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

[FourFlans]

For the most part I've been "lurking" around the DIS and learning a lot as we countdown to our first WDW trip. And I've read a lot of discussions re: taking the kids out of school. Lots of thoughts on this.......my parents did it and I turned out okay; the family experience will be well worth it; my DH and I are very supportive of our kids academic experience and their teachers; etc., etc. etc. But it really boils down to a family decision based on what is right for us. My job won't allow us to take a week's vacation during the summer. Our county in NC doesn't offer year round schools so there is not an extended break during the fall that works for us. I'm really not into hitting Disney the week after Christmas with all the crowds. Our kids are still fairly young, DD5 in K and DD8 in 3rd grade. The teachers and principal of their school are very supportive and excited about this opportunity for them. In fact, our school has a policy for one excused family trip each year, provided the student works out how to complete the missed work with the teacher and completes some educational activities while on the trip. With the help of www.themouseforless.com I'm well armed with a journal for both of them and plans for how to incorporate all sorts of activities for them including map reading, budgeting, etc. When I emailed the principal to put in our request for the excused absence, she said have a great time and that what I had planned for them more than met the "educational" requirement for an excused trip.

Anyway, kids still need to be kids. If the parents are supportive and have developed a relationship with the teachers, seems to be the kids will benefit from the trip and the "different" way to learn something new.

I know we're getting very excited!

 

[skiwee1]

I never understood why anyone really cares what anyone does as a parent. I know that I will pull my child out for vacation any time I want and couldn't care less what others thought. A web board is really the last place I'd go to for a valued opinion. I do know that my older two have been pulled out of school every year while in elementary school and their work ethics didn't suffer because of it. They know that college and jobs are important and they are very well rounded and centered adults. If anyone thinks that pulling a child out for vacation is going to have a detrimental aspect on their life then they are kidding themselves. It takes a lot more then a Disney trip every year to make someone irresponsible and careless in other aspects of their lives.

 

[LoveTink05]

I never understood why anyone really cares what anyone does as a parent. I know that I will pull my child out for vacation any time I want and couldn't care less what others thought. A web board is really the last place I'd go to for a valued opinion. I do know that my older two have been pulled out of school every year while in elementary school and their work ethics didn't suffer because of it. They know that college and jobs are important and they are very well rounded and centered adults. If anyone thinks that pulling a child out for vacation is going to have a detrimental aspect on their life then they are kidding themselves. It takes a lot more then a Disney trip every year to make someone irresponsible and careless in other aspects of their lives.

I am always amazed at the attitudes some people have on these boards. I could be wrong, but your post "sounds" very defensive. If you honestly cared less what others think of you pulling your child out of school, then why bother arguing? You have already stated your beliefs. In my opinion, anyone who *constantly* pulls their child out of school for vacations might POSSIBLY be giving the child the impression that school is not important--therefore leading to poor work habits (I have seen this happen to former students--so I know it CAN happen).

That said, I think it is great when one of my students gets the opportunity to take a vacation with his/her parents. It doesn't happen too often in our school, though--mainly because most can't afford it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

"It's all dumb" ???

I must respectfully disagree with you on the money issue. When a student has excessive absenses, we are mainly concerned with their progress in their classes and the possibility that they will fail those classes. THAT is why there are absentee policies in place. Too often, there are parents who will allow their children to have excessive absenses for absolutely no reason. (I'm not talking about illnesses) These particular parents are the very ones who will get irate when their children fail.

So, please, think twice before you criticize schools and the people who run them.

Yes it is all dumb.

When my uninsured brother has to go to a clinic and pay $100 for a "doctor's note" b/c he is sick and any absence without a doctor's note is considered unexcused---you know what happens. He goes to school and gets others sick. B/c feeling like crap and having to pay $100 to be told you have a cold that you already know you have is STUPID. Most grownups don't need doctor's notes until the absence is of a certain lenght and mostly it is to determine that the employee is fit to work (excluding vacations or other pre-planned absences that aren't medical in nature).

