Taking kids out of school?

[tlbwriter]

They grow up so fast, and before I know it they'll be on their own. I know I'll always remember the times we spent laughing and being together and they will too.

Who says family vacations have to end when the kids grow up? When we went to WDW last year, it was with my parents and sisters (and their families).

 

[skiwee1]

It looks like I'm in the minority here, but I don't have a problem at all taking my kids out of school for family vacations, either for a couple of days or two weeks (we should be so lucky!). My kids were in upper elementary the first time we went to WDW, and in high school the last time, and didn't miss a beat. They grow up so fast, and before I know it they'll be on their own. I know I'll always remember the times we spent laughing and being together and they will too.

Good luck with your decision.

I'm in the minority too it seems but it doesn't bother me. I've taken all of my kids out of school for vacations and none have suffered from it. They have wonderful memories and I wouldn't think twice about doing it again.

 

[skiwee1]

Who says family vacations have to end when the kids grow up? When we went to WDW last year, it was with my parents and sisters (and their families).

Ours didn't but by starting younger we got more trips in!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Well as a substitute myself it is all well and good to think they work for the students. Currently there are teachers striking in our state. That to me says they are working for someone else. Can't blame them either.

Ugh--I'm getting sucked into this thread and I can't get out.


I taught public high school for over 10 years. I had students pulled out for entire months for family vacation. Those students' performance in my class suffered as a result. As a substitute teacher, aren't you a bit concerned with what is actually being accomplished in your children's classrooms if they can miss so much school without any negative consequences?
I'm all for family time, but in my family we accomplish that with family dinners, weekend fun, bedtime stories, summer vacation, etc.
From these boards I do have a better understanding of families that cannot take vacations during school vacation time because of work schedules. I understand they must take vacation during the school year or not at all.
However, I'm sad to hear of kids pulled out of school just 'cause it's cheaper, less crowded, etc. Makes me glad I'm no longer teaching...
Putting on my flame-proof suit now...
Have a magical day!

 

[skiwee1]

Ugh--I'm getting sucked into this thread and I can't get out.


I taught public high school for over 10 years. I had students pulled out for entire months for family vacation. Those students' performance in my class suffered as a result. As a substitute teacher, aren't you a bit concerned with what is actually being accomplished in your children's classrooms if they can miss so much school without any negative consequences?
I'm all for family time, but in my family we accomplish that with family dinners, weekend fun, bedtime stories, summer vacation, etc.
From these boards I do have a better understanding of families that cannot take vacations during school vacation time because of work schedules. I understand they must take vacation during the school year or not at all.
However, I'm sad to hear of kids pulled out of school just 'cause it's cheaper, less crowded, etc. Makes me glad I'm no longer teaching...
Putting on my flame-proof suit now...
Have a magical day!

I'm not concerned as to why DD doesn't suffer when she misses so much school. She is in kindergarten for goodness sakes, not college! Right now she is reading at second grade level. She is pulled aside to learn things that are not taught in kindergarten. She is also above her class in math. She is very bright and the teachers recognize that. All of my kids found it very easy to do the work missed without any difficulty whatsoever. We are talking about elementary school here. To me, if a child is having difficulty trying to do missed work then they are having difficulty in school in general. Those kids shouldn't miss too much school IMO. The ones that sail through school should have no problems with missing a few weeks or so. We do vacations year round. I tend to spread them out over the course of the year so they are not so bunched up. We already travel 3 weeks in the summer to the ocean. There is no way I can squeeze WDW in then but I wouldn't want to anyway. Our favorite times to go to WDW is May and October. We enjoy nicer weather then. We will continue to vacation like this until DD reaches middle school. Then we will cut down to just missing 10 or so days a year. It may not work for everyone but it works for us!

 

[weregoingtodw]

I would expect kids to have zero unexcused absences other than emergencies. Except I would take kids out of makeup days (because of strikes or snowstorms or schoolwide bereavement) scheduled to conflict with an already scheduled vacation.

I would not schedule a vacation in the two weeks after the close of school in the spring to allow time for makeup days.

Are you a teacher or a parent? I'm curious as to why you chose this phrasing for your opinion.

