Suprising Kids, do you think teachers will help???

[W2BNeverland]

All parents should consider these things before they pull their kids out:

This is from the Secondary POV

1. What type of student is the child (in all academic subjects)?
If the child is better than average at all subjects, they probably will easily make up the time they are absent. But be careful, subjects like Math and Foreign Language are difficult to catcg up on even for the best of students. Also, one week builds upon the next. These subjects are also more difficult for the parents to help with. How many parents remember how do Algebra?

However if they are just average, they will have difficulty in making up that lost week. If they are below average, forget it, they were lost before and will be even more lost once they have returned.

2. Don't think the teachers have the time to go over a week's worth of lessons.
Teachers have enough trouble keeping up with the 1001 we have to do over the course of a day. We have minimum time as it is to tutor students WHO were in class.

 

[NJFabFour]

WOW! I am enjoying the dialogue and debate in this thread! As a school teacher for twelve years and parent of two fourth graders, my two cents are as follows:
1) Should teachers spill the beans on a "surprise"? - No way!
2) Should students be penalized by not allowing them to make up tests/work? - Of course not!
3) Is there any harm in coinciding a day or two off with a school break? - Nope!
3) But should school districts discourage any unnecessary absences? Absolutely! Maybe it's because it was instilled in me as an employee who never had any choice but to take vacations during school breaks, but we've always taken our vacations over summer break - why don't people want to do that anymore? I totally understand that cost and crowds are a factor, but I wouldn't place those factors as a higher priority than my child's obligation to be at school.

 

[EMom]

Thank you for citing two real life examples of exactly what I have been talking about.

From our student handbook:

Texas Education Code Section 25.095 requires school districts to notify parents when their child has been absent from school: (1) on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year; or (2) on three days or parts of days within a four week period in the same school year. The law further states that parents are subject to prosecution under Sec. 25.093 of the Texas Education Code for failure to require the child to attend school as required by law and the student is subject to prosecution under Sec. 25.094 of the Texas Education Code for failing to attend school.

State law requires that students must be in attendance for a minimum of 90 percent of the instructional days per year in order to be promoted. A student who attends fewer than 90 percent of the instructional days per year may be referred to the campus attendance committee for review. (In other words, it's totally within their discretion whether or not to promote you, because state law says you blew it.)

Yes, they take it quite seriously here. Thanks for the reality check, PrincessDez.

I too have to agree with Emom! Very good friends of ours moved to Texas (Houston area) last year. They moved during what was California's Thanksgiving break thinking they would have a few days for the kids to get adjusted to the time difference and used to their new house. No such luck. Texas schools were in session and they were informed that the kids MUST attend class.
The first time we ever visited WDW is with friends from Flowermound. We have tried for the last 6 years to plan a 'Easter time' Disney Cruise but are unable to due to their children not being able to miss a week of class, even though their DD12 is an honor student (ranked 3rd in her class).
Texas means business when it comes to education.

 

[PrincessDez]

Howdy!
No problem EMom. I don't think must people realize how different the educational process is from state to state, or even school to school. While my children were in elementry school we were able to take them out for 5+ days and apply for Independent Studies. This allowed the school to still collect the $35 per day per student. As long as we did that the school did not get on our case too much. Now that both of my DS' are in Middle School, they do not allow the Independent Study option. Then once we get to High School they allow it again. We are not a large town. 4 primary, 1 Middle School and 1 High School. Of course, it is still up to each individual teacher as to rather or not they will give you all assignments. We have been extremely lucky to have never had a problem.
But every state has different policies. I just wanted to support you since I have personal experience with Texas. Plus my DH grew up in Waco and his mother would never had let him miss school. ;-)

 

[Dizzyworld]

Glad I live in Maryland. Although it is only because my children don't want to miss school that we stopped going in Dec. once they hit middle school. One year a teacher sent home an inch of what looked like paperwork to catch up on. When I started to look at it, I realized that it was only a few papers on top and the bottom with blank pages in between. I had a good laugh over that. Another year the math teacher went nuts and gave my 5th grade DD a ton of work, she was about 2 weeks ahead of her class when she returned. I knew the teacher was mad we were going away and she wasn't (plus a few other reasons). And the first time we took the kids out of school (grades 2 & 4), they did alternative projects like journal writing. The thing was it snowed the day after we left and school were closed for our entire trip except
1/2 day. The poor kids did more work than if they were at home.

As a teacher, I think it would be fun to help surprise a child for a fun family vacation. Once I had a child in my one class that had a big thing for Buzzlightyear. Of course Buzz sent a postcard to him while we were away. the mother said he slept with that postcard for almost a year.

I hope it works out for your family and you have a wonderful trip.

 

[PrincessDez]

Ok, PLEASE excuse all of my spelling errors. I guess I should have proofread before posting.
Wow, and to think my parents never let me miss school.........scary! Hee hee!

 

[PrincessDez]

I almost forgot the reason I was here......
Jill, I think the teacher would love to help you with the surprise. Maybe you could even bribe him or her with something yummy from the Main St candy shop?
In the past all but one of my children's teachers have encouraged our family vacations. They all know my husband has the type of job that we have to take a vacation when the opportunity presents itself, and have always been very helpful. I really think that if you call the teacher (or even go in to talk with them) and let them know it is a suprise and you will support her with whatever work she gives your child, she/he would be happy to help you out.
That is just my two cents.
Regardless, have a fantastic trip!!!!!


PS Our trip in Jan is a suprise as well. It is killing me keeping the secret, but the kids will be soooooo excited!