schools seem tougher this year

[micksterlee]

We just received DD handbook for the new year and it states that any work missed due to an unescused absence can not be made up and then goes on to say that family vacations are not allowed and will be counted as unescused.So of course I already have a trip booked complete with MVMCP tickets for the 17th - 24th of Dec. I used last years calendar for the dates which showed her out Dec 20th which means only one day missed but of course this year they changed it to first day off as the 22nd which means 3 days missed.And to top it off there is a band concert on the 20th and the band teacher told the kids concert s will count as test grades and the only reason to miss one will illness and a doctor s note will be needed to avoid a F.Needless to say we are in a quandry.I don t think I can cancel this trip due to the fact DS and grandson already have airline tickets from Seattle to meet us.

 

[crow11ad]

I don't know how close you are with your docter, but see if they wont write you a "note". Also on the principle issue, let them know that this will be an educational trip. Go in details how he will learn about history with the hall of presidents and the american adventure. He will learn about science with the animals at AK, all the great things at future world.

 

[tallpkb]

Hearing stuff like this makes my blood boil. THESE ARE OUR KIDS! We can choose where they will be and when. This is not a paying job! I think it's all an intimidation tactic because the schools don't get paid when your child isn't in class. JMHO....

 

[#1Disfann]

like this with great interest because my daughter (8th grade) will be missing 5 days of school during our trip. We are new to the district but when we went to get her schedule last week I asked about this and was given a form for a "prearranged absence". The absences will be excused and while the form says they discourage students from missing school, "they will not hinder a parents decision to pull the student out for a family emergency or a family trip which will have educational value." So... I'm happy with that and pleased with their policy. We are requesting work to take for 3 of her classes (As allowed by the policy) and she will have as many days as she is absent to make up the work in the other classes once we return. She is a good student and we have always pulled her out about every other year for our WDW trips. If and/or when it begins to hinder her education we will rethink the matter. I know the opinions on the subject are widely varied but the thought that has always come to me on the subject is that if 5 days of missed school would cause my child to fail there is a bigger problem on my end as well as our education system. JMHO

Anyway, I'm down to single digits and should be dancing now!!

 

[~Czarina~]

Hearing stuff like this makes my blood boil. THESE ARE OUR KIDS! We can choose where they will be and when. This is not a paying job! I think it's all an intimidation tactic because the schools don't get paid when your child isn't in class. JMHO....

I agree fully.

 

[pixiedust23]

Ok going against popular standpoint, but I'm actually kinda glad that schools are cracking down. Now I hated the policy when I was in high school (and yes we had it 10 unexcused absenses for the year) but I'm about to be a biology teacher and seeing all the stuff we cover and how detailed it is in one week would be very hard to make up, esp since they would also have to make up every other subject as well.

And as for missing tests and concerts I think that is extremely valid. I intend on having a similar policy. Unless there is a death in the immediate family or you have a drs note, if you miss a test it's a 0. It's not fair to give tests on different days b/c then some kids get the advantage of kjnowing test questions before taking the exam. Also to give two separate tests its hard to determine that they are at the same difficulty level. As for concerts. Kids prepare all quarter/half/trimester/year for those things. If I was that teacher I would make it into a "final."

 

[3xthecharm]

I am a secondary teacher with some experience with my elementary student children. I have found that this being in the handbook gives the teacher the right to not allow makeup work. However, you will probably discover that individual teachers may find a way to work around the policy.

You did not mention your child's grade level. If they have one teacher, I would aproach him/her. Wait a few weeks after school has started so you can get a read on their general attitude. Be as helpful in and out of the classroom as possible. Make sure your child doesn't miss any assignments and is always prepared. Appear as "together" as you can. Show the teacher that you and your child are very responsible and reguard education as a high priority. Ask other parents if they know of any of the teacher's past students that missed school. They might know how it was handled.

Approach the teacher in person(not in a note). This allows you to read their facial expressions. Be willing to do what is required as well as extra(don't offer the extra unless they seem hesitant). Show them that you want to find a way for your child to get their work finish, not to get out of work.