 

[Daxx]

For those of you who are ok with pulling your children out of school for 10 to 25 days or more, would you find it acceptable for your child's teacher to take off that same amount of time for vacation (without pay)? Or would you be upset b/c the absences would create lack of continuity and interruptions in the curriculum?

Would I be right to guess that most of you would be appalled if your child's teacher told you he/she was taking 10 to 25+ vaca. days to go to Disney, skiing, on a cruise, etc? Yet you have no problem when your kids to do it? I'm sure that everyone is thinking "well, a teacher only works 10 months out of the year (untrue - most of us have summer training), has 2 weeks off for Winter break, another 2 for Spring break, national holidays off, etc., why should she be taking 10 to 25 days for vaca. when she has the summer off." However, don't your children follow the same schedule a teacher does? Why is ok for the students and not for the teacher?

Would love insight on this ...

Don't say teaching is my job ... I know that. But your child has a job too -- to attend class regularly and get a good education!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Don't say teaching is my job ... I know that. But your child has a job too -- to attend class regularly and get a good education!

Daxx--ITA! I've often thought this and in fact have told our kids that their number one job is school. If they want a "paying job," that's for summer.
And as school is my kids' job, they're expected to take vacation time when it's given by the district. But that's just my thought. And yours, I guess.
And you have my admiration (and sympathy).

 

[weregoingtodw]

For those of you who are ok with pulling your children out of school for 10 to 25 days or more, would you find it acceptable for your child's teacher to take off that same amount of time for vacation (without pay)? Or would you be upset b/c the absences would create lack of continuity and interruptions in the curriculum?

Okay, so I'm only taking DD out for 4 1/2 days, not for 10-25 (or more!), but wanted to give my $.02 on how we approached it. When we originally scheduled the trip, it was for spring break. Then I had a little issue with a torn rotator cuff & ruptured disk in my neck (you don't wanna hear the story on that one ), after which my doctor told me I'd be unable to go in March as planned. Going in the summer wouldn't work for us, as we'd be going after DH got home and he'd be unable to go. Since we've been apart for a year, no way am I going to leave when he's back!

So... before we even decided, I let my DD know that whatever the school's decision was, we'd stick to that. If the school said she could only go for 3 days, that's what we'd do, and if they said she wouldn't be able to make up the work, we wouldn't go. Fortunately, they were very understanding (we live in a military area, so they're flexible with family vacations, knowing that they need to be scheduled around deployments & such).

Now, for those taking their children out for longer times, my DD was hospitalized twice in first grade (once for 14 days, the other for 21 days), and even though the school sent assignments and the hospital had a tutor, she really did fall drastically behind. I certainly would not recommend missing that amount of time, if you can at all help it.

 

[skiwee1]

For those of you who are ok with pulling your children out of school for 10 to 25 days or more, would you find it acceptable for your child's teacher to take off that same amount of time for vacation (without pay)? Or would you be upset b/c the absences would create lack of continuity and interruptions in the curriculum?

Would I be right to guess that most of you would be appalled if your child's teacher told you he/she was taking 10 to 25+ vaca. days to go to Disney, skiing, on a cruise, etc? Yet you have no problem when your kids to do it? I'm sure that everyone is thinking "well, a teacher only works 10 months out of the year (untrue - most of us have summer training), has 2 weeks off for Winter break, another 2 for Spring break, national holidays off, etc., why should she be taking 10 to 25 days for vaca. when she has the summer off." However, don't your children follow the same schedule a teacher does? Why is ok for the students and not for the teacher?

Would love insight on this ...

Don't say teaching is my job ... I know that. But your child has a job too -- to attend class regularly and get a good education!

I have no problem with teachers taking off for vacation. They need a break too! Who wants to go in the heat of summer when you can chose a nicer month. I can't imagine how it messes up a curriculum because the state has dictated every little thing they need to learn and when. They would no more mess up the curriculum anymore then DD would taking off. We have a lot of young teachers in our school that are in their baby years. DD's teacher was out 3 months for maternity leave this year. She is pregnant again and will be out next year too. So what. Should that be any different then taking a vacation? I don't think so. They need to have lives too. I don't know about your spring break or holidays but our school does not have a lot of days off in a row. Our spring break was April 22. One day! When I was growing up we had two weeks which ended up being a great time for a family vacation. Now there is no time like that except in the heat of the summer. No thanks. I'll do what is right for us. We are very happy with the arrangement.

