So frustrated right now - school start date change

[kandb]

My daughter said to me a few times that she didn't want to miss the first 2 days of school but I told her she will be fine when she gets back. Sometimes I think parents give into every
thing that might make their children "uncomfortable". Sometimes it's good for them to be able to adjust to a situation that they feel uncomfortable about. JMO

 

[tvguy]

The teachers union here would never stand for that. Entire school year is a negotiated part of their contract.

I just checked, our school district's calendar is out through May 2017.
http://www.sanjuan.edu/cms/lib8/CA0...ars/school_year_calendar_2016-2017.pdf:crazy2:

 

[kandb]

Our school district did release the 2015-2016 calendar earlier then usual. I believe they released it in January, 2015. I believe they did it because our schools have NEVER started school
before labor day. By the time they released it, I had already made flights going down to Florida. If they are going to change the norm, I agree, it should be done at least a year before.

 

[wvjules]

My daughter said to me a few times that she didn't want to miss the first 2 days of school but I told her she will be fine when she gets back. Sometimes I think parents give into every
thing that might make their children "uncomfortable". Sometimes it's good for them to be able to adjust to a situation that they feel uncomfortable about. JMO

Your daughter said she didn't want to miss the first 2 days of school but you made her miss them anyway? *smh*

And to the OP, no I wouldn't take a vacation that would mean my kids missed the first 4 days of school. I took DD out twice for a day or two, once in elementary school and once in HS. But the first days of school? No way.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

My daughter said to me a few times that she didn't want to miss the first 2 days of school but I told her she will be fine when she gets back. Sometimes I think parents give into every
thing that might make their children "uncomfortable". Sometimes it's good for them to be able to adjust to a situation that they feel uncomfortable about. JMO

What grade is your daughter in? And she expressed she doesn't want to miss school? Gee, a kid who actually wants to go to school and you say no? JMO but it's sometimes good for parents to adjust and respect their child's wishes, especially when it comes to school and starting the year off in a good place.

I certainly don't make life a cake walk for my kids--they have expectations and often have to do things that may not be high up on their list. But JMO, making them miss school when they don't want to is not the time I want them to be uncomfortable.

 

[kandb]

Yes, she did express not wanting to miss the first 2 days (one is a half day) but since our school schedule had changed, our family vacation was already planned she and her brother would have
to miss them. No, I don't think it's a big deal. There are much bigger deals in life then missing a day and a half of school is not one of them IMO. My daughter is 11 years old, a straight A student and even if she feels a little "funny" about starting 2 days after everyone else, I think it builds character to do things in life that are hard sometimes.

 

[Nancyg56]

Wish we could, but the bounce back\offer is only good starting on the days we are already scheduled for. I also already have all of my dining reservations setup\scheduled, which means now I'd have to redo all of them, and probably not get half of what we wanted.

My real frustration here is that over the past five years the school district keeps flopping starting before or after Labor Day. Pick one already! When I was a kid, it didn't matter WHEN Labor Day was, you didn't start school until after it. Why this sudden change all over the place.

Ah well, I'm foreseeing huge discussions at the dinner table this evening regarding this.

My DGD schools moves opening day around as well, but there is no way she would be comfortable missing the first few days of school. She is in 8th Grade and would never have been able to have fun if we were away. As it is, our next trip brings us home on a Sunday, for a Tuesday start. She is already a bit stressed because it is high school, and she wants to be prepared.

There is no way my DD would allow her to miss. I would talk to your DD and see how comfortable she would be missing those days, and then decide to move the trip or keep it as is.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yes, she did express not wanting to miss the first 2 days (one is a half day) but since our school schedule had changed, our family vacation was already planned she and her brother would have
to miss them. No, I don't think it's a big deal. There are much bigger deals in life then missing a day and a half of school is not one of them IMO. My daughter is 11 years old, a straight A student and even if she feels a little "funny" about starting 2 days after everyone else, I think it builds character to do things in life that are hard sometimes.

Honestly, if she is uncomfortable, I would move the trip. If your DD is trying to be in school, I would think you would encourage that work ethic.

