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

[WIcruizer]

What school district gives teachers four months off? Considering that the teachers' schedule goes longer than the kids, that's a long summer break.

MOST districts have almost 3 months off for summer, a week or two for Christmas, a week for Spring Break, and countless other "built in" days off throught the school year. Add it all up, and it's 4 months. Anyone can come up with extreme examples (no spring break, ending in late June) but those are exceptions, not the rule.

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.

I just won't let that stand. $30,000 or so is not a pittance for working 2/3 of the year with almost complete job security and excellent benefits. And that's a STARTING wage. The average in lost districts is in the mid to high 30s.

Finally, let's not confuse vacation with sick days that are offered by contract. Sick days are just that. As a PROFESSIONAL, I would hope a teacher would recognize and appreicate the difference. Sickness can not be avoided, so sick days are provided. There are no "screw everyone, I'm going to WDW when I want to" days built into the contract.

Teaching isn't the only profession by a long shot where you need to plan vacation around your career choice. And it is far from the only profession with a lot of stress. Why is it so necessary to pretend a teacher's situation is so unique? Teachers have more pockets of time throughout the year than any other profession I can think of.

 

[rt2dz]

Part of the problem here is that everyone is viewing things from their own situation.

Things vary dramatically from state to state then even from district to district. I've heard people talk about having a fall break, winter break, jan/feb break, spring break and then summer breaks. We don't have those. We get two days off for Thanksgiving (day of and day after), the week of Christmas (if on a weekend the week following), a week in March for Spring Break and then June and July for summer. We don't have President's week--not even President's Day!! Teachers get the last three weeks of June and the first two weeks of July off.

Next, since graduating college, I haven't had a job that requires being there at certain times. Just accomplishing certain goals. Same with my DH. And my father. Now I do know certain people that DO have to be there at certain times and if they're not, they're fired.

I'm a SAHM now, but my DH gets two weeks of paid vacation (three starting next year, four in four more years), 5 sick days, and 3 personal days. It's use it or loose it by the end of each calendar year. But he can really take off whenever he wants here and there. Prime example, he was home by noon yesterday because of Halloween--and didn't go in till 9am. And, yes, his boss knows when he's there and not there--he doesn't hide it or "fudge" it. As long as he is making his numbers and other goals, it's irrelevant to how much time he spends at the office. BTW, he leads his (multi-state) district and is in the top 4 nationally. It's not hurting his work ethic. Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you're there, you can just only do so much. Of course, there are times he goes in at 6am and gets home at 8 pm. It depends on the work load only.

Oh, and teachers in our district DO NOT get 100% paid health insuriance. They don't get any insuriance (or leave, i.e., sick days) until they have been employeed for a year. And then it's not 100% paid. It's a crappy HMO too.

And if you get vacation time for your job (my bil doesn't; if he doesn't work, he isn't paid), then you are entitled to use it. And paycheck trumps school district. Those are the larger "rules" your child will have to live by.

 

[daisyduck123]

Two teachers not only pulling their children out of school, but THEMSELVES. That's priceless. You have 4 months off, and you can't find a reasonable time to go? That's real professional. Taking time off during the school year to go on vacation. But it's nice to have a teacher's union protecting teachers from all their bad decisions.

What 4 months? Classroom teachers are 10 month employees which mean we have 7-8 weeks off in the summer...and this is when a lot of us need to take classes to keep our teaching certificate current. And I'm not talking about 1 class that's 2 hours long. We need (at least in Md.) to take 6 credits every 5 years. My last class was every Monday & Wed. morning for 7 weeks in July/Aug. This is in addition to our regular summer workshops & inservices for our curriculum. There is no way I can take a long vacation in the summer. We don't get credit if we miss even 1 class. Please think before you post about something you obviously have no knowledge of.

 

[Happy05]

Stress is what you make it to be. Simply being at WDW during the busy season does not make it stressful.

Well put! My family goes to WDW during regular season and we are just so happy to be there that we do not let something as trivial as crowd size dampen our mood.

The one thing that has bothered me about throughout this whole thread are the snide comments that people have made to one another! We are all adults here, right? Why bother with such negativity?

 

[daisyduck123]

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.

Thank you.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have no problems either way--if a district allows teacher to have vacations fine. I think it is hypocritical to not allow families the same courtesy if their jobs have limitations that do not allow vacations at convenient times to the district calendar.

If the teacher can have a sub so his/her vacation doesn't interfere with the students education...I think it fair that a family can get makeup work so that a family vacation doesn't interfere with the students education.

I wonder what teachers who have kids that are supposed to be doing in school are doing with them when they are on vacation? Surely it wouldn't be fair that they are the only kids in the district to be "excused" for vacation.

 

[daisyduck123]

I have no problems either way--if a district allows teacher to have vacations fine. I wonder what teachers who have kids that are supposed to be doing in school are doing with them when they are on vacation? Surely it wouldn't be fair that they are the only kids in the district to be "excused" for vacation.

