Taking your kids out of school?

[Motherfletcher]

A while ago I served on the board of directors for the Florida Congress of Parents and Teachers (Fla. PTA) and represented 15 PTA schools in my county. I had lively debates with local school administration, state and national parent/teacher groups about taking your children out of school to go on vacation. My argument was, besides the educational value, that the family bonding was of great importance. Some people can only take vacation during the school year. Some fathers barely see their children because of work. Besides all of the bad parenting that you see at theme parks, there is a lot of good and precious moments that families share which is as enriching in emotional value as any classroom knowledge. I listened to a great deal of testimony from teachers and administration before I personally agreed not to take my kids out of school to go on vacation. The teachers concerns were amplified with the FCAT.
How do you handle taking your children out of school?

 

[keriannhoward]

I take my kids out of school for vacations occasionally. I took them out for an entire week to go to Mexico 2 years ago. They are all good students and do well on the FCAT (I have major issues with that test anyway) and I think I tend to agree with you about the bonding time that's needed, especially now that my children, well most of them anyway, are teenagers. I also let them miss the occasional day to start a vacation early, like Thanksgiving if we're traveling.

 

[gschmerl]

As a school counselor I may see things a bit differently. The children have plenty of time off when schools are closed. Yes, vacation spots are more crowded and more expensive during these times. I know this well since it's the only time I can take vacations!! However, by pulling children out of school you are giving them the message that school is not important. If it's a once every few years thing, then OK. However, we have families that take their children out for a week or two EVERY YEAR. It's not surprising that most of these children don't view school as being very important. Our school district also views this as an illegal absence unless you can prove the "educational value" of the vacation.

 

[highlander447]

I try to balance it with the stage they are at in the school year for example this march will be our last trip out of school holidays due to next year my daughter's studies will be more important for her but I still may take her out for 5 days at some point but not next year anyway I think the governments should try to stop the huge price increase for holidays at school vacation times the price jump is ridiculous

 

[damo]

I look at it this way. In our area, teachers are allowed to take two days off a month (if they don't take these days off they receive payment for these days when they retire or change boards--they are called cumulative sick days). That adds up to 20 days a year that a teacher can take off (not including breaks, but during regular teaching time). If the board figures that the students will be learning just fine without their regular teacher for 20 days then I figure that I can substitute as their teacher for 5 days and take them on vacation where they will be exposed to a multitude of environments and learning situations.

Of course, as the child gets older, it is more difficult to replace the teacher. I take my high school kids out for only a few days where I would not hesitate to take my elementary school kids out for a week.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I usually miss only one day at a time. I miss school every once in a while anyway because I'm "sick." So, to limit the "sick" days, my mom decided to take me to Universal every so often...about 3 times every 9 weeks. It's worked very well so far!!

Longest I missed school was a few days for a Youth Group trip to Washington DC for March for Life...I guess in a way it was a vacation...

But I don't think this makes me feel school is not important...because I know it is...just the trips to Universal actually help keep me motivated...do well in school = a day off to go to Universal. Plus, you have those days when your brain is fried and need a day off (why I used to have those "sick" days) and where better than Universal, to relax?

 

[robvia]

When my daughter was in elementary school, it was no problem. We got the homework from the teacher before hand when we went on a 1 week ski trip. Other trips to Orlando we're easy since we drive up and take a Thursday and Friday off.
But now that she's in middle school, things have changed. I schedule my vacations when she's off school.
For example, we're going on a ski trip January 22nd and 23rd (early release and day off in Broward) so she doesn't miss any school. Two years ago we went in early December and avoided the crowds.
Yes, I'm bummed about going when everyone else is off but that's the way it is now. The kid gets straight A's and doens't want to miss any time.
We're planning a trip to Hershey Park (build a rocket coaster, and they will come) next year, and it will probably be in the summer, but we'll go in early June just when she gets out of school.
So to answer you question, it's easy in elementary school if you get the work ahead of time. But for middle school and on, the kids don't want to miss the time.

 

[Puffy2]

When my kids were in school, I took them out once a year for a 4-5 day vacation . The vacations were great - low crowds, good weather, best time to go (cheapest too) and it was enjoyed by everyone (as opposed to going when it's expensive, hot as all get out, and so crowded that you can't enjoy -or learn- anything).

Now we homeschool so it doesn't matter. We homeschool year round and have our break time mostly in late Nov. and Dec. (still some school each day though even then). The great thing about homeschool is the flexability.


I found the schools to be rather anal about attendence. Although I understand their concerns as well. For a child in k-3, I think it's silly to make an issue out of it. when they get older , they are more apt to miss assignments, projects, tests, etc... Nevertheless, there are many times that a family trip is very educational (Kennedy Space Center, Discovery Cove, even parts of Disney... not to mention our other trips - we always try to provide opportunites and experiences for the kids that they have never had before) and it is a shame that some parents feel so restricted in what they are able to do with their own children.

