Nasty School Letter

[StoneMaps]

Taking the kids out of school is always a consideration for us. On one hand, the kids are missing out on some academic activities. On the other hand, there are lots of ways that kids learn things.

 

[dlpcarden]

In the past we would take a family trip to the beach in October. We like going that time of the year because the weather is nice and the hotels are not as expensive as they are in the summer.

We told our son's Kindergarten teacher at the time that we were going out of town. We wanted her to get together some of the work that he would be missing. She had no problem doing that and even wished us a safe trip. When we got back we were told that the principal said that the absences were unexcused...

I mean come on it was Kindergarten ~ what did lessons did they think he would miss while on his trip?

The next year we took the same trip. However, we told our son not to tell anyone that we were going out of town. Half way thru our trip my DH called the school and left a message for the teacher telling her that our son was sick I know we probably should not have done that but.....oh well...

Now we try and take our long family trips during spring break and in the summer. Mostly because our DS is in 3rd grade and we don't want him falling behind in his lessons....

Have fun on your trip......remember you are only in this lifetime once...make memories while you can

 

[hsmamato2]

Administrators of the public interest. While I don't like the idea that primary and secondary education aren't significantly flexible, that's the problem, not the fact that administrators who are doing their job.

interesting viewpoint...and then there are those of us who don't consider our children the "public interest" - even though parents may make use of the public school systems, it is a gross misuse of power to start assuming that children enrolled are the resonsibility of the administration,and therefore not the parents.I think the system crosses the line when they institute policy like this- Children are part of families,and families,parents should be firm in their right to make decisions for their own children.
School administration has the right to request continuation of class work,to ask that parents stay involved in working with the schools for the kids,as long as the kids are enrolled with the school,but policy like OP mentioned, which means the schoolboard feels the right to take over parental responsibilty is scary- children belong to parents,not administrative systems,or to the "public"
when did school policies change from the view of providing a service to becoming a mandatory parent figure for our families?

 

[DizneeMommy]

I'm a public school teacher as well--first grade--Katnmouse. You're correct--we do have to jump through lots of hoops! But we do have an absolutely terrific job, don't we?

One thing I'd like to add--here in Georgia, each school's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) must be measured using two standards--test scores and one other. MANY school must also use attendance as one of these measures. Too many non-excused absences can knock a terrific school with great scores into the "needs improvement" category!! This can affect all kinds of things, and of course it's splashed all over the newspaper and radio when a school doesn't make AYP--no one will bother to check to see if it's because of a few too many unexcused absences. Attendance is VERY important for each and every student--every single day!

 

[cedmonds]

wow this really turned into an "ugly thread" from one OT, that she was frustrated, to an attack on teachers, principals and the education system.
It seems everyone has an opinion, which is great, bottom line, your kids your desicion. Like I stated earlier I choose not to give too much information, perhaps a sin of ommision, but I do not feel I need to explain myself. We usually only miss 3 or 4 days b/c I am a teacher and get (LUCKILY) 3 personal days so we try to do a long weekend.
I do not give work to my students when they are away ,most times I do not have set in stone what I will be covering 2 weeks ahead of time and if you are going somewhere like Disney are you really going to do homework or rush and do it when you get home. To me that defeats the whole purpose.
Most school "rules" are made by the "school board" or state ed. It is the job of the principal and the teacher to implement them.
If everyone who has an issue attended Board of Ed meetings or voted in school board elections maybe things will change but untli then we all must follow the rules until we change the rules!

 

[momto2girls]

If everyone who has an issue attended Board of Ed meetings or voted in school board elections maybe things will change but untli then we all must follow the rules until we change the rules!

...Or remove your kids from the "system" completely.

 

[Minnie_me]

In the past we would take a family trip to the beach in October. We like going that time of the year because the weather is nice and the hotels are not as expensive as they are in the summer.

We told our son's Kindergarten teacher at the time that we were going out of town. We wanted her to get together some of the work that he would be missing. She had no problem doing that and even wished us a safe trip. When we got back we were told that the principal said that the absences were unexcused...

I mean come on it was Kindergarten ~ what did lessons did they think he would miss while on his trip?

The next year we took the same trip. However, we told our son not to tell anyone that we were going out of town. Half way thru our trip my DH called the school and left a message for the teacher telling her that our son was sick I know we probably should not have done that but.....oh well...

