Feeling Guilty for taking 2nd grader out of school for Vacation

[bwilcox]

If you are worried about the teacher being mad, bring back a Mickey rice krispy for her!

 

[MommaMouse411]

wow schools are way too strict now...I though parents had the rights not the schools? oh gosh I could wait till my kids are in school...because I take a lot of vacays from 4 day - 7day now....

 

[mb_uh]

I guess I am going to be the lone dessenter in the group, ( I am a school adminstrator).

Schools publish calendars months in advance so you can plan vacations. While your child can make up work- they rarely get the opportunity to make up the instruction time.

If your child is sick some that school year the unexcused absences could potientially put you into truancy issues which are fineable.

Not sure how your state works but in mine schools lose money for each day your child is absent- but have the same fixed costs- teacher.

Personally, I think it also send a message to your child that your plans are more important then school.

I can certainly understand the issue of someone not being able to take off during the summer but can they also not take off during- Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break? I know these times are more crowded or expensive but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for our job.

How would you feel about your child's teacher taking off for 7 days for a vacation?

Just my opinion and I am not trying to flame your for your choices but I wanted to share the other side of the story. Personally, I would love to go during free dining when rooms are cheaper but since school is back in session I do not have in me to ask for time off during August/September and I am a 12 month employee.

 

[nettii]

You shouldnt fell guilty enjoy your dd they grow up sooo fast!

 

[kpgriswold]

If he is only in 2nd grade and a good student, don't sweat it. Just let your teacher know well ahead of time and ASK her very nicely for a packet of work to take with you OR a make-up pacekt when you get back.

And as other pps have said, a little souvenir bribe won't hurt either.

 

[moongirl]

Write the teacher a polite letter like:

Dear Mrs. Jones,

We are taking a family vacation to Walt Disney World from Nov.x - Nov. x. I realize that this trip will make extra work for you as we are asking you to prepare his make-up assignments. Please let us know what we can do to make this as non-disruptive as possible and how we can aid you. We really appreciate your understanding. If there are any extra assigments that you would like Johnny to do based on his trip, we would be more than happy to have him do the extra work.

Thank you very much for your time,

The teacher will at least know that you realize you are causing extra work for her and that you are willing to do whatever you can to help her out. Enjoy your trip and listen to the PPs that say not to feel guilty!

 

[scrappingizlife]

I have no choice but to take my son out of school since we only get our time share during value seasons. (totally trying to sell it to do DVC) We took him out in 08 (2nd grade), and will be taking him out in May. (4th grade) HIs teacher is aware of it and has no issues with it. I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[aboveH20]

When my kids were younger we took them out of school for a few days. My philosophy was that we needed time together as a family (my husband worked days, nights, and weekends). I didn't want to go during school vacation weeks because the trip is way too expensive to get there and not want to do anything because of long wait times.

The last time we went over Feb vacation and who should we run into down there, but the high school principal. Ironically my sons missed the next day of school (Monday after break) because of plane problems stranding us in Charlotte.

Time spent with your famly is important. Unless our school has a strict policy against it as I've been reading here, I say go for it!

 

[Hillbeans]

I totally agree with the other poster's. Kids can learn SO much on vacation!! And when you think back years from now, you won't remember school days, but you WILL remember that trip!
Good luck and have a great time.

I'm 39 but I remember being 8 and going on my first trip to Disney. My parents took us out of school a few days, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I even remember doing a journal as "homework". I will never forget that trip or the fact I got to miss school for a few days.

I think it's easier when the kids are smaller, once you're older in HS and College you really can't miss days.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Mine are in 4th and 1st grade and have beening missing at least a week of school since Pre-K.

Both will be participating in their school's honor roll ceremony tomorrow. As DD gets older we'll reevaluate when we take vacation. But as one poster noted they can't take it during school breaks.

My kids do homework every day on vacation.

Have a blast!!!

 

[Deesknee]

I have to giggle a little every time I hear a parent say they want to take the child out of school in the early years, as they won't be able to do it as the child gets up in grades. I giggle because we started saying this in preschool, then again in kindergarten, 2nd gr, 4th gr,5th gr, etc. you get the picture. They even went for their graduation trip.

What we did is explain to the teacher ( and in one instance the principal) that due to DH job he doesn't get summer or other traditional vacations. In order for us to take a fam vaca we must do it during the school year. And with the family unit becoming less and less important in the United States, we thought that family vacations are a priority. All but once the teacher was very understanding. BTW, these same children are now freshmen in college (which they pay for themselves) and are planning on taking 4 days away from college for a family vacation this November. Family values are learned by example. Of course, this thought process also means they will never fight over a will....as there won't be anything left.

Have fun! Enjoy!

sorry it was so long.

 

[Lisadaa2]

What great tips and advice!!! I am new to these boards so I appreciate all the posts.
Deesknee, that is great that your kids still want to take family vacations. There is obviously a special bond there. I noticed you are from South of Boston...Me too!! Closer to the Cape.

 

[northcoast_momma]

We took our kids out the few days before Spring Break last year which were lighter days because of the impending holiday break. We told each teacher well in advance and each one went above and beyond by giving each of my kids packets of work they'd miss while out. My kids brought the packets with them and completed them while we were on vacation before heading back to school.

We didn't miss any days in the 2009/2010 school year - but we're planning a trip this fall in the next school year. We decided on a Wed. to Wed. trip. That way the kids will attend school during parts of the weeks and won't miss any one complete week.

Our School superintendent (and friend) is a Disney Vacation Club member so we know he pulls his kids out every year during the school year to head to Disney (matter of fact, they're at Disney right now!)

As for the earlier poster (the School Administrator) teachers in our school are welcomed to take leaves of absences for all types of things from adoptions, to taking care of ill parents to YES - Vacations of their own. And our kids adjust to their subs just fine! It happens!! The key is good parent/teacher communication all year long....

 

[Deesknee]

What great tips and advice!!! I am new to these boards so I appreciate all the posts.
Deesknee, that is great that your kids still want to take family vacations. There is obviously a special bond there. I noticed you are from South of Boston...Me too!! Closer to the Cape.

Well, hello neighbor. From where we are it takes us about the same amount of time to get to Boston as it does to get to Plymouth.

Regarding taking kids out.. like the poster after yours said, we always talked to the teachers & they would give each child work to take with them. They almost always made it fun. Like keep a chart of the weather, or keep a journal. They actually have made wonderful souveniers, and memories for a sentimental mom.

 

[derncare]

Just wanted to say to the original poster that we are heading to Disney the exact same week that you are and my son will be in 2nd grade too! lol I have gone back and forth between feeling guilty and not feeling guilty but either way, I'm not cancelling the trip. My son asked yesterday if we were going to WDW on Spring Break and I told him no, it would be after Thanksgiving. And he said - do I get to miss school? And I said - yes. And his eyes lit up and he said - that is so cool! lol

I would have never dreamed of taking my kids out of school for a week for a vacation. But during the last year, I mentioned it to LOTS of people and I haven't met one person yet that hasn't done it.

Go for it! Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[xbatman]

We're going the same week! DD will be in 1st grade.

Our school's policy is one trip per year for up to ten days to be approved by the principal. The student has to make up missed work and complete an educational activity selected by the principal. Trips over 10 days need the Superintendent's approval. Since this info was included in the "Opening School Newsletter For Parents", it's clear they expect to get these requests all the time.

DD will only miss 4 days, so I don't feel bad because we know that we'll be responsible for ensuring she completes the required work.