Spoke to principal- I'm not a happy camper-- update post 155

[lisadr]

KyHardy-If you could see me right now I am standing up and clapping!!!! AMEN!

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

Y....... Family values, standing up for what you believe in, thinking for yourself & not just mindlessly following society and their norms.

...... They don't seem as concerned with my child's education as they are their schedules, rules etc.

.... we teach our kids life isn't always the way you would like it and you have to overcome obstacles.

I just STRONGLY believe that childhood's most important lessons are taught at home with family and that over the course our lifetime the majority of our education comes from life and not schools. I would NEVER believe that a school system knows what is right for my child better than I.

Brilliant ..... thank you!

 

[Sacha_L]

1) OP I'd pull my kid out and with no guilt.....unenroll him if you have too...there was a family in my son's class who took a 3 week trip throughout Egypt ect...and to avoid truancy court they had to do just that....now you can't call THAT uneducational ! BTW he was put right back into the same classroom when they returned.

2) public school is not "free" or a privledge. I know that every year when we get our tax bill as far as I am concerned he who pays makes the rules

3) Standardized tests are a load of

4) In my limited experience (Ds#1 only in 2nd grade) schools only want you to "care" or "be involved" when you are doing something they want.....god forbid I request a specific teacher a year in advance...

5) I also believe that real life experiences are MUCH more memorable and educational than anything learned in a classroom example...explaining to my son how an ice crystal forms by looking at snowflakes as we catch them at the top of a mountain vs a teacher explaning it via diagram & book....which way do you think he will really remember the concept better?

6) We pull our son out all the time to travel (usually just a friday or monday)...I don't ask or explain....heck I don't even call when he is out sick....

disclaimers: I'm dsylexic and can't spell....you want to point out my spelling errors to proove you are superior go ahead....I probably make more money than you any way

We are very invloved in our son's lives...on the board of the PTO, Soccer league & little league boardmembers.

The teacher I have to fight to be alowed to "pick out" for my son every year is thrilled to get us. I go on every field trip, buy her extra supplies throughout the school year, help in the classroom and our son is a good student.

 

[CruisinEars]

I am jumping in here because we just went through something similar in May. We pulled our 4th and 1st graders out for 2 weeks for a Disney cruise and time at the parks. It was the best vacation we have ever taken.

I do have to say I feel as others do that standardized tests are a waste of taxpayer money and the no child left behind act is a crock and always felt the school has no right to say what I do with my child. We also have our kids in private school.

With that said, taking them out for 2 weeks, for the best vacation, was VERY stressful for our 4th grader. When we got back there was only 4 weeks left of school, he had a big project due and never caught up with his reading assignments. He really disliked us for the rest of the school because he had hours of homework every night (granted he spent a lot of that time whining ). My 1st grader had to miss recess many days so she could make up missed tests etc. Our son has made us promise to never go on vacation during school time again. So, now we get to take our next cruise at the end of August during the height of hurricane season rather than the perfect time in May.

So, to the OP, I highly suggest you rethink your plans regardless of the ridiculous testing situation.

 

[allison443]

She also said that if this was the case, they would have to hire someone to administer the test. I told her that if it's a point of pushing someone over the edge, I would donate Webkinz to their classroom.

OP you have gotten a lot of advice from both sides. Good luck with your situation.
But I just can't figure out what the above part means? Who were you going to donate the webkinz to? What teachers would have or want webkinz in the classroom? (Maybe I missed the joke.....it wouldn't be the first time! )

 

[Karlzmom]

In my opinion, this is what this discussion boils down to: If you want to send your child to a public school, play by the rules. If you're so adamently against standardized testing and policies for unexcused absences, find an alternative private school or homeschool your child. It's that simple.

