Parents of Middle schoolers?

[Luv Bunnies]

There are too many unknowns that can happen for me to take my kids out of school for a vacation. It may seem like a week wouldn't matter, but what if they get the flu and have to take off another week? I feel the same way about my time-off allowance at work. I take a day here and there for personal reasons, but I save the bulk of it in case I get sick and really need to take it off. I think this is especially true once kids reach middle school and high school. If school is in session, they should be there unless they're sick or there's another emergency.

 

[cindykelley]

I really think you should just ask your school how they handle it before you make plans. I have 2nd and 6th graders and just notified the schools last week of our plans to go to WDW in December. My 6th grader's principal called to tell me that they can't consider it excused because of school policy but they will make him exempt from the work for that week. He will not have to make up anything. I had not told her what his grades are but she must have looked them up. She said "His lowest average on his last report card was 97, so I don't think he'll have trouble keeping up when he comes back." I'm sure we will have to review some stuff so he'll be ready for whatever tests come up, but as far as homework and class assignments, he's in the clear. I was worried because our school district is ranked #1 in the state and a significant part of that is attendance so they're pretty serious about it, but she told us to go have a great time and not to worry about a thing.

I really suggest just checking with your own school because it seems all schools treat it differently.

 

[disneymom2one]

I'm with most other people. I have a great student (she missed getting all A's first quarter by less than a point in Algebra I) but there's no way I would take her out for a week. Impossible. She missed 6 days for H1N1 and it was really, really tough getting her caught up. She wouldn't want to be out for that long. It's just not worth it. She's an 8th grader.

 

[mjkacmom]

Ok, I guess I should not say they "don't count" but they are not on a public record that will follow you child to college or beyond. In our system, the 8th grade teachers must recomend a student for a honors class in HS. No certain grade required. The teacher should know your child well enough that one weeks of grades IF they fall should not effect that decission.
Certainly get your child's input. Socail situations, sports, clubs etc may also come into play for your child. It will not work for every child but it can work and did for us. We ( including DS) had no regrets, grades stayed A's and DS has all honors classes in HS.

I guess it depends on your school. Our honors program is based on grades, and there are no exceptions. My dd almost didn't get into vector science, because it looked like she was going to get a B+ in math (forgot to do an assignment, and had a zero), and you have to be in vector math to be in vector science. Luckily, she brought her math grade up to an A, because otherwise, she wouldn't have been in vector science, even though her science average was 100.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

My 6th grader has 2-3 hours of homework every night, on top of the classwork each day. There is no way he would tolerate the stress of missing a week of school. His grades range from A- to A+, so it's not that he has issues understanding the work, it's the volume.

His grades do count now, and he is keenly aware of it. But, we live in an extremely competitive academic area -- if we lived somewhere he could miss a week and have no consequences...nope, still wouldn't do it.

Part of this is a family choice and circumstances. We're taking him to Universal over Thanksgiving, leaving after he finishes school and returning on Sunday. It would be easier and less expensive to go earlier or leave later, but that is not a message I'm willing to send him. We tell him school is his job, and we expect him to do it, just like we are expected to go to work even if it would be more convenient for us not to go. Our family does not have special circumstances that keep us from going when school is not in session.

For other people, the time spent together is invaluable, and they just wouldn't miss it. I know of some families where dad's are home from Iraq, and they have a short window. If I were in that situation, I'd go.

I don't know if this helps you -- OP you have to decide what your family situation and values will tolerate, and whatever you decide, feel good about it. You are the only one in your exact circumstance, so although we all have advice and opinions, only you and your dh know what's best for your family.

Maria

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

My son is in 7th grade and I wouldn't even dream of taking him out for even an hour, never mind a week! He is very high strung and would almost literally have a heart attack if I even mentioned taking him out for a week. The work is just too much. He would never enjoy a vacation knowing he is missing school. Also, one of his classes is a high school class and it will appear on his transcript, so his grades do count. He is a straight-A student, so I do believe he could make up the work, but the stress of doing so, while also learning the current material, would not be worth it for us.