I bring my kids with me, of course. For my middle schooler, her school allows 5 vacation days per year. For my other one, he's just out on vacation, having the time of his life. It's not excused & he's still on the honor roll.

I always give make-up work to my students if the parents want it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I bring my kids with me, of course. For my middle schooler, her school allows 5 vacation days per year. For my other one, he's just out on vacation, having the time of his life. It's not excused & he's still on the honor roll.

I always give make-up work to my students if the parents want it.

I find it rediculous that is absences aren't excused at all when yours is.

 

[skbasnett]

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.

Right...it didnt always happen in the summer. Well, sometimes for teachers it is better to go at another time. Also, why is it too that everyone (and I did mention this before) wants teachers to go down during the busiest and most expensive times? Once again, teachers do not make a ton of money. In my honest opinion they should be making a heck of a lot more. My parents have taught for well over 20 years and if my mom were to retire today, she would only get a pension of 50% of her salary. Nope, I still say send the ones who make the money during the expensive time and teachers go during the value. How can you even argue with that?

Personally, I find myself extremely stressed out when it is crowded in WDW. There is only so much pushing through a crowd and listening to screaming kids one can handle before they snap. I think to a teacher, it would seem like being back in a schoolyard. But that is me!!

 

[C.Ann]

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.

------------------------------

Winter break "might" be a possibility "if" transportation is available - and "if" parents are able to take vaacations from work at that time of year (many are not)..

Spring break is out.. Been there - the humidity is already too high..

Two to three days are not sufficient for people who need to travel long distances.. Two days alone can be taken up with traveling to and from..

 

[tobias sampson]

Well put! My family goes to WDW during regular season and we are just so happy to be there that we do not let something as trivial as crowd size dampen our mood.

The one thing that has bothered me about throughout this whole thread are the snide comments that people have made to one another! We are all adults here, right? Why bother with such negativity?

Well, if it isn't the "other face!"

 

[C.Ann]

Two teachers not only pulling their children out of school, but THEMSELVES. That's priceless. You have 4 months off, and you can't find a reasonable time to go? That's real professional. Taking time off during the school year to go on vacation. But it's nice to have a teacher's union protecting teachers from all their bad decisions.

------------------------------

Not all teachers receive 4 months a year off - and if you were more familiar with the various school systems and how they operate, you would know that..

 

[declansdad]

Nope, I still say send the ones who make the money during the expensive time and teachers go during the value. How can you even argue with that?

July and August are considered to be regular and value season respectively not the most expensive time of the year.

Personally, I find myself extremely stressed out when it is crowded in WDW. There is only so much pushing through a crowd and listening to screaming kids one can handle before they snap. I think to a teacher, it would seem like being back in a schoolyard. But that is me!!

That is the way you feel not everyone.

 

[Diz-Mommy]

To each her/his own! Who really cares how and when someone else takes there Disney vacation? I know I sure don't.

You good people that follow all the rules and never go while school is in session make it so THERE IS A PEAK SEASON. Keep up the good work! I love the Florida weather in Decemeber, the low population at the parks, and the awesome discounts! We are staying in a resort that we normally would never think about just because it is so discounted during this time.

November and December all the way for me baby! If the kids happen to be out for breaks during that time, that will just be the icing on the cake, but if they are not, we'll just work with the school and teachers and get work done a head of time.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

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?

Me either now. OMG..This is not a discussion. This is people who post their point, then get upset when someone else dosen't agree w/them. I am out.

 

[skbasnett]

July and August are considered to be regular and value season respectively not the most expensive time of the year.

Dont forget the most crowded. I am sorry, I just cant find a way to agree with some members here. It doesnt make sense that you would want to go on a vacation in the middle of the heat and humidity and expect to have fun! I have done it....I worked there in these months too, I know first hand it is NOT FUN!! A vacation is fun!



That is the way you feel not everyone.

Which is exactly why I put BUT THAT IS ME in it. I know it is my opinion.

 

[Downrivermama]

Originally posted by Diz-Mommy You good people that follow all the rules and never go while school is in session make it so THERE IS A PEAK SEASON. Keep up the good work!

That was quite a snotty remark. So much for each his own!

 

[skbasnett]

That was quite a snotty remark. So much for each his own!

I tend to agree with Diz Mommy though.

 

[tobias sampson]

Me either now. OMG..This is not a discussion. This is people who post their point, then get upset when someone else dosen't agree w/them. I am out.

All you have to do is ask a mod to close it. It isn't rocket science. Unless, of course the whole idea was just to start a ruckus.

 

[Diz-Mommy]

That was quite a snotty remark. So much for each his own!

It's all in how you read it. I didn't mean to offend anyone. One could take your questioning my work ethic as rude as well. Or to assume that my kids will be flunkies, because I choose to let them enjoy a family vacation during the school year.

I'm unsubscribing to this post, because it keeps drawing me in and its a waste of time. I'd rather plan my upcoming trip than continue to participate in this drama.

EVERYONE have fun on your trips, WHENEVER YOU GO