missing first week of school?

[purplepaint]

Thank you everyone for your support and truthful opinions, it means a great deal to me. And thank you to all of those that have PM'ed me as well. I truly feel supported here on the DIS.

I've read all the different replies, and I agree with all of you that say those first few days are critical! We are in Oklahoma, Ft. Sill, which is huge - so most, if not all, of the schools in the area are military oriented. I talked to my DH tonight, and finally got him to see my point of view (for once, lol). School starts on friday august 21st, so we'll see if we can schedule to leave (we're driving) the thursday after, and they will be missing a week of school. I asked about Labor Day weekend, but Labor Day is on the 7th this year, and DH starts at his new unit on september 10th. It will be cutting it very close, and he doesn't want to risk it.

The very first day of school I will be sending in a note about them being absent, and will be keeping a journal of each day, etc. The did that the last time we went.

Dh won't be here during the limited school breaks that OK has, so this is really the only time we have to go. We're just waiting to confirm dates so I can start planning again. So stressful!!!

I am not worried about them missing school because they really won't be deep into anything at that point and they are smart kids.

I'm really surprised that this thread hasn't been closed yet! ha ha ha

We just moved from Ft Sill and I cannot believe that these words are coming out of my mouth but I miss it! You right about the schools being made of mostly military and I believe that each school has a liaison in order to help military families. We lived on post so DD went to school on post and her school was exceptional about military matters. I use to belong to an awesome moms group there and I am not sure if you are interested but I can PM you the information if you want to check it out. So in the 4 months I have been gone did you guys get a Target yet?

 

[WindyCityDisney]

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?

Absolutely! If a teacher is married to someone who is serving our country and putting his/her life on the line every day, I would not only say "GO whenever you can", but I'd buy a gift card for the family as well. I would celebrate that trip and offer to help in the classroom as much as I could during the vacation. And I'm not a stay at home mom, I would have to use time off to help.

Our military families sacrifice so much that I cannnot fathom someone passing judgment on when the family can get away for a vacation.

OP, I respect your concern about the kids missing the first week of school and sorry didn't mean to hijack your thread. Please accept my sincere thanks and respect for your family's sacrifice for my family's freedom.

 

[WindyCityDisney]

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 respect the heck out of my children's teachers, but they do NOT spend more time with my children than I do. My second grader is in school from 8:15 until 3:00 -- approximately 7 hours. We have them the rest of the time. And lest you say sleep doesn't count, who's there if they wake from a nighmare or need to go to the bathroom or ask for a glass of water?

And i'll bet my husband's constant volunteering at the school (he's a SAHD) makes a much more lasting impression than the fact that we might take the kids out of school for a week for a family vacation that occurs at a time that works for my job. And my life isn't on the line, only my income.

 

[BCV513]

Umm Catholic Schools are a joke in my area. Maybe they have high standing in yours but here they are looked at as where kids who can't fit into mainstream go. ALSO YOU CAN NOT compare the rules of a "Catholic School" to those of a public. Catholic Schools don't have to answer to anyone. They don't even follow a standard curriculum...I'll stop there before I get into trouble.


Stepping of my soapbox.

Um, I think your soapbox is cracked. You are completely wrong. If you're really from Boston, then you have absolutely no idea what the Catholic Schools are like. First of all, they are responsible to the Archdiocese of Boston, which sets forth standards for teachers and a curriculum. Of course teachers need to be certified and need to have a college degree. Because of the recent Catholic school closings, most remaining schools have long waiting lists of smart, normal, mainstream kids who are seeking an education above and beyond what public schools can offer. Now, maybe if you live in the Worcester or Springfield Archdioceses, your experiences are different. Either way, I'm very glad you are so anti-Catholic schools because I know there's no way you're teaching my child.

 

[surfergirl602]

We just moved from Ft Sill and I cannot believe that these words are coming out of my mouth but I miss it! You right about the schools being made of mostly military and I believe that each school has a liaison in order to help military families. We lived on post so DD went to school on post and her school was exceptional about military matters. I use to belong to an awesome moms group there and I am not sure if you are interested but I can PM you the information if you want to check it out. So in the 4 months I have been gone did you guys get a Target yet?

Nope! No Target yet! I had to drive all the way to OKC just to get to a Build a bear and an apple store. And had to drive to Wichita Falls just to get to Target, because the six wal marts in this town don't carry the sippy cup valves I need!

Sure - feel free to PM me! We live off post in an actual house. lol our stuff won't fit in the junior officer housing on post, and the wait is 36 months right now!!! We must have looked at 60 different houses before finding one - no joke! We came from West Point, so Sill is def. a dramatic change from New York! (I miss my Saks, Prada, and Coach!)

