Advice from a Teacher re: taking kids out of school for Disney

[camdensmom]

Thank God your not my childrens teacher. We pay your salary and we have the final say on when we take the kids out of school. Yes school is very important but so is family time. If your unhappy with this then maybe you should not be a teacher. JMHO

By the way our teachers have no problem giving work out early. Then again they are GREAT TEACHERS.!!!!

Seriously?

Unjustified. Uncalled for. Immature.

I have very high family values and mentioned in my original post how beneficial a vacation can be. GREAT TEACHERS do know however, that it is professionally irresponsible to send home any work that has not been taught in class. It is not fair to expect a child to know how to do something that we have not yet covered or even introduced.

And FWIW, I don't recall cashing a personal check from you so you do not pay my salary. By that mentality you have the right to commit crimes because you also pay the salary of the police officers.

 

[lil mermaid]

Thank God your not my childrens teacher. We pay your salary and we have the final say on when we take the kids out of school. Yes school is very important but so is family time. If your unhappy with this then maybe you should not be a teacher. JMHO

By the way our teachers have no problem giving work out early. Then again they are GREAT TEACHERS.!!!!

She's probably thanking God too!

 

[Teacher03]

Thank God your not my childrens teacher. We pay your salary and we have the final say on when we take the kids out of school. Yes school is very important but so is family time. If your unhappy with this then maybe you should not be a teacher. JMHO

By the way our teachers have no problem giving work out early. Then again they are GREAT TEACHERS.!!!!

You know, I bet the OP is equally grateful she is not your child's teacher! A little harsh, don't you think?

To the OP, I think your post is right on. I teach third grade, and I have had three families out for vacations already this year. I do not have a problem with this, I think family time is very important. I gave some work out ahead of time, and some had to be made up when the child returned. It was a mutual understanding on both parts.

 

[jnordan]

To the OP -- thank you so much. Your post was very thoughtful and I liked the letter you suggest very much. Might I make a few personal adjustments? Sure, but the gist of it, I think, was very respectful.

I just have to comment, though . . . Lately it seems that some people frequenting these boards have nothing to say unless it is is aimed at making someone else feel bad. Oddly, these same people seem to be the ones railing about other parents/teachers not doing a good job or making good decisions. But I just have to wonder -- is the voice you use on these boards representative of the voice you use in "real life"? Because if so, I question the values that you are teaching your children and modeling for others. There is a way to disagree with someone while still being respectful.

I was a teacher until I had children. I think because all of us have eexperienced education in some form in our lives -- be it as students or teachers ourselves -- we think that we're experts. But I don't think that anyone who hasn't taught really understands a teacher's work. It is unending. I couldn't go home for Thanksgiving weekend and relax -- because there is ALWAYS (even when the papers are graded and the lesson plans are prepared) more work to do. There are always ways your lessons could be improved, more help that some students need, more calls that could be made to parents . . . Most teachers do everything that they can while still maintaining some sort of life of their own -- and let's not forget that these people also have families, responsibilities, hobbies, etc. . . of their own. They are entitled to those things just as much as the rest of us.

I guess that if you're of the "they're my children and I'll make the final decision" camp, then I would say, "fine", but expect to accept the consequences for those decisions. Your child's teacher has no obligation to prepare work in advance or stay late after school to help your student catch up because of an OPTIONAL vacation (not that I'm opposed). Most teachers, however, do these things out of the goodness of their heart. That is something that DOES deserve some appreciation and respect. Because while they're doing all of this to help you have your vacation, in addition to the normal planning and grading, etc. they're also helping the 5 special needs students in their class with their individual needs, staying after school to help students who haven't just missed a week of school for a vacation, figuring out ways how to help the 2-3 students in the class who are constantly misbehaving, calling parents of students who haven't missed class to talk to them about their kids . . . The list goes on. Yes, we pay our teachers -- but it's a piddly amount for what they do.

It's amazing to me that teachers receive so much of the blame for our education problems. In my experience, teachers are rarely to blame.

OK, I'd better just go. My blood pressure is rising!

 

[mmeads4]

Also, just as a word of caution be aware of your districts attendance policy. In my previous district any child who was absent more than 4 consecutive days without a medical excuse was reported to the truancy officer.

My little one just started Preschool, and the other is only 2. I have been reading the "missing school" posts and although I agree with your treating teachers with respect and your letter is a great idea, I think school districts while not tolerating absenteeism should make exceptions for medical, family vacations and funerals....now, if Grandma dies 3x a year or she dies every year for the last 5 years...keep better records, but why punish a student for 1 family vacation a year? Now, most of us don't have lots of $$, so to go to WDW 2 or more times a year or more than 1 family vacation a year is a bit much. And it isn't realistic for families to all go at the same time of year. Especially when there are jobs that pay the bills, school taxes etc have to be worked around.
Anyways, that's my $0.02 worth

 

[DisneyDotty]

Hey OP --love your post! You make many excellent points. Having been a high school teacher, I also cringe when someone says "Oh, Johnny is only in ____ grade. He won't miss much." What do people think it is that goes on in the classroom all day? And why would any parent put up with a teacher who doesn't accomplish much for a whole week?
I really believe that parents need to own up to their decisions--if they want to pull their kids out of school, fine. They have that right. But apologize, accept the consequences, and make no excuses.

