OT - to the teachers - first 2 days of school question?

[stm61]

In the district I work in we can't mark a child absent until they've actually shown up for school. The first day we see them is considered the day they enroll, so any days they've missed before then don't count against them. For instance, if we started on a Mon, but Jr. doesn't make it in the door until Wed, then Mon. and Tues. don't count as absences because he didn't enroll until Wed. even though he's on my roster from day one. We always have parents who give their kids an extra couple days at home, it really doesn't bother me.

 

[momtosam]

A little different perspective here... I have no problem with my kids missing school (when they attend public) assuming of course they are doing well academically, for family events, vacations etc. Family life is important too and should be supported! However, I would not have them miss the first few days of school because it is an exciting time for them. Shopping for the new school supplies, packing their backpacks for the first time, seeing their school friends again after summer break, meeting their new teacher, and that first week of school, they love it and I wouldn't want to take that from them if I ddin't have too. Now a few weeks later when they are bored and tired of it again, absolutely! It is of course a personal decision but something to consider.

I agree with this! Also, while $500 certainly isn't peanuts, I don't know that it is enough of a savings to me to justify my two children missing the beginning of the school year.

 

[patsal]

Classroom procedures, begining testing if your school district is participating in the SLO process with the new APPR for target growth, baseline reading tests, turning in the summer work on time with no penalty, and perhaps any fun things like an ice cream social or welcome picnics are things I can think of off the top of my head. Right or wrong to be thinking this way, you will leave the impression that vacations are valued more highly education on some of the tougher teachers.

 

[ICF]

turning in the summer work on time with no penalty

??? --- summer work?

Never heard of such a thing....for me or my kids.

We might have gotten "suggested" reading lists over the summer when I was in HS -- but we never had to turn anything in for them.

 

[Judique]

??? --- summer work?

Never heard of such a thing....for me or my kids.

We might have gotten "suggested" reading lists over the summer when I was in HS -- but we never had to turn anything in for them.

It's starting to be the norm around here as well as Xmas vacation assignments.

For someone who suggested unenrolling the children, in our district that would mean you would lose your school bus assignment and a possible up to 10 day wait to get a ride again.

I doubt it's going to make much difference in the overall picture to miss day one and two, but I've never done it.

In elementary I took my kids on winter ski trips or Disney all the time for a week.

In high school my kids participated in school events that took them out of school for up to four days. (I had to sign off on these.) They weren't eligible to participate if they couldn't keep up with the regular work. Once they hit high school my kids wouldn't willingly miss school for more than a day or two for a family trip.

 

[Cindy B]

??? --- summer work?

Never heard of such a thing....for me or my kids.

We might have gotten "suggested" reading lists over the summer when I was in HS -- but we never had to turn anything in for them.

For my son (12th grade) was a 50 question list plus an essay (Biology)
Summer reading -report/sheet


10th grade daughter English reading/report (think it was 4-5 pages)
Geometry work was due the first week.

 

[tink576]

I would not want to miss the first few days for the social bonding with peers. That first day you pick all your seats/get them assigned. I would not want to be the kid getting the leftover seat in the back because I missed the first two days.

 

[tink576]

Also, we started having English summer reports starting in middle school/fifth grade and summer homework for most classes in high school with work/reading prepared for the first day.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I love how the OP asked for the opinions of TEACHERS yet everyone else decided to respond too.

 

[Bob NC]

I love how the OP asked for the opinions of TEACHERS yet everyone else decided to respond too.

Do you really love that, or, are you kidding?

 

[mistysue]

I love how the OP asked for the opinions of TEACHERS yet everyone else decided to respond too.

It's probably good that other people responded- this board is for people who are a little obsessive about Disney. The teachers here are going to be a little more lenient about taking your kids there... but the parents here who have to deal with the rest of the teachers in the world have sometimes had different experiences with it.

 

[Steph01002]

Had my son out the first five days of 2nd grade for a tonsillectomy this year. We had good communications with the teacher, I had him do some of the school work at home and it worked out fine. He already had friends in his class, so that made it easier. It all depends on the teacher and kid.