 

[SnowWhite]

Well when I was in grade 3 my parents took me out of school for 2 weeks to go to Disney and when we arrived at the hotel my mother opened her suitcase and to my horror she had a large bag of school work that she had arranged withmy teacher to have me do while we were on vacation! I never fell behind and I had all assignments caught up in no time. This October we are taking my DD8 (will be in grade 3) out for 8 days of school to go to Disney. We will talk to her teacher ahead of time but I am sure that she will just have to work harder when she returns as she did when she had the chicken pox this year and missed 2 weeks of school. The teachers keep a folder of missed work and they just have to catch up later. I'm sure my DD will be fine with a little extra work in order to go back to Disney! She is a very good student anyways but I wouldn't have given it a second thought even if she was struggling, I would have just had to help her get back on track. These trips only happen every few years and she is soon going to be past the stage that she still likes going on vacation with mom and dad and we are going to take advantage! Flame me all you want but I would say that although it is a big deal for some people I think everyone has to look at their childs own circumstances (i.e. how they are doing in school) and do whatever they want!! You only live once and 10 days of school in a whole school year really isn't that much. Okay that was my 2 cents whether you agree or not

 

[weregoingtodw]

I can't imagine how it messes up a curriculum because the state has dictated every little thing they need to learn and when. They would no more mess up the curriculum anymore then DD would taking off.

WOW - where do your kids go to school? We're fortunate that we live in a school district where the teachers are VERY involved, putting in many, many hours customizing the curriculum to current events, the children's interests, etc. When my DD brings home math pages, the problems include information relevant to the children's lives (i.e., she uses the children's names, their siblings' & pets' names, refer to their extracurricular activities, etc.). I don't 'expect' it as because the teacher is my 'employee'; it's more that I RESPECT my DD's teacher and her opinion on what is and isn't beneficial for my child. If the school's guidelines allowed for my DD's absence but the teacher felt it wasn't in my DD's best interest to miss that week, I would make alternate arrangements.

I have high expectations of my DD's teacher, and I have the utmost respect for her as well. Conversely, she treats me with the same respect and expectation that we'll work together to determine what's best for my child. If I honestly thought I could do just as good a job as her, I'd home school. Bottom line, I can't, any more than she could do my job for me.

As for a teacher taking time off from school, leave taken for medical purposes is a far cry from voluntary vacation time. You simply can't compare the two.

 

[Daxx]

Wow! I am surprised to hear that a parent wouldn't be upset if a teacher missed so much time from the school year for vacation purposes. I know the parents in my school would be freaking out if any of the teachers took that much vacation time. And, not out of disrespect or rudeness ... but out of sheer curiousity ... does your principal feel the same way about his/her teachers being out for those lengths of time for vacation? If so, I might have to get a job at your school! haha!

You asked how a teacher's absence affects curriculum. Simply put, there are substitute teachers out there who do not follow the materials that are left for them. They will "do their own thing". Often it's b/c the sub is not sure how to go about teaching something, or is unsure if the teacher wants them to start a new unit or give a test. Therefore, state standards have not been met and have to be "smooshed in" somewhere else to make up for what was missed. I miss very little time off from school but on the days that I miss, I am often unsure of whether or not I will be behind b/c a substitute did not cover the materials I left.

Let's avaoid the whole maternity/illness factor as that has to do with medical reasons and not vacation. Let's face it, maternity leave or illness are not a vacation! Maternity is taken all at one time ... not a week here or a week there. As for illness, it's not a planned thing like a vacation is.

I'm wondering if there are any parents who would support such a liberal vacation policy for their teachers?

BTW -- this isn't to criticize anyone ... it's just food for thought! Most people look at it from one side, not both. I'm just presenting the flip side and wondering if people ever thought of it that way.

And, to all the substitutes out there -- God bless you! I remember my days as a sub and how trying they could be! Thank you for the job that you do b/c you are rarely recognized!!!!

