Kids out of school for vacation?

[Sheribo]

I take my kids out of school for a week each year but it's getting harder. It's not just the work that they must catch up on, it's the classroom time to learn HOW to do the work they missed. When they were younger, I had no problem teaching them how to do their missed assignments but now, well let's just say that algebra and biology are a bit more than I can handle. I would never expect the teacher to give my child one on one lessons at lunch or after school. I do know of someone who sent their child back to school with a note saying that little Johnny would be staying in at lunch all week to catch up on his work. He ended up in the office being supervised by the secretary and didn't get much work done.

All in all, it's a personal decision. You know your child best and as long as he/she's able to keep the grades up without asking for special treatment, I say go for it.

 

[ahalla]

I have never had a problem taking my ds out of school for a family vacation. Last school year, he missed 2 weeks in December for a Disney trip, then in March, we had the influenza virus attack out home at which time, he missed another 2 weeks! I still wasn't concerned as he has always been, for the most part, a straight A student. He will be missing another 2 weeks this December to visit the mouse! Now having said that, next year we are again planning to take him out of school for 2 weeks for a Disney vacation, but this time he will be starting grade 9 (late October trip)! I am starting to get concerned, but with my husbands job, he can't get the school holidays off! Christmas is a big no, no, summer well, he isn't that far up the totem pole and the same with March break. So what to do, as he gets older? We as a family, want to make family vacations a priority, so we wait and see. As far as jk is concerned, legally in Canada, a child is not required to attend school until the age of 6, so it won't be an issue.

 

[disney0210]

DD6 is in grade 1 and I am pulling her out for two weeks in October. I went to the teacher on the first week of school and asked if she usually gives students extra work, and she said all she wanted for DD6 to do is to write a journal. There were no problems at all, she just told me to remind her closer to the date.

As for making the decision to travel when we knew she was going to miss school, I think the younger the children are the easier it is. My reasoning is that there is nothing taught in Grade 1 for two weeks that I cannot teach my child. I am sure that will change as the Grade goes up though but until then we will go when DH and I are allowed time off at work...

 

[grantclaire]

I agree, it is a personal decision. You have to know your kids. We do not take them out of school for vacations. My DD13 does not want to miss any school! My DS 9 would love to but cannot afford to. I take vacation at Xmass and March break and to be honest I like to go away at those times if we can. Its your vacation, Have fun!

 

[Luhts]

The comment had nothing to do with the topic of the thread and was completely unnecessary. Sorry if you were offended when I expressed my concern over his narrow minded remark

Ofcourse it had something to do with the topic...he was saying he was of the opinion that the child would be fine missing a week or two of Kindergarten. How could you take it personally when he didn't attack anything you had previously posted? We are all entitled to our opinions and I get defensive (even for others) when their opinions are slandered.

Ham Ham, sorry I didn't take your joke in the way it was intended. As I said, I get defensive, even for others, when I think they are being attacked.
I'm sure you have a very nice mama!

I'm actually quite suprised at the way this thread has gone, since none of this happened on my other thread!

I have heard that theory regarding the school not getting paid for a student who misses too many days during the year, but ofcourse I don't know the 'facts' on that. But the wording used in discussion with our principal was that they were not allowed to have more than 21 days of unexcused absenses. So I would think ones that were for illness, for example, would not be included in that.

I think I have come to the decision that I won't be taking my kids out for vacations anymore, at least not more than a couple of days.
This time of the year, it seems, is not a good one either. I had thought it would be alright b/c ds couldn't have gotten behind in his school work yet, but there is so much going on at the school still, they are still adjusting schedules and such, and my kindergartener will be returning from vacation to a new teacher! I've had to write a letter to the music teacher and the intramural (sp.?) teacher b/c things will be going on in these areas while we are away and I don't want ds to miss out. It's all just too much!

 

[Ham Ham]

Ham Ham, sorry I didn't take your joke in the way it was intended. As I said, I get defensive, even for others, when I think they are being attacked.
I'm sure you have a very nice mama!

