In all my time in public schooling, I never had perfect attendance. Illness happens, and when I or my siblings were ill we stayed home to recuperate more quickly and to help avoid spreading our illness. And every year, starting when I was in 6th grade, my family took a week-long vacation in early spring.
We always had homework, and I don't know how our absences were marked on the books. We always told our teachers what we were doing and why. Normally, our teachers were very supportive. Both of my siblings and I went on to college (I on scholarship to a very well regarded, private, liberal arts college) and are doing well in our adult lives.
Personally, I am VERY grateful that my parents took us out of school. The first time was after the death of both of our grandfathers within months of each other. Our whole family was devastated, and that trip was the start of our healing. And it became one of our yearly touchstones, reminding us that life is good. The most important thing, I think, was how my parents handled it - that this vacation was a privelege and as a family, we had to live up to it.
Our annual family trip was actually to a dude ranch, where we rode horses ALL week, had snowball fights on horseback and made snow sculptures the years it was still snowing, or hunted for frogs and had frog jumping contests when it was warm. We had bonfires, and sing-alongs, a mini-rodeo and country dancing. And we laughed and played as a family. I wouldn't trade those memories in for ANYTHING - certainly not for a perfect attendance award. I have plenty of academic awards - they sit in a box in my basement and collect dust. My memories are alive.
Thanks, Mom and Dad!