 

[Pinnie]

In the district I work in, I get 1 sick day per month that can be banked and 2 personal days per school year that can't. I am not allowed to use "sick days" as "vacation days". I can used my 2 personal days together and that is how I string a long weekend together in December.

I love substitute teachers, but keep in mind that they are not always certified to teach the subject they may be covering for the day. I teach kindergarten and have more often than not got a sub that was certified for middle school. She was used to telling students to, "Open your books to page _____. " and have them do it. It's a lot different in kindergarten.

I think there is going to be a BIG change once all the NCLB standards are in place and children will no longer be socially promoted. They are going to have to SHOW that they are proficient in all areas by a standardized test and not a subjective A, B or C grade.

pinnie

 

[skiwee1]

WOW - where do your kids go to school? We're fortunate that we live in a school district where the teachers are VERY involved, putting in many, many hours customizing the curriculum to current events, the children's interests, etc. When my DD brings home math pages, the problems include information relevant to the children's lives (i.e., she uses the children's names, their siblings' & pets' names, refer to their extracurricular activities, etc.). I don't 'expect' it as because the teacher is my 'employee'; it's more that I RESPECT my DD's teacher and her opinion on what is and isn't beneficial for my child. If the school's guidelines allowed for my DD's absence but the teacher felt it wasn't in my DD's best interest to miss that week, I would make alternate arrangements.

I have high expectations of my DD's teacher, and I have the utmost respect for her as well. Conversely, she treats me with the same respect and expectation that we'll work together to determine what's best for my child. If I honestly thought I could do just as good a job as her, I'd home school. Bottom line, I can't, any more than she could do my job for me.

As for a teacher taking time off from school, leave taken for medical purposes is a far cry from voluntary vacation time. You simply can't compare the two.

\

Our teachers are very involved. Our elementary school was a Blue Ribbon school so it is obvious they are doing something right! That being said the school board makes a curriculum that the teachers have to abide by. Yes they get to do other things but there are basics that need to be taught at a certain time. They have lesson plans that they must follow. Taking time of for pregnancy for 3 months is totally different then medical leave. Pregnancy is a choice as it a vacation. I have no problems with teachers taking off for bother as long as their principal or who they to answer says it's okay. Who am I to run their lives?

 

[skiwee1]

Wow! I am surprised to hear that a parent wouldn't be upset if a teacher missed so much time from the school year for vacation purposes. I know the parents in my school would be freaking out if any of the teachers took that much vacation time. And, not out of disrespect or rudeness ... but out of sheer curiousity ... does your principal feel the same way about his/her teachers being out for those lengths of time for vacation? If so, I might have to get a job at your school! haha!

You asked how a teacher's absence affects curriculum. Simply put, there are substitute teachers out there who do not follow the materials that are left for them. They will "do their own thing". Often it's b/c the sub is not sure how to go about teaching something, or is unsure if the teacher wants them to start a new unit or give a test. Therefore, state standards have not been met and have to be "smooshed in" somewhere else to make up for what was missed. I miss very little time off from school but on the days that I miss, I am often unsure of whether or not I will be behind b/c a substitute did not cover the materials I left.

Let's avaoid the whole maternity/illness factor as that has to do with medical reasons and not vacation. Let's face it, maternity leave or illness are not a vacation! Maternity is taken all at one time ... not a week here or a week there. As for illness, it's not a planned thing like a vacation is.

I'm wondering if there are any parents who would support such a liberal vacation policy for their teachers?

BTW -- this isn't to criticize anyone ... it's just food for thought! Most people look at it from one side, not both. I'm just presenting the flip side and wondering if people ever thought of it that way.

And, to all the substitutes out there -- God bless you! I remember my days as a sub and how trying they could be! Thank you for the job that you do b/c you are rarely recognized!!!!

I really have no idea what the principal thinks about teachers taking off. It isn't any of my business so I would never ask. I really feel for you if you have parents that would be angry if you took a mid year trip to WDW or a cruise! LOL! Well I can say that I have a neighbor that got bent out of shape when her son's preschool teacher left to go away for a week. She was very angry so I can see that unfortunately there are parents out there like that. I doubt there are many in DD's class as it always seems like there is kid on vacation. I also volunteer 2 days a week in DD's class and it seems to be the norm. When I work as a sub I get in earlier and go over the lesson plan. I make sure the kids do what the teacher intended them to do. That is my job. I absolutely love subbing at this school! Lucky for me I could request to stay at just this school which is very convenient. Like I said, to each his own. I know I hav never regretted taking my kids out for vacation and will continue to do so as long as my child is doing well.