My mama and I thank you.

U da bomb!

 

[drag n' fly]

Ofcourse it had something to do with the topic...he was saying he was of the opinion that the child would be fine missing a week or two of Kindergarten. How could you take it personally when he didn't attack anything you had previously posted? We are all entitled to our opinions and I get defensive (even for others) when their opinions are slandered.

Ham Ham, sorry I didn't take your joke in the way it was intended. As I said, I get defensive, even for others, when I think they are being attacked.
I'm sure you have a very nice mama!

I'm actually quite suprised at the way this thread has gone, since none of this happened on my other thread!

I have heard that theory regarding the school not getting paid for a student who misses too many days during the year, but ofcourse I don't know the 'facts' on that. But the wording used in discussion with our principal was that they were not allowed to have more than 21 days of unexcused absenses. So I would think ones that were for illness, for example, would not be included in that.

I think I have come to the decision that I won't be taking my kids out for vacations anymore, at least not more than a couple of days.
This time of the year, it seems, is not a good one either. I had thought it would be alright b/c ds couldn't have gotten behind in his school work yet, but there is so much going on at the school still, they are still adjusting schedules and such, and my kindergartener will be returning from vacation to a new teacher! I've had to write a letter to the music teacher and the intramural (sp.?) teacher b/c things will be going on in these areas while we are away and I don't want ds to miss out. It's all just too much!

It's Kindergarten ... drink ... drain ... wipe nose .... colour.

Yup that's relevant.

I could care less when people take their kids out....for how long.......the benefits of kindergarten....how good their marks are....their is rationalization for every view point including my own. It bothered me to see kindergarten referred in such a manner especially from a "education researcher".

Why are you even concerned that I was offended Is it because you want to defend him from being slandered?
Like you said we are all entitled to our opinions including myself and I am entitled to the same freedoms as Ted "the education researcher"!

This puppy is so dead

 

[MelXThree]

Wow guys, I just wanted to know if people have had problems with the school. I have already decided to take my son out for our two vacations this year. I think kindergarden IS important but in a diffrent way than grade school, so please no fighting.

 

[declansdad]

Your child is in Kindergarten. There shouldn't be any problem taking them out of school at that age. I have up until recently removed my children from school for family vacations. We went to WDW when my oldest was in Grade 9. That was a lot of work (to keep up with the workload). You should be fine taking them out of school until at least grade 7. Grades 7, 8 and beyond depend on what kind of a student they are etc. Don't give it a second thought and have a great time. Do give the teacher fair warning though.

Taking a child out of school has little to do with their age or grade level. It depends on the abilities of the child. You will find children of all grade levels that will be able to take the time off and some that will not.

If you decide to take a child out of school for a vacation, simple accept the consequences and don't add to the teachers workload. Each family has a different situation and that has to be taken into consideration.

And please lets not fool ourselves int to saying that WDW is an educational vacation. Can you learn things at WDW, yes you can. How many people will make it one, very few.

 

[Sheribo]

Your child is in Kindergarten. There shouldn't be any problem taking them out of school at that age. I have up until recently removed my children from school for family vacations. We went to WDW when my oldest was in Grade 9. That was a lot of work (to keep up with the workload). You should be fine taking them out of school until at least grade 7. Grades 7, 8 and beyond depend on what kind of a student they are etc. Don't give it a second thought and have a great time. Do give the teacher fair warning though.

My thoughts exactly. As they get older, it gets tougher so enjoy it while you can.

Another Ottawa mom!

 

[Luhts]

Why are you even concerned that I was offended Is it because you want to defend him from being slandered?
Like you said we are all entitled to our opinions including myself and I am entitled to the same freedoms as Ted "the education researcher"!

This puppy is so dead

That is exactly why I felt I needed to say something. He stated his opinion and you attacked him. There is a difference btwn stating your opinion and berrating someone else for theirs.

I will let this go now, I promise.