Taking Kids Out of School

[Angel Ariel]

And my response to those people is simple. Home school, pay for a private school that allows what you want, or move to a district that allows what you want. Simple really.

I agree

 

[cattywampus]

... or just exercise your rights as a parent. ...Even simpler.

 

[DVCMomBLT]

... or just exercise your rights as a parent. ...Even simpler.

Just don't expect the school to cater to your decisions. If they want to fail your kid for missing a test, that is their choice. If the teacher doesn't wish to make special assignments for your child, that is their choice.

I'm all for anyone deciding to take their kids out or not. Just don't expect anyone to accommodate you.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

But every legitimate educator and administrator also truly believes that it is important to be in school. Real teachers don't think that a few handouts or a post online is the same thing as being in the classroom and being a part of the discussion. [\B] You're exaggerating when you say that teachers criminalize parents - but they aren't really doing their job if they don't try to make you understand how important school is.

Not true. I was telling my wife about this thread and hadn't even finished describing it when she was already saying "Oh God, just pull them and go." It should be noted that she teaches in a massive inner city district, often has special Ed kids in her class who haven't been pushed through the system yet, yet still is always in the top of her grade level's standardized testing scores. She's received a ton of commendations for her good work. However she doesn't believe for a second that a week missed will be a detriment to a young child (K-8, HS is a whole different ball game).

In fact, here's a fun fact, most of the teachers she works with consider the school year over after standardized testing is done in April, and everything for the two months after are filler to get to the mandatory 180. Get through that test and go let your kids ride SM till their hearts are full!

 

[Angel Ariel]

... or just exercise your rights as a parent. ...Even simpler.

Yes, as a parent you have the right to take your kid.out of school. No one has said you don't have the right to. People have simply said, if you choose to do so, then you choose to deal with the policy that the school has laid out when that happens.

You absolutely have the right to take your.kid out. You don't have the right to expect that the policy in place will not be applied to your child because your child will not be adversely affected by missing school. Admins and teachers have a lot more important things to do than spend time determining which child a policy applies to and which it does not.

If you don't like the policy, then you can exercise your right as a parent and bring it up with the school board. Principals and teachers have no say over determining district policy.

 

[Love Tink]

Again, entirely based on your previous responses. If you do what you say you do, and you believe what you say you believe, then yes you are "that" parent.

But isn't it the case that "that parent" never knows (or accepts) that he/she is "that parent."

Not true. I was telling my wife about this thread and hadn't even finished describing it when she was already saying "Oh God, just pull them and go." It should be noted that she teaches in a massive inner city district, often has special Ed kids in her class who haven't been pushed through the system yet, yet still is always in the top of her grade level's standardized testing scores. She's received a ton of commendations for her good work. However she doesn't believe for a second that a week missed will be a detriment to a young child (K-8, HS is a whole different ball game).

In fact, here's a fun fact, most of the teachers she works with consider the school year over after standardized testing is done in April, and everything for the two months after are filler to get to the mandatory 180. Get through that test and go let your kids ride SM till their hearts are full!

I would hope for a different attitude from my kids' teachers - especially that they wouldn't think 1/5 of the school year doesn't matter (which I doubt is "most" teachers, although maybe that's true if it is an inner-city school district that has trouble attracting good teachers).

I also don't happen to think a missed week is a big deal for most young children...but I want my kids' teachers to think that every day is important.

 

[JimmyV]

My DH works in a career where vacation time is awarded based solely on seniority and the folks with 40 years on the job take those "status" weeks just because they can which means the young guys with kids that want to go on a family vacation have to do it during the school year.

Interesting. If I had 40 years under my belt at the company, then odds are that my kid(s) would be fully grown and I would be an empty nester. And the last thing I would want to do is take my vacation during the prime summer season. I would vacation in the second week of September through the middle of November. Or in January. Or May. But never, ever in the summer or when schools have vacation weeks. I'd leave those to the younger folks with kids. Not because I was trying to be nice, but because I would just rather travel at a time when families are not.

Except it is most assuredly NOT all about the money. Yes, financial realities are a big part of public education - and since most administrators only have about 5% of their budget to "play" with, every dollar counts. (And why does this make you so angry?)

But every legitimate educator and administrator also truly believes that it is important to be in school. Real teachers don't think that a few handouts or a post online is the same thing as being in the classroom and being a part of the discussion. You're exaggerating when you say that teachers criminalize parents - but they aren't really doing their job if they don't try to make you understand how important school is.

I took my kids out almost every year when they were in elementary school. We were honest about it and we made the decision that worked for us. But I always understood it to be a choice, and I never resented the teachers or school for having the attitude that we were making the wrong choice. That is supposed to be how they feel. They are supposed to think your child's time is well-spent at school! I would never want a teacher who would say, "Well, they won't miss anything important here anyway."

 

[Aliceacc]

In fact, here's a fun fact, most of the teachers she works with consider the school year over after standardized testing is done in April, and everything for the two months after are filler to get to the mandatory 180. !

Absolutely NOT the case in my school!!
I teach bell to bell for 180 days.

With all the complaints about Common Core, how on earth is that possible? And why do the parents put up with it??

 

[AndreaA]

Interesting. If I had 40 years under my belt at the company, then odds are that my kid(s) would be fully grown and I would be an empty nester. And the last thing I would want to do is take my vacation during the prime summer season. I would vacation in the second week of September through the middle of November. Or in January. Or May. But never, ever in the summer or when schools have vacation weeks. I'd leave those to the younger folks with kids. Not because I was trying to be nice, but because I would just rather travel at a time when families are not.

