pulling kids out of school to cruise...

[kimistry6]

Last year we scheduled our cruise for the last week of school. He missed the last 6 days of 3rd grade. We had no problems with it because his teacher had already sent a note home saying that they were finished with homework and tests, etc. They were just doing busy work and killing time. We try not to miss school for vacation, but we would definitely do this scenario again.

 

[luv2sleep]

I never considered the extra work that I put the teacher through in preparing my som's independent study packet. I didn't realize that she probably did that on her own time. We were new to the school (kindergarten). When I requested the time off (we are in California) I had no idea we'd get this huge packet of work sent home. Now that the year is coming to a close I realize how much the teacher does for those 27kids and the little time she has during the day to get everything done. I feel bad about what I did now. Seems pretty like a pretty selfish thing for me to do just to go on a longer or cheaper vacation. I was considering the WBPC in 2014 but I don't think we should now.

 

[MAJPLO]

I never considered the extra work that I put the teacher through in preparing my som's independent study packet. I didn't realize that she probably did that on her own time. We were new to the school (kindergarten). When I requested the time off (we are in California) I had no idea we'd get this huge packet of work sent home. Now that the year is coming to a close I realize how much the teacher does for those 27kids and the little time she has during the day to get everything done. I feel bad about what I did now. Seems pretty like a pretty selfish thing for me to do just to go on a longer or cheaper vacation. I was considering the WBPC in 2014 but I don't think we should now.

In California the requirement for IS work for attendance credit is 60% completion. Depending on the school and the teacher, it may not be the teacher pulling the work. It may be a secretary or an administrator. We took our first grader out for five days but before I decided on Independent Study (qualifies for attendance credit) or verifying absences another way, I asked the teacher about it to see what kind of work it would be and who would have to do the work of gathering and correcting it. Had I not gotten the impression that his teacher was really okay with it, I would have thought longer about it. As a teacher myself, it really can be a pain but it isn't always a pain. Sometimes it's really not a big deal. It depends on the time of year, the curriculum, the student, and the family.

 

[luv2sleep]

In California the requirement for IS work for attendance credit is 60% completion. Depending on the school and the teacher, it may not be the teacher pulling the work. It may be a secretary or an administrator. We took our first grader out for five days but before I decided on Independent Study (qualifies for attendance credit) or verifying absences another way, I asked the teacher about it to see what kind of work it would be and who would have to do the work of gathering and correcting it. Had I not gotten the impression that his teacher was really okay with it, I would have thought longer about it. As a teacher myself, it really can be a pain but it isn't always a pain. Sometimes it's really not a big deal. It depends on the time of year, the curriculum, the student, and the family.

I know for a fact that she did it. The week before we left she told me she was going to get the packet together over the weekend. I thought that was odd because I thought well how big of a deal can it be? When I got it I realized it was a very big deal and took a lot of work to do. It was basically everything he did every day in school for 2 weeks. I homeschooled him for 2 weeks while on vacation. No one told me about only having to do 60% of it and if that was only 60% I would have hated to see 100%. It took us 2 hours every sea day morning (there were 8 ) and one port day (Ensenada where we didn't get off) to get those 10 days of work done. Even if they told us to only do 60% of it as a bonafide type A over achiever there's no way I wouldn't have made us complete it all.

 

[jaykorf001]

Thank you for this comment. I hate reading about how weeks of class can be made up with some handouts.

Obviously parents can do what they want (and they are, based on reading this thread), but few of them think about the larger consequences--on the other students in the class; on the teacher, who is expected to cheerily provide "makeup work," which can't possibly represent what the child missed; and on the school district, which is charged with educating students and complying with state laws about attendance or losing funding.

I agree with this. My parents never took me out of school. Certainly by high school I was taking the kind of classes that would not allow for having a week off. And I played sports so that also made it impossible. I can't imagine taking my kid out even when he starts kindergarten. I don't like for him to miss a day of preschool. I suspect this is because how my parents raised me. I also don't get how parents can be upset with the schools who are trying to stay accredited???

Having said this I also certainly get it with the parents that can't take time off in the summer. When I worked I had a job that was similar. I hated it. Where we live the kids have a couple days off here and there all the time -- basically 4 day weekends. Plus 2 weeks + at Christmas and a week and a half for spring break.

