missing first week of school?

[Cindy F]

I've never been big on school attendance-for the kids or myself. As long as I had an A in the class and there wasn't an attendance policy, I rarely went. I'm pretty laid back with the kids as well, as long as they have good grades, they don't abuse it, and they are within attendance policy.....I didn't care if they missed a day here and there.

Pretty much every time we've been to Disney over the past 8 years we've pulled them out of school, sometimes just for a few days around a holiday, sometimes for an entire week. I just wrote a note to the school saying they were with me and it was excused. I never had a problem with them accepting it or not whether it was private or public school.

We all had a great time over the last 7 years, made a lifetime of memories, and the girls still have excellent academic records.

You know your kids better than anyone else, do what you feel comfortable with!

 

[mommy*RN]

What if he doesn't make it back?

That was my thought when I read that reply. Go on your trip OP and create those memories of a lifetime for your kids. Every year your kids get a first day of school...

 

[lovemygoofy]

Is it possible to talk to the teacher and the principal ahead of time if you do take the kids out of school the first week? Being that ya'll are army I'm sure you live in a military town. I know here that the schools are very good about working with the parents. I know because of R&R and block leave and the kids are out here and there and everywhere with schedules all over the place but the schools do understand. I would talk with the school and ask their advice. Just ignore the people that are being ugly and unhelpful. You know as well as I do they do it get attention.

 

[chisnpeke]

Then go without him and take a different one when he gets back. Go during the holidays or Feb. break, Easter or Spring Break. There are literally about 3 other weeks after Aug. that one could choose to go on vacation. It shows a lack of respect for education. Unless the principal and teacher gives you the ok, I wouldn't do it.

What if something (God forbid) happens to him? They would never get another vacation together.

 

[NTDreams]

Like I said I just don't think the first week of school is the best time, unless the Principal or Teacher gives permission. As for if it wasn't a military family same idea. I would get permission first.
I think many have misinterpreted me out of cheer disagreement with my personal political and world views.

Here is where I'm coming from: Public School background- Schools can be held liable for your childs education. I'm not sure what state the OP is in but here in MA kids have to pass MCAS in order to enter the next grade. If a student doesn't the parent can hold the school liable meaning the school will have to pay for that student to get to the same ranking as their class per IDEA and NCLB. The school has to show what they did to make sure the student would pass the standardized test. The child will be able to retest. NOW switch to a parent that has pulled their student out numerous times throughout the year, child cannot retake the test. The school is still liable for that child's education BUT if that student fails the school can easily say that the child did not receive 180 days mandatory education and thus child might be placed in summer school or would have to repeat the grade. No second chance at the standardized test.

Now all of this means nothing if this student is in a private school because private schools have no standards. MEANING they don't have to follow any of the State's laws on education.No mandatory 180 days, no accreditation needed. Teachers don't even have to be certified or have more than a BA.

 

[mommy*RN]

Like I said I just don't think the first week of school is the best time, unless the Principal or Teacher gives permission.

I would notify the school that my child will be missing class, but I would not ask their permission for my child to miss a few days for a family vacation. Their "permission" means very little to me. I can't imagine that.

Also the OP is talking about the child missing the first week or so of school. I'm not seeing how this is going to effect their ability to move on to the next grade in a year.

 

[buzzmom3]

As a former military brat who remembers her father being away, take the time and enjoy! I probably would avoid the first week but if that is your only choice, I say go. Oh, and a big THANK YOU to your husband and the rest of your family! I don't always agree with the politics but I always support the Military and their families.

 

[NTDreams]

I would notify the school that my child will be missing class, but I would not ask their permission for my child to miss a few days for a family vacation. Their "permission" means very little to me. I can't imagine that.

Also the OP is talking about the child missing the first week or so of school. I'm not seeing how this is going to effect their ability to move on to the next grade in a year.

Not to flame but it's statements like that upset me. Teachers spend more time with your child than you do. That statement shows such an utter lack of respect for the school and the people that work there. First impression mean a lot. To take a child out of school the first week makes an impression while teachers will say ohh it's ok, it's in the back of their mind.

 

[Scurvy]

I am not opposed to taking kids out of school for a few days for vacations at all, provided the children are doing well in class. However, I wouldn't pull my child out of school for the first week if it could be avoided. Too much happens that first week, and it is more difficult for kids to get used to the routines of the class if they miss that week. My personal suggestion would be to try to find another time to go if at all possible, and if you absolutely can not go any time other than the first week then talk to the teacher beforehand to find out what you could do to lessen the impact of missing those days.

 

[mommy*RN]

Not to flame but it's statements like that upset me. Teachers spend more time with your child than you do. That statement shows such an utter lack of respect for the school and the people that work there. First impression mean a lot. To take a child out of school the first week makes an impression while teachers will say ohh it's ok, it's in the back of their mind.

I have a lot of respect for most teachers. I'm well aware of the hurdles they must leap through with growing class sizes, declining budgets and such. What I'm saying is that I would never ask for their permission to take my child on a family trip. If I'm doing my job as a parent and keeping in touch with the educators I should have a good idea if my child should be taken out of the school for a trip or not. It is my decision in the end. As I said before I would always notify the school and teacher.

ETA: Also my DS's teacher does not spend more time with him than I do...

 

[michael's mom]

I must say that as a teacher myself, I disagree with some other teachers posts. I agree that 1st week would be the last week I'd pull students. But, I have never once felt that I had the right to tell a parent whether or not they could pull their child from school. I think parents need to be responsible and make sure that if they do pull their child from school that they don't miss too many days before/after said vacation. Parents should be responsible for making sure that their child is engaging in some enriching activities each day like reading, writing in a journal, playing some games to help sure up math skills.