 

[Caitsmama]

Not even gonna justify any of the OT *stuff* said here -

but, as for the OP's question - GO FOR IT!!! and enjoy!!

We took dd (8) on the Disney Cruise last Sept. and she missed the first 4 days of second grade.. didn't seem to damage her. LOL j/k. I think family vacations are just another form of education that can never ever be beat!

 

[purplepaint]

Nope! No Target yet! I had to drive all the way to OKC just to get to a Build a bear and an apple store. And had to drive to Wichita Falls just to get to Target, because the six wal marts in this town don't carry the sippy cup valves I need!

Sure - feel free to PM me! We live off post in an actual house. lol our stuff won't fit in the junior officer housing on post, and the wait is 36 months right now!!! We must have looked at 60 different houses before finding one - no joke! We came from West Point, so Sill is def. a dramatic change from New York! (I miss my Saks, Prada, and Coach!)

I sent you a PM. Did you know there is a Supertarget in Norman which is almost the same distance as WF. Have you tried Lugis’s restaurants? Gosh how I miss that restaurant. I live in a pretty big city right now but I must admit I am missing samll town living and will be glad when DH is back from Iraq and he can start looking at senior captain jobs so we can move.

 

[Leajess99]

I respect the heck out of my children's teachers, but they do NOT spend more time with my children than I do. My second grader is in school from 8:15 until 3:00 -- approximately 7 hours. We have them the rest of the time. And lest you say sleep doesn't count, who's there if they wake from a nighmare or need to go to the bathroom or ask for a glass of water?

And i'll bet my husband's constant volunteering at the school (he's a SAHD) makes a much more lasting impression than the fact that we might take the kids out of school for a week for a family vacation that occurs at a time that works for my job. And my life isn't on the line, only my income.

Thank you for responding. I so wanted to but was so frustrated last night. My kids are not only taught by their teachers but also homeschooled as I want them to have the best they can have in life (not saying if you don't your kids won't). This year my younger ones have missed a lot of school due to illness but they keep up and they are even advanced in some areas. I work hard with my kids and even when on vacation they are learning. That is something I like about Disney World as well is there is so much opportunity for education there.

 

[mommy*RN]

I respect the heck out of my children's teachers, but they do NOT spend more time with my children than I do. My second grader is in school from 8:15 until 3:00 -- approximately 7 hours. We have them the rest of the time. And lest you say sleep doesn't count, who's there if they wake from a nighmare or need to go to the bathroom or ask for a glass of water?

And i'll bet my husband's constant volunteering at the school (he's a SAHD) makes a much more lasting impression than the fact that we might take the kids out of school for a week for a family vacation that occurs at a time that works for my job. And my life isn't on the line, only my income.

AMEN!!!
Even if you don't count sleeping hours there is the weekends too. I figured my DS spends about 6 hrs a day with his teacher (subtracting lunch and recess time) -- so that equals 30 hrs a week. Well on the weekend alone I spend 28+ awake hrs with him as he wakes at 7am and is usually up until 9pm. Then when he gets home from school at 4pm and is up until 8pm most nights that is 20+ hrs. So oueven without adding sleeping time I am with my child 48+ hrs a week. I do work, but I do nights 1-2 days a week and always during the week -- so I sleep while he is at school.

Good for your husband volunteering at the school -- you are 100% right that it makes a far more lasting impression than taking your child out for 5 days to go on vacation if you choose.

Kudos to your family!

 

[disfan07]

I would agree with the PP who are saying to try to avoid the first week if possible. The first week might not be important EDUCATION wise, but i think it is the most important week for the kids. That is when they get to adjust to new teachers, classmates, rules, etc. and i think that is very important for all kids no matter what grade they are in.

Also....the PP who mentioned something about them not holding your kids spot...they are very right about that....here if you miss the first 2 days b/c of vacation, you lose your spot and it can be nearly impossible to re-enroll especially since a lot of schools are so over crowded.

Also, check your schools attendance requirements. I know that my district is very strict about attendance. After so many days of absences (excused and unexcused) (and vacations are unexcused) they can require that a doctors note is needed for any more absences and if a doctors note is not brought in, they can call chid services....ive seen it happen even in high school

I will say this.....i do disagree with kids being taken out of school for extended periods of time because its less crowded, cooler weather etc.
BUT when its something like military family situations, or MAW kid families even special family events (weddings, etc.) there is no reason why you should not be able to take YOUR vacation.
You deserve it as much....maybe even more, than a lot of people who can go whenever they want to

 

[tessiesevin]

At DD school if you miss 3 unexsused days you have after school
detention. Other than that I would take DD out for 1 week If
I could. But I wouldn't send an 8 year old to detention for a
vacation.

