Taking kids out of school in TX?

[Huff]

How did it go? I'm taking my 1st grader out for 4 or 5 days at the end of the month, and am interested in the district's response. I haven't notified her school yet, but probably will before we go.

I hope you're able to take your niece and have a great time!

Haven't heard back yet. School resumed yesterday and her mother sent an email to the schools principal. He knows she's a hard working straight A student with no absences in nearly 2 years. She is giving him a few days to respond otherwise she'll call later this week. Crossing my fingers!

 

[Huff]

Holy Crap! Reading this makes me glad I don't live in TX!

I agree! Certain districts in TX have a $500 fine if your kid is unexcused more than 3 days in a 4 week period and 5 days in a semester. The only way around that is if the school agrees to excuse your child. Vacations are specifically mentioned in the districts rules as being unexcused. But its really up to the schools principal and teachers to decide on a case by case basis.

 

[texasroni75]

We just went through this in September.

We were honest, and sent a letter to the school knowing the absences would not be excused. We have to make sure our children have no other absences or tardies (which add up to an absence) for the remainder of the school year or risk being taken to court for truancy.

In fact, our DD was mistakenly marked absent from a class a few weeks ago - there is another girl in her class with the same first name - and we received an ominous letter in the mail saying we were in violation of attendance guidelines. I had already had them fix the attendance error, but the system is pretty darn strict here in TX. Never had anything like this when our family lived in NJ and we took the kids out for trips - which is not something we do often or without thought and necessity.

This was our first time taking the kids out of school for longer than a day or two since we moved here, and I must say it stinks. Rather than live the rest of another school year in fear of being dragged into court, I will probably plan our next trip (probably 3-4 years from now!), over the kids vacations and just deal with the bigger crowds.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Holy Crap! Reading this makes me glad I don't live in TX!

Granted our oldest is only in 2nd grade, but we take him out for 5 days every year to go to Disneyland. Currently planning a 2015 trip to Disney World. I'm sure the older he gets the harder it will be to take him out, but I'll be darned if the school is going to tell me what I can and cannot do with my kid! Last time I checked I'm his parent, and if I decide that it's more important to have 7 days together as a family when his Dad works 60 hour weeks, that's my prerogative. I hate how restrictive this country has become. Again, good parents are being punished for the irresponsible ones who can't be bothered to parent their kids. This kind of thing drives me CRAZY!

I hope you find a solution and are able to take your trip. The memories we make each year on our various trips will stay with my kids a lot longer than anything they'd be doing for a couple of days out of the school year. Good luck!

It's not the school, it's the state. The school is more than likely funded based on attendance as is the case here. Every day your child is not there, the state withholds $$$$ from your district. And without that money, the district cannot pay salaries, buy books, and heat buildings.

And it all makes sense. If the enrollment is 500, but average attendance is 450, why should the state fund the school as if 500 are actually there? Is that how you'd want YOUR tax dollars spent?

Look, I don't begrudge anyone their reasons for doing a Disney vacation during the 50% of the days in a year that school is actually in session. But, cut the school some slack. These rules exist for very sensible reasons.

 

[Huff]

But, cut the school some slack. These rules exist for very sensible reasons.

What is far more important in all this is whats best for the student, not the states, county nor schools budgetary or tax issues. Making decisions for or against students based on financial concerns is the wrong criteria to use. Should be whats best for the student and that's something only the parent can decide.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

What is far more important in all this is whats best for the student, not the states, county nor schools budgetary or tax issues. Making decisions for or against students based on financial concerns is the wrong criteria to use. Should be whats best for the student and that's something only the parent can decide.

If left up to the parents, some kids wouldn't go AT ALL. The state has determined that 180 days of instruction is superior to some smaller number of days. It's pretty hard to argue against that logically.

There are 2 sides to every issue. I understand your side; you should try to understand theirs as well. It's only fair.

 

[Huff]

If left up to the parents, some kids wouldn't go AT ALL. The state has determined that 180 days of instruction is superior to some smaller number of days. It's pretty hard to argue against that logically.

There are 2 sides to every issue. I understand your side; you should try to understand theirs as well. It's only fair.

I understand, I just do not agree that finances should trump whats best for kids as determined by the individual parents. The state doesn't know whats best for my child. They're not my childs parent. I am! I do not know of many other states that have the same laws as TX. Most states I have experience with will work with the parent and child to do whats best on a case by case basis.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I understand, I just do not agree that finances should trump whats best for kids as determined by the individual parents. The state doesn't know whats best for my child. They're not my childs parent. I am! I do not know of many other states that have the same laws as TX. Most states I have experience with will work with the parent and child to do whats best on a case by case basis.

