Do your kids miss school for vacation?

[Gumbo4x4]

That really stinks.

As I said previously, our district has a very, very strict policy on unexcused absences.

But, because of that, they are also very adamant that breaks are breaks. In fact, they moved the school calendar so that the end of the first semester and finals would fall before winter break so that kids would not be studying over break.

Amended to add that AP and Honors courses do have summer homework. But those classes are a choice, so you know what you are getting into. And the homework, spread out over 3 months is not overwhelming. You can easily take 2-3 weeks and not do anything and still have plenty of time to get the work done.

I think that's a fair point - can't have it both ways. If the school calendar belongs to the school, the off days belong to the families.

 

[Laura66]

Here, the entire school board would be voted out and the contracts of all the administrators not renewed by the new board. It would take at most 3 years. It's less about vacations, but requiring internet access on weekends or other weekend projects that could interfere with teens having jobs simply wouldn't be tolerated.

Really?
When you participate in any extra-curricular activity or sport or AP or Honor class you know going in that you are going to have assignments that will need to be completed over the Summer or during breaks. Sports or band - you might get a few weeks during the summer. A lot of us didn't like it but it is what it is. And there are enough others willing to make the academic or sport commitments that if you opt out they'll have no problem filling your spot.
Most of us have been able to make it work. My older two maintained excellent GPA's, had part time jobs and participate in AP/Honors classes, band, tennis and flag! Wasn't easy - but we did it and managed to squeak out some time for vacations while fulfilling all of their obligations.
I don't know that we will take vacation this year - I'd feel too guilty leaving my oldest home. Her Grad school breaks don't coincide with any Spring or Summer breaks my other two have.

 

[momof1princess]

Or do you wait for holidays/summer vacation/spring break etc.?

What ages are your children?

When DD16 was in elementary school, we took her out of school for vacation, and it wasn't an issue. Once she got to middle school, it was impossible. Now that she's in HS, and in AP classes, we're limited to summer and school breaks, which are the busiest times to go to WDW. DH has a crowd phobia, so it'll probably be a few years before we go back.

 

[pigletgirl]

Really?
When you participate in any extra-curricular activity or sport or AP or Honor class you know going in that you are going to have assignments that will need to be completed over the Summer or during breaks. Sports or band - you might get a few weeks during the summer. A lot of us didn't like it but it is what it is. And there are enough others willing to make the academic or sport commitments that if you opt out they'll have no problem filling your spot.
Most of us have been able to make it work. My older two maintained excellent GPA's, had part time jobs and participate in AP/Honors classes, band, tennis and flag! Wasn't easy - but we did it and managed to squeak out some time for vacations while fulfilling all of their obligations.
I don't know that we will take vacation this year - I'd feel too guilty leaving my oldest home. Her Grad school breaks don't coincide with any Spring or Summer breaks my other two have.

That is definitely true about AP classes. I remember having an exam the first day of school over the three books we were to read over the summer. Talk about fun however it's part of the deal.

It's just harder to vacation as a family when high school students have many commitments. It actually gets easier in college believe it or not (at least during freshman year)

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Really?
When you participate in any extra-curricular activity or sport or AP or Honor class you know going in that you are going to have assignments that will need to be completed over the Summer or during breaks. Sports or band - you might get a few weeks during the summer. A lot of us didn't like it but it is what it is. And there are enough others willing to make the academic or sport commitments that if you opt out they'll have no problem filling your spot.
Most of us have been able to make it work. My older two maintained excellent GPA's, had part time jobs and participate in AP/Honors classes, band, tennis and flag! Wasn't easy - but we did it and managed to squeak out some time for vacations while fulfilling all of their obligations.
I don't know that we will take vacation this year - I'd feel too guilty leaving my oldest home. Her Grad school breaks don't coincide with any Spring or Summer breaks my other two have.

Extracurricular are an entirely different thing than we were discussing. PP was talking about academic requirements. And yes, AP classes require different levels of commitment. But, forcing kids to take online tests on breaks or weekends? I think that crosses a line. Ditto for projects involving other students.

Now, if the teacher says on Monday you have until next Monday to complete tr project and the kids do it on the weekend, okay. But, if they give the assignment on Friday and it has to be done Monday, it should not require anything the students can't accomplish alone with no internet.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

That is definitely true about AP classes. I remember having an exam the first day of school over the three books we were to read over the summer. Talk about fun however it's part of the deal.

It's just harder to vacation as a family when high school students have many commitments. It actually gets easier in college believe it or not (at least during freshman year)

To be clear, I wouldn't have an issue with a Summer reading requirement, as much as it does suck. But, the kids have the flexibility to fit that into the Summer wherever they can. Ditto for weekend homework.

Being required to meet with other students or take unplanned tests over break? No.

 

[pigletgirl]

To be clear, I wouldn't have an issue with a Summer reading requirement, as much as it does suck. But, the kids have the flexibility to fit that into the Summer wherever they can. Ditto for weekend homework.

Being required to meet with other students or take unplanned tests over break? No.

Would it make a difference if they were playing a sport?

When DH played football, he never really had Fall Break because of practices 2x/day. (Again, I still think it's nuts, kids need down time but it's part of the deal!)

 

[Aliceacc]

Nope,never.

 

[aprilgail2]

\Amended to add that AP and Honors courses do have summer homework. But those classes are a choice, so you know what you are getting into. And the homework, spread out over 3 months is not overwhelming. You can easily take 2-3 weeks and not do anything and still have plenty of time to get the work done.