 

[Aliceacc]

Another thing to consider: in my school, you don't know who the teachers will be until the first day of classes.

Our kids come in, go to homeroom (the homerooms are listed in the lobby when they enter) and they go to homeroom and get their schedules for the year. From there, we start an abbreviated (29 minute period) class schedule that very first day.

 

[MM27]

It's very easy for people to say that they won't miss anything the first two days of school because it may seem like nothing is done in those beginning days of the school year. From a teacher's point of view, those first few days of school are some of the most important days of the year because they set the tone for the entire school year. I teach elementary, so I can only speak for my level, but we do a lot of class procedures, rules, expectations, etc.

Of course it's your child and you can do what you want, but I cringe when I hear people say those days are not important.

 

[Leajess99]

I'm considering various vacation options over the next school year. One scenario would mean missing the first 2 days of school, but would save us over $500. To the teachers out there - how much do you think it would effect my kids academically/socially in their classes to miss the first 2 days of school? They will be going into 8th and 5th grade.

I am not a teacher but missing th first 2 days of the school year is not a big deal IMO. The kids shouldn't even be considered absent.

 

[Aliceacc]

I am not a teacher but missing th first 2 days of the school year is not a big deal IMO. The kids shouldn't even be considered absent.

If school doesn't begin on the first day, then when does it begin? Is there ever a "real" first day?

Again, I quiz on day #3. A kid who misses the first two days in my class starts off behind.

Saying that missing the first two days shouldn't be considered absent is like the kids who come in after having been out and ask "Did you do anything while I was out??" The obvious answer is no, of course. How could we have class if YOU weren't there?? We sat here all day long, mourning your loss. (No, of course, not how I respond, unless my relationship with the kid is such that I know he'll take it as a joke. ) It's the old entitlement mentality.

Keep your kids out or send them in. I realize that there are all sorts of extenuating circumstances that make it necessary to miss school. But know that I'm hired to teach my kids for 180 days a year. Unless I'm in the bathroom with a stomach bug, or one of my own kids is, I'm going to be there. And it's going to be worth the time of every kid who does show up. He or she is going to know more when they leave my class than when he/she entered it.

To do any less would not be doing my job.

 

[blessedby3]

In high school?? Aren't they taking final exams?

Nope...no mid terms or finals in our area. They have SOL (standard of learning) tests at the end of the year...but they are more than over with by that time. I never have my kids miss those. Our last few days are literally filled with parties, picnics, movies and turning in books, etc. My kids BEG me to not send them even when we have no "early" vacation planned. They say it is so boring and pointless.

I love how the OP asked for the opinions of TEACHERS yet everyone else decided to respond too.

I didnt even notice that it was directed towards teachers...honest mistake
I do think that parents can offer great opinions too They do have the actual kids that are missing the days and can give an opinion from their experience...but I didnt notice the thread is for teachers only

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

I'm a high school teacher... and I say GO FOR IT. Two days? Two days? Seriously people are saying no way? For the first WEEK we get tons of "new students" coming into classes due to schedule changes. This is not uncommon at all. Your kids will not miss much, if anything.

I'd do it to save $500 without a doubt.

 

[sookie]

It's probably good that other people responded- this board is for people who are a little obsessive about Disney. The teachers here are going to be a little more lenient about taking your kids there... but the parents here who have to deal with the rest of the teachers in the world have sometimes had different experiences with it.

I was going to mention that. This is going to bias the response greatly. You will get more people who will say that they will allow a Disney vacation / missed days on this board than the general population because this is a Disney board.

We even had some people on another thread saying they would rather be sick with the flu at Disney. But really - would you really rather spend your $$$ confined to your room because you are too sick with the flu to enjoy yourself? Nope! Not me. But that happens when people are sick with Flu. But some posters even go to that scenario (would rather be sick at Disney resorts) because it is Disney! That's the true definition of Disney bias!

 

[ryalluvdiz]

As a teacher, I would say thats when a lot of rules are put in place and bonding forms with the class... Some teachers begin assessments the first week. I would feel bad for my own two boys if they missed the first few days of school