 

[Cindy F]

At DD school if you miss 3 unexsused days you have after school detention. Other than that I would take DD out for 1 week If I could. But I wouldn't send an 8 year old to detention for a vacation.

Why would her parent taking her out of school be unexcused? Here, it's only unexcused if the parent doesn't approve it.

 

[tessiesevin]

Why would her parent taking her out of school be unexcused? Here, it's only unexcused if the parent doesn't approve it.

It is a private Catholic school. But I do think it is a bit much.

 

[ColleenG]

To the OP and all the other military families out there, a great big

THANK YOU!!

Your sacrafices go far above and beyond those that most others do. May God bless you, and your loved ones return safely.

And by all means take your vacations when you can!

 

[srwarden1928]

Cindy F Quote:
Why would her parent taking her out of school be unexcused? Here, it's only unexcused if the parent doesn't approve it.

Where I teach, a parent note will excuse one of the first four absences in a semester. On the fifth absence, documentation (doctor, funeral home, clergy) is required to excuse the absence. Otherwise the absence is unexcused, and the work is not made up--zeros by board policy. This is a public school.

Different districts have different rules. I would suggest that people know and follow the rules of their school districts. Sometimes the consequences are such that you might not want to deal with them. I personally have no problem with young children missing some school for a family trip.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

As a teacher and a military relative, here's my take:

Go to Disney.

Seriously, I have been frustrated on many occassions by parents taking their kids out of class for a week when the child had poor grades or was likely to fall behind as a result. But I always come up with the best possible packet of work that will hopefully keep them on track, and send them on their way with a smile. I would PREFER that vacations be taken outside of school time - I have to wait until the heat of July to take my kids to Disney, so I know it can be done if it's just a convenience thing.

But it's not always a convenience thing. And your kids will go months without seeing their Daddy. And he wants to go to Disney with them. Do it. Your child will NEVER look back and say, darn, I wish I had gone to the first few days of school (which, by the way, are often unimportant academically - yes, they serve to establish routines and schedules and rapport, but you're not going to miss that much actual INSTRUCTION).

You or your child might wish they had spent the joyous family time at Disney though.

Also - THANK YOU.

 

[Deus]

We did it last year and plan to again this year. Family comes first. My daughter is still a bit ahead of her class so that is a positive thing but I cannot say that it matters, I would do it anyway.

My mother did things like that with when I was growing up and now, a father of three and a successful exec, I appreciate those times. I am very blessed with a close loving family and I credit that to the times spent together and especially the things out of the ordinary that we did.

Teachers are so underpaid and unappreciated. It would be good to talk to them and maybe ask what the class is going to do during that week. Shoe them that you do appreciate then. Then you can come up with your own work for them based on that. Your kids will probably learn more from you that first week if you put the effort in.

Not all teachers will agree but hey...they know your children for a year or so and then they won't even remember them. They may care but they cannot possibly care as much about them as you do so don't let their opinions hold too much weight.


Enjoy your family time without guilt. Especially if it "letter 'g' week" lol

http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/01/01/child-miss-school-disney-world-vacation/

 

[luvmy2babies]

From the widow of a proud army man who never got to see his children enjoy Disney World, I hope go and enjoy your trip whenever you get to take it.

 

[eliz603]

My first thought was no, don't go that week. Around here, the first 10 days of school are huge in terms of schools determining their enrollment, etc. It's an adjustment for everyone, and it's typically easier if everyone is going through that adjustment at the same time.

However....

Your situation is very unique. I would just talk to the principal. Tell them the situation, make sure the spots are held, etc.

And THANK YOU to you, your husband and your family for your service and sacrifice.

Why would her parent taking her out of school be unexcused? Here, it's only unexcused if the parent doesn't approve it.

Depends on the district. Here, the district has very clear guidelines on what is considered an 'excused' absence. Pretty much comes down to being sick or having an appointment. Going on a trip is unexcused. However, exceptions can be made by the principal. When I pulled my kids out for three days last year, I did ask for an exception with full knowledge and acceptance that he could say no. He said yes. I will also add that is the one and only time I've ever asked for it in almost 6 years at that school.

 

[powellrj]

You guys do realize this post is over 5 years old, I am going to assume they have been on the trip and back awhile.