I teach Kindergarten and am offended by your post. I work my butt off -- and you say, "come on, it's Kindergarten, what could he miss?" Thanks. I guess I should try teaching a "real" grade level where my work is valued a bit more.

And, yes, vacation absences are "unexcused" - - they are not legal reasons to miss school. Parents need to realize that.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Most school "rules" are made by the "school board" or state ed. It is the job of the principal and the teacher to implement them.
If everyone who has an issue attended Board of Ed meetings or voted in school board elections maybe things will change but untli then we all must follow the rules until we change the rules!

I completly agree with you!! If you don't participate in the process then you shouldn't complain about the outcome.
Bottom line.... VOTE!!!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I teach Kindergarten and am offended by your post. I work my butt off -- and you say, "come on, it's Kindergarten, what could he miss?" Thanks. I guess I should try teaching a "real" grade level where my work is valued a bit more.

And, yes, vacation absences are "unexcused" - - they are not legal reasons to miss school. Parents need to realize that.

Thank you!!!! Teachers in general don't get the credit they deserve and kindergarten teachers are often thought of as glorified babysitters, but some of us know better. THANK YOU!!!

 

[Minnie_me]

Thank you!!!! Teachers in general don't get the credit they deserve and kindergarten teachers are often thought of as glorified babysitters, but some of us know better. THANK YOU!!!

Aw, thanks! I feel bad about the tantrum I threw there -- it's so unlike me! I've been teaching Kindergarten for 20 years, and I love every single minute of it!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Aw, thanks! I feel bad about the tantrum I threw there -- it's so unlike me! I've been teaching Kindergarten for 20 years, and I love every single minute of it!

Wow!! tough gig. I've been teaching at a preschool for 9 years now

 

[Minnie_me]

Wow!! tough gig. I've been teaching at a preschool for 9 years now

Aw, I LOVE preschool! I taught 4-year olds for a year before my first Kindergarten job.

As for being a "tough gig", I'll tell you that the KIDS are awesome. But the parents have gotten worse and worse as the years go by. It's frustrating.

 

[Colleen27]

I teach Kindergarten and am offended by your post. I work my butt off -- and you say, "come on, it's Kindergarten, what could he miss?" Thanks. I guess I should try teaching a "real" grade level where my work is valued a bit more.

And, yes, vacation absences are "unexcused" - - they are not legal reasons to miss school. Parents need to realize that.

I don't think it is an insult or a slight against what you do to question how much academic learning would be missed in a week of K. For most kids, K is a more structured approach to reinforcing things they learned at home - colors, shapes, numbers, letters, beginning math & reading. That doesn't diminish the importance - it is also a valuable year for introducing kids to the expectations and routines of the school day. And it certainly doesn't detract from what a kindergarten teacher does. I wouldn't voluntarily put myself in charge of 20 5 year olds for a 6 figure salary, much less for what a teacher earns!!

Thankfully, in our district, any absence a parent verifies is excused. Even at the high school level, family vacations are excused absences, though they do strongly suggest limiting school year travel to no more than one trip.

 

[hsmamato2]

wow this really turned into an "ugly thread" from one OT, that she was frustrated, to an attack on teachers, principals and the education system.
but untli then we all must follow the rules until we change the rules!

no one should be attacking the teachers,or even the prinicipals... they are just trying to do their jobs,and things are what they are... The education system itself,well, now that's an entirely different matter.... an entire system that needs to be closely examined,for the benefit of the kids and the teachers within...
I'd be frustrated too if I was told I couldn't make decisions of my own free will...but that's part of being within the school systems- following their rules-

 

[Lizzy2]

Dear sweet teachers of course your work is valued and appreciated but what I seriously question is anyone's attempt to make parenting decisions for my child including whether or not I take her out of school or not. It is simply not a decision that they should be permitted to make. I am her parent and I make the rules.

 

[Minnie_me]

Dear sweet teachers of course your work is valued and appreciated but what I seriously question is anyone's attempt to make parenting decisions for my child including whether or not I take her out of school or not. It is simply not a decision that they should be permitted to make. I am her parent and I make the rules.

Thanks Lizzy.

And, just on my own behalf, I'm not trying to make anyone's parenting decisions for them. Just as parents shouldn't make educational ones for me. I don't mind if parents take their kids to Disney during the school year. But I will not - CAN NOT - duplicate the hours and hours of carefully prepared lessons and put them in a nice little folder full of busy work to take home and "make up" for what they missed. They miss what they miss, and it can't be duplicated.