My neighbors took their four kids out of school this past spring for a week long Disney cruise. This happened to be the week preceding our districts week and a half spring break. I didn't get it but I assume they saved lots of money. It was certainly none of my business but it did make me think how attitudes are so different on this topic. They loved the cruise and its why I'm now looking into one for our family.

 

[luv2sleep]

In California the requirement for IS work for attendance credit is 60% completion. Depending on the school and the teacher, it may not be the teacher pulling the work. It may be a secretary or an administrator. We took our first grader out for five days but before I decided on Independent Study (qualifies for attendance credit) or verifying absences another way, I asked the teacher about it to see what kind of work it would be and who would have to do the work of gathering and correcting it. Had I not gotten the impression that his teacher was really okay with it, I would have thought longer about it. As a teacher myself, it really can be a pain but it isn't always a pain. Sometimes it's really not a big deal. It depends on the time of year, the curriculum, the student, and the family.

And his teacher was 'ok with it' but she's the type who will bend over backwards for you and your child and do it with a smile and without complaint. She's an awesome teacher and now that we've completed a whole year with her I definitely feel bad. Anyway, just another thing to think about. It's not always about us and our vacation happiness.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Just wondering what the consensus is in regards to removing a child from school for a cruise. As a working mother I feel as if this time is a necessity to keep my family intact since I cannot take vacations during "prime time" season. Does bonding time supersede schoolwork?

We pulled our kids out for our cruise in March. DD #1 who is 7 finished all her homework before she left and made up tests when she got back. It was fine, and the school gave us no problems. Family time is most important. But, if my child struggled in school I would hesitate to do this. My oldest DD though does very well and she's in elementary school. It might be harder when their in high school.

 

[jahber]

In California the requirement for IS work for attendance credit is 60% completion. Depending on the school and the teacher, it may not be the teacher pulling the work. It may be a secretary or an administrator. We took our first grader out for five days but before I decided on Independent Study (qualifies for attendance credit) or verifying absences another way, I asked the teacher about it to see what kind of work it would be and who would have to do the work of gathering and correcting it. Had I not gotten the impression that his teacher was really okay with it, I would have thought longer about it. As a teacher myself, it really can be a pain but it isn't always a pain. Sometimes it's really not a big deal. It depends on the time of year, the curriculum, the student, and the family.

Teachers do all of that on their own time here in FL (I have taught in both public and private schools). However, I never minded putting the work together if I had plenty of notice AND if the student and parents were responsible in getting the work back to me. Tracking down late assignments and remembering who needs to make up what test may not sound like a lot of work...if that were my only job. But that was on top of my regular job teaching as many as 130 students. That said, it truly was not a big deal when it was for a student who I knew would turn it in when she got back and would ASK to take the make up test. A little initiative goes a long way in the eyes of an overworked teacher So don't feel bad about taking time off. Just make it your priority to be on top of the make up work when you return and I bet you'll have a happy teacher

 

[Zeppelin]

I think it depends on the age of the kids. I pulled my kids this year (grades 2 & 4) but would not do it once the older one hits middl school due to the workload in school. Even this time they had quite a bit of work to do when we got back (I got it from the teacher before we left).

agree with this...we did it with my daughter in pre-school and kindergarten but once she entered first grade that was the end of pulling her out of school...granted there are other reasons as well (dance classes/dance recitals, CCD/religous classes, etc)

 

[twopeasonepod]

There is absolutely no comparison between younger kids and kids in MS/HS. Seriously, if you are worried that your kid will miss a week of kindergarten, then I suggest you prepare yourself for a very stressed out parenthood.

As mentioned in other threads, our twin boys go to private school (just finished 1st grade) so we don't have to comply with district/state regulations, and their school isn't impacted by their absence as far as accreditation goes. We choose to take them out of school for the longer cruises (EBTA, PC, etc), because we like the longer ones and I have no desire to go to the Caribbean or Bahamas. When we did Alaska, that was obviously during the summer, but the TAs and PCs are only offered when they are offered - I can't make DCL change that based on my sons' vacation schedule.

