Need your opinion about a problem with a school

[jdb0822]

Ok, long story short, we have had Disney plans for April, and had to cancel unexpectedly. In July, we planned to go in Oct. Needless to say, we are eager to go! 10 days to go to our trip and my son's school principal calls me and gives me a hard time. Turns out he will miss one day of a 3-day state test, (he's in the 3rd grade). The Principal also stated that she will absolutely not send him with any homework nor will she give him anything to read (chapters, etc in his books). She says he will have to do all that during recess and afterschool each day when he gets back. To me, it sounds like she is trying to punish him. Keep in mind he is an "A" student and had perfect attendance last year (he got an award for it). Also, this state test has no bearing on his grade, it just allows the state to monitor each school district. In my opinion, from the tone of her voice, it sounded like she was more concerned over that test than his education.

What really erks me is that my stepdaughter, who attends a different school (different town) and is the 4th grade, her school is giving her some homework to do so she doesn't fall to far behind.

 

[brocklesnar69]

My little brother had a similar problem when we went to Disneyland in CA. Instead of going to the principal, we went to his teachers and told them we needed some homework for a few days. We did this with each teacher and got all his homework without problem.

If that doesnt work, I'd ask yourself: Is WDW worth having to skip a few recess's over? Is WDW worth having to stay an hour after school each day for a week to make up homework?

 

[budbeerlady]

I have no advice but what a load of stinky pooooo! I think you hit the nail on the head about the state test, dont know what you can do other than discuss it with each teacher of his and try to get the work through them to avoid the principal. I drop a note off at the school office but talk directly with the teachers involved when I pull DD for our trips.

 

[jdb0822]

Well, now I am convinced about the state test thing. I just called and told her that I maybe able to leave later in the day (driving to disney 20+ hours ) which would allow him to finish up that test. Suddenly, because he is taking the test now, missing those other days is now ok. My concern was that the day he came back, they were gonna make him take that test, meaning he would miss alot of school that day because he had to take the test, so it would essentially be like missing even another day of school to him.

 

[Mickey1122]

Go around the principal and speak with the superintendant of the school system in your town. Tell the superintendant that the principal is refusing to give our work for a planned absence. The principal is making it harder for your child to learn and keep up, not easier. I also don't think that it is the principal's place to tell you that you can't have work in advance. Over here, it is the teacher's choice. When I was in elementary school, fifth grade I think, we went on a cruise and missed a week of school. All that I had to do was keep a journal. I don't think that you will have a problem if you give the principal a piece of your mind. Be assertive!

 

[saschab]

Ahhh...funny how things changed when you changed plans to allow your child to complete the state testing...

Schools are rated and many times state funded dependant on the results of those tests. They are your schools report card, so to speak. It's more about them, than it is about you and your child's learning. , IMHO.

Principals and superintendants ( Don't , it's just a generalization...not all are like this..) are very unhappy when their best and brightest don't take the tests.

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

Kids are only young once and they grow up so quickly. Special family time is just as important to development as school. 5 years from now will you and your family will look back and be really glad your child took the test or had a wonderful family vacation? Since your child is an A student and will not be harmed by missing a day of school, my personal opinion is enjoy your vacation!!!! The Principal needs to control her little world and this is her way of doing so, don’t let it impact your wonderful family vacation.

 

[CherylDan]

I would have reminded the principal that your child is in 3rd grade and does not have any control over family decisions, and you are more than willing to work with her to make sure your son catches up as quickly as possible, but punishing him really will serve no purpose. After all, I would think that her main concern would be his overall education, not some silly mandated state test. Overall, in the grand scheme of life, missing one day of a state test won't matter, but the special time spent together as a family will. Have a good trip.

 

[horseshowmom]

Hi, school personnel checking in here.

While I would do everything that I could to help a student and the family take a wonderful trip, I do understand the principal's position. I'm not saying it's a good position, it's just a fact of life in schools today.

I can vouch for how much pressure principals and teachers are under when it concerns testing. The schools go to great lengths to encourage students to be present, rested, and well fed (breakfast) on test days. There is a lot that rides on it. You probably wouldn't believe all the regulations and security procedures that are involved, and it's very stressful for everybody.

Yes, we would like to believe that the overall education is the most important thing (and it is), but a great deal really does ride on those tests. And, yes, as someone else mentioned, a top student can really help pull up lower scores and increase the class/grade level average. So, I guess you can take it as a compliment that losing your child seemed to throw the principal into a panic!

I'm sure the principal appreciates your trying to accomodate the test schedule and will be happy to try to work with you. I think they could have been a little more tactful to start with though.

Have a great trip!

 

[disney junky]

Hi, school personnel checking in here.

While I would do everything that I could to help a student and the family take a wonderful trip, I do understand the principal's position. I'm not saying it's a good position, it's just a fact of life in schools today.

I can vouch for how much pressure principals and teachers are under when it concerns testing. The schools go to great lengths to encourage students to be present, rested, and well fed (breakfast) on test days. There is a lot that rides on it. You probably wouldn't believe all the regulations and security procedures that are involved, and it's very stressful for everybody.

Yes, we would like to believe that the overall education is the most important thing (and it is), but a great deal really does ride on those tests.