 

[pyrxtc]

My DD's teacher didn't seem to have any problems with her being out when I contacted them about it but they were not able to get her the make-up so her grades could stay up. She only missed 2 days and it caused all sorts of problems. I gave them plenty of notice and reminded them right before we left. We are going in January wiht 6 days out of school and she will be getting all make-up wokr since I will be calling ehr out sick and notifying nobody.

 

[pyrxtc]

after reading a few more replies, I just want to say that I know school is something she needs to do but I put family time above all else. She gets good grades when she wants to and has been asked to take the SAT's this year (as a 7th grader) thru John Hopkins. Family time is not something I had a lot of and I believe in breaks from real life. I ahve losta lot of relatives when they were young and even my sister had a nervous breakdown at 17 cuz she got a B and a lot of pressure was put on her to get all A'a. I don't want my kids to grow up and regret never doing anything or going anywhere. I went on my first ever vacation when I was 28. Wish it could ahve been sooner but I am having fun now.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Um, you get that Johns Hopkins asks EVERYONE who expresses an interest to take the SAT's in 7th grade, right? If you do well, they hope to sell you on their pricey summer programs. Really not a big deal.

Also, the rest of your post is kind of telling. If there's issues in the family of anxiety, especially over grades, I personally would be LESS inclined to take a child out of school for vacation. Yeah, yeah, we've all heard the tired expression of "you never know what will happen". Personally, I think that's an excuse to justify anything--why not borrow $300,000, we may all die tomorrow! I found that, once my kids hit middle school, they WANT to keep up with classes. Vacation wouldn't be happy time, it would make them nervous about grades. They didn't want to miss their other activites (sports, drama, dance), which also start requiring more involvement as kids get older.

Yeah, it can be done, sometimes successfully. But I think as parents, you have to take a long, hard look at the overall picture, and include the children in the decision-making process. Pyrxtc, in your particular case, the best time to hit WDW might be during Feb. vacation--NH has a different week than most states in the union. We're looking at a Florida non-Disney trip for that week...

 

[Minniemama350]

Here's my experience...I would take them in the Fall b/c most of the early work they do is review from last year. Took my kids in the Fall, no problem. All my kids are smart, the 2 oldest advanced....took my kids in May-OMG the teachers are nuts with their year end "projects". I call it just make a kid do a project for 100 points-UGH. Then last year my oldest came home to find out he made Nationals in Science Olympiad so we had to leave for that 4 days after Disney. He must have missed about 23 days of school last year. It wasn't pretty but he maintained his 4.0. Never again. Point of story...Go in the Fall-early-Sept. Off my soapbox.

Also in the Fall you will not run into the CRCT testing schedule as it is not until the Spring. I agree the earlier the better, but I would be sure to get the whole thing Ok'd way in advance too.You may want to ask if your kid could do a project on what they are missing. Just a thought. The teachers may love/hate the idea.

 

[mousebymarriage]

I agree with previous posters that it is definately an individual thing. There are afew things that you have to think about before you decide to take an older child out of school:

1) school's attendance policy (will missing school cause a problem due to excessive unexcused absences?)

2) What kind of grades does your child get? (schools may not be as forgiving with a child that is barely passing)

3) Does your child struggle to make up work if they are out a day or 2 for illness?

4) Does your child struggle to understand the material after they have been out a day or 2 for illness?

5) Will your child miss any important tests, reports, standardized testing/review for standardized testing?

6)What is your childs personality? (will they be completely stressed out at the possiblity of having to make up the work /tests)

7) Ask you child how they would feel missing the time from school but having to make up the work! (some children actually would rather not miss that much school).
Precisely why we didn't pull DD out in 4th grade. She had a very hard teacher who was very strict and DD said she would rather not miss school to go to Disney, so we didn't go. DD only missed 1 day that year for a stomach virus (she insisted she was going even though she was vomitting.- I don't think so little missy).

