Taking Kids to Disney World on School Days

[one_cat]

I am just sitting here shaking my head over this debate, especially when I hear teachers telling us that a Kindergartner is going to become hopelessly behind by missing a week of school. Come on - this is Kindergarten. Let's be serious here - what parent can't teach their children Kindergarten skills?

When a parent takes their child out of school to vacation they are taking upon themselves the responsibility to make sure the kids do not get behind on their studies. A little cooperation on the part of the teachers wouldn't hurt (give the assignments in advance or at least make the parents aware of concepts will be taught that week.) but the ultimate responsibility rests on the parents or for an older child, on the child. I won't expect my children's teachers to reteach concepts that they missed.

I plan to take our children out of school to vacation when they are young because I have the confidence that we can teach them any skills they might miss. When they get into Junior High and High School we will have to see. I will not jeapardize my children's education for a vacation.

When I was in high school I was always amazed by the hypocrisy that a teacher could miss school without penalty but a student couldn't. Any teacher who seriously thinks that their missing a day of class doesn't affect the students is dreaming. I don't care how good the substitute is, they can't possibly take the place of the real teacher. Now I don't begrudge a teacher taking a day off here or there but unless a teacher is willing to have absolute perfect attendance, (I only had one who held himself to that standard) they shouldn't begrudge us parents taking our kids out either.

 

[TiggerPiglet]

We have taken our older DD out of school in Kindergarten and the first grade and in both instances we were told to have a great time. We were given the classwork and homework for the week she was gone. We had taken the auto train and she did all of her classwork and homework on the way down and on the way back home we reviewed everything with her again. She had no problems going back to school after missing a week.

DD entered third grade this past Sept., so we decided maybe we should go in August, which we did, but for us it was a lot more crowded than what we were used to and a lot hotter. It wasn't that we had a bad time, but I rather go when school is in for the lighter crowds and cooler weather. So, we're seriously considering taking her out this coming Sept. or Dec. and she will be in the 4th grade and our younger DD will be in Kindergarten.

I have spoken to people who have older kids and they all felt that you can definitely take them out in elementary with no problems, unless your child is struggling, which she is not. They even said middle school isn't so bad either to take them out, but they did say high school was another story.

I can't understand why your school would give you such a hard time for taking a first grader out for a family vacation. To me it's much worse for them to be sick for a week, because they're usually too sick to do the homework. When you go on vacation you can do the homework in the plane, car or train and even some every night in the hotel room.

I can't remember if you said it was the teacher who said your child would get zeros or the principal. If it was the teacher, maybe you should talk to the principal about it. It really seems unreasonable to me, but that's JMHO

 

[lindamg]

I guess I should stop participating but it's becoming a little like watching a wreck, I just can't turn away.

You - individually, personally, may be perfectly capable of teaching your child the missing skills. YOU, individually (not the general population YOU) may be very responsible for making sure your child catches up their work and is instructed in all missed skills. But please at least consider, if not acknowledge the fact that MANY parents are NOT capable, or simply don't care to work with their child in this manner. By saying that parents are capable and willing to do the work their child missed with their child is making a HUGE assumption.

When I was in high school I was always amazed by the hypocrisy that a teacher could miss school without penalty but a student couldn't

This is not hypocrisy, it is the difference between being an adult and a child. With the increased responsibility comes increased freedom - it's called growing up. I can also drink a can of soda for lunch, my students can't. Is that hypocrisy?

Any teacher who seriously thinks that their missing a day of class doesn't affect the students is dreaming.

Of course it has an effect. If I come in with a cold one day, it has an effect. If there is an assembly and their schedule is changed, it has an effect. If something happens in the lunchroom, it has an effect. Whether they get to go out to recess, has an effect. If the moon is full, it has an effect. If a weather front is coming through, it has an effect. . . . . . . . .
On the other hand, if I leave well thought-out lesson plans and request a substitute that my children are familiar with and that I trust, the effect is not more than any other change in their daily routine. They are still being instructed in a competent manner, and they are still moving forward with the skills they need to be learning. If your substitutes are that incompetent in your school system, you've got more probems than just the vacation policy!

I won't expect my children's teachers to reteach concepts that they missed.

When all is said and done I appreciate this comment (no sarcasm intended there) I would be happy to work with a parent with this attitude. Unfortunately, in my circumstances a parent like you would be in the minority.

Trying to leave this thread now - we'll see how long it lasts!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by aprilgail2
And there is yet another MAJOR gripe of mine...they say only take your kids on vacations during school break..yet when it IS school break they get so loaded with homework that you can't take them anyway! That is one of a few reasons why I don't care and take them out of school anyway during the year!

I guess it's just a matter of what you're used to. When I was in school we had homework packets during school breaks. When I was in HS our homework during Christmas and Easter break always contain review work for the regents we'd have to take in January and June.

I expect my son to have homework during school breaks. If he gets the work before we leave fine, if not, fine. I made a choice and we'll have to accept whatever happens as a result of that choice.

I won't get angry with the teachers or school system if we can't get the work in advance.

 

[Bojangles]

The attendance policies are usually set up by administrators or the school board. Don't blame the teachers for enforcing it. With NCLB in place, if schools are accountable for student progress then these schools are going to turn around and start really cracking down on unexcused absences.