power to clarify this issue for our district, but the process is arduous, and most of them are uninterested in fighting the battle. Call them, and let them know that a parent’s input should be just as valuable as that of their administrators and that common sense should prevail in this instance and all others.

Parents, these are our children and our schools. Take action. Speak up. Get involved. Let the school board know you should get to be involved. It is the best way to make your child’s education better.

Lisa Lonsdale

Marshfield, WI