Sad to think how far we've come when "public schools" couldn't give a tinker's d*mn about working for or even with the parents of the students...."Public" suggests that the constituents have some form of say-so on what should be taught, how discipline should be administered, how time should be spent, etc. Instead, the "public" gets pushed around be educrats who THINK they know best and don't hesitate to lie to parents about what's being done during the day [I was livid when I discovered that my child had to turn in his books 2 weeks before the end of the school year and was expected to show up and watch movies from Blockbuster all day to finish out the school year I wouldn't let him watch 6 hours of TV at home! Of course, the educrats who are "looking out for my child" told me that they would report him as a truant if I just kept him home instead of the charade of "doing school"...it came down to the fact that they want the money of his backside in the chair, not what they actually are doing during the hours...

We will be homeschooling now, assuming the educrats don't convince the courts that I'm not qualified as I'm not a teacher...of course to get my precious teaching certificate i don't have to take a single English, Math, Science, History, Art, Music or other academic subject. I simply have to be schooled in social indoctrination and regurgitate it to someone's satisfaction and BAM! I'm suddenly "qualified"

To the OP- I am concerned about the idea of "using the homeschooling excuse." I urge you to consider the notion that in some states homeschooling parents are fighting to maintain the right to home education, including battling the belief that we don't really educate. If you are going to take the trip and have assignments or reports to write, go for it! IF its just a dodge, you are not only being dishonest, but feeding the educrats raw meat to use against *true* homeschoolers. Maybe this encounter with the educrat-powers-that-be will be the turning point for you and you'll join the homeschool movement!

 

[Karlzmom]

4) In my limited experience (Ds#1 only in 2nd grade) schools only want you to "care" or "be involved" when you are doing something they want.....god forbid I request a specific teacher a year in advance...

.

AMEN TO THAT!!!

My Best-friend used to be on the whole bandwagon about how schools just need more parent involvement, more money, more caring, etc. Then her kids started school. She actually took me for coffee to tell me she has finally discovered, after 4 years of being the room mom/go to gal and now PTA treasurer that the schools just want cover - "Yes" men & women so they can blame them if there is an unpopular decision. She had to fight as the new PTA treasurer to get access to the PTA bank records and the school budget! The principal was Peeved that my buddy wouldn't just "sign off" on whatever the principal wanted. Sadly, its all too typical.

 

[Disney_Angel]

It is hard to politely disagree with someone who is rude! And as for proving your point I realize that you would see it that way, but what would you do if you were a teacher? I wager you would join the union. Philosophical ideals don't mean much when you are faced with a hositle child who has been taught they don't have to follow rules by someone who resents athority, and then faced with their even more hostile parents who have the same attitude you do that I am stupid and out to get everything I can by duping the taxpayers. Teaching you child this stuff is the reason schools are in the state they are not stupid lazy greedy teachers!

You are far too hostile over this issue and are taking what I am saying as a personal attack. Perhaps you need a litlte breather.
It is evident I have struck a nerve with you. Does "un-schooling" my child at home threaten you that much?

At no time did I suggest teachers are stupid or lazy. Nor did I say homeschooling is the answer for every family. I am thankful to have this option. It is what works for MY family and it will not work for every family. I am open-minded enough to know that children have different styles of learning. Furthermore I do not believe that in any way am I boasting that I am better than a parent that does not homeschool. That is just daft.
Nonethless I am proud that I have taken her from diapers to division in seven years.

I am sorry you have had bad experiences with students but this is your chosen profession. Were you that ill prepared where you though it would be a cakewalk? I am employed at a hospital and deal with the public all the time. Ever jostle with a drug addict who thinks your a bear trying to eat him? This is my chosen profession and I knew what to expect.

And as far as the socialization remark as a teacher you should know there is a difference between socialization and Being Socialized . You have made two examples of children who are the product of the socilization that you deem better than homeschooling.
No thanks, I think I will stick with the socially inept homeschooler, less dangerous!

I respectively disagree Have a magical day!

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

4) In my limited experience (Ds#1 only in 2nd grade) schools only want you to "care" or "be involved" when you are doing something they want.....

5) I also believe that real life experiences are MUCH more memorable and educational than anything learned in a classroom

BRILLIANT! Agree on both points

disclaimers: I'm dsylexic and can't spell....you want to point out my spelling errors to proove you are superior go ahead....I probably make more money than you any way

ROFL ... have to wipe the tea off my screen now.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Me again. I think two weeks is to much to miss. I'm taking my dd out for a week and it will be hald day all week. I will talk to the teacher in a few days about our Nov trip.