 

[weregoingtodw]

I'm wondering if there are any parents who would support such a liberal vacation policy for their teachers?

Absolutely NOT. We researched the area in which we live thoroughly, and pay a hefty price to live in this school district so that our daughter could attend this particular school.

 

[Daxx]

In the district I work in, I get 1 sick day per month that can be banked and 2 personal days that can't. I am not allowed to use "sick days" as "vacation days". I can used my 2 personal days together and that is how I string a long weekend together in December.

Same with my district. However, I cannot take days off before or after a school holiday. So, if I wanted to take the the day before Thanksgiving day off, I am not allowed to.

I love substitute teachers, but keep in mind that they are not always certified to teach the subject they may be covering for the day. I teach kindergarten and have more often than not got a sub that was certified for middle school. She was used to telling students to, "Open your books to page _____. " and have them do it. It's a lot different in kindergarten.

I teach kindergarten, too, and you are so right. Thankfully, the substitute I have coming in is someone who has taught Kdg. before and I know her well. I know she'll follow my curriculum. But, if it were anyone else, who knows what would happen!?

 

[dtsaos]

Well when I was in grade 3 my parents took me out of school for 2 weeks to go to Disney and when we arrived at the hotel my mother opened her suitcase and to my horror she had a large bag of school work that she had arranged withmy teacher to have me do while we were on vacation! I never fell behind and I had all assignments caught up in no time. This October we are taking my DD8 (will be in grade 3) out for 8 days of school to go to Disney. We will talk to her teacher ahead of time but I am sure that she will just have to work harder when she returns as she did when she had the chicken pox this year and missed 2 weeks of school. The teachers keep a folder of missed work and they just have to catch up later. I'm sure my DD will be fine with a little extra work in order to go back to Disney! She is a very good student anyways but I wouldn't have given it a second thought even if she was struggling, I would have just had to help her get back on track. These trips only happen every few years and she is soon going to be past the stage that she still likes going on vacation with mom and dad and we are going to take advantage! Flame me all you want but I would say that although it is a big deal for some people I think everyone has to look at their childs own circumstances (i.e. how they are doing in school) and do whatever they want!! You only live once and 10 days of school in a whole school year really isn't that much. Okay that was my 2 cents whether you agree or not

My DS will be starting kindergarten in september and we will be going to WDW for 2 weeks(10 school days) about a month into the school year. Before you think we are the type of parents who dont value our kids education please know that kindergarten wil be his FOURTH year of school. Im not talking day care Im talking about 1/2 days 3 days a week of private school with lesson plans etc. since he was 22 months old. We didnt have to do this as my DW is a stay at home mom(also with DD2 and DD3 months) and I work 5 days a week and am home when Im not working. We did it more for the socialization aspect and it has worked out well. All due respect to the teachers on this board you are very important parts of all our childrens development and part of who they become will be due to your efforts. That said I do not agree that "It takes a village" to raise a child and some teachers tend to put themselves high on a pedestal and feel it is their place to tell parents how to raise their kids. I understand that you must keep your eyes open for signs of mental or physical abuse but a 2 week trip to WDW does not qualify as either. It should really be the parents call as to whether their kid is going to be ok with missing school within reason of course(I personally feel 25 days is a bit excessive but once again it should be the parents call)and they should probably seek the teachers advice. My son is the type that when I drop him at school 3/4 of the kids yell "Jacobs here" and they all stop what they are doing to pay attention to him so Im not concerned about socialization. As far as acedemics are concerned it is still kindergarten and if his teacher has any questions for him I could have him answer in Spanish or sign language, 2 languages he has worked on in his previous years in school(also 2 both his mom and dad havent a clue).

 

[Daxx]

we will be going to WDW for 2 weeks(10 school days) about a month into the school year.

And, how would you feel if your child's teacher took 10 days off of school a month into the school year for vacation?

Nobody wants to respond to this! Why?