Its not just the AP kids that get summer homework- the non-ap kids get summer reading/essay and online test to do, a big math packet and this year they are also getting a science packet. The AP kids have 10 times as much- last year the AP Bio included online tests that they had to take every 2 weeks. The social studies was a lot too but that was all written, not online.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Would it make a difference if they were playing a sport?

When DH played football, he never really had Fall Break because of practices 2x/day. (Again, I still think it's nuts, kids need down time but it's part of the deal!)

I think with any extracurricular, you get what you signed up for. Additionally, the practice/rehearsal and competition schedules are all known in advance. I'm okay with that, though it would be "nice" if they didn't do as much over break as they typically do.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think with any extracurricular, you get what you signed up for. Additionally, the practice/rehearsal and competition schedules are all known in advance. I'm okay with that, though it would be "nice" if they didn't do as much over break as they typically do.

I agree. If you allow your child to commit to activities that have attendance requirements, you need to adhere to those requirements. I remember my niece having to forego a vacation her mom had planned well in advance when her team advanced to the next division, but she had agreed to participate, so she followed through.

 

[Anastasi]

Its not just the AP kids that get summer homework- the non-ap kids get summer reading/essay and online test to do, a big math packet and this year they are also getting a science packet. The AP kids have 10 times as much- last year the AP Bio included online tests that they had to take every 2 weeks. The social studies was a lot too but that was all written, not online.

Wow. I am hugely supportive of our schools, but I would have to rethink if they were doing online tests during the summer break.

Is this a public or private school?

 

[livie1205]

ds 16 sometimes misses trips but he chose to play football and he knew going in that its a all year around thing and he made that choice.. If we waited around for him to be able to come along it would be two set weeks out of the year that we may or may not be able to work around. He is 16 so he would rather be playing ball then going on trips...

 

[Poohforyou]

Its not just the AP kids that get summer homework- the non-ap kids get summer reading/essay and online test to do, a big math packet and this year they are also getting a science packet. The AP kids have 10 times as much- last year the AP Bio included online tests that they had to take every 2 weeks. The social studies was a lot too but that was all written, not online.

I really think your district is the exception not the norm. We're in a top performing district and dd is in all honors classes as a freshman (ap classes aren't offered to freshmen unless they've skipped a level or 2). She had summer English reading and history reading/writing but nothing for her other subjects. She is taking her 1st AP class next year and is taking a business course over the summer to get it out of the way so we'll see what this summer is like.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Only in the summer, unless it's a school trip. The marching band went to WDW in 2012 to perform, but I count that as a school trip.

 

[tvguy]

Its not just the AP kids that get summer homework- the non-ap kids get summer reading/essay and online test to do, a big math packet and this year they are also getting a science packet. The AP kids have 10 times as much- last year the AP Bio included online tests that they had to take every 2 weeks. The social studies was a lot too but that was all written, not online.

My kids went to Catholic High School. There was a summer reading requirement, and mandatory summer school 2 of your 4 years.
Summer reading was no big deal, they went to private (for profit, not Catholic) school from K-8 too, and it is standard. I think it took about 1 week of the 9 they were off to complete. No biggie at all.

 

[aprilgail2]

I really think your district is the exception not the norm. We're in a top performing district and dd is in all honors classes as a freshman (ap classes aren't offered to freshmen unless they've skipped a level or 2). She had summer English reading and history reading/writing but nothing for her other subjects. She is taking her 1st AP class next year and is taking a business course over the summer to get it out of the way so we'll see what this summer is like.

Wow. I am hugely supportive of our schools, but I would have to rethink if they were doing online tests during the summer break.

Is this a public or private school?

Its public school and it is NOT a top performing district either- its not a failing one but just an average middle of the road district. Our district does have AP classes for freshman but only 2 classes, AP Bio and AP World History.

 

[Leslieloody]

Back in Feb. 2011, my DD (5th grade) and my mother took a trip to DW. The school automatically gives two days for an educational trip. My sweet talking and a few specific reasons, got me another day. I was ok with using three parent notes for the other three days. Off we go. While there in Florida, spending a day away at Cocoa Beach, our hometown got four inches of snow. Which closed school, for guess what...three days. So, our whole six days out of school were excused. So, yes, take kids out of school, IF they can do work while away or have no trouble catching back up.

 

[MIGrandma]

We didn't take vacations with the kids during the school year so they didn't miss any school for that reason. Occasionally we would let them skip a day here or there, DS for hunting with DH, DD for shopping with me, etc.

Our two younger grandchildren will be missing a week of school next January when we all go to Disneyworld together. Our DGS will be almost 10, and DGD will be 6. I don't see anything wrong with them missing a week of school, they will probably either get their homework done before we leave, or make it up once we get back. I don't imagine their parents would let them miss school once they are out of gradeschool though.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Back in Feb. 2011, my DD (5th grade) and my mother took a trip to DW. The school automatically gives two days for an educational trip. My sweet talking and a few specific reasons, got me another day. I was ok with using three parent notes for the other three days. Off we go. While there in Florida, spending a day away at Cocoa Beach, our hometown got four inches of snow. Which closed school, for guess what...three days. So, our whole six days out of school were excused. So, yes, take kids out of school, IF they can do work while away or have no trouble catching back up.

I got lucky with that in HS. Took a weeklong school trip to DC and school ended up being closed the entire time I was gone

Some families in our district gambled on snow days this year for last minute trips and ended up missing very little school because of it.