Also, don't accept a policy that you feel is unacceptable. Adress the board of education. Speak to parents that feel the same way. Show up at the first board meeting as a group. All districts public or private must have open meetings due to law. I spoke to my BOE about them wanting a full day kindergarten. I went with a few other parents well prepared and very calm. Five years later, still half day.

 

[YCFAN]

We have the no more than 5 days in one semester rule no matter what the reason, even hospital stays. If a student misses more than 5 days they must go before the school board, tell the reason they were absent and if the absence is acceptable then they must attend make-up sessions on Saturdays to erase the days absent. If the reason is not acceptable then they fail their grade.

 

[3xthecharm]

Ok going against popular standpoint, but I'm actually kinda glad that schools are cracking down. Now I hated the policy when I was in high school (and yes we had it 10 unexcused absenses for the year) but I'm about to be a biology teacher and seeing all the stuff we cover and how detailed it is in one week would be very hard to make up, esp since they would also have to make up every other subject as well.

And as for missing tests and concerts I think that is extremely valid. I intend on having a similar policy. Unless there is a death in the immediate family or you have a drs note, if you miss a test it's a 0. It's not fair to give tests on different days b/c then some kids get the advantage of kjnowing test questions before taking the exam. Also to give two separate tests its hard to determine that they are at the same difficulty level. As for concerts. Kids prepare all quarter/half/trimester/year for those things. If I was that teacher I would make it into a "final."

Wow. I assume you do not have children.

As a HS math teacher I warn you about having such a rigid attitude. Your principle and/or supervisor may have a problem with it. You will need to be a little more diplomatic in dealing with your students' parents. Remeber the OP would not be a parent that simply does not show up for the concert without notice. That would be delt very seriously by me. The music teacher would know from square one that the student would not be attending. They could easily have the student complete the assignment by performing in another manner.

 

[JodyLynC]

Home schooling is looking better all the time.

 

[WDWLinda]

I agree with 3xthe charm...go to the individual teacher(s) and explain the situation - how you used last year's calendar to try to avoid missing school, how other family memebrs will be impacted, the $$ you would lose if you canceled the trip, etc. Go in person too. I would hope that the teacher(s) would understand - they have kids too!

Good luck!

~Linda

 

[pixiedust23]

Wow. I assume you do not have children.

As a HS math teacher I warn you about having such a rigid attitude. Your principle and/or supervisor may have a problem with it. You will need to be a little more diplomatic in dealing with your students' parents. Remeber the OP would not be a parent that simply does not show up for the concert without notice. That would be delt very seriously by me. The music teacher would know from square one that the student would not be attending. They could easily have the student complete the assignment by performing in another manner.

Nope not a parent. And all my professors have totally backed up my opinion and there are many other people in my classes who feel the same way. I dont think its fair to the other students. Clearly I will stay within the guildelines of my district, but that will be my policy if it is permitted by the district.

 

[mickeymom629]

I have taken my children (I have 4 and they were in high school, middle school and elementary) out of school for a couple of our trips, and I have found the counselor, principal and teachers to be accomodating even though our handbook has strict rules. I let them know months in advance, and they tell me the procedure to follow. That being said, I get so angry that we are given any hassle, considering how many times my kids have come home from school telling me that they had a substitute teacher (which equals a free day in high school), watched a movie, will be having a party, etc. during school (especially around holidays and towards the end of the year). As long as your children get good grades and are good students, I don't see anything wrong with it.

 

[I_Know_You2!]

Ahhh! To not even be teaching yet, but obsessed with the power. At some point I hope you come to the realization that teachers are not gods. And profs tend to be obsessed with themselves and their opinions, whether they are appropriate, accurate or of any practical use.

