pulling your child out of school

[SamanthaL]

I know my DD will be fine in Kindergarten and in first grade. She is such a smart girl. I have no problem taking her out of school for 5 days in Oct. I can understand the school worrying about excessive absences but I don't agree that they should tell a parent what they can and can not do. Rules are important but I think sometimes we can go too far.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

"It's all about the money"

Too true. The reason we missed 9 days of school when I was a kid was 10 in one semester would mean failing. This was based solely on money from the fed or state. Didn't matter to me, since I was in Jr High, and they wouldn't stop me from moving up anyway, but we did make a small concession to the rules for my sister's sake. She was in high school.

Neither she nor I would trade the experience. It was a priceless time with 3 generations together for 3 weeks.

 

[tboss]

I just emailed my daughter's school teacher today. Very short note saying Megan would be absent the last 4-1/2 days of school this year and that we were traveling out of state. I also stated that she would be reading books and doing math workbooks during the drive.

I should mention that she is in 2nd grade and has only missed one day of school this year and is a B student.

Here was the teacher's response:

"Thanks for letting us know early about Megan's absence. I will forward your letter to the attendance clerk. Don't worry about assignments for the last week of school. Megan has been a wonderful student and I will miss her very much. "

 

[DVC Jen]

marmar,

I totally agree with you. I have taken my kids out of school for "family" things.. just last year a nephew who lives in Ohio (we are in texas) got married. We took our kids out and went. I have another family member getting married this coming fall.. again we are going.

There are certain things you can plan around a school schedule and certain things you can't.

It is up to each parent to decide what is important to them and their families.

For us personally.. both of our daughters are honor roll students, but our oldest also fights like the dickens to be on that honor roll. It is important to HER that she be there more than me. I just want her to do her best. She would much rather go to WDW on a school break than miss and have to deal with all that catch-up.

Now if my kids were in elementary I wouldn't hesitate so much. Jr. High and High school are much harder and with the district and STATE restrictions.. well for us personally we can stress in importance of family without creating undo hardship and stress on our girls.

 

[dijid]

I personally am of the opposite opinion of most people and definitely in the minority. I also know this belief was taught to me by my father. When I was growing up he used to say school was my job. There was no valid reason to miss unless I was sick. His job had scheduled vacation days and so did mine.... period... no negotiation allowed. Even Dr & dentist visits were only scheduled during non school time or over our recess or lunch times.

Pulling a kid out of school shows that you put other things ahead of his education, which may be correct and appropriate. [/B][/QUOTE]

You aren't alone. This is the way DH and I were raised and how we are planning on raising our kids. We are going next week for the last time in non-peak times as our oldest starts Kindergarten this fall.

If you want to build lasting memories while pulling your kids out of school, you don't have to do it for a week. One of my most special memories of high school was when my mom pulled me out of school one afternoon to shop for a prom dress. It was the only time she was going to be able to do it (my mom was a college student at the time and very busy herself) and it was important to her that we shop together. It also was special because it was the only time she ever did this.

Another factor to pulling your child out is the social aspect. Will they miss an important school event (or the opportunity to run for student council)? How will you handle it when their best friend has made a new best friend while they are away? There's just so many variables to take into consideration. You may have the best vacation ever, but two days after coming back your child may have serious regrets.

If you must pull your child out, I would also stress that it's important to make sure that your child knows it's because of the importannce of family and not just to save a buck or beat the crowds. And no matter what you do - enjoy your vacation!

 

[marcyinPA]

My son will be missing a week of school next week. He is in third grade. When I planned the trip back in Oct., I planned it for May because this was the time my dh could get time off from work. My ds is a great student and I wasn't concerned with him missing 5 days of school, especially at the end of the year (he will only have 3 weeks of school left when we return)

HOWEVER, little did I realize that all of the "pre-trip" excitement would throw him for a loop. I received a note from his teacher last week that he hasn't been paying attention in class. His grades have dropped from 100%'s to 80%'s in science and he just got a 70% on a math test. I don't know that it is our upcoming trip to Disney that has caused all of this...I think partly it's the end of the year and he's just plain tired. But nevertheless, he knows if he doesn't pull his grades up, he won't have anymore extracurricular activities for the rest of the season. With 3 days until our trip, I certainly can't cancel it now (nor would I). But I really wish I had kept the trip a secret until the time we left for the airport.

This is just something to keep in mind when planning to take your kids out of school. It's not just the time they miss while they are out, but it's also the time they miss when they are there but daydreaming about Disney!

(BTW, if anyone has any advice for me as to how to handle this situation with my ds, I'm open. It's been really tough to get him to understand the importance of keeping his head in the game, so to speak. I have lectured so much this past week that I'M sick of hearing myself! )

 

[Gabrielle]

ChairborneRangr - loved your post! Glad you had those memories as a child. I feel the same way. I took my kids out when they were younger - they're the best memories!

 

[SamanthaL]

Originally posted by marcyinPA
My son will be missing a week of school next week. He is in third grade. When I planned the trip back in Oct., I planned it for May because this was the time my dh could get time off from work. My ds is a great student and I wasn't concerned with him missing 5 days of school, especially at the end of the year (he will only have 3 weeks of school left when we return)

HOWEVER, little did I realize that all of the "pre-trip" excitement would throw him for a loop. I received a note from his teacher last week that he hasn't been paying attention in class. His grades have dropped from 100%'s to 80%'s in science and he just got a 70% on a math test. I don't know that it is our upcoming trip to Disney that has caused all of this...I think partly it's the end of the year and he's just plain tired. But nevertheless, he knows if he doesn't pull his grades up, he won't have anymore extracurricular activities for the rest of the season. With 3 days until our trip, I certainly can't cancel it now (nor would I). But I really wish I had kept the trip a secret until the time we left for the airport.

This is just something to keep in mind when planning to take your kids out of school. It's not just the time they miss while they are out, but it's also the time they miss when they are there but daydreaming about Disney!

(BTW, if anyone has any advice for me as to how to handle this situation with my ds, I'm open. It's been really tough to get him to understand the importance of keeping his head in the game, so to speak. I have lectured so much this past week that I'M sick of hearing myself! )

Maybe you could ask him what's up. There may be another reason he is not sharing

 

[marcyinPA]

Originally posted by SamanthaL
Maybe you could ask him what's up. There may be another reason he is not sharing

Tried that too...he says there is nothing going on at school or anywhere else that is bothering him. He has continually said he's tired, though. We did have him to the dr. at the beginning of the year and they did a thorough exam/blood tests and he's healthy as a horse. I think it's just the combo of end of the year, vacation, after school activities (little league), etc.

I just hope I didn't make a huge mistake by taking him out of school this week.

 

[SamanthaL]

Originally posted by marcyinPA
Tried that too...he says there is nothing going on at school or anywhere else that is bothering him. He has continually said he's tired, though. We did have him to the dr. at the beginning of the year and they did a thorough exam/blood tests and he's healthy as a horse. I think it's just the combo of end of the year, vacation, after school activities (little league), etc.

I just hope I didn't make a huge mistake by taking him out of school this week.

It is normal to get worn out at the end of a school year. Since he is complaining he is tired he may be going through something quite normal like a growth sprut and not getting enough sleep. Maybe his body is getting ready for some big change and it is affecting him. Of course these are just guesses. It seems to me a kid who always does well and is now falling a bit behind may be changing a bit. Maybe just offer lots of help with homework and see if he is understanding his lessons. Sorry that is all the help I have. I am a nurse so I see it from the medical end. Maybe there is a teacher around that can help from the Ed. point of view.