Whenever one of my kids complains of being sick and want to skip school I interview them before allowing to stay at home. I make sure they do not have any visible symptoms of any seasonal illness. If they do not have any of that and if they can walk out they go and catch the school bus.
U know, that's one thing most of our society lacks... on face conversation... Instead it's like, why? What? No? NOWWW... that's all.