skiwee1 said:
Our student handbook states that is the discretion of the principal as to whether they can consider a vacation to be an excused absence. I think I know the rules at this school by now. This is my third child going there. My other two kids are ages 22 and 16. The littlest is 6. Our schools always state that they have the option of holding you back but only do so if you have poor grades to begin with. If you are a good student then you have nothing to worry about.
OK -- you don't need to be harsh. I am just looking out for your best interest. I'd hate to see ANY parent go through w/25 days worth of absences for vacations and then find out that they were misinformed on policies. Again -- just making sure that you know the school's policies b/c I'd hate for anything to backfire on you.
Incidentally I am glad my kids never had a teacher that refused to give my kids work. Fortunately our principal wouldn't let the teacher refuse to give work missed.
I never said I wouldn't give work missed. I just won't do it until after they return from vaca. or illness. It's our school's policy that work is made up after vacation, when their minds are focused on school and not on vacation or after an illness when they are up to par. And, as I mentioned earlier, when work is given during vaca. or absences, it turns out that the lesson isn't learned and the work is rushed. My principal and board of education support this. However, I'm not public school -- I'm parochial.
I'd certainly have to remind them who they work for.
Yikes! That hurt! Your teachers work for your child. They look out for your child's best interest and keep that at hand. That means we are concerned about your child and the amount of school they miss. We're concerned about what happens at home, the education they receive in school, that they're ready to move onto the next grade, etc. I go above and beyond my teaching duties for my students ... and you're going to remind me that I work for you!? I'm the one who sees your kids more than you do Mon. thru Fri.! I spend 8 hours a day w/them, 5 days a week. That's a lot of time ... and you best be sure that your teacher gives a hoot about your kid. .
I work in a parochial school in a low-income area and the pay is terrible. The good jobs in the public schools just aren't available and this summer, they're cutting half the teachers in those good schools. So, my shot at getting a well paying job in a nice, cushy public school in the good part of town is not going to happen. Like many teachers, we took the job to help kids have a better life. Sometimes, I think I care more about those kids than their parents do. I care more about those kids than the piddly less than $14,000 and no benefits salary I make. Yeah, pitiful when I'm educating our future. So, please don't tell me that I work for you. I work for my kids, to give them a better shot at life. And, sorry, but less than $14K does not go far in the world today, esp. when I have to provide supplies for my students b/c there just isn't enough money in the school budget to cover them. That money should be going to my DS's needs. I have 11 students and just spent a chunk of money on pots, paints, soil and bulbs so my students can make mothers day gifts. If it weren't for me, these kids would have nothing to give to Mommy. That's money I could have put towards Disney but what matters most to me is not the money spent ... but the delight my students will have when they give Mom their gift. I don't complain about my salary b/c the rewards I reap are more wonderful than money. Knowing that I am a positive influence and am making a difference in a child's life is priceless.
I only posted to cover your back ... to make sure you were definite on the school policies b/c I would hate for any parent to get the shaft from the school. And, unfortunately, I have seen school officials say one thing one day and change the policy the next day. My post was to make sure you were safe w/in the allowed absences of your state and nothing more.
I'm sorry if I offended you ... that was not my intention. You asked for opinions and I gave you mine. My post was to be clear that you should cover your back so you don't get scr*wed in the end.
BTW -- throwing this out as food for thought. If your child's teacher took off 25 days for vaca., would it be acceptable to you parents? Even if the teacher received no pay for those 25 days? Or would you be upset b/c of absences and the interruptions it would bring about in the curriculum w/getting substitutes in? Don't think that my summers are all mine and I do nothing but soak up the sun. I'm still required to attend seminars in the summer and not get paid for doing so! And, often, I have to pay for the seminars out of my own pocket! Also, I do not get paid during the summer.
