Pulling kids out of school?

[tink2]

Well, we got our school calendar for next year and guess what- we do not get the whole week of Thanksgiving off anymore- when we'd planned to go to Disney World. I'm a second grade teacher and this blew my plans away. I spoke with my principal about this and he said I would not be allowed to take a day off before or after a holiday, meaning that Thanksgiving week was out. So, we discussed it, and I am taking a week off at the beginning of December- and pulling my DD5 out of Kind. I will have to use my 3 personal days and have 2 days without pay. This was the only way we could work it with DH's work schedule. He cannot take off during my fall break or spring break. My principal didn't have a problem with this. I find it odd they'd rather me take 5 days away from my classroom than 2- but that's the system for you! Anyway, I'll be sure to discuss it with DD's teacher and I will inform my parents that I will be gone for a week and that they'll have a very capable substitute. Anyway, I guess I'm joining the club of taking your kids out of school!

 

[Vanryan]

Tink2, as a high school teacher I want you to know you are going straight to heaven! The amount of plannng you have to do blows my mind. I am so excited that you get to go on vacation during a low attendance period. Where will you stay?

 

[Jana49]

To Efastpitch - I am truly impressed with your courage of giving the teachers copies of all these posts and for changing your mind. It would be very hard to admit this publicly after all that has been said, and I admire you for sharing it with all of us. Have a good time!

Jana

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Jana49
To Efastpitch - I am truly impressed with your courage of giving the teachers copies of all these posts and for changing your mind. It would be very hard to admit this publicly after all that has been said, and I admire you for sharing it with all of us. Have a good time!

Jana

Oh, I thought Efastpitch was being sarcastic??

 

[tink2]

Vanryan- fortunately for me, there is a substitute that I have used, when I can get her, for many years and she knows my classroom very well! I will feel fine leaving my class with her- and I will probably go ahead and have her write the dates down now so she won't commit to someone else! I also am fortunate to have a block of teachers that help each other out. There are four of us that work together that when one of us is out, the other three help the substitute with procedures, discipline issues, and getting plenty of work. With these two factors, it won't be that bad. I will do a lot of extra planning to make sure the substitute has plenty to do- but she could practically run the room anyway. We are lucky to be going during off season- even though it will mean two days without pay. But that is the sacrifice I have to make since my husband can't take off the days I'm off. We are very excited though. I just hope I won't catch any flack from parents in my room... I think they will be fine once they see how capable the substitute is.
We are staying at POFQ- our favorite resort! Can't wait to enjoy part of the holidays at WDW!

 

[HeadintoWDW]

Wow! What an interesting thread. I can't believe I just sat and read all seven pages! And here DH thought that I was looking up info for him to golf at WDW...

I can definitely see both sides of the coin here. I am a teacher (elementary) and a Disney lover with no kids (yet!). When I did my student teaching last year, three of my students missed time due to family vacations. My cooperating teacher put the work together for them. To answer an earlier question...no, for us it was not as simple as putting a worksheet packet together. The teacher I was with believed in more "hands-on" learning and used very, very few worksheets. In addition, some of the writing assignments were being introduced, taught, and completed in the 8 days the one student was gone, so it wasn't as easy as just giving him the assignment and setting him free. The writing style hadn't been introduced yet and he would have been lost. She spent a great deal of time coming up with things for him to do that would incorporate his vacation while still working on the concepts we did in class. And although his mother was kind to give us two months notice, it really didn't matter much because (as someone else mentioned) we didn't know two months in advance what we would be working on. Sometimes we didn't know two weeks in advance!

Having said all that...I personally did not have any problem with parents taking their kids out of my class. If they can afford it, and get time off, go for it! Family time is extremely important and I would never begrudge anyone from their vacation!! I would, however, expect that any work be completed within a reasonable amount of time following the vacation, no exceptions. I know, I'm a strict teacher.

I'm interested in the posts from teachers who take off a week or two for vacation. The dictricts around here give three personal days and a little more sick time, but sick time is not to be used for vacation. I'm wondering how they are able to get so much time off. Unfortunately for me, when I have children, I know that we will be stuck with the hot summers or crowded holiday breaks for touring. I will never get the luxery of being able to take that many days off in a row.

Sorry for the length of the post!!