Children are forced to grow up too quickly, often because they deal with grown up things like absent parents for whatever reason. The OP's children have sacrificed more than we would ever want a child to have to...and they are doing it for all of us. I personally am not so completely self-centered to think that what I do each day is the single most important experience that my students have. If they are unhappy at home or sad because they miss mom or dad, what I do in my classroom is nearly as effective as when they have happy things to think about while mom or dad are away.

OP, I hope you and your children have a wonderful time together with your DH and that you create wonderful memories to hold on to until the next time DH comes home to create some more!

 

[purplepaint]

As a teacher I would say there is no excuse. There are two Winter Breaks and Spring Break. Age and grade matters greatly too but, in my eyes it's just bad form. Would you be ok with a teacher missing the first week of school just because of their spouses military schedule? I never quite understood parents who felt the need to take their kids out for separate vacation periods?

.We sometimes have to resort to this because of the job our DH's have. Really do you have any experience with being a military family and when you do then you can feel free to run your mouth on a topic you know nothing of. I am a teacher and a military wife and I think pulling them out for a week is fine. We are actually having to do the same thing in order for us to take a family vacation. My DH will be training all summer for a Deployment and their block leave will be in the fall. So our vacation will be in October. I spoke to her principle about it and she was very accommodating. She also stated that she knows how precious our time is together with all the deployments and actually encourages our Disney trip. I am not teaching right now so that was not an issue. It is the first week school and I am sure your child will be able to get right back into the swing of things when he/she returns.


Wanted to add my DD goes to a very strict Catholic school where attendance is taken very seriously.

 

[happygolucky123]

Would you be ok with a teacher missing the first week of school just because of their spouses military schedule?

Not only would I be 100% OK with it, but if I knew about it ahead of time I'd drop off a Disney gift card for them to thank them ALL for the sacrifices they make for this country. God bless our troops and their families!!!!!

 

[mommy*RN]

We sometimes have to resort to this because of the job our DH's have. Really do you have any expereince with being a military family when you do then you can feel free to run your mouth on a topic you know nothing of. I am a teacher and a military wife and I think pulling them out for a week is fine We are actually having to do the same thing in order for us to take a family vacation. My DH will training all summer for a Deployment and their block leave will be in the fall. So our vacation will be in October. I spoke to her principle about it and she was very accommodating. She also stated that she knows how precious our time is together with all the deployments and actually encourages our Disney trip. I am not teaching right now so that was not an issue. It is the first week school and I am sure your child will be able to get right back into the swing of things when he/she returns.


Wanted to add my DD goes to a very strict Catholic school where attendance is taken very seriously.

(sorry OP):
When will you be there in October? We are also going then. My husband isn't military, he is a firefighter so we had to plan our vacation around senority vacation picks...

My gratitude to your DH for his service to our great country -- this goes to all military families. You guys are always in my prayers. My DH is gone 72-hrs at a time max, I can't imagine how difficult it is for you to have yours gone for months or years at a time. I have very little to complain about especially since great men and women (like your DH's) are keeping the country safe for me and allowing my family to take our trip to Disney. I hope you have a magical vacation -- this goes for the OP too.

 

[mommy*RN]

Not only would I be 100% OK with it, but if I knew about it ahead of time I'd drop off a Disney gift card for them to thank them ALL for the sacrifices they make for this country. God bless our troops and their families!!!!!

Count me in too!

 

[purplepaint]

(sorry OP):
When will you be there in October? We are also going then. My husband isn't military, he is a firefighter so we had to plan our vacation around senority vacation picks...

My gratitude to your DH for his service to our great country -- this goes to all military families. You guys are always in my prayers. My DH is gone 72-hrs at a time max, I can't imagine how difficult it is for you to have yours gone for months or years at a time. I have very little to complain about especially since great men and women (like your DH's) are keeping the country safe for me and allowing my family to take our trip to Disney. I hope you have a magical vacation -- this goes for the OP too.

We will be there the last week at POFQ. Of course our dates have changed three times and I am sure they will have to be tweaked again. Not complaining though just thankful we are getting to go. Thanks for your kind words. My DH loves his job and honestly I cannot imagine not living the Army life. I am looking forward to it though.

 

[chisnpeke]

Not to flame but it's statements like that upset me. Teachers spend more time with your child than you do. That statement shows such an utter lack of respect for the school and the people that work there. First impression mean a lot. To take a child out of school the first week makes an impression while teachers will say ohh it's ok, it's in the back of their mind.

Some people might have lack of respect for the schools, others have lack of respect for the military. How is it any different?

 

[mommy*RN]

We will be there the last week at POFQ. Of course our dates have changed three times and I am sure they will have to be tweaked again. Not complaining thought just thankful we are getting to go. Thanks for your kind words. My DH loves his job and honestly I cannot imagine not living the Army life. I am looking forward to it though.

That is when we plan to go too...if everything works out...
Are you planning to do MNSSHP?? I highly recommend it. That is why I'm so glad to be going back in October. We've never done Halloween night and I'm hoping to avoid that night this year. Large crowds from what I've read.

Okay - I'll stop hijacking this poor thread. Thanks!

 

[purplepaint]

That is when we plan to go too...if everything works out...
Are you planning to do MNSSHP?? I highly recommend it. That is why I'm so glad to be going back in October. We've never done Halloween night and I'm hoping to avoid that night this year. Large crowds from what I've read.

Okay - I'll stop hijacking this poor thread. Thanks!

Yes we are!!! My DD wants us to go as Captain Hook, Wendy, Tinkerbelle, and Peter Pan. We just have to talk DD into it!

 

[mommy*RN]

Yes we are!!! My DD wants us to go as Captain Hook, Wendy, Tinkerbelle, and Peter Pan. We just have to talk DD into it!

If you haven't done it before you will love it! I LOVE the costume idea!!