Teachers are giving me a hard time pulling kids out of school

I am seeing a lot of the "family comes first" argument, but I think if we are relly honest with ourselves it is less about some kind of family bonding experience that can't happen any other time, and more about going to WDW when it is convinent for us. I am pulling DD for 3 days in NOv, and I will be using my personal time to be away forms school. I have no problem doing this, I am not violating any attendance policies to do so, and I am up from about my reasons. This is when we want to go, and when DH can get off. It is NOT about so sort of magical "family time" ect. We have lots of family time at home and a week vacation is not necessary to maintian that. WE want to go ahve fun at Disney and everyone's time off is "legal" and approved, so we are going. End of story.
Exactly. I agree that family comes first but as others have said, there are 150+ days in the year when kids are not at school. In most of these situations "Family Comes First" = "I want to go to Disney when it's not crowded". If it is indeed "Family Comes First" why don't these people think of the Teacher's family? They have to take time out of their personal family time to make sure your "Family Time" is met.
 
You may just have to break down and go in the summer or some other school break. Now that we have kids in college it is either that or no Disney for us:sad1:

We can't go in the heat as one of the kids has a medical condition and just can't handle it. We have considered some of the other vacation times but the only ones long enough for a vacation are Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. We did the tail end of Thanksgiving, but ran into issues taking those 3 extra days. We might have to go for Thanksgiving proper next time. We'd just prefer to stay home if we had to deal with the crowds of Christmas and Easter. :sad2:
 
I am seeing a lot of the "family comes first" argument, but I think if we are relly honest with ourselves it is less about some kind of family bonding experience that can't happen any other time, and more about going to WDW when it is convinent for us.

THIS. I don't have kids yet, but I can understand the appeal of taking them out of school to avoid hot & crowded times of the year. DH and I (as of right now) both have pretty flexible jobs, so we are lucky that we can vacation almost any time we want, and we'll do so as long as we can until our future kids start school.

If teachers are willing to give you the kids' work before or after the trip, great. But you have plenty of responses in this thread from teachers stating that it's not as simple as a "quick" email like you are expecting. If you are the ones choosing to pull your children out of school for a Disney vacation, you have to accept the fact that teachers will get your child their work however they choose to, or not at all. You can't expect them to add time onto their long days just to help your child keep up with school work that you caused him to miss for an unnecessary event. For everyone that cries "Family first!", yes I agree with that sentiment. But what about the teacher's family? Isn't that time important too? Why ask them to take MORE time away from their own family to help your child keep up?

I think you might be a little too unreasonable with your expectations. If the teachers are willing to give your child makeup work at any time or in any form, just be grateful for that instead of being upset that they won't email you daily.
 
Exactly. In most of these situations "Family Comes First" = "I want to go to Disney when it's not crowded".

Yes, it does mean less crowded, more affordable, less hot, more fun.
Yes, it also means really cannot do it another time.
Everyone is different but whatever reason it is, parents are responsible for taking kid out of school, expecting special treatment from teachers, that is what I believe is wrong.
 

We have taken vacation during our kids academic school year a few times and will again this year... and my DS is a senior. I work at a university in an area that prevents me from taking vacation in June, most of July and August. We always talk with our kid's teachers first to get permission in advance and to make sure they can make up work and not be penalized, etc. Each time, they have been okay and the kids have both maintained their grades/GPA and they both are in honors courses. They do the homework that is expected of them while we are on vacation and it all works. We also pick a time when there are teacher's work days so they are not missing a whole week.

However, if there ever came a time when the counselor or teachers said the kids could not make up work or would be penalized... we would change our vacation. Forcing our kids to be penalized for a vacation... is too much of a risk. I think the most important thing is to get with the kid's teachers up front. I think they would be willing to work with you.
 
I think maybe you're asking a lot from your kids teachers. Don't get me wrong, I am not a teacher and I pull our DD out for at least 2 weeks a year because we cannot vacation during the summer. But when we do, I always let my DDs teacher know that I don't expect them to go out of their way to keep our DD up to speed. I ask if there is anything they want us to do before or while we're away and then make sure to catch her up when we get back. Also, part of the deal is that DD understands that being away might mean she has to give up a few recesses to make up any tests or other stuff she might miss.