I think the state testing is soo important to schools because some get funding or grants. Schools getting title one have the no child left behind and they do get grants so they push those test scores. I know one years(several years ago) certain schools that scored high got a bonus every employee at the school site got a $bonus aides, nurse, teacher, cafeteria workers,custodians etc., that was only one year. Schools make money when kids are in school if your child is special needs they make a lil more. I've heard many teachers complain about the testing and it being unfair to many kids. Teachers have no choice but to teach for the test and do what they are told.
I think being honest is the best thing to do and if you can go one week instead of two it would be better for your child.

Dfi is off in Nov and so am i. DD and i are off Thanksgiving week but dfi cant take some days off. good luck

 

[TheMadScrapper]

What's sad to me here is that there's a kid that may end up stuck in summer school through no fault of his own. Ya he'll have a blast at WDW but why should he have to pay the price for poor planning and a crappy public school system? The way I see it is what's done is done and now all you can do is try to work something out with the school.

 

[disneymarie]

My DD made up the PA, PSSA the following Monday and Tuesday.
It was not for a trip, it was illness, chicken pox.
di

 

[ilisao]

I believe education is the most important thing in life, but education is not limited to the classroom and testing is not education...A child is not being educated during standardized testing.

What do honesty, integrity and responsibility have to do with not going on vacation?

When the school starts to lose money and subsequently programs because of children not taking the tests, well, that has a lot to do with honesty, integrity and responsibility.

I do not like NCLB and I'm no fan on standardized tests. But, when the quality of my child's education overall depends partly on them, then I as a parent have a responsibility to make sure my child takes them.

No, an education is not limited to the class. I'm the first to admit it. But, that doesn't mean disregarding the school. Oh, and people, Hall of Presidents isn't exactly a quality method of teaching about history.

 

[princessmom29]

You are far too hostile over this issue and are taking what I am saying as a personal attack. Perhaps you need a litlte breather.
It is evident I have struck a nerve with you. Does "un-schooling" my child at home threaten you that much?

At no time did I suggest teachers are stupid or lazy. Nor did I say homeschooling is the answer for every family. I am thankful to have this option. It is what works for MY family and it will not work for every family. I am open-minded enough to know that children have different styles of learning. Furthermore I do not believe that in any way am I boasting that I am better than a parent that does not homeschool. That is just daft.
Nonethless I am proud that I have taken her from diapers to division in seven years.

I am sorry you have had bad experiences with students but this is your chosen profession. Were you that ill prepared where you though it would be a cakewalk? I am employed at a hospital and deal with the public all the time. Ever jostle with a drug addict who thinks your a bear trying to eat him? This is my chosen profession and I knew what to expect.

And as far as the socialization remark as a teacher you should know there is a difference between socialization and Being Socialized . You have made two examples of children who are the product of the socilization that you deem better than homeschooling.
No thanks, I think I will stick with the socially inept homeschooler, less dangerous!

I respectively disagree Have a magical day!

Ok, so you didn't directly say that eachers are stupid or lazy, but the insinuation is there. The reason that it upsets me so much to see people trash public school so much is that wether they believe it or not that attitude filters down to their children. No I didn'tthink that this would be a cake walk. I was a biochemist for 5 years before becoming a teacher. It is the hardest thing I have ever done by far and I am PROUD to say that i make a difference in the lives of my students. AS for the examples given, these are students who are taught AT HOME that school is worthless and teachers do not deserve respect. They are a product of the public school system is one sense, but it is what they are being taught at home that causes behavior problems at school not the other way round. I love these kids and I deal with what i am given. And yea I have delt with a high addict before! It is not the school system's fault a 14 year old comes to school high. Where were his parents when he was doing drugs at home?? My point is that parents who lambast the school system and protray public education as worthless are often the cause of what we have to deal with at public school. The pervasive attitude that teachers are worthless passes on to students, and I have to fight an uphill battle that i shouldn't be struggling with to prove that my class is worth their time. I eventually do it, but if they hadn't been taught that attitude at home I would have a cild in my class who is happy to be there learning rather that one just filling a desk b/c he has to. It is vry challenging, but my point is it wouldn't be nearly so if parents were willing to meet me halfway! I am not threatened by anyone who chooses to homeschool thier child. I do question whether most parents are qualified to do so at a high school level. How many parents can effectively homeschool physics, chemistry, and calculus? Not very many.

