I don't understand why its such a big deal to take your children out of school..

[ThreeMusketeers]

So really what was the point of your original post? After all you started the whole discussion.

After 14 pages of fighting, I have no idea anymore.
Just wondering how different school districts handled the absences. And why it was such a big deal to take the children out of school.

Alot of people need something better to do with their time.

 

[WIcruizer]

The inability to breathe in hot, humid weather would definitely make off-season vacations a must..

That's assuming summer is the only option. Everyone has a Christmas...(oops WINTER break) and Spring Break. Not to mention, most districts these days have one or two weeks with 2 or 3 days off. Plenty of opportunity to go at times other than summer and still limit or eliminate the number of missed school days.

And, yes, the starting salary is $28,000 in our county for teachers. So, regardless of the "pension" the salary sucks.

That's why there's people waiting and hoping to get those jobs? It can't be that bad if demand for those positions is greater than supply. And the people that accepted $28,000 must have thought the wage was fair. And what do you mean "regardless of the pension?" Do you realize almost nobody gets a pension anymore other than Government employees? I don't have a problem with that, but if it means nothing, maybe we should elimate that. Same with the 100% paid for health insurance. This is REAL money.

 

[WIcruizer]

Just wondering how different school districts handled the absences. And why it was such a big deal to take the children out of school.

So the issue was important enough for you to start the topic, but you're not interested in the discussion? I'm not sure why you asked the question then?

 

[DisneyDotty]

I keep getting sucked back into this discussion...
1. Yes, it IS possible to attend WDW during peak times and not wait in long lines and not return to your resort at 11 a.m. to swim for the rest of the day. We have done it several times in June. Granted, it is bloody hot then, but we look at the bright side--we've probably sweated off several pounds worth of Disney Dining Plan food! But I agree--some people would be miserable at WDW in the summer, and ought not go. No big deal.
2. What school district gives teachers four months off? Considering that the teachers' schedule goes longer than the kids, that's a long summer break. Those poor kids must be totally discombobulated by the time they return to school in the Fall.
3. This topic really brings out the ...uh...best? worst? in people! I've enjoyed reading these polar-opposite views.

 

[skbasnett]

Same with the 100% paid for health insurance.

OK...I would LOVE to know where you are all getting the 100% paid for insurance! My mom, dad and sister are all teachers here in MA, in a very poor area, and they most certainly do NOT get their insurance paid for.

Also, I say that if the teachers do have the sick days, which they do, take them. Now, I am not saying go and take a month off but lets face reality. EVERYONE (even if you have said you dont) fudges sick days. And that is human. If you just have a day where you know you cant make it through or you are at the end of your rope, take a day to relax. I honestly dont see the problem. And dont tell me it will negatively impact the kids. They want their regular teacher gone for a day! They also have substitute folders so the kids arent left high and dry.

And who gets 4 months off in the summer? My family got out this year on June 22nd or so and went back the last week of August. That is just about 2 months.

 

[skbasnett]

I am just rereading some of these posts. I see that in a good number of cases that it is OK for the parents to take the kids out of school, but it isnt right for teachers to take time off? HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE??? If one should be in school, so should the other. Trust me, if the time comes for me to take my DS out, I will. I am planning on taking both my DMom and DSister out next year for a vacation.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Also, I say that if the teachers do have the sick days, which they do, take them. Now, I am not saying go and take a month off but lets face reality. EVERYONE (even if you have said you dont) fudges sick days. And that is human.

Actually--the only time I fudged sick days was with my mom-approved "hookie" mental health holidays when I was in school.

I have NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER fudged a sick day for work or career.

My step-dad--in the military was actually sick once--and on leave, doctor ordered. The dummy (I used that as a "kind" term) went to the fair with my mom despite his illness. Someone so him there. He was very much busted and was sentenced to living on base on the barracks for 30 days--had to cut his hair much shorter than it already was. (kind of like a military version of being grounded--he had no privileges during this period).

Now no job I have ever had would cause me to get in THAT much trouble--but I have never lied about my time off. Part of that--I like my paycheck and until my most recent job (5 years ago) that I held for roughly 2 years before staying home to be a mommy--sick days were accrued..I couldn't waste them on playing hookie.

All of my called in days off when I was planning on coming in but could not--were for very valid reasons (including an all nighter coming off of a car accident and horrendous issues getting transported home--I called in b/c of fatigue and the ordeal....I told the TRUTH).

It is not human nature to "fudge" a sick day. Good grief, that is the silliest thing I have heard all day.

So though you think you can read everyone's mind--you don't know squat about what "everyone really does".

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Most of the teachers I know are working those four months to make up for crappy salaries. But maybe that is just locally. I assume you never fudge a sick day, etc. Or are you the epitomy of a perfect employee? Exactly where do you find data that says a child's education suffers because a teacher is absent? Does this include sick days? Or, God forbid, even taking time off to give birth? NO one is so important that taking a few days off within the limits of their contracts is going to cause a crisis.

I think you are expanding the discussion to areas that aren't being discussed.

HUGE difference between a medical issue, a pregnancy, and a vacation.

