Taking a high-schooler out of school?

[3mickeymom]

Remember too that if your child plays any sports he/she can also be penalized by not playing in a certain amount of games. I know this is secondary to the classroom time that they miss, but sports are still very important to some children.

 

[princessmom29]

As a science teacher i feel that this is a BAD idea. I have never had a student who missed a week of school not come back an struggle, wether the parents were aware of it or not.

 

[Disneygirl26]

In that case I would lie and turn it into an "excused absence", but that's just me. i know a lot of people think that's wrong.

Last year when I took my daughter then a sophmore out of school for 5 days the couselor told me I shouldn't tell her teachers we were going on vacatioin because they wouldn't give her make up work, so I told the school we was visiting a sick relative (I know Flame) but it worked and my daughter got all her work and she wasn't behind when we returned and it didn't effect her grades. We going back to disney this year the same time I need another excuse anyone have any ideas?........lol

 

[Aliceacc]

All of you who have taken kids out for a week, to find that they are all caught up, I have a question:

Why aren't you screaming bloody murder at the school??? How on earth is it possible to miss a week of school and not be behind in every single one of your classes? How is it possible for a worksheet to take the place of real instruction?

Honest, folks, it is not the case in my class. If it were possible in my own kids' classes, I would be VERY concerned!!

 

[JeremyGNJ]

All of you who have taken kids out for a week, to find that they are all caught up, I have a question:

Why aren't you screaming bloody murder at the school??? How on earth is it possible to miss a week of school and not be behind in every single one of your classes? How is it possible for a worksheet to take the place of real instruction?

Honest, folks, it is not the case in my class. If it were possible in my own kids' classes, I would be VERY concerned!!

Maybe they just have smart kids? I mean seriously. I'm not "super smart" but I find that I can learn way quicker than a lot of people.

In high school i would cut class (a lot!), and I would often get better grades than some of the people who would be obsessive with their studying. (well at least on tests I always got A's, some teachers would reduce my grades for not being there or missing homework assignments)

I would argue that if you can't miss a few days of school without feeling totally lost, that the workload is probably a little too much for a teenager.

 

[leighe]

All of you who have taken kids out for a week, to find that they are all caught up, I have a question:

Why aren't you screaming bloody murder at the school??? How on earth is it possible to miss a week of school and not be behind in every single one of your classes? How is it possible for a worksheet to take the place of real instruction?

Honest, folks, it is not the case in my class. If it were possible in my own kids' classes, I would be VERY concerned!!

I'm a high school teacher and I was wondering the same thing. I teach world history and we're on block scheduling. If a student misses an entire week of class they could very well miss an entire unit - this week it's the French Revolution. I can and do get work together for students who are absent and I try to make sure that the kids "get it" but I just can't go over everything covered in a week indvidually with a student who has missed that much instruction.

 

[chip007]

Here's my thought on this.

Think back to your high school. Other than college admittance....did it really matter if you got an A a B or even a C for a single semester? Probably not! So screw it...go on vacation and have a fun time with your family!

Unless they're trying to get into a super competitive college it will hardly matter...especially if they're only a freshman or sophmore.

You're kidding, right?

 

[JeremyGNJ]

You're kidding, right?

Absolutely not. Find anyone you know who makes over 6-figures and ask them if they think their high school grades had anything to do with getting their job.

 

[VickiVM]

Sending to kids to school sick is a whole different topic, but from a former teacher, I sarcastically say, "Gee, thanks. Sick kids in the classroom are JUST what we all need."

Not contagious sick, but allergy sick (runny nose, sinus pressure - no fever or indication of infection, but generally blahh). If you live in SA or Hill Country of TX you know exactly what I'm talking about.

 

[Schmeck]

Absolutely not. Find anyone you know who makes over 6-figures and ask them if they think their high school grades had anything to do with getting their job.

No, it was who their daddy knew...

I'd also like to know how many people go to one of those colleges where getting C's in high school was great for admission, and see how many of them were making 'over 6 figures', as in a million dollars a year...