*We have taken our kids out almost every year for 1 week for vacation. DD is in 8th grade and DS is in 3rd grade. Our school doesn't give us a problem when we take them out but, both kids are straight A students and DD is in advanced classes. I checked with the school to make sure there are no standarized tests or review during our upcoming vacation in Feb. .
In March we had to make an unexpected last minute trip to Florida for my moms funeral and the kids missed a week of school. The school was naturally very understanding and DD even missed the Science Fair (she was in 7th grade), the school allowed one of her close friends to present her project (she worked on it for months) and my DD wound up winning 3rd place. Both of my kids had no trouble making up the missed work.

 

[kpgriswold]

What kind of student do you have? Some kids can pick up new material very quickly just by reading it, others need a teacher in order to "get it." Some are diligent about doing make-up work, some will blow it off.

I agree with many of the pps that skipping school is not a great idea for older kids. We took our kids out of school for vacations when they were in elementary, but have stopped now that the middle and high schoolers are taking advanced classes. They just miss too much material.

If you MUST take your kid out of school, try to work around a holiday. For example, our kids had no school on November 2 and 3 due to "teacher work days", conferences and elections. Last year we went the week before Christmas. So for October... Columbus Day weekend?

Try to avoid taking your student out right at the end of the quarter. There are usually alot of tests and activities going on then.

 

[PaulaSue]

Thank You All!

I was thinking Middle School would be more of a BIG deal taking them out but don't know anyone but 1 family that does.

Guess I got to really think about what is best for her/us. Maybe a shorter trip?

 

[disneymarie]

Do you have a harder time taking (from teachers or them missing a week of school work and making it up) the kids out of school for vacations?

Our next trip is not for 2 years but I am a planner. DH can't get off during the kids summer vacation and I want to figure out the best time during Food and Wine Festival to go.

TIA!

I asked for some extra work to take along, reading assignments, and did take in the fall at the wine and cheese. I think this was a lot easier in the begining of the school year.
The kids worked on 1/2 before we left and caught up when they got back on test

I would discuss with your child now though, a history of good attendence and report cards is soooo helpful to take time away.

The school did have to allow for educational, and I had no trouble, no big deal writing a letter or explaining. This was a new form they requested the last two trips.

Our last trip as a 7th grader she was cyber schooled and we could work ahead and some while there in the nights. She did not attend her live lessons but they are recorded and she watched those and sent required info or answers.
di

 

[4luv2cdisney]

We considered taking the kids out again this year (we have in the past). DD11 is in 6th grade, and she would have missed 4 days had we gone in October instead of for Thanksgiving. Now that she has missed 7 days due to illness I am so glad we changed our plans. She had to take "working lunches" with her teachers for a week plus she is allowed to trade choir for study hall 1 time per quarter so she used that and still had tons of homework just to catch up on the first 4 days she missed. Tomorrow she'll have to start making up for the last 3 days she missed. It is very stressful and not at all fun. It has definately been more of a struggle in Middle School. She would have missed a total of 11 days by now!!! I cannot imagine

That being said, I know there are others who have done so with no problems at all. Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be the best choice for your family and situation!

 

[JUJU814]

I guess it depends on your school. Our honors program is based on grades, and there are no exceptions. My dd almost didn't get into vector science, because it looked like she was going to get a B+ in math (forgot to do an assignment, and had a zero), and you have to be in vector math to be in vector science. Luckily, she brought her math grade up to an A, because otherwise, she wouldn't have been in vector science, even though her science average was 100.

What are "vector" classes? I've never heard that before. Are they like "honors" classes?

 

[mjkacmom]

What are "vector" classes? I've never heard that before. Are they like "honors" classes?

Yes - to get in them in MS, you had to have been recommended by your teachers in elementary, had an A average (94 or above here) in the subject for each marking period (but they might waive that if you had an A for your final grade), and scored advanced proficient in the standardized testing. Same with HS. Maybe it's an old term - our schools are 100 years old, and many refer to our elementary schools as grammar schools.