Taking off b/c you are sick--or pregnant (or spouse is having a baby)....just isn't the same as planning a week long vacation (as an example).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am just rereading some of these posts. I see that in a good number of cases that it is OK for the parents to take the kids out of school, but it isnt right for teachers to take time off? HOW DOES THAT MAKE SENSE??? If one should be in school, so should the other. Trust me, if the time comes for me to take my DS out, I will. I am planning on taking both my DMom and DSister out next year for a vacation.

I would guess--just like it is extremely difficult for an tax accountant to get time off during IRS personal income tax season (Jan 1-April 15).

One would assume in the teaching profession---not that you cannot take a paid vacation--but that it seems awkward--despite the demands of the job--to be planning a holiday when school is in session.

I recall TWICE in my life where teachers were off for a week or more during school. One had a baby and the other got married.

The friends I have who are teachers--take their vacations when school is out (planning around their other profession needs of course).

It seems very hypocritical of a school system to require attendance of children unless of the traditional absences that are medical or religious in nature to then allow their own teachers to utilize personal time to take a vacation while making it an unexcused absence for the pupils.

I"m not discounting a day off her or there for whatever reason (even the fudgy kind)...but it just doesn't seem appropriate to take a week off for a trip that is for leisure (not including weddings/honeymoons/funerals/FMLA covered instances). What you do during the summer or the break periods--is of your own personal choosing--be it teach drivers ed, attend conferences or workshops, et cetera.

A low salary isn't a good excuse. There are people in many places who work 40 hours a week for squat who get no paid time off for anything.

 

[tobias sampson]

I think you are expanding the discussion to areas that aren't being discussed.

HUGE difference between a medical issue, a pregnancy, and a vacation.

Taking off b/c you are sick--or pregnant (or spouse is having a baby)....just isn't the same as planning a week long vacation (as an example).

Not if all are allowed per their contract. The effect on the children would be the same. So there isn't a HUGE difference. There is NO difference.

If I were teaching, and was allowed that opportunity, I would have no issue with taking it, just as I am sure you would have no issue with taking vacation allowed/owed to your family.

 

[declansdad]

Ya, that works for like 2 hours before the parks are flooded with people. Then what, by 11:00 am your back at your hotel in the pool for the rest of the day? I still don't believe that you don't wait in lines during peak season. I think you are kidding yourself if you think we are going to believe that.

Oh but then again, I am one of the shallow, unethical parents (and *gasp* I am also a teacher - oh, where is the humanity!), who take time during the school year to go to WDW. I guess I have to look forward to my DD being a lazy, uneducated "schlup" with no concept of work ethic when she grows up. Well, I will just have to fix up the basement as a little apartment for her to live in and she collect her welfare checks and sit in front ot the TV all day. All because I have hindered her potential to be a productive member of society by taking her out of school for a few days a year while school is in session. Oh, and DH can take vacation whenever he wants. I take my vacation during value season because it is cooler, cheaper and less crowded. Boy, the nerve I have!!! You better call child protective services, according to some of you, my kid is going to be doozy!!!

In 2004 we spent 7 days at WDW in March and in 2005 we spent 10 days in WDW in July. We never waited in line for more than 20 minutes for anything except one bus and we never returned to the resort before 2 in the afternoon. On a few days we never arrived at the parks until after 11 am yet we still never waited for more than 20 minutes. So yes it can be done and we didn't have to sacrifice anything either.

If you are a teacher and take time off work to go to WDW, in my opinion, you are not being fair to the other students you are responsible for. If you take your DD to WDW during your scheduled time off (Christmas, Spring Break) there is nothing wrong with that.

My wife is a middle school teacher so I understand the pressures that comes along with being a teacher but that is why you have built in time off (ie. summer break) that other professions do not have. I myself teach at the college level and think that it would be entirely unfair for me to leave my class in the middle of a course to take a vacation.

I do believe, however, that each situation is unique and should be treated that way. However, I still believe that teachers should be able to arrange for vacations in the time off that they are given.

 

[Drizzo67]

tobias - OT, congrats on your surviving and for encouraging everyone to get checked.

 

[tobias sampson]

declansdad, very nicely put. It is amazing how some can post their opinion without being nasty/sarcastic about others, and other's just can't.

Thanks Drizz! It has been 5 years now, so starting to breathe abit easier!

 

[skbasnett]

If you are a teacher and take time off work to go to WDW, in my opinion, you are not being fair to the other students you are responsible for. If you take your DD to WDW during your scheduled time off (Christmas, Spring Break) there is nothing wrong with that.

My wife is a middle school teacher so I understand the pressures that comes along with being a teacher but that is why you have built in time off (ie. summer break) that other professions do not have. I myself teach at the college level and think that it would be entirely unfair for me to leave my class in the middle of a course to take a vacation.

I do believe, however, that each situation is unique and should be treated that way. However, I still believe that teachers should be able to arrange for vacations in the time off that they are given.