 

[barkley]

whoo boy-this is a hot topic these days! schools are coming down with much stronger attendance policies (which is understandable given that they don't get $$ for unexcused absence days). we have a nearby school district that had a high number of absences the week following christmas break such that they have now made the christmas break 3 weeks long and extended the school year by one week (the majority of student's parents-very unhappy parents, protested long and hard against this because of the financial impact it created re. childcare coverage to no avail).

i count myself among the lucky on this issue-my kids attend a very small (24 kids in all, grades k-8) 2 room school that allows vacation during the school year (pref. one with an educational bent), but i battled with a larger private school on this issue not too many years ago. depending on your child's grades (if the missed schoolwork will not impact so much) i would just bite the bullet and be honest with the school. it's not much fun going on a vacation to wdw and having to keep it a secret before and after (if you go via the note from the dr. route), also there is always the chance it will get out anyway and your child may face harder consequences. on the band issue-aaaaaaagh! i did 6 years of choir in jr/sr. high school wherein the concerts counted as a major chunk of the grade-you said "concerts" (plural) is there more than one? if this is the case than this issue i might consider taking directly to the band teacher and see what happens-if they won't budge and there are multiple concerts find out what effect missing the one with verbal and written notice 4 months in advance will have.

good luck!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

They were very understanding and the Teacher said she will learn more and experience more visiting the different Islands than 3 days in her class. I was so thankful for that attitude. I always try and plan for short weeks and the end of the Quarters. They never give the ELementary kids homework on those short weeks. I agree with one of the other posts! These are our Children and we have the right to take them out of school if we choose to do so. She is a good student and I can not afford DCL prices in the Summer. I have no desire to go in the heat of the Summer.

The schools should be thankful that parents cherish this family time. There are so many kids that have no Quality time with there parents.

This is always a hot topic!

 

[HaleyB]

3xthe charm I am so glad you said that. I was trying to think of a nice way to address that post but you did it perfectly.

TCFAN you must be misreading the policy. That would violate the Americans with disabilities act, and maybe some other federal laws too. If a child misses school for health reasons not only must a school allow them to make it up, it is actually the schools responsibility.

In my state a parent can force the school to 'place' the child in the next grade if they fail to 'promote' and I think this is true in a lot of states if you read the fine print. I have a disabled child and can tell you that the parents of disabled children are the best source for information about how district policy is applied and what you can do to challenge this.

Teachers threaten '0' and 'f' for missing things but when it comes down to it, it only makes them look bad to try to force the issue. Any good teacher would want a childs grade to reflect their ability and effort. If a parent pulls a child out of school for a few days, that is not the child making the choice. It would be small minded to punish the child. They try to persuade you not to take your child out with the threats but once it is a done deal most teachers and schools suddenly become much more flexable.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hearing stuff like this makes my blood boil. THESE ARE OUR KIDS! We can choose where they will be and when. This is not a paying job! I think it's all an intimidation tactic because the schools don't get paid when your child isn't in class. JMHO....

On the other hand, educational vacation or not, the student missing school also does not have the opportunity to learn the same material as the other students

 

[YCFAN]

Regardless of what act it may or may not violate one of the parents here in our office had her daughter in hospital for 10 days for pneumonia. She and her daughter had to appear at a hearing with the school board. Of course, she was excused with a few Saturday classes but nonetheless she had the inconvenience of appearing before the board. She was livid but they state it in the school rules at the beginning of the year. No exceptions.

 

[pixiedust23]

Ahhh! To not even be teaching yet, but obsessed with the power. At some point I hope you come to the realization that teachers are not gods. And profs tend to be obsessed with themselves and their opinions, whether they are appropriate, accurate or of any practical use.

Nothing personal but it has nothing to do with power. I want my children to learn the most they can, in order to reach their fullest potential. If a parent came to me and said hey we booked this vacation a year in advance and there is nothing we can do I would try to work with them to figure something out. But at the same time if the schools policy has been in effect for a long time and thats what it states it is, I think that is the parents problem, you knew you shouldnt book for then.

Also there are a lot of cases of kids not be ready for tests so parents (b/c in todays academic world everyone wants their kid to go Ivy League) will write sick excuses so their child will have extra time to study or complete an assignment. I'm not going to be accomodating to that. If you are sick go to the doctor, get the doctors note.

I also think it's sad that you want to insult me, but bring no other information to the table except insults to me and my professors. I don't understand why people on these boards are so quick to judge everyone and start throwing the mud. This is my opinion and I am entitled to it. If you think you can do better, then please be a teacher and prove me wrong. The teaching profession can always use more people!!!!