 

[KirstenB]

Forgot to add...the reason my letter to dd's teachers was so brief was mostly as a courtesy to them. I well remember having 20 minutes for homeroom and having several kids handing me notes, make up work, lunch money, field trip money, etc, etc. Add in taking attendance, looking over lesson plans, pledge of allegiance, and the teachers don't have time to read a long letter.

I loved very brief notes when I was teaching, so I could quickly screen the notes of stuff I needed to deal with immediately (ie. ________ had a very stressful night last night due to ________. Please watch over her today)

as opposed to _______ is going to be absent in 2 weeks due to ___________, which I could look at later at the end of the day.

 

[crisi]

We write a similar note.

We also let the teachers know the kids will be required to keep a journal of their trip.

 

[DaisyD]

I wouldn't bother with such a long letter. It almost sounds like one is asking for permission and I'm certainly not going to do that. I simply state that DD will not be in school for such and such dates. I don't even tell them where we are going though the teacher knows. I also never ask for work. Our school has the vacation packets premade at the beginning of the year for the kids to take when needed. The teacher will give you math or spelling if your child needs or wants it. Personally I don't think it is a big deal to miss any elementary school time. It is easily made up.

 

[SunKat]

I found it interesting to read about this from a teacher's point of view. And yes, I learned something! I had never thought twice about asking the teacher for my DD's work so she could do it on vacation.I didn't realize it was so time consuming for the teacher. The next time we go away, I will ask the teacher what she prefers, either make-up work when we get back or homework on vacation.

Now that my DD is in 5th grade, we go to WDW during winter break, and she usually misses just one day of school.

And for you parents that have trouble getting your kids to do homework on vacation, this one worked for us... we put DD in her bathing suit, sat her at a poolside table and said "you can go in the pool when you finish that math!". Worked like a charm.

 

[swillis]

I don't usually respond to these out of school for vacation threads, but now that I have had the experience of doing so I'm going to.

Last year I took my daughter (6th grade) and son (3rd grade) out of school in the middle of May for our first trip together to DW. I sent notes to their teachers that were very similar to the one that the OP posted. I chose to take them out of school for the trip for several reasons.

I work in an animal hospital, and while I have been there for 5 years, I am still low man on the totem pole when it comes to vacation time. This combined with summer being a busy time of year, I couldn't take a week long vacation.

I also was pretty sure that the kids would do fine making up missed work. The vacation was planned for right after the MCAS test (statewide assesment test) and I thought that since that was done, and the end of the year was coming up, that they wouldn't miss too much.

Lastly, I have been to Florida in the summer. Not fun.

I also had some serious "thought fights" with myself about it as well. On the one hand I thought, well geez, it's no problem for the school to schedule many days off for in-service, or holidays. As a full time working mom, it's a huge inconvienece to me to have to arrange alternate care for my kids on these days. For instance..just this month since November 1st, my kids have had 2 days off and a half day of school.

On the other hand I did give serious thought to how bogged down my kids would be with makeup work upon our return.

So I decided to do it. I sent the notes to the teachers about 2 months before we left, and I arranged for the kids to each have a camera, and a handmade journal to write down at least 2 educational things they learned or did while away.

What happened was the 6th grader was not given any instructions as to what her teachers (she had multiple) wanted from her while she was away. The 3rd grader's teacher gave him his assignments to complete while he was away. We brought half with us, and he finished the other half when we returned.

The 6th grader never made up her tests, or completed the homework that was missed. She didn't fail any subjects, but her grades dropped. The 3rd grader did fine, but he was overwhelmed when we got back.

This year I want to return to DW. We are going to go during the last week of school, and actually do 2 weeks. There is NO WAY I could take them out of school this year for any length of time. My now 4th grader's teacher is relentless with the classwork and homework. When my son was out for 4 days with a bad ear infection (he usually requires hospitalization, and morphine when he gets ear infections) his teacher expected every single paper they did in class while he was out, completed in 4 days (since that is how many days he was out)
And my now 7th grader is just not capable of being trustworthy enough to seek out, and complete missed assignments.

So I still have mixed emotions about the whole out of school thing. I do think that because of the material that must be learned for the kids to pass these state tests, the teachers are forced to pile on the assignments. Consequently, missing even a few days does seem to have a negative effect on their grades.

Just my 2 cents, I don't intend ot offend anyone, or speak badly of teachers. I think the days of individual teaching styles is over, and that's too bad, but it's the way it is.