 

[tinaluis]

We've taken our oldest DD (7) out of school for vacations since Kindergarten, sometimes twice in a school year for a week at a time. She's an excellent student and always makes up her work. Taking the time off doesn't make school any less important for her. In fact, we tell her how important school is but we also stress that family time is important too. Perhaps we'll have a little hesitation when she's in a higher grade, but now there is none. We try to schedule our vacations around school holidays, like Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Teacher Institute Days, etc., whenever possible to minimize the time that she's off, but we definitely don't let the fact that she will miss school determine whether or not we'll take a vacation.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I have to disagree with some of you. I think it's just as important for family time if not more so than school. If you look back to the days past and now, family is looked at alot differently than before. We are all worried about technology, getting ahead and not really worrying about what's really important. Do I think you should always take your kids out of school for vacation....absolutely not. But if you are taking a trip that will provide educational value, then by all means I would do it. I respect everyone's opinion, but just wanted to share mine as well.

 

[Selina]

Hello Spidey...so nice to see you! I agree with you...here in England you are allowed to take kids out on authorised leave for 10 days max...you have to write a letter to the head teacher requesting the dates and they write back confirming that is okay. The only time you are not allowed to take children out is during SATS - tests for 7 and 11 year olds - which is fair - and you are not allowed to take them out a month prior to these tests if they are due to sit them. I believe family holidays are important and seeing the World, experiencing it for real doesn't compare to any amount of books or CD roms.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Thanks Selina. Same here, I've missed you guys, but have been so busy. I have to make up for lost time!

 

[Selina]

So have I....poor Flyfly noticed our absence. I've been caught up in all the pre-christmas stuff at Nursery and social things - work related and private ones....... What line of work are you in Spidey?

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Sales.....and we have been putting in really long hours right now. I also manage a team of ten people, and I am down two people as well. So I am having to pick up all the slack if you know what I mean!!!!

 

[MarkMichaels]

You know, my dad always used to say that the kids would learn more spending a week traveling the country than they would in school.

I like to travel in October, its a slow time for me and I don't really think the kids are going to fall behind. When the kids get to high school, maybe I'll change my thought, but I still agree with my dad on this one. I can teach my kids more about the world (different states, Mexico, Islands of the Caribbean, Disney World, etc) in a week than classrooms could teach in a month. Kids have to see other parts of the world to understand the differences.

My fondest memories of my father of are our two week car trips around the country. Every day a new state or two. Those things can't be taught in school. I am on the board of directors of seven companies now, days off are rare, but I love my vacations and will take my kids whenever I can!!

Take your kids out of school, they will remember the family time you give them, they won't remember who won the war of 1812. Special family time ranks right next to Christmas, my dad worked 70 hours a week and I didn't get to see him much, except for vacation. Those are the days we remember. For most folks, at least they had moms at home in the old days, but now, with dual income families, vacations are even more important to reintroduce mom and dad to the kids.

My opinion,
Mark

 

[Selina]

SpideyHulk....yes I do understand. When I was ill two weeks ago, the following week three members of staff were then off at Nursery - so I had to cover for them....really needed to take it easy still - but had to work every day and I just felt shattered when I got home on top of all the pre-Christmas preparations....and then there's the time difference too!
It was fun last night though....had a great GB fix...with all the GB talk. I love my new banner that Flyfly made for me. So do you think you will take your little boy to see the GB Show at Christmas?

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Here we go again!!!

Spidey, you really should take your son to a Ghostbusters Show! I hear the Holiday show is brilliant...I'll give you MY opinion the day after Thanksgiving.

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

We'll be taking our 5 year old twins out of school for the first time for 4 days. They attend all day Kindergarten. I have to admit that I have a knot in my stomach when I think about turning in the note to the office. I already notified their teachers-one said no problem, but the other said the school won't like it. We decided to go because we've had a very difficult year for our family and an extra trip together as a family would be just what we needed. Since our kids are only in K and both teachers said they are ahead of the rest of their classmates we figured a few days off won't hurt. I just don't like the thought of justifying myself to the administration-I'm not confrontational-and I'm sure they won't have a positive attitude about it. So, I'm going to wait as long as I can before sending in the note. Wish me luck!

 

[Selina]

Hi Tay N Evie's Mom...really do not worry. Send in the note a week or two in advance. There should be no problem - as I mentioned before here in England you are allowed to take AUTHORISED leave to a max of 10 days a year. I am sure the US will have something similar - check it out then if you get any hassle you can remind the School of your entitlements.

Hiya Flyfly...I hope Spidey takes his little boy to the Show and I think he should invest in a little orange playsuit too - don't you?

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

lol...that would be too cute!