10 schools in 4 states--very well versed in absentee policies! Gifted student--NEVER EVER failed a class and graduated with honors and a scholarship.
Missed 1 week of school 1 year....3 weeks of school another year...mom approved hookie days hear and there...

So perhaps you should think twice before posting something such as this.
The government doesn't own your children.

It's all there for the "right" reasons--but it is being executed very poorly nationwide.

 

[Downrivermama]

LoveTink05 very well said.

I also think it gives children the impression that school and education is unimportant. I'm just very old fashioned when it comes to somethings and in this day and age that isn't necessarly a bad thing. I deal with too many people in the workplace who have selfish attitudes and aren't going to let anyone tell them what to do- even a boss!

I guess I don't understand is the only time a family can have "quality" time together is on a vacation? What do y'all do day to day?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I totally agree with you. I keep hearing people say 'its all about the money' as if that is a negative thing. While I think it is RIDICULOUS that funding is cut due to a small number of absenses, can we really blame the school that is trying to keep their funding so that the budget does not need to be cut to accomodate the loss of dollars? Most districts are on extremely tight budgets as it is, and I dont want my children to loose any of the things mentioned becuase of a stupid attendance rule. The schools are reacting to a stupid rule the best they can, trying to keep the funding coming in to benefit ALL of their students. Its not like the teachers are taking the extra cash and running to cancun or something The money is FOR the kids.

Around her the schools were upset b/c they expected a certain # of students this year. They will get less money. The missing kids are either in private school or home schooled.

It is rediculous for the state to fund schools based on attendance policies. It should be based on enrolllment PERIOD!

They should not be penalized b/c a child has cancer, has the flu, or has a cold, or had to go to a funeral....or to Disney World.

 

[LoveTink05]

Yes it is all dumb.

When my uninsured brother has to go to a clinic and pay $100 for a "doctor's note" b/c he is sick and any absence without a doctor's note is considered unexcused---you know what happens. He goes to school and gets others sick. B/c feeling like crap and having to pay $100 to be told you have a cold that you already know you have is STUPID. Most grownups don't need doctor's notes until the absence is of a certain lenght and mostly it is to determine that the employee is fit to work (excluding vacations or other pre-planned absences that aren't medical in nature).

10 schools in 4 states--very well versed in absentee policies! Gifted student--NEVER EVER failed a class and graduated with honors and a scholarship.
Missed 1 week of school 1 year....3 weeks of school another year...mom approved hookie days hear and there...

So perhaps you should think twice before posting something such as this.
The government doesn't own your children.

It's all there for the "right" reasons--but it is being executed very poorly nationwide.

That should read "here and there"--

I don't have to think twice about it because I see it happen every day...parents lying for their children--stating they are sick day after day--only to have the student come back to school and tell me that they were not really sick. No, the government does not own my children and I know that! Did I say otherwise?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That should read "here and there"--

I don't have to think twice about it because I see it happen every day...parents lying for their children--stating they are sick day after day--only to have the student come back to school and tell me that they were not really sick. No, the government does not own my children and I know that! Did I say otherwise?

My response was directed at the person I quoted. (she told ME to think twice--so I told her there was no need and that she should think twice as it is quite the unfair policy as stated with the extreme example of my brother).

As far as lying.

In high school--I lived in New Orleans and had to go to my granmother's funeral in Tampa. There was a death--hers..there was a funeral--hers...and there was also a very dysfunctional family--her children. Now--we were already going t obe otu a set number of days. My mother and a sibling--due to some dysfunctional things that happened--we left and went to Pensacola. There was no getting back to school by week's end anyway--so we spent the weekend in Pensacola and went to a water park. I was so freakin' paranoid to be accused of lying--I slathered on sunscreen like you would not believe. Very sad that my school's attendance policy had me that scared.

So glad I no longer have to worry about that.