OK...so what you are saying is even though they are teachers and do DESERVE time off, they can go at the BUSIEST times of year and have to deal with even more stress. Yeah, thats fair! The business people can all go whenever they want and take their kids out of school at times when there are no lines. But all you teachers out there...suffer! hahaha!! You are too funny!


By the way, I had more than one college professor take time out of classes to go on some trips. Just letting you know that it is done. Maybe not by you, but it is done by others...

 

[kahluacream]

I think teachers rock! They do SO MUCH for SO MANY for SO LITTLE... If they decide to use their leave to take a vacation during the school year, they probably spend countless hours writing lesson plans in advance and grading mountains of their students' papers when they return. After reading some of the comments here, I just wanted to send a little thank you to all the teachers who work so hard.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This is driving me nuts--so I posted a poll on the CB. Not for purposes of extending the debate...but to field more responses than the select few arguing the idea of vacationing teachers here.

(nuts as in I have no idea what policies are and curious about how they are elsewhere---not nuts in a bad way ).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=948924

 

[skiwee1]

That's assuming summer is the only option. Everyone has a Christmas...(oops WINTER break) and Spring Break. Not to mention, most districts these days have one or two weeks with 2 or 3 days off. Plenty of opportunity to go at times other than summer and still limit or eliminate the number of missed school days.



That's why there's people waiting and hoping to get those jobs? It can't be that bad if demand for those positions is greater than supply. And the people that accepted $28,000 must have thought the wage was fair. And what do you mean "regardless of the pension?" Do you realize almost nobody gets a pension anymore other than Government employees? I don't have a problem with that, but if it means nothing, maybe we should elimate that. Same with the 100% paid for health insurance. This is REAL money.

Just popping in to comment on everyone having a spring break. We do not. They took that away long ago. I remember going on vacation every year during our spring break. It was a great time to go. Weather wonderful, crowds not that bad and the break was nice and long. Now, our schools get off 2 days for spring break. They do add that to a weekend so that gives us a whole 4 days to have a great vacatiion. Not! We vacation when it is right for us. That makes it right. For us.

 

[tobias sampson]

WI, a pension may be real money, but it doesn't put food on the table. Just as you said, people agree to work a contract for certain wages. Those contracts also have certain bennies. If one of the bennies is personal/vacation time, I would fully expect someone to make the most of them. That is their purpose. That does not make them lesser persons, or less professional, merely smarter than those who lose vacation days because they have no life outside their profession.

As to why they choose to work for such a pittance, they believe that even children from poor socioeconomic areas deserve to be educated. And they choose to sacrifice for that to happen.

 

[Downrivermama]

I've gotta stop reading this thread! LOL

I can only speak for my own experience here in SE MI. Teachers here are mostly unionized and have negotiated contracts. If they have negotiated time off in their contract they get it. At dd's school the only teachers who have taken any major time off is 3 teachers who were expecting! Having been involved in trying to fix the state school funding here in MI I know that the state runs the teacher's healthcare and pension fund. Starting teacher salaries in our district with just student teaching is $32,500. Not a bad salary with little experience. Teachers in MI are among some of the highest paid in the country.

At the begining of the school year we get a copy of all the school district policies. This is what we have to abide by.

My dd's school is unique in our district, because it has an alternative schedule and we get a couple more weeks off during the year than the other schools. But we don't get out until late June. I was lucky to get the 2005-2006 calendar in Feb! And thankfully they didn't change it. I made plans the end of Feb for a WDW/DCL vacation for the winter break in 2006. I know not everyone is so lucky to get a scheudle in advance..

So I guess it just comes down to how everyone sees things.

I like vacations, but they aren't neccessary.
I like to travel when the crowds are down and it isn't so hot, but if I have to take my child out of school too have that we don't go. Are there extraordinary circumstances sometimes yes, that I can see. Habitually pulling children out of school year after year for a week or two, that I can't see.
My dd thinks we should go to WDW every year! LOL Are we? NO.

Everything is a trade off. When you go into somethng knowing the rules, you should try to play by them or find a new school. Here schools of choice are common so if you don't like one district you can shop around! Some have said that schools only want your child in school because they don't get the money if they are absent. Here in MI there are only 2 days they don't want students to miss that hinges on funding one in Sept and Feb.

That said, maybe this debate comes down to what your values are and what you want to instill in your child. If a child sees a parent cutting corners or being demanding they willthink it is ok to that too.

 

[declansdad]

OK...so what you are saying is even though they are teachers and do DESERVE time off, they can go at the BUSIEST times of year and have to deal with even more stress. Yeah, thats fair! The business people can all go whenever they want and take their kids out of school at times when there are no lines. But all you teachers out there...suffer! hahaha!! You are too funny!


By the way, I had more than one college professor take time out of classes to go on some trips. Just letting you know that it is done. Maybe not by you, but it is done by others...

Stress is what you make it to be. Simply being at WDW during the busy season does not make it stressful. Teachers do deserve time off to rest and recharge, that is what Christmas vacation, spring break, July, August, and whatever other holiday break they have is for.

As for your comment about business people going whenever they want, isn't that what started this whole discussion. Many of the posters here have stated that they can only take vacation when the company allows them to and this didn't always happen during the summer.