 

[smitch425]

We've pulled our kids out the last day of the first quarter for years, but now that DD is in middle school, and she was stressed about it for the missed day this past October, we will not be taking them out early this October. Kids have enough pressure in school, and there is no way we would tell her to suck it up an go anyway. I would never put a child in that position.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I would NOT let my kid miss the first week of school. No way no how. If the trip cannot be changed, i'd cancel it.

 

[Laura66]

Did your 1st grader go to all-day kindergarten? Did your 8th grader go to the same school for seventh grade?

Imagine your 1st grader walking in to class 4 days after the other kids, not knowing where their desk was, who they are sitting by, where to put their things, what the schedule is for the day. All the other kids have had 4 days to adapt and now your child is the in the spotlight while the teacher catches them up. Some kids don't mind that kind of situation. Some do?

Same thing for the 8th grader. They are going to walk in to each class and ask for their books, their seat, and any missed assignments. Is that going to bother them?

I get your frustration, but depending on the kid this could start the school year off on the wrong foot. Disney will still be there if you decide to postpone.

No way - no how - would my kids wanna miss the first few days of school!
It's a vacation! This is school! Move it up a few days!

 

[daisyduck123]

2nd grade public school teacher chiming in.....
I WOULD GO on the vacation. My viewpoint of it all is....one or two weeks after you get back, any effects of your kids missing school will be GONE. All will be fine. Both kids will be totally acclimated to their classes, and it will be like they never missed. AND.....you will have gotten to take your wonderful vacation.

I've been teaching 25 years...I've seen it all. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I would change the date with an 8th grader. I wouldn't worry about the 1st grader at all. DD's school frustrates me to no end - we didn't get the start day of school this year until well into July, much less other breaks.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Why, underpriviledged children don't like having a fall break? That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard. Even if they can't afford to go away, their families can still do things to
enjoy their time off. What morons.

It may be more about those families having trouble arranging daycare for that week.

 

[anniemae]

OP did you decide what you are going to do?

 

[maxiesmom]

I hope none of you who are frustrated by the school calender being late ever have a child in athletics. It gets even worse! We are talking not knowing tournament dates a couple months out. Let alone knowing an actual athletic season schedule.

 

[smitch425]

I hope none of you who are frustrated by the school calender being late ever have a child in athletics. It gets even worse! We are talking not knowing tournament dates a couple months out. Let alone knowing an actual athletic season schedule.

So true! Our kids do marial arts, so we have more flexibility than other sports, but every message I send their instructor starts with "Do you happen to know when...". I'm dreading marching band years. Lol!

 

[smadath]

Thanks for the replies here. Good to hear varying opinions. The most frustrating part to me is the short notice. I mean, we know when labor day is going to be for the next 100 years or so, so why can't the district have this listed out at least 2-3 years on advance. Have to really think on this one.

We had so many Snow Delays and Closings this year, I wonder if they are starting earlier in anticipation of similar circumstances next year? It might be easier to shift the Start Date than to reschedule Graduation and events at the end of the year. Starting earlier gives them a little more wiggle room.

 

[LBIJim]

My real frustration here is that over the past five years the school district keeps flopping starting before or after Labor Day. Pick one already! When I was a kid, it didn't matter WHEN Labor Day was, you didn't start school until after it. Why this sudden change all over the place.

r.

Why? Probably because many schools are giving too much unnecessary time off during the school year. In NJ anyway, many schools now get a full week off in November for "Jersey Week" instead of two days. Many got two full weeks off for Christmas break. And many "need" a four or five day weekend for Presidents Day. Eliminate all those extra days off and there'd be no reason to start before Labor Day.

 

[powellrj]

My DD graduated last year, so we are finally done with arranging vacations around the schools schedules. We never knew the start dates until a few weeks before school started. This year was even worse because they decided to go with a balanced schedule a few weeks before school was to start which means they moved up the start date to Aug 1 and then added a 2 week fall break plus more breaks. They were suppose to have a 2 week spring break but with so many snow days I'm not sure what they will be doing.