 

[crzy4dsny]

The bottom line is money. Schools are funded by their attendance. It is broken down by the amount of students in school each day. If your child is not in school the school district loses money. Plain and simple. That is the only reason they have such strict attendance policys.

I have taken my kids out of school before and will do so in the future. I have 3 kids, besides taking them out for vacation I think they have missed 2 days of school all together. I think they are looking more for the kid who misses a few days a month or more for no apparent reason with these rules.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

LoveTink05 very well said.

I also think it gives children the impression that school and education is unimportant. I'm just very old fashioned when it comes to somethings and in this day and age that isn't necessarly a bad thing. I deal with too many people in the workplace who have selfish attitudes and aren't going to let anyone tell them what to do- even a boss!

I guess I don't understand is the only time a family can have "quality" time together is on a vacation? What do y'all do day to day?

I know my husband works a 3-11 shift, where he is NOT in a position to change that right now. So, when will my dd see him? If she is in school until 2 pm? And he works every other weekend. So our family time is really limited. Not everyone's situation is ideal. And not everyone is able to enjoy quality family time day to day. Some of us really look forward to that week in December when the family gets together and we can all recconect. And unfortunatly that doesn't always fall on school vacation times.

 

[rgribik]

Skiwee1 is right, taking kids out for a vaction is not an indication that parents are irresponsible, nor does it send the message that school is not important. I was taken out for vacations every year, because that is when my father's conventions were. I went all over the US and loved it. My kids are also taken out if need be for a vacation, and all 5 have never suffered nor do they think we do it because school is not important. All love school, and do very well. As for a teacher taking time out, I say go for it. If he or she gets to go on a vacation and come back and look at her class refreshed, and ready to go all the better for my kids. What gets people on this board so riled up is the radical, no one can tell me different attitudes. No one can say 100% if this is good or bad, but if it works for you--do it. Find a middle ground-- going on vacation after vacation during the school may not be good, but missing a few days once or twice a year is not going to send your kid(or teacher) down the road to disaster. Quality time is what ever makes you and your kids connect, be it a car ride, a walk , dinner together or Disney!

 

[skiwee1]

I am always amazed at the attitudes some people have on these boards. I could be wrong, but your post "sounds" very defensive. If you honestly cared less what others think of you pulling your child out of school, then why bother arguing? You have already stated your beliefs. In my opinion, anyone who *constantly* pulls their child out of school for vacations might POSSIBLY be giving the child the impression that school is not important--therefore leading to poor work habits (I have seen this happen to former students--so I know it CAN happen).

That said, I think it is great when one of my students gets the opportunity to take a vacation with his/her parents. It doesn't happen too often in our school, though--mainly because most can't afford it.

Not arguing at all. I simply stated who cares what others think. I believe anyone should do what they want and not worry about what everyone else thinks. Especially folks on a web board! LOL! I do not believe taking vacations during the school year promotes bad habits. My older two kids have shown me that.

 

[skiwee1]

LoveTink05 very well said.

I also think it gives children the impression that school and education is unimportant. I'm just very old fashioned when it comes to somethings and in this day and age that isn't necessarly a bad thing. I deal with too many people in the workplace who have selfish attitudes and aren't going to let anyone tell them what to do- even a boss!

I guess I don't understand is the only time a family can have "quality" time together is on a vacation? What do y'all do day to day?

I never said anything about not having quality time except on vacation. I have been a SAHM for 17 years and have put in many hours of quality time which is more then a lot of others can say. I take vacations during the school year because I like the weather better in October.

 

[judoha]

They should not be penalized b/c a child has cancer, has the flu, or has a cold, or had to go to a funeral....or to Disney World.

That's really disgusting to equate a child missing school because he has a life-threatening disease like cancer with a parent pulling their kid out simply to go to Disney World.

 

[jodifla]

LoveTink05 very well said.