I have a doctorate, so it's not like I don't value education. But I also spent a semester in Florence for undergrad, and everyone who has seen the amazing art, architecture, and culture of things like the Sistine Chapel, David, La Sagrada Familia, etc. will tell you that being there is a gazillion times more meaningful than seeing pictures in a book.

My sons don't have to make up work, so that is another factor. The teachers don't have to do anything extra. Instead, the boys write and draw about what they've seen and present it to the class when they return, along with cool stuff we bought. Their journals stay on a table for other kids to check out for a week or so.

I think everyone has an opinion and no one will change plans due to what is posted here. But I do like seeing what others have to say.

 

[twopeasonepod]

agree with this...we did it with my daughter in pre-school and kindergarten but once she entered first grade that was the end of pulling her out of school...granted there are other reasons as well (dance classes/dance recitals, CCD/religous classes, etc)

Sorry, my post was not targeted at you. I was typing on my phone forever haha.

P.S. OT: why don't my posts have that "from my iPhone using disboards app" thingy?

 

[Zeppelin]

Sorry, my post was not targeted at you. I was typing on my phone forever haha.

P.S. OT: why don't my posts have that "from my iPhone using disboards app" thingy?

no swet....

after we pulled her out of kindergarten for five days for the DCL we got a warning letter from the school district that she had missed 10 days of school....i was somewhere between laughing and pretty angry considering my daughter is a good student...

 

[jjje]

I have several family members who are teachers so I have long been aware of the extra work that pulling a kid out of school can make for a teacher. Because of that we always do our best to let teachers know well in advance when we plan on having the kids miss school. We always ask if there is any work they can give us in advance that they already have prepared and ready to go and when we get home to give any additional work that the class did while we are gone. We try not to make any extra work for the teachers. So far it has always worked.

One year my son missed a week of school because he was laying in a hospital bed unable to breath. After that I kind of lost any reservations I had about pulling my kids out of school for the fun stuff. For me personally, if there was some tragedy in our family I'm pretty sure I would look back and think "Thank goodness we had all that great family time!" and not "Thank goodness my kid never missed a test!"

 

[AZMermaid]

Another teacher here, I teach kinder and first, and i often have kids miss a week for vacation. Most of the time, it's fine and no big deal. Our district forbids giving work ahead of time, so I just make them a folder to complete when they return as the week goes on. It is very true they miss quite a bit of class learning that can't be replicated in a worksheet, but for most kids, it's fine. They get the number of days missed to return the work, again policy.

The only tricky thing is if they miss 10 days (2 weeks) they are dis enrolled and have to re enroll at the district office when they return. This is 30 min away, a ton of paperwork, birth certificate, proof of residency, vaccinations etc. I have only had one kid who ever missed this many days for a vacation though.

My own opinion for my family, is until 3rd grade I would do a week. 4/5 3 days, after that 1-2, assuming my kids are doing well.

 

[Lobofan5]

It's been our families choice to pull the kids out for this. My kids are 16 and 12 now and the days as a 'family unit' are numbered and FLYING BY! We took our first cruise when they were 14 and 11 and it was the best family vacation we have ever had.
That being said, we don't cruise a whole lot living in Ohio. Our 3rd cruise is an August, Alaska cruise and my kids will be 17 and 14. Due to cost of the Alaska cruises, they will both miss the first week of school, Her senior year and his freshman year because that was the least expensive option for us.
I know we will never, ever, regret spending that time together as a family considering my baby girl turns 18 the next month! (another reason for squeezing in the Alaska cruise while she is still a 'junior')
Do whats right for you, my kids get great grades and understand school is their priority and only job..they will get what needs to be done, well..done.

Oh, and on a side note..my son spent the last ENTIRE week of 7th grade watching movies and having 'field days'...so, missing the last week of school...might not be a huge deal either.

 

[sippican]

I never considered the extra work that I put the teacher through in preparing my som's independent study packet. I didn't realize that she probably did that on her own time. We were new to the school (kindergarten). When I requested the time off (we are in California) I had no idea we'd get this huge packet of work sent home. Now that the year is coming to a close I realize how much the teacher does for those 27kids and the little time she has during the day to get everything done. I feel bad about what I did now. Seems pretty like a pretty selfish thing for me to do just to go on a longer or cheaper vacation. I was considering the WBPC in 2014 but I don't think we should now.