They're probably stricter than most, but a LOT of states do the "unexcused" for non-school vacations. I know my nephew already maxes out his days off with general illness to the point my sister and BIL would never consider taking him out of school for any reason. The school threatened to hold him back one year

 

[Huff]

They're probably stricter than most, but a LOT of states do the "unexcused" for non-school vacations.

Thats true. They do have a similar written policy in school districts here in AZ. However, its rarely enforced and reserved for extreme cases where there is actually an issue with a student. Most teachers and principals work with the parents regarding vacations and its rarely an issue.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I do have to say, things are much different today. It was pretty much unheard of for a kid to be going on a vacation during school time when I was a kid. I really don't ever remember it happening. There was the odd event-specific trip (like family weddings, or out of state hunting trips for older kids), but I can't say I remember anyone just taking a "general" family vacation when I was in school. At least not anyone I missed

 

[MomofIndigo]

Yes our schools get funding based on attendance. We also have a state law called the "90 percent Attendance Law"... which requires students to be in school 90% of the time or parents can face not only fines, student being held back, but also can be arrested for negligence. Just depends on the condition of the school, and the administration.

This is why my daughter is in private school. The school does not like it but being that she is only in Pre-K it is not critical. However, even her Pre-K teacher told me that she will be having to speak in front of the class to tell them what she learned while she was there. (in 16 days!!!!!!)

OP I am sorry you are going through this. I know you want to reward your niece and I think its great. I do hope it works out.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Yes our schools get funding based on attendance. We also have a state law called the "90 percent Attendance Law"... which requires students to be in school 90% of the time or parents can face not only fines, student being held back, but also can be arrested for negligence. Just depends on the condition of the school, and the administration.

This is why my daughter is in private school. The school does not like it but being that she is only in Pre-K it is not critical. However, even her Pre-K teacher told me that she will be having to speak in front of the class to tell them what she learned while she was there. (in 16 days!!!!!!)

OP I am sorry you are going through this. I know you want to reward your niece and I think its great. I do hope it works out.

Curious question, and I know the fines are but one concern, but for thise who have stated this as a reason for private school, wouldn't the fines be cheaper than private school tuition?

 

[MomofIndigo]

It is not the only reason ppl put their kids in private school, including myself. It is partly why, probably #4 on the top 5 list.

 

[LilyWDW]

I do have to say, things are much different today. It was pretty much unheard of for a kid to be going on a vacation during school time when I was a kid. I really don't ever remember it happening. There was the odd event-specific trip (like family weddings, or out of state hunting trips for older kids), but I can't say I remember anyone just taking a "general" family vacation when I was in school. At least not anyone I missed

I am 31 and it was pretty rare when I was a kid to miss school for a vacation. My cousins and I did once, but it was a special case of an aunt and uncle wanting to take the WHOLE family down to Disney before my uncle passed away. So we had a very short time frame where it was possible (they had an idea of how long he had) AND were limited as to when in that time frame due to health concerns and procedure for my uncle (he had AIDS from a blood transfusion in the military before they really started to test for it as well as something else which I can not remember (I was 10 when he died)).

But that was really the only time it was even suggested in my family.

 

[rt2dz]

I'm in a different Texas district, but we're not far from Katy--not that it matters. Each district is very different.

Our district has similar wording in policy as the one that was posted for Katy. But if you go through our handbook, there is also a clause that prearranged absences, with principal approval, is excused. I've never had a problem, but I have strong students, a great relationship with teachers and administration, and have never pulled out for more than 5 days. And, quite frankly, I could care less about STARR. I very much keep tabs on the Opt-Out movement that is sweeping the country, especially New York, CA, and Texas, and massively vote for/against whatever helps lessen standardized testing (I'm all for the Finland model of education that blows out the USA model). So, when they mention STARR, I look at them and remind them that I don't believe it.

However, at 13, I'm not pulling out my kids for a common vacation because our district starts some block scheduling in Junior High, my kids have a lot of extra curricular activities (little joiners), and are all AP classes (that count towards high school credit and college GPA). I would do it for a special, once-in-a-lifetime trip like an African Safari. But, that's me.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[phewms]

We debated pulling DS out of school for a Fall Disney cruise. He will be in the first grade, but in private school so no STAAR testing to worry about. Luckily all they need is a note in advance and the teacher will prepare him a packet to work on while we are away. Hopefully this will be a smooth transition.

Good luck OP. I really hope your niece gets to go with you.

ETA: We are in Texas, not Katy. The Golden Triangle.