 

[ilisao]

That consequence however was not on the table when the OP first booked the vacation, had it been then I would agree! I see this as an inflexible principal who is trying to prove a point.

Maybe the principal is trying not to to start a bad precedent. If her kid is allowed to 1) be taken out of school for 2 WEEKS and 2) is allowed to miss testing, where does it stop? And then what if next year more people want to do the same?

Again, no one is entitled to or deserves a Disney vacation. That is not a right, but a luxury. And sometimes we don't get our luxuries when we want them.

 

[I_Know_You2!]

Withdraw him from school and re-register AFTER your vacation. You have every right to explore your other schooling options. Call your district and tell them your planning to homeschool this will buy you at least a months time. Then after the vacation you could say homeschooling is NOT for you and that is when you re-register. Frankly I am so disgusted at how school boards try to control the decisions we make for our children but that is a debate left for another time. I

Is the 1Step a form a standardized testing used to determne AYP and funding? Ask the principle where exactly it states he cannot miss the testing. Know YOUR child's rights and call her bluff if you need too.

Who is to say your not homeschooling in Disney. We do.....I have two entire science and history units and one art unit planned over four full days in Epcot. We go over the material before arriving and take our notes with us...we then spend the time looking for examples of what we studied. Education come to life.....she is still talking about last years travel around the World Showcase. It is AMAZING. We did an entire science unit on the ocean in The Living Seas and we completed two history units in China and Japan. We are almost complete the language arts and Math lessons we will miss while away. All I will be taking is thre assessments. We have an understanding: we only leave for the parks AFTER language arts and math are complete. I think it is a fair trade.

I will get slammed by teachers on here stating you can not school in Disney...I beg to differ. That is why we "un-school" at home.

Good luck I think wat the school is doing to you is completely UNFAIR. A promise should be kept even though the principle that made it has moved on.

What a load of crap. It is people like you that give homeschoolers a bad name.

 

[claudia]

Look, no one from the school is going to come and confiscate this family's park tickets. In fact, it's been stated that they're perfectly welcome to take off for 2 weeks--with the full knowledge that the OP's son will then be required to attend Summer school.

If the vacation is truly important, then take it. But also be prepared for the consequences that accompany that decision.

That's true responsibility.

Agree completely.....only thing I feel bad about is that the true responsibility is going to fall on the shoulders of a 10 year old boy who played no part in creating this situation.

 

[McRed]

Here's an Idea. Maybe Disney could set up a Secure Testing Facility on site.

 

[powellrj]

Look, no one from the school is going to come and confiscate this family's park tickets. In fact, it's been stated that they're perfectly welcome to take off for 2 weeks--with the full knowledge that the OP's son will then be required to attend Summer school.

If the vacation is truly important, then take it. But also be prepared for the consequences that accompany that decision.

That's true responsibility.

Kids in Indiana have ISPEP test for over 20 years. My oldest DS is 25 and he took it in the 1st grade. If you have a kid in school you KNOW its a big deal.

Take the vacation, but be prepared to attend summer school. The principal has other people he has to answer to. Maybe the old principal knew he wasn't going to be there the next year so it was just easier to say yes and let the new one be the bad guy.

 

[Loverly]

As a family, our vacation time is seriously, seriously limited and school breaks don't always work. We almost always have to go during school.


I say do WHATEVER you have to do.

.

I hear this over and over and over on the DIS and i reallycan not believe that families truely can't schedule a vacation when your kids are ou t of school. I think it is simply an excuse to ge when you want to

And the outrage against schools and the attitude dominating posters that the Mom is right and the schools are always wrong is mind boggling