Wish every parent had your ability to look at things from another perspective! Don't feel bad about taking your vacation, just let the teacher know you appreciate her afforts and go ahead and plan the next one with a big "Thank you" in mind. You'll make the teacher's day by recognizing her/his efforts.

 

[Jey12]

For me it depends on the age of my child, her teacher's feelings about missed time like this, the district policy regarding time out of school and how good of a student my child is. Older kids I think it is much more difficult for them to miss, especially if they are in honor classes or play a sport or are involved in other activities. Younger kids in my district start state testing in 3rd grade and I wouldn't pull my younger student out right before or during these times. I would suggest you know your district policy on unexcused absences, talk with the principal and teacher about the missed time and really take their opinion into consideration as well as how good of a student your child is.

Kids have so many days off anymore in our district it isn't that hard to plan a school year vacation around one of these off times. Last year we went to WDW around fall break so DD only missed 3 days instead of a week. Her class was so excited about her trip the teacher made a lesson plan out of WDW and let DD be the star student of the day. She was sick for 2 full weeks this year so no trip was planned because I felt she had already missed too much school. Next year we are once again planning on a week long cruise over the fall break, assuming she doesn't decide to pick up funky germ bugs before the trip. School starts for us Aug. 12th next year so by Halloween it's conference time and easier for DD to miss a few days. Assuming she's keeping up on the classwork. I will speak with her teacher early in the year about our plans and do whatever she suggests as far as missing school work. Handouts are printed as needed for classrooms at our school so getting work ahead of time is out of the question. I appreciate all of the wonderful work the teachers do at our school and will do whatever I can to prevent her teacher from having to do extra work to accommodate our vacation plans. We are traveling with my SIL who happens to be a 2nd grade teacher in another district and she was given the week off without question, so I feel pretty good it's a good time of year to take an extended break.

I know other people feel unless you're seriously sick you should be in school and there's nothing wrong with that line of thinking. That's how you feel and how you raise your kids. For me personally I was a straight A student who was taken out for a week every year until 5th grade and I feel those memories are just as important as the missed school work. Summer vacations are not really an option for us most of the time and so I choose to take my child out of school during what I feel are appropriate times. It's how i chose to raise my child, and as long as her grades and education aren't being shorted I am ok with it. I am positive kids from homes that believe either way on this topic will turn out just fine.

 

[DeniseMarie526]

Just found out that my sons spring break 2014 is the week BEFORE we sail. I guess he'll get a two week break. His Sister will turn 21 only once!

 

[Heyriddle]

I've been reading this thread now for a few days now and probably will get bashed for my comments.

I teach middle school. Plenty of parents take their kids out for vacation. That's their choice. When this happens, I do spend a few hours putting together work for that student so that he/she is hopefully not too far behind when he/she return. I do get frustrated when the work isn't completed. If you have no intention of doing the work because you're taking a vacation then please don't ask for it. Likewise, understand that your child will be behind when they return. Some kids handle this just fine and work diligently to catch up while others simply don't bother. You know your children best so you do what works for you and your family. I just wish the parents wouldn't blame me when "sample student" isn't doing well in my class when they missed instructional time.

That being said, I would never pull out my high schooler nor my middle schooler. My high schooler won't even miss a day of school unless he's practically on his death bed with the flu. It's too difficult to make up that time especially with block schedule and AP classes.

On a side note, I do love my summers off, but like everyone here has noted, school vacations are peak travel season. I would LOVE to take a vacation during non-peak times. I'm sure I could incorporate my travel experiences into my curriculum. I could definitely find a good way to tie in DCL to Archimedes principle. However I would bet there would be a number of parent complaints if I missed a week of school to go on vacation.

As I said, I will probably get bashed for my comments.

 

[AZMermaid]

When this happens, I do spend a few hours putting together work for that student so that he/she is hopefully not too far behind when he/she return. I do get frustrated when the work isn't completed. If you have no intention of doing the work because you're taking a vacation then please don't ask for it. .

AMEN!!!! This is SO annoying and happens at least half the time- and I teach kinder and first! We don't have grades per say, mostly report card scores are given on teacher input.... so I gotta think it happens less in the upper grades, but it is so frustrating to save all the work for a week (I am not allowed to give it ahead) and then have it never come back.