I'm sure the principal appreciates your trying to accomodate the test schedule and will be happy to try to work with you. I think they could have been a little more tactful to start with though.

Have a great trip!

exactly

 

[tmt martins]

State test equal big dollars and if they are not taken then that counts even worse.The school will only get the state and federal money based on attendence and scoring.

So you will get a hard time just because it hits the bottom line.

We so wanted to go to MNSSHP this year but 8th grade testing is not the same time as normal testing so we couldn't make any plans until the testing days came out.

I booked everything the on her first day of school as soon as her calender came home and got everything booked at a great price.

We were already planning on takeing her out for a few days in Dec so we didn't want to push it.Both trips she will still just end up missing 2 full days and 2 half days so thats not bad.

 

[Linzybrooke]

The school my mom works at offers one make-up day for state testing for those students that were either ill or out on a pre-excused absense. Does your school not offer this? You might want to check into it.

Are you going to call him in sick that day instead? (insert evil, maniacal laugh here).

 

[seashoreCM]

Ok, long story short, In July, we planned to go in Oct. Needless to say, we are eager to go! 10 days to go to our trip and my son's school principal calls me and gives me a hard time. Turns out he will miss one day of a 3-day state test, (he's in the 3rd grade). The Principal also stated that she will absolutely not send him with any homework nor will she give him anything to read (chapters, etc in his books). .

(copied from another thread)

Why don't you select chapters, etc. for him to read and select other homework for him to do before you go? YOu will probably end up covering most of what the state test will cover. Third grade test scores won't affect his college chances. When you get back the extra work he has to do during recess will then be mostly review since he had already gone through it. If he doesn't do that well on the test, you can give him some extra work of your own and satisfy yourself that he did eventually learn the material.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Quinn222]

To me, it sounds like she is trying to punish him. Keep in mind he is an "A" student and had perfect attendance last year (he got an award for it). Also, this state test has no bearing on his grade, it just allows the state to monitor each school district. .

You are totally right. No one cares about educating kids any more, just getting those test scores. The fact that your son gets good grades makes him more valuable dollar wise to the school.

 

[mattsdragon]

You know what rides on these tests? The principal's job. Do you think he would make as big a fuss if your kid wasn't a straight A student, or was a member of a minority (last time I checked, minority students scored lower on standardized tests). Sounds to me like the principal's principles are out of whack.

Kindly remind him that he is a civil servant who can also lose his job if a parent starts circulating a petition to have him removed, I've seen that happen.

**edit**
I don't want to come across as a racist, after I read my post, I thought, well, let me clarify a bit more.

I don't know what race the OP is, nor do I really care (we're all lime green on the DIS). I was merely stating what is regarded as a potential bias against minority students in standardized tests. Real or perceived, there are different schools of thought on the importance of these tests. That was the point I was trying to make.

 

[Lorelai]

The school my mom works at offers one make-up day for state testing for those students that were either ill or out on a pre-excused absense. Does your school not offer this? You might want to check into it.

Are you going to call him in sick that day instead? (insert evil, maniacal laugh here).

State Standardized tests always have make-up dates for students who are absent on the day/days that State Standardized tests are administered. As a public school teacher in the state of NJ I can attest that I have never seen a year when there were not make-up dates firmly in place.

When one of my students embarks on a journey with their family, I always give them a little work to take home, and then let them put those well rested brains to use when they return. Positive family time is always a plus. One week away with family, over the span of a child's total education, will have no significant impact on their learning. It may, however, create a family memory that will last a lifetime.

 

[Bliss22]

Remind her that your taxes pay her salry. At young ages family bonding is more important than ever. Take your vacation regardless of what she says. Your kid is an A student and he will be fine. It sucks to hear anti-family factions leading a elemantary school since that is a key time in a childs life to be influenced good and bad. Have fun on your trip and just imagine her face on one of the Buzz Lightyear targets.

 

[Cor44432]

Just because the school (teacher/principal) doesn't send homework ahead
of time or during vacations during the school year it is considered a "punishment"? I guess that's in the eye of the beholder. I always give missed
work when my students return, and then allow them recess/before/after school time to catch up, that way I know it's "their" work.
As for ripping the principal about caring about his/her job and the school's
performance on standardardized testing.......wouldn't people be more worried
if they didn't care If your going to complain, go to the source,
state legislatures and the federal government. They set the standards
for state testing, they create the consequences for poor scores, they attach attendance rates to district report cards.
Until these state governments come up with provisions to better hold parents
accountable, then schools have no choice but to implement rules and regulations that will maximize test scores and attendance rates for the good of the building and district. As a taxpayer, I applaud this.

 

[rlovew]

We have specific days on which our tests are required to be given and students who don't take them can make a big difference. We lost out on a $1,000 bonus per teacher because of the absence of 2 students during mandiory testing last year. In addition if your child is not available on make-up days here in Florida (which are the days immeadiately following the test) your child would be held back because by state mandate for not passing the test.

 

[Cor44432]

"At young ages family bonding is more important than ever."

The other 355 days of the year?????? 10 days at Disney is the only
family bonding time for the whole year?

Sure, take vacations regardless......just don't whine and
moan about the consequences.