Do you....

[scottny]

Take your kids out of school. I am taking my cousins and I will be pulling them out for 6 days. There mother said she will or has informed the school and it is fine. 1/19 - 1/28 are the dates. Should I shorten it. She is getting all there school work for the days they miss.
What is the longest you take kids out of school for?
Growing up I was taken out 2 weeks a year in February for a Florida trip but I always got my homework to do.

 

[PrincessPAC]

Every school and district is different. Last year we took my son out for a week and he got all of his work before the trip and he worked on it before we left and while we were there. This year, both of my sons will have to be taken out for a week. So far, the teachers don't seem to be too upset, but I would definitely let them know well ahead of time. Also, last year the principal asked for my son to write an essay about his trip (he was only in the 2nd grade, so this was kind of a task). I also got a letter from the school addressing the fact that he had missed more than 3 consecutive days of school. Apparently, this is just standard for our school district. The important thing is, though, let the school know well in advance.

 

[duchess_tisha]

I am taking DD out 2.5 days for this trip, and then we are taking both out for one day for the November trip. The teachers are OK...but there is always that underlying "bad parent feeling"!! DH says it is only in my head though!!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

You can't do it at all where I live. and if the kids are out too many days the parents go to jail.

 

[scottny]

You can't do it at all where I live. and if the kids are out too many days the parents go to jail.

oh my

well my cousin spoke to both schools yesterday and she got the ok from both.

 

[c4alymom]

This seems to be a pretty touchy subject here on the boards. I for one took my kids out for 4 days last year and we had no probs. Of course, they go to a private school so we have a little more give, so to speak.

Personally, I feel that if your kid(s) can handle the make up work and the school is ok, go for it. My kids learned SO much while we were at WDW, I don't think it hurt at all.

 

[scottny]

I would never take them out if they were in high school. I think grade school is easier for taking them out.

 

[ILMICKEY]

Mine are in High School and I'm taking them out for a week after Thanksgiving. The boys take a paper around to each teacher they have and the teacher gives the assignments and signs the paper. The paper is turned into the office. I did it 2 years ago and it worked out alright.

Except!!

We were leaving on a Friday, after the boys got out of school. They were getting their homework for the week that day.

Low and behold, it snowed ALL night. So school was closed that Friday! We went to the school, no luck. All the doors were locked, not a car in the parking lot.

Well we couldn't wait until Monday, so we went ahead and left. Got to leave early which was nice. I wrote a letter to each teacher about the situation, they gave the boys a week to finish the homework.

I think if you give the teachers/school plenty of forwarning, it won't be a problem.

 

[PrincessPAC]

As a teacher, I personally don't mind if parents pull a student out for a week or less to go on vacation. I think it is important for families to do things together. What does concern me, though, is when the student is struggling in school. If the student is having trouble already, then taking them out of the classroom will (usually) only make things worse. I think this is important for parents to consider this when planning a vacation during school.

 

[Wayne23]

good luck, scottny

 

[Raenstoirm]

My parents pulled me out of school on a regular basis. My father did a lot of traveling for work, so we spent long weekends away from home often. When I got to high school we were allowed 20 days a year (to be absent) and let me tell you I made sure I was out 20 days! (Not really a school fan if you guessed) I was a smart kid so it was painfully easy to make up the work without going to class. As a senior I got an internship through the school and got to miss class every Wednesday to go to "work." (Which didn't count towards the 20 days). I barely showed up for undergrad college classes and rarely to grad school ones! I plan on getting my PhD soon, so you gotta figure all that missed school did not hurt me!

So to me, I see no issues with pulling kids out of school. If you are dealing with a smart kid or are willing to take the time to help them learn what they missed, then technically there should be no issues at all. Now if a child is struggling then you should not pull them out or get them a private tutor to fill in the gaps.

 

[TMB1203]

As a teacher, I personally don't mind if parents pull a student out for a week or less to go on vacation. I think it is important for families to do things together. What does concern me, though, is when the student is struggling in school. If the student is having trouble already, then taking them out of the classroom will (usually) only make things worse. I think this is important for parents to consider this when planning a vacation during school.

I agree completely. We usually take my son out for 5 days to go to WDW and we "justify" it because he is a good student and the few days won't hurt him.
This year, we planned thought he would miss 5 days but because of teacher workshops and early dismissals he is missing 3. He's in 6th grade now and I don't think we'll take him out of school when he's in high school, but we'll see what it's like when we get to that point.

 

[prekteacher]

I am taking my boys out for a week in May. The school said as if they know adhead of time they give thework that will be due that week . They also look at the chils behaiver and absents in the year.

 

[LilGMom]

We took our kindergartener out last year for a few days and this year we are taking that now first grader out for a week. We have already spoken with the teacher and will get his assignments, class and homework, prior to leaving. I personally feel that if the student is doing well in school, can make up or do the lessons prior to the trip and isn't missing any major tests than there shouldn't be a problem. We will continue to do this as long as it is ok. We will probably limit days out in grade three if planning a trip prior to the 'big' Achievement Test all third graders here take, but again it will depend on how our child is doing in school.

 

[scottny]

well my cousin spoke to the principal and teachers and everyone is ok with it. they will get there work assignments to do while we are there, which is what I said to do all along.

So I booked.

Thanks everyone.

 

[sbakersub]

But I am taking my 16yo DD and her BFF out of school later this month for our WDW trip. I did try to minimize the time out of school and make it at a time when they weren't heavy into tests or school activities. Ultimately, they'll only miss school on a Monday and Tuesday for a total 6 1/2 day trip. We also do the advance notification/sign-in for each teacher, so if there is important homework that needs to get done, they'll take it with.

IMO, although it's harder to find a good time once kids are in high school, having a great vacation for them to look forward to is a good incentive for keeping up with the schoolwork. And missing two days for WDW is no less disruptive to the learning process than two days for a bad cold Just a lot more fun

 

[noahdove]

Well, as I am retired from a school district in central NY, it's the written work you miss so much as the visual, hands on, reading, art,music, phys.ed, computer, science...well I could go on...Also, every state has an attendance requirement and for 17 years that was one of my main jobs, and the state frowns upon unexcused absences..and that is exactly what this will be. Just because the students will get their work, doesn't matter as far as I am concerned. I never took my girls out for any vacation. That's what it is built in the school calendar for... I don't know the grades the children are in, but no grade is worth the missed time...In fact, in our district, if you miss any except for illness, you can't even play or practice for sports...Just thought I would put my 10 cents worth in...

 

[noahdove]

I meant to say NOT the written work you miss...

 

[noahdove]

Oh, nuts, I forgot the MOST important reason,, I believe all states has the NO Child left behind act.....Our district, it isn't allowed to interupt ANY classroom for 1 hour aday when they are having their special ELA time.....so....