I also think it gives children the impression that school and education is unimportant. I'm just very old fashioned when it comes to somethings and in this day and age that isn't necessarly a bad thing. I deal with too many people in the workplace who have selfish attitudes and aren't going to let anyone tell them what to do- even a boss!

I guess I don't understand is the only time a family can have "quality" time together is on a vacation? What do y'all do day to day?

Depends on what kind of job you have. My DH often sees DS only a few minutes in the morning before he goes to school, and often doesn't come home until after DS goes to bed. DH works incredibly long hours.

Weekends and vacations are their time to connect, and the weekends are often crammed with home projects that need to be done.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's really disgusting to equate a child missing school because he has a life-threatening disease like cancer with a parent pulling their kid out simply to go to Disney World.

Actually it is not disgusting. What is disgusting is that the school will lose money on any of those accounts. THAT is the point!

It should be based on enrollment and NOT day to day attendance.

Be disgusted if you will--but that is how screwed up attendance policies are.

My brother having to pay for a doctor's note so that his absence can be excused--is disgusting!


What if that kid has recovered from their cancer and the family decides to take a family trip to celebrate? Or they had other stuff going on their life and the family time was need then, there, and now?

What a family does with their children and their time and their vacation is really nobody's business.

Be disgusted if you will. But it is the system--not me. And that is the problem with the policy.

Not once did I ever say I supported or not the idea of taking a child out of school for vacation.

My whole point is that the system is flawed--and as usual, those it is designed to help and protect, it does nothing for and those who are rather responsible--it somewhat punishes.


It is nobody's business.

I like the flexibility of travel--one of the many reasons that we are homeschooling for now. I don't have to clock classroom hours in Florida--and though I like making my trips educational...I don't have to worry about "manipulating" the system as someone put it earlier.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we are taking ds6 out of school for 4 days well 3 and a half to go to wdw
my dh has not had a vacation all year he has 5 weeks vacation they are paying him out for it
he works hard all day and weekends are the best time for him to spend time with the kids
this trip was his idea
we are aware ds6 will miss some school but feel family time is important to and that it will be harder for himt o miss school as he gets older right now he is on 1st grade adn doing good so we feel ok about doing it

 

[WIcruizer]

It seems to me the age of of the child plays a big role. We've already taken our kids out of school for a full week when they were in elementary school. Every child is diffeent. For ours, there was absolutely no problem mssing that time. Think of the pace of learning at that age. You don't miss a whole lot in one week at that age. Middle school gets tougher, and then in HS I wouldn't remove my kids any more than 1 day. Now you're flirting with GPA, and I won't mess with that.

I don't buy the argument that it teaches children education is somehow less important. That's a matter of parenting. Our kids have done very well in school and take their education very seriously, and we pulle dthem out of school for a week nearly every year from K-6th grade.

 

[Diz-Mommy]

My junior year of high school my Grandmother pulled me out of high school for a week and a half to go to WDW. That actually was MY FIRST TIME IN WDW I was doing poorly in school (failing some subjects) and many of my teachers said that I shouldn't go, but they didn't feel right telling me not to go. So everyone signed off on my excuse form and off we went. Needless to say I still graduated from high school and I am a successful adult!

I lived with my Grandparents in junior high and high school. The year we went to WDW my Grandfather had passed away earlier in the year. My Grandma and I really needed some fun time together and I will always look back on that special time with her. I know she had to save money to do all the things we did and she really worked hard to do it. I will always hold a special place in my heart when I go with my kids and visit the attractions that I first visited with my Grandmother. My only hope is that I can fill their hearts with the feeling of love and care she did mine

 

[WIcruizer]

DizMommy, I'm not sure how long ago that was, but HS has changed a lot since then. There is a tremendous amount of competition for colleges, and missing a week and a half these days ranges from problematic to downright academic suicide. Most HS wouldn't give excused absense for that length of time, which means any missed tests, assignments, etc. could have a huge impact on GPA.