Missing school might also affect eligibility for scholarships - if that's important.

 

[taitai]

Absolutely not. Find anyone you know who makes over 6-figures and ask them if they think their high school grades had anything to do with getting their job.

Well both my DH and I make well over 6 figures. We were both in the top 5 (he was top, top) of our high school classes. I am sure that, coupled with SAT scores, sports and parents who never let us miss school for vacations helped us get into our Ivy League colleges. Those schools helped us get our great, very well paying post-college jobs. Those jobs helped us get into the top business school in the country. That MBA led to our current careers which provide an exceptionally nice life for our family.

I absolutely tie everything back to high school. Those grades provided opportunities for us that being a B or C student never, ever would have allowed.

My kids will not miss school for vacations.

Taitai

 

[VickiVM]

Well both my DH and I make well over 6 figures. We were both in the top 5 (he was top, top) of our high school classes. I am sure that, coupled with SAT scores, sports and parents who never let us miss school for vacations helped us get into our Ivy League colleges. Those schools helped us get our great, very well paying post-college jobs. Those jobs helped us get into the top business school in the country. That MBA led to our current careers which provide an exceptionally nice life for our family.

I absolutely tie everything back to high school. Those grades provided opportunities for us that being a B or C student never, ever would have allowed.

My kids will not miss school for vacations.

Taitai

What she said!

 

[chip007]

Absolutely not. Find anyone you know who makes over 6-figures and ask them if they think their high school grades had anything to do with getting their job.

It's all cumulative.

Good grades in middle school lead to being allowed to take the advanced high school courses. Good grades there lead to scholarships and good colleges. Good grades there lead to good grad schools, which lead to the high-paying jobs.

As someone who worked like a dog in high school (7 or more hours a day on homework plus school activities), I can't imagine ever telling my daughter that grades don't matter.

 

[leighe]

Absolutely not. Find anyone you know who makes over 6-figures and ask them if they think their high school grades had anything to do with getting their job.

What a terrible attitude to encourage in kids.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Granted, you life may be different for having gottan straight A's all through high school. (Though I question is ONE marking period of B's or C's would have changed that)

The question is. How would your life have been different if your parents did something so totally cool with you!

 

[Aliceacc]

They did.

Every single summer.

 

[VickiVM]

After reading all of the posts, it really comes down to your own personal choice. Whatever your family values is what will lead your decision. Knowing now the workload my kids get and what the payoff is, we would never pull them out of school. If given a choice, my kids probably would agree because they're the ones who have to play catch-up, not me or my husband.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Definitely a personal choice.

My theory is that you work to live....not live to work. If all your hard work doesnt afford you the ability to "break the rules" once in a while to do fun stuff, then it's not worth it. I am aware that many many people feel otherwise.

 

[taitai]

I think that is the thing, Jeremy. The adult is not breaking the rules. The high schooler is and he or she has to suffer the consequences. Perhaps making up the work won't be that difficult or the child does not play on any sports teams that he or she will be letting down. However, for the many kids taking very difficult AP or IB classes or playing competitive sports in an attempt to get into a very select college in which only 1 out of every 10-15 applicants is accepted, one semester of Bs or Cs will absolutely make the difference.

As you said, it is a personal choice.

Happy Planning!
Taitai

 

[ChicagoMommy2Two]

Lucky boys. My son would love to have yearly, two week trips to Florida. To bad things didn't work out well this year. Maybe next year will be better.

I noticed the count down clock in your signature. Your husband's sons aren't going to disney with you all?

We had planned it at first but after excitedly asking them they said they didn't want to go. They have both been at least 4 times and they HATE rides. So instead we are taking only them (my mom is watching the kids)this year on a vacation out west which they are excited about. I am dissapointed that they hate rides because Dh and I are the only ones who can and will ride nontoddler rides and we will have to do it alone. Hopefully they will get over their fear soon.