It's got to be tough with middle school kids.

<tremorous old lady voice>In myyyyyy day, once I turned ten, if I was sick I stayed home. </voice> Nowadays CSB gets called when a ten-year-old or even a 13-year-old is home alone (seen it happen more than once, and they DO follow through with neglect charges). Most parents don't have paid FMLA leave, and paid or not, they need a doctor's slip. Who's going to pay for an office visit when it's obvious the kid just has a cold? Cheaper to be docked a day's pay, except that of course it makes it that much likelier they'll get fired for excessive absence.

I feel your pain V. At least every sneeze can be a teachable moment. Do you at least have a handwashing sink in your classroom?