I am just thinking that maybe the reason they are being difficult is they are getting the feeling they are going to have to work harder to accommodate your families vacation. Maybe try approaching them in a different way, and they might be more cooperative:goodvibes

Good luck and have a wonderful vacation:wizard:
 
Several points:

1. If you are so intent on saying 'FAMILY FIRST' then so be it. But what your saying is my child's family first.

2. Your child has a job too. It's called school. If it is that important to you to spend 'family time' during your child's 'work' time think about what's going to do the most damage. Taking your child out of their 'work' or re-arranging your work schedule? It's far more feasible to speak with your superiors and rearrange your time off then. The OP says that it's difficult to get other times off, but not impossible. Will this be an every year occurence?

3. Your child is not the only child in the class. Is it fair for 'my child' to show up to school every day turn their assignments in on time as required not missing a day to recieve the same grade as a child who has missed over a week of school for a vacation? That's rewarding bad behavior.

4. Instead of asking the teachers what THEY can do for your child while they are taking time off from school, ask them what YOU can do to help them and your child.

5. Designate an absent buddy and let the teacher know. Explain to them that little Jenny will be collecting worksheets, handouts, etc for your child. Give them a notebook before you leave with a folder for each day and a place for them to write down assignments.

6. The attendance policies and truancy laws aren't silly. They are there to serve our children for a higher purpose. EDUCATION.

7. School boards don't get paid for higher attendance. That's like saying homeless shelters that are filled to the max will get more beds because the ones they have are full every night.

8. If you don't like your schools attendance policy become more involved. If you aren't able to be there physically suggest email forrums.

9. Just remember that you are showing your child that it's ok to miss 'work' for less important things. So later on in the year when I have a hang nail I can miss 'work' too.

That being said...
You have 1 week and 1 day, relax, have fun, and enjoy yourself!
 
For me the bottom line is....Family Comes First!!!! Missing one week of school is NOT going to effect my child for the rest of his life. I feel spending time with the family and having those memories are more important than any school work they might miss. I do realize my child will have work to make up and may shave some trouble with the work they missed and I am willing to except that and help them.

If something would happen to me tomorrow ..I want my child to have memories of me and the time we spent together...do you think that inlcudes a week of school work...hell NO! It would be the memories of us as a family!

Have a great trip!!

Depending on your district's policy it can, if he/she is in high school. Our school is on block scheduling so missing a week of school is like missing two weeks. Teacher's in our district don't have to give/accept make-up work or provide any instruction to a student who missed school for an unexcused absence (ie vacation). Imagine if your high school junior has AP or honors chemistry and misses all that work and teacher won't give/accept makeup work and your child gets all zeros. Chances are the student will either do really poorly or fail the class. Now imagine that happens with the other three classes. That will affect grade point averages and college transcripts. That in turn can affect whether your child will be accepted to a certain college of his/her choice.

While I do think its up to the family to decide, I also think people need to know what their school policy is and then decide if taking a child out of school is really worth it, and not blame the teacher for following the district's policy. I know there's no way I'll take mine out now that they're in high school. I did do it when they were in elementary school, but starting in middle school (also on block scheduling) it would put them too far behind and require too much for them to try to make up. That's not fair to my child.
 
Schools get funding by how many children are in school. I can totally see the schools not wanting to facilitate taking children out of school for vacation aka family time when there is so much cutting of the school budgets anyway.

Actually, the only time I remember us missing school when I was in school was when we went to visit my relatives in Atlanta one weekend (left on Friday afternoon to return on Sunday night) and got snowed in for a day. My mom even called the school to tell them what had happened. My children have not taken any days off for vacation and are both now in college.

In our family, education is important enough that vacations are planned around education, not education around vacation. We are now planning a trip for December, but are still planning around the college schedules...
 
We leave next friday and this makes our fourth trip to WDW. This is the first year the teachers at school are giving us a hard time. They implimented a new attendance policy. I thought we were going early enough in the year that it wouldn't be such a big deal- both my DH and I have jobs that it is difficult to travel any other time then the fall-

I emailed the teachers and stated that we are taking a laptop and that I would email them daily to receive assignments since most of them can not give me a prepared lesson prior to our trip. No disrespect to teachers out there but I don't understand why they can not email me daily to let me know what pages in the text book they went over and what homework they assigned. I can not even get excited about our trip because this has become such an ordeal... Anyone else experience this with their trips?


Honestly, I wouldn't even worry about it as long as your children are not struggling in school. We do not go during school only because I have one child with learning disabilities and when he misses any days of school he falls way behind. My older son can easily miss a week and not have a problem.