If someone's been at the same company for 40 years, you're right, they are probably quite a bit older and therefore probably not vacationing at places where families go. They might own a boat, go on a golfing vacation, or to some similarly "adult" location.

 

[Aurora0427]

And my response to those people is simple. Home school, pay for a private school that allows what you want, or move to a district that allows what you want. Simple really.

You took the words right out of my mouth!

 

[JimmyV]

If someone's been at the same company for 40 years, you're right, they are probably quite a bit older and therefore probably not vacationing at places where families go. They might own a boat, go on a golfing vacation, or to some similarly "adult" location.

All of that and more! But I still wouldn't do it in the summer.

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

Not in our district.

Well, I am in Texas and it is the same policy statewide. I just checked California and it is the same in the ENTIRE state of California, as well. Tell me your state, if it's different than these, and I will let you know.

Something tells me it is the same in every state.

 

[AndreaA]

All of that and more! But I still wouldn't do it in the summer.

Yeah, but it's mighty difficult to sail a boat on a frozen lake.

Heck, we NEVER went on vacations when we were kids, but my father still took off time in the summer because the weather was nice. It's certainly very possible that older folks are picking the summer because they actually want to enjoy that particular season.

 

[cattywampus]

Principals and teachers have no say over determining district policy.

Perhaps this is where we can find common ground (...extends olive branch). I absolutely understand the difference between teachers and administrators.

If you look at my posts, I never say "teachers" and that is intentional. I use phrases such as "district", "school officials" (meaning non-teaching roles), or generic "schools". I understand that teachers are at the whim of school officials, and do not make policy. They are in a completely different catagory than administrators.

I think teachers on this board are quick to assume they are being criticized, when they are not. Every teacher I have encountered has been supportive of vacation time for students that are academically qualified. I have always been honest with our teachers and if there is makeup work given ahead of time, we complete it before we leave. If not, there will be extra work when we get home to catch up.

To be clear, I have absolutely no problem being called "that" parent in regard to the district. I am going to aggressively advocate for my child, and reject any policies that attempt override my right to make decisions for my child. I think many teachers would agree that the goals of district administrators don't always favor the children, and that can not go unchallenged.

 

[megreg]

My kids are missing the first 4 days of school and I have no worries about it.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Not in our district.

They'd better hope they never get audited by the state

 

[cattywampus]

Well, I am in Texas and it is the same policy statewide. I just checked California and it is the same in the ENTIRE state of California, as well. Tell me your state, if it's different than these, and I will let you know.

Something tells me it is the same in every state.

California and never been asked for a doctor's note.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Perhaps this is where we can find common ground (...extends olive branch). I absolutely understand the difference between teachers and administrators.

If you look at my posts, I never say "teachers" and that is intentional. I use phrases such as "district", "school officials" (meaning non-teaching roles), or generic "schools". I understand that teachers are at the whim of school officials, and do not make policy. They are in a completely different catagory than administrators.

I think teachers on this board are quick to assume they are being criticized, when they are not. Every teacher I have encountered has been supportive of vacation time for students that are academically qualified. I have always been honest with our teachers and if there is makeup work given ahead of time, we complete it before we leave. If not, there will be extra work when we get home to catch up.

To be clear, I have absolutely no problem being called "that" parent in regard to the district. I am going to aggressively advocate for my child, and reject any policies that attempt override my right to make decisions for my child. I think many teachers would agree that the goals of district administrators don't always favor the children, and that can not go unchallenged.

I appreciate the difference you're illustrating here - I just want to address the bolded part.

Teachers may not make district policy, but they are required to enforce district policy. So when a parent says things like "I'm going to reject any policies that attempt to override my right to make decisions for my child," it isn't a leap to infer that at some point along the road the teacher is getting flack for something that isn't in their control.

As a teacher, I may know your child will not be affected by missing school, but I don't have the right to override district policy because of that - I still have to enforce whatever the policy is. Sometimes that means giving 0s, or not allowing kids to make up work - and yes, in those instances, more frequently than not the parents who are saying "I can do what I want, they're my kids" end up giving the teacher flack because the teacher is the one who has to enforce the policy.

That may not be you, cattywampus, but it is many parents who have that mindset. So I hope it helps understand where teachers on this thread are coming from in how they are responding to that wording.

 

[cattywampus]

@Angel, that is fair enough.

Parents need to be willing to put their energy where it belongs and confront district administrators. In other words, be "that" parent in the right place!

 

[ifjf414]

We have been taking our kids out of school for one week every year. However, we won't in the future (this will be our last time this December). They will be entering the 3rd and 5th grade.

Once they leave elementary school, the homework gets heavy. Plus, the demand outside of school (swimming and dance) increase every year too.

Trust me, I hate conforming to the school schedule. I love Orlando in October and early November and late April-early May. The crowds are low and the temperature in nice.

That being said, we went to Disneyland last August. It was really great. The crowds were not bad because it was the 2nd to last week. Los Angeles schools were already back, but our kids were going back the following week. Plus, the weather was simply fantastic.

I suggest trying to "game" either the first or last week of your school districts calendar compared to other districts. We live near Chicago. The first 2 weeks of June are great days to go downtown because the Chicago public schools are still in session.

Our kids are in elementary school right now so it's easy, but obviously we'd have to re-access once they get older. Ultimately you have to know your kid and how much is too much school missed.