 

[tink2]

HeadintoWDW- Yep, teachers here only get three personal days too. As I said in my post above, I'm taking those three personal days and am taking two days without pay. Sick days can not be used for vacations here either. Unfortunately for me, my husband can only take off certain times of the year- and it is very difficult for him to take off in the summer. Because of his job, we're sacrificing two days of pay so we can take our kids to WDW. So, after speaking with my principal, that is what we came up with. I will have to be sure not to leave anything that will be totally new to the students though, I wouldn't want a substitute to introduce anything they have never seen before- even the most capable substitute! I know teachers get time off- summers, fall breaks, etc. But, that doesn't mean their husbands do.
Welcome to the profession- it's a great one! I love children and helping them grow into great people.
Good luck in your teaching career. If you love WDW now, just wait until you share it with your children!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

My parents always pulled DB & I out of school for our trips. I would say unless your kids have had problems catching up in the past (sick days ; other vacations etc.) or are having a lot of trouble in a subject, you should be fine.

Be aware that some schools really frown upon this now though. Mine stopped allowing non - emergency or medical absences shortly after my younger brother graduated from HS about 6 years ago.

 

[HeadintoWDW]

Originally posted by tink2
HeadintoWDW- Yep, teachers here only get three personal days too. As I said in my post above, I'm taking those three personal days and am taking two days without pay. Sick days can not be used for vacations here either. Unfortunately for me, my husband can only take off certain times of the year- and it is very difficult for him to take off in the summer. Because of his job, we're sacrificing two days of pay so we can take our kids to WDW. So, after speaking with my principal, that is what we came up with. I will have to be sure not to leave anything that will be totally new to the students though, I wouldn't want a substitute to introduce anything they have never seen before- even the most capable substitute! I know teachers get time off- summers, fall breaks, etc. But, that doesn't mean their husbands do.
Welcome to the profession- it's a great one! I love children and helping them grow into great people.
Good luck in your teaching career. If you love WDW now, just wait until you share it with your children!

tink2...That's so great that your principal is letting you take those unpaid days. Maybe I would be able to finagle something like that too someday when I have kiddos!! I'm lucky that my DH is not the one with the restrictive vacation schedule...I am!

I am loving the profession so far and know that I will love it more as time goes on!!

 

[Efastpitch]

Originally posted by Jana49
To Efastpitch - I am truly impressed with your courage of giving the teachers copies of all these posts and for changing your mind. It would be very hard to admit this publicly after all that has been said, and I admire you for sharing it with all of us. Have a good time!

Jana

The pressure was more than I could handle.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Efastpitch
I can't believe all the excuses for justifying taking your kids out of school. You can come up with all types of excuses, but it still comes down to what you want and not what is best for your child.

I still believe that if you take your child out of school just so you can go on vacation, you should not expect to have make up work or test's provide for you by the teacher.

As to you could get sick, and miss a weeks worth of school. What happens if you take a week off to go to WDW, and you get sick when you get home. Now you have missed two weeks.

Your child's education is very important. Put WDW off until the summer.

I probably missed about 12 weeks of school, maybe 14 between grades K-12 and I graduated in the high end of my class, got into a good college and have a successful job. As I got old enough to understand "crowds and peak season" at WDW, I was very happy my parents did this, because IMHO, it was what was best for me , as well. I got far more out of our trips going at less crowded times. When I came back, I alwasy felt good about myself because everyone asked me about the trip and this encouraged alot of socializing I otherwise may not have had, as I was a quiet kid in school. My younger brother also did very well in school and never had any problems. In fact, most of my friends, including the girl who was my class valadictorian did this. So, sorry, but I really don't see what you are trying to say.

So...maybe this is a problem for kids who have a hard time in classes, or have a very difficult time catching up, but for most children, being taken out of school for 5 days , or even 6 or 7 days is not a big deal.

I think most parents know how their kid handles catch up from being out sick for a few days at some point in their schooling.

Most teachers understand working parents trying to arrange family time and many working people can not get off vacation time in the summer. I know in my field, I am given three weeks of vacation a year and it can not be at the same time as anyone else in my department. Trying to get the time off in the summer, over people who have been working at my company longer than I have is near impossible.

Most teachers will work with parents and let kids make up tests and not penalize them for being out.

And if the kids gets sick for a week later in the year, who can predict that? Why live life around what might happen? Life is too short and time with family is sadly, often scarce. Enjoy it while you can.

 

[Vanryan]

tink2,
You are making me dream of using some personal time someday! I am glad you work in such a supportive environment. I have a great set-up like that as well. I think it is important to teach kids that they are the ones in charge of their learning, the teacher is just supposed to be masterful at designing the opportunity.