I don't doubt the educational experience of any family vacation, or the value of family time. I get upset only when parents expect to make sure their child doesn't "miss" anything.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I don't think it is an insult or a slight against what you do to question how much academic learning would be missed in a week of K. For most kids, K is a more structured approach to reinforcing things they learned at home - colors, shapes, numbers, letters, beginning math & reading. That doesn't diminish the importance - it is also a valuable year for introducing kids to the expectations and routines of the school day. And it certainly doesn't detract from what a kindergarten teacher does. I wouldn't voluntarily put myself in charge of 20 5 year olds for a 6 figure salary, much less for what a teacher earns!!

Thankfully, in our district, any absence a parent verifies is excused. Even at the high school level, family vacations are excused absences, though they do strongly suggest limiting school year travel to no more than one trip.

I must respectfully disagree. There are many children who come to Kindergarten without those skills, not having been exposed to them at home. There are also many more skills taught in Kindergarten than colors letters and numbers. In VA the "Standards of Learning" for Kindergarten include learning about science, historical figures, social studies, etc. My girls had spelling tests and had reading booklets. It is a lot more involved than what you describe.

 

[meandtheguys2]

True, but those standards haven't led to better educated students. There aren't any indications that kids are brighter, better, smarter etc., than when kindergarted was all about colors, numbers, nap and snack.

 

[leighe]

I am a teacher in the public school system. I am absolutely appalled by the negativity toward teachers and principals. We are just cogs....we are not making these rules or passing these laws.

The stringent rules regarding attendance are largely an issue of the federal mandates for schools across the country to meet the ever increasing and ultimately unattainable benchmarks of NCLB. Yes, individual school districts can and will define the attendance issues as they see fit, and they do so in the best interest of the school system. The financial survival of schools is directly linked to the state tests that each and every child is eventually going to experience. Missed days of instruction have the potential to negatively impact a child's performance on their state test. Yes, I know, in the grand scheme of things one missed week should not make that kind of impact...but the schools cannot rely on parents or students to fill in the gaps they missed. The schools, teachers, administrators and eventually the state will get slapped for poor performances and school personel (read that teachers and principals) are at risk of losing their jobs if test scores are not good enough. The bottom line is that they are not trying to deny you and your family a vacation, they are trying to do what they can to protect the school. Yes, that is unfortunate but you can directly place blame on the federal government who has put palpable fear into the public schools systems.

Please don't bash the teachers and principals who are constantly trying to jump through governmental hoops likes dogs at a dog show all the while being booed by the public.

Kat

Exactly! As a teacher I am just as responsible for educating those students whose parents are irresponsible and uninterested in their education as I am for educating those who are responsible and who positively contribute to their child's education. I would assume that most Dis parents are the second type and probably have very little idea how many parents really do not care if their kids are in school or not. I am pretty conservative (almost a libertarian, really) and do understand the frustration with what feels like government intrusion into personal parenting decisions. However, the public schools are set up to educate everyone and so the rules have to be applied to everyone in the same way. I work in a school with almost 1800 students. There is just no way to look at attendence on a "case by case" basis. An administrator can't look at a kid and say, "Well your parents are responsible, reasonable people so sure, they can pull you out for a week for a vacation." and then look at another kid and say, "Hey - you can't stay home for a week and play video games."

I am a parent too. Teachers are not evil automatons drooling over ways to usurp the authority of parents. I am always appalled at the lack of respect the public in general shows to teachers and administrators. The previous poster was right. We are trying to do the best we can in situations/with rules and policies that we have very little control over.

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

I think teachers and principals have it hard in this day and age because of the constraints the state put on them. It is totally ridiculous that so much depends on these stupid state tests. I got the letter and had to go to the school board last year after my daughter missed so many days of school. Basically what I told the board was that my child is a straight A student, in the GATE program, and I wouldn't be taking her out of school if I didn't think she could handle it. I also told them that since this No Child Left Behind came to be, my very smart and gifted child has her services cut so that they could focus on the kids that aren't doing well and whose parent's really don't give a crap about it. I also told them at least when my kid is absent, at least I know she is and where she is, she is with her family. They didn't refer me to juvenile court, which I am sure has better things to do than deal with me and my kid who has no issues. What a waste of money.

And I wouldn't pay them for my kid being absent either...that is what my taxes pay for and they should be getting it no matter what.