The schools are more worried about the funding than they are about children missing assignments.

Go and enjoy your trip.
 
It's timely that somone has brought up the 'change in school year' issue. I was talking to some teachers during band camp the end of August. Many think it's time to go to a trimester system, rather than two semester system. That way the kids would have three longish periods off rather than one really long one (summer vacation) and a few week-long ones (Christmas, Feb and April). But, that's an argument for another thread I would suppose.

Our high school has trimesters and they still get the same breaks as the lower level schools. My son just started the local high school 3 weeks ago and has had to do a lot of catching up (transfered in from another area). He can't be penalized for the beginning of the school year but it does not change the fact he was behind. Even missing one week would throw many kids off. My son does not generally have a difficult time with school so a little extra hard work has him caught up with As and Bs. We go year round and have fall break, thanksgiving is just 3 days off plus the weekend, Christmas/winter break, and Spring break. We chose to take our vacation to WDW during Fall break and in early Summer last year we headed to Destin for the beach. We have tons of family time and it does not require us to go to WDW to show my kids that family comes first. I took the girls last year (son was not living with me) for our very first time and we made plans then to come back this year with more planning and time. My son ahs other things going on so he will go next year when we hea to Universal where he wants to go.
 
I'm a teacher and I'm taking myself and my two elementary-age children out of school for a couple of days to go to Disney! It think it is not about the problem but how you handle it. It sounds like you are a concerned parent who is being very respectful of the teacher's time. I'm sure that two reasonable people (assuming that the teacher is a reasonable person:)) can sit down together and come up with a good solution. It also sounds like you understand that family time is important, but that school is, too. Your kids are lucky to have you as a parent.

Best of luck to you and I hope that you have a wonderful time in Disney! Bring that teacher back a Mickey pencil or something!
 
While i can sympathize with you about the policies, they are so strict now, you can't really get mad at the teachers. Just because we go on vacation shouldn't mean extra work for the teachers. My teacher isn't giving us a problem but she isn't allowed to give work in advance. She said she will collect it throughout the week and have in a packet for when he returns. Which is totally acceptable to me. It's no extra work for her and my son will still get to make up all his work. Next year we are just going to go on Jersey week. Then he'll only miss three days instead of five.
 
Several points:

1. If you are so intent on saying 'FAMILY FIRST' then so be it. But what your saying is my child's family first.

2. Your child has a job too. It's called school. If it is that important to you to spend 'family time' during your child's 'work' time think about what's going to do the most damage. Taking your child out of their 'work' or re-arranging your work schedule? It's far more feasible to speak with your superiors and rearrange your time off then. The OP says that it's difficult to get other times off, but not impossible. Will this be an every year occurence?

3. Your child is not the only child in the class. Is it fair for 'my child' to show up to school every day turn their assignments in on time as required not missing a day to recieve the same grade as a child who has missed over a week of school for a vacation? That's rewarding bad behavior.

4. Instead of asking the teachers what THEY can do for your child while they are taking time off from school, ask them what YOU can do to help them and your child.

5. Designate an absent buddy and let the teacher know. Explain to them that little Jenny will be collecting worksheets, handouts, etc for your child. Give them a notebook before you leave with a folder for each day and a place for them to write down assignments.

6. The attendance policies and truancy laws aren't silly. They are there to serve our children for a higher purpose. EDUCATION.

7. School boards don't get paid for higher attendance. That's like saying homeless shelters that are filled to the max will get more beds because the ones they have are full every night.

8. If you don't like your schools attendance policy become more involved. If you aren't able to be there physically suggest email forrums.

9. Just remember that you are showing your child that it's ok to miss 'work' for less important things. So later on in the year when I have a hang nail I can miss 'work' too.

That being said...
You have 1 week and 1 day, relax, have fun, and enjoy yourself!

Best...post...ever....on this topic!!:thumbsup2
 
THIS. I don't have kids yet, but I can understand the appeal of taking them out of school to avoid hot & crowded times of the year. DH and I (as of right now) both have pretty flexible jobs, so we are lucky that we can vacation almost any time we want, and we'll do so as long as we can until our future kids start school.

If teachers are willing to give you the kids' work before or after the trip, great. But you have plenty of responses in this thread from teachers stating that it's not as simple as a "quick" email like you are expecting. If you are the ones choosing to pull your children out of school for a Disney vacation, you have to accept the fact that teachers will get your child their work however they choose to, or not at all. You can't expect them to add time onto their long days just to help your child keep up with school work that you caused him to miss for an unnecessary event. For everyone that cries "Family first!", yes I agree with that sentiment. But what about the teacher's family? Isn't that time important too? Why ask them to take MORE time away from their own family to help your child keep up?