 

[Efastpitch]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I probably missed about 12 weeks of school, maybe 14 between grades K-12 and I graduated in the high end of my class, got into a good college and have a successful job. As I got old enough to understand "crowds and peak season" at WDW, I was very happy my parents did this, because IMHO, it was what was best for me , as well. I got far more out of our trips going at less crowded times. When I came back, I alwasy felt good about myself because everyone asked me about the trip and this encouraged alot of socializing I otherwise may not have had, as I was a quiet kid in school. My younger brother also did very well in school and never had any problems. In fact, most of my friends, including the girl who was my class valadictorian did this. So, sorry, but I really don't see what you are trying to say.

So...maybe this is a problem for kids who have a hard time in classes, or have a very difficult time catching up, but for most children, being taken out of school for 5 days , or even 6 or 7 days is not a big deal.

I think most parents know how their kid handles catch up from being out sick for a few days at some point in their schooling.

Most teachers understand working parents trying to arrange family time and many working people can not get off vacation time in the summer. I know in my field, I am given three weeks of vacation a year and it can not be at the same time as anyone else in my department. Trying to get the time off in the summer, over people who have been working at my company longer than I have is near impossible.

Most teachers will work with parents and let kids make up tests and not penalize them for being out.

And if the kids gets sick for a week later in the year, who can predict that? Why live life around what might happen? Life is too short and time with family is sadly, often scarce. Enjoy it while you can.

These were all the reasons that we used with my DH concerning taking the kids out of school to go to WDW. After a number of long discussions concerning this, it was his idea to make copies of all the posts and let the teachers and administrators make the call. So, as you can see from my later post, we will be going to WDW in 4 - WEEKS (I can hardly wait). We will be spending two weeks in Disney World instead of just one. We were going the first week of March, during the kids spring break, but this will work out better for all of us.

My DH was against missing any school, but you all were able to change his mind.

Thanks again!:

 

[Vanryan]

I know iI have said this already, but I am impressed with the open mindedness of efastpitch! Have a great time!

 

[Mr.BsMom]

Is it just me, or does anyone else hear the sarcasm coming from Efastpitch?????

 

[Vanryan]

No, I really don't. Unless he was always planning to pull his kids out of school?

 

[kilee]

At our school system family vacations with advanced notice is an excused and legal absence!!! We usually take DS (11) out for 2 one week trips each year. He does well enough, and the teachers are really great about the missed work. They have him make up what is very important, and the rest is overlooked so not to bog them down for a week.

My PERSONAL opinion is that this is time you can never get back. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. So, I am going to enjoy what we can. They grow too fast, and I can never get this time back.

Education is most certainly important. But a few missed days here and there aren't the end of the world!

 

[JPN4265]

EFastPitch, I think its GREAT!!! that you are taking your kids out of school for vacation. Don't let MrBsmom get you down. Everyone has the right to change opinons.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Mr.BsMom
Is it just me, or does anyone else hear the sarcasm coming from Efastpitch?????

NO! You are certainly not the only one!

I remember the below quotes by Efastpitch so it's hard to believe he did a 180 turn around! I think the opposing opinion just got to him and he gave up. I don't think he changed his opinion of those of us who do take our children out of school for Disney vacations.

Remember these famous quotes?

Originally quoted by Efastpitch Go ahead and pull your kids out of school if you wish, but don't expect the teacher to provide you with make up work or test. Sorry your kids lose the right to the make up work because of your decission to pull them out of class. Who does it hurt? Only your kids. Hey, but enjoy your vacation.

I can't believe all the excuses for justifying taking your kids out of school. You can come up with all types of excuses, but it still comes down to what you want and not what is best for your child.

I still believe that if you take your child out of school just so you can go on vacation, you should not expect to have make up work or test's provide for you by the teacher.

As to you could get sick, and miss a weeks worth of school. What happens if you take a week off to go to WDW, and you get sick when you get home. Now you have missed two weeks. Your child's education is very important. Put WDW off until the summer.

Parents today are looking for the easy way out when it comes to raising their children (not all parents). They blame the teachers and the administration for their failures (not all parents).

What it finally comes down to is, you are taking your kids out of school for your own selfish reasons. You want to go when the price is low and the crowds are smaller.

 

[JPN4265]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
NO! You are certainly not the only one!

I remember the below quotes by Efastpitch so it's hard to believe he did a 180 turn around! I think the opposing opinion just got to him and he gave up. I don't think he changed his opinion of those of us who do take our children out of school for Disney vacations.

Remember these famous quotes?

I disagree, I think if you look at the earlier quotes, you will see that it was DH that did not want to take the kids out of school, but in later quotes, the DW seems to have been able to change his mind with a little help from her friends (ie. teachers, administrators and these posts). So have a great time at WDW, Efastpitch and don't let the negative posts get you down.