 

[DisneyDadof3]

Note: I am a H.S. math teacher

Absent students are a huge problem - however, the problem is not with students that miss 5 days to go to WDW and are present the rest of the year, the attendance problem is more with the kids that miss 30-40 days a year.

If you miss 5 days in math, there is little question you will have some trouble getting caught up as well as learning the new material. However with a little preparation and hard work before and after the trip, students are generally able to get back up to pace.

Shoot - our kids miss more days for useless assemblies, field trips, class elections, homecoming activities, early dismissals for sports/activities, band trips than they would by taking a week trip to WDW.

 

[DisneyDadof3]

I think the days of individual teaching styles is over, and that's too bad, but it's the way it is.

You can thank the mandatory state testing that is killing education!

 

[SunKat]

You can thank the mandatory state testing that is killing education!

Agreed. My DD's 5th grade class has spent most of the last two months reviewing and practicing for the state tests.

 

[Luv'sTink]

Shoot - our kids miss more days for useless assemblies, field trips, class elections, homecoming activities, early dismissals for sports/activities, band trips than they would by taking a week trip to WDW.

This is what I was thinking! My DS, 4th grade, missed 1 day in Sept., 2 days in October, Is off 3 days and 3 half days in November. Two weeks in Dec.,That is 16 full days and 3 half days in less than four months. When you teach decimals and division and then give them 3 days off and follow that with 3 half days they are not going to remember much. Oh and had two field trips this month also.


ETA..I spoke with the Principal about my DS missing school for WDW and he was excited for him. (Principal has to excuse absenses) His teacher said he would have no problem getting work together for him and thank me for giving him advance notice.

 

[ppony]

Camdensmom, I loved your post and letter. THANK YOU! And I appreciated hearing from another teacher's perspective (I've asked a few directly). I just adjusted a few things in it to fit my need and I think I'll use it. I was just thinking about this too today as it's about time I notifiy the school I'll be taking my DS out next month. I read up at the beginning of the year on what their stipluations were for this and what they wanted and needed from me and how they deal with the homework situation though I'll ask his teacher what she would most prefer from us. And we most certainly will bring back something for her and the class to use and enjoy. We did mention it to his teacher at his October conferences and to my relief she actually seemed genuinely exited about it especially when we said it will be a total surprise to him. Get up and go that morning. No warning to HIM but plenty for the school and his teacher.
IMHO teachers are worked SO hard and for so little (seen on first hand experience), I do not want her to have to do anything extra for us, I want to do for her to help HER out. We want this "disturbance" in our son's education to be minimal for him as well as her. Rah rah for teachers! Thank you for your work with children!

 

[dbmarie]

I feel that education is important but I think we forget sometimes that they are kids and we shouldn't expect them to act like adults with so much responsibility. Disney is fun and I really can't see 2-5 days in a year hurting a child so much that they would drop a whole letter grade.

Will it mean your child might drop from a B to a C in math on that quarters report card? Maybe.

I do stay very involved with my children's classrooms and I let their teacher know 5 months before our vacation and I absolutely defer to them regarding what I should do about any missed lessons as I am clearly not their teacher anymore then she is my daughters mother.

 

[Daxx]

Thank you from a fellow teacher!!!!

 

[TJ's Mom]

Disney is fun and I really can't see 2-5 days in a year hurting a child so much that they would drop a whole letter grade.

Believe it or not, it happens more often then you realize. There is a huge difference in a kid missing 2-5 in a row compared to days spread out. I have seen some honors kids (high school) get sick and miss a week and their grade drop from a low A/high B to a D or F. They bomb the test because they have missed the classroom activities and discussions. They get the notes and missed assignments but it is not the same. Plus they are trying to make up 7 classes - that is alot of stress on your kids.

 

[maxtomsmom]

As a fellow teacher who happens to be on childcare leave and yes, taking my DS out of Kindergarten for five days, I still believe that it should really be up to individual families. We may never have the chance to go during an off-time again. Believe me I would gladly give back one month of summer (which in my opinion is way too long) just to have 1 week off of my choosing. School breaks often mean more money & more people no matter where you go. Will I take my kid out again? Who knows? If he's able to handle it then yes. As a teacher I never minded the parents who were upfront and honest about taking their kids out of school. We do what we can in life. Learning can come from many different sources. I know from personal experience. My parents did it to my brother and I to go camping all around the country. I saw 40 states before the age of 10. Spent a lot of time meeting people and seeing things you could never teach in a million years during those memorable times. I seem to recall the Blue Ridge Mountains better than what I did in the whole year of 5th grade. Again, my brother and I could handle all the work on the road and once we got back to school. We did stop as we got older, but more for financial than anything else.

I also find that parents who put so much effort and concern over their child's missed days are the ones who help out during school events and are actively involved in their child's education.

BTW when I told my son's teacher, she had no issue with it.