Missing School

[rmontgo892]

I see both sides cause I teach (sub) in my son's school and we take him out for vacations. I am very active in school also as room parent etc. Teachers know and do call me when they need help. I come in early on "party" days for example when asked and help teach a lesson when a Teacher needs to make a phone call, make copies, etc. In fact I am bringing in 2 cases of water for the kids during NJASK testing cause the Teacher feels it's better than "sugar" juice.

My son is now 9 and it's getting more and more difficult due to the make up work. I am one of those parents though that even run to school if my Mom is watching him or have my hubby pick up missed classwork/homework when Robby is home sick. Of course always asking if it's "ok." There is gonna come the time when we may NOT take him out of school.

I KNOW it's extra work for the Teachers and your NOT supposed to get any work ahead of time but some do give it early. The Principal even gives an excused day when you hand in a report. I always say thank you and appreciate their extra time and bring back a gift for the Teacher and the students in the class.

We are "known" as WDW "cult members" and "everyone" knows when we vacation.

Our school allows 10 unexcused absences. The administration and the teachers are very supportive thus far of vacations during the school year. We go during the summer now also.

I think it's very sad this topic always get's heated. It's human nature though for some to ask and for some to respond the way they do.

If parents don't want to take their kids out then that's their choice. If parents want to take their kids out then that's their choice. Who should "judge" either??? Sure, give your opinion on why you do what you do but to "assume" your way is the the right way and only way?? Right for your family, not always right for another family.

 

[JUDSON]

there have been some big changes in my state's education system since i was a kid in school. as early as 4th grade, children are given aptitude tests that can hold them back from graduating to the next grade.

my kids are only in preschool at the present, and i'm not sure how i'm going to handle vacation time when they reach 4th grade. i'm pretty sure they will not endure missing the 7 school days as easily as i use to at that age.

 

[crisi]

Just to play devils advocate (remember, I pull mine for a few days)...as Johnny pointed out, some states (Minnesota and California for sure) base school funding at least in part by attendance. When a kid is out 10% of the school year for vacations and doctors appointments and sick days, that's less funding for the school to use to teach the kids who are in class. Not many of a classroom's costs are variable - just because Tommy isn't in his seat doesn't mean you can pay the teacher less or turn down the heat in the classroom. Also, when Tommy does come back, the teachers sometimes (often) have to spend additional classroom time getting Tommy caught back up. For the kids who sat in class all that time, and don't need the review, its very disrespectful of their time. Granted, plenty of us have kids that aren't behind and don't need "catching up" time - or we have schools and teachers who look at Tommy and say "tough luck, have Mom catch you up." So what you do with your kid does have an impact on what happens with my kid - giving me some right to judge.

 

[kathleena]

I agree with the depends on the grade and your child's own personal situation camp here. I think getting into middle/high school that it is hard to catch up for any child. You definately don't want to jeopardize their college situation if they would be unable to catch up with the work and it may decrease their grades.

For 4th- 6th grade - take them when you can but be sure to explain the consequences and trade-offs. If the child is being taught and learning how to make good vs bad decisions then they will understand that leaving school for Disney is a serious decision.

For under 4th grade - I just can't see where missing a week of school is going to seriously affect their life. Most of them won't even remember that you took them out of school and unless they are in special classes to help them, most will catch up very quickly!

Each time we have gone with grandchildren - they have had homework and things to learn on vacation. This year the assignment for the 7 year old was to learn how to say Hello in all the WS languages. The 9 year old was to learn how to identify 8 animals on the savanahs at the AKL and be able to tell one fact about them.

And funny story - the kudu became "cool dude" to the 7 year old. (Ok, so we saw Crush a few times and "dude" was the word of the week.)

 

[mab7]

I can tell you from my recent experience, if your children are in the upper grades, as in 8th and above, they will pay a heavy price for missing out on a weeks worth of school. When they are young it does not matter at all, but if they are older and even if they get straight A's, what you miss you get tested on whether you had enough time or not to study. I personally will never do that again, now that my daughter is in8th grade and really got hit hard for missing a week at the end of january.

 

[Degli]

If parents don't want to take their kids out then that's their choice. If parents want to take their kids out then that's their choice. Who should "judge" either??? Sure, give your opinion on why you do what you do but to "assume" your way is the the right way and only way?? Right for your family, not always right for another family.

This is really all that needs to be said.....perfect!