I think you might be a little too unreasonable with your expectations. If the teachers are willing to give your child makeup work at any time or in any form, just be grateful for that instead of being upset that they won't email you daily.

I am a teacher, and I totally understand this. I DO NOT expect DD's teacher to do anything other than tell us what we missed when we get back, and I have made sure that I am leaving a compotent, certified sub to carry on with lessons in my absence. I don't have any expectations of anyone going out of their way for me to be gone. I am doing the leg work to assure we can go without inconviencing anyone. My point was only that I refuse to use the "family comes first" argument because it just doesn't hold water. I am going at that time because I want to, and I am doing the work to do it.
 
I am a teacher, and I totally understand this. I DO NOT expect DD's teacher to do anything other than tell us what we missed when we get back, and I have made sure that I am leaving a compotent, certified sub to carry on with lessons in my absence. I don't have any expectations of anyone going out of their way for me to be gone. I am doing the leg work to assure we can go without inconviencing anyone. My point was only that I refuse to use the "family comes first" argument because it just doesn't hold water. I am going at that time because I want to, and I am doing the work to do it.

I was agreeing with you! I meant to say, I understand the appeal of going at cooler & less crowded times, but that it shouldn't be used as an excuse for "family first." The rest of the post was aimed at the OP. Sorry if it was confusing.
 
If the kids can't go during the summer, take them during Christmas Week or Thanksgiving Week when the kids have breaks? Oh wait, it's crowded then :)

So - what's your point?

It's a teacher's job to teach. I don't think the parents should necessarily expect them to do MORE work so that they can take their child out of school.

I think it's the parent's job to make sure their child is prepared to learn, and that they complete assignments as necessary. And if their child needs extra help, a responsible parent makes sure they get it (either by them, or some other manner).

I know there are parents who have strong opinions about what goes on in the classroom, and what they think should go on there. I'm sure a lot of teachers would like to say "as long as I teach what I'm supposed to teach, don't tell me how to teach". By the same token, if the child keeps up on their work, and doesn't fall behind their class, I don't think their family's decisions are any of their business either.

I'm taking my DGS (7) December 12-20. He's going to be out of school for 6-7 days. He's a bright boy, he's ahead of his class, and he'll catch up with any homework over Christmas (his teacher isn't concerned).

Why are we going at that time? Because I wanted to go at Christmas. Because I wanted to go when it was cheaper. Because I wanted to go when it wasn't crowded.

If he falls behind in his school work, or doesn't seem to be able to learn because he's been out - object. If your school board has a rule that doesn't allow it - raise that (and we'll get around to changing the school board). Otherwise, my reasons are none of your business. So what if I don't want to pay more & deal with crowds? That's between his mother and me. If he's not prepared for his school work, then you can chime in.

After all, no one listens to her when you teach her children stuff that is pointless, politically correct, and just plain WRONG.
 
I think it is silly that a teacher can't take a few minutes out of their day to write a brief summary on a homework message board for all the students to see. If they did then there is no excuse for a missed assignment on vacation. It is just as much a parent's job as it is a teacher's to make sure a child is educated. This needs to be a policy!
That being said, I charted on 106 patients today. Their activities, orders, treatments etc. What would be so difficult to send off one email to a child on vacation? If that can't be done tell the parent we are covering Chapter 10 so at least we have a direction to go in.
I was expected to teach my child the Civil War last year on vacation. She was out 4 days! You can't tell me they learned the Civil War in 4 days.
I know this is a hot topic, but a family vacation is just as important as the lessons they learn in the few days that the child is out.
Both parents & educators want the child to learn, & both need to put forth effort. I too can't take vacations during Summer months or at holiday times. It must be nice for a teacher to be home with their children every Christmas morning. I don't have that luxury. One note or one email even if it is at different times for each student isn't going to be that much stress on a teacher. It should be expected.
 
to those that find it hard to believe that some parents can't take off in the summer or holidays... I assure you it is quite POSSIBLE. I am a nurse and my husband a Clinical pharmacist at a local teaching Medical center.Since I am not full time and am considered support services I have to staff the hospital when Fulltime people go on vacations( summers and holidays).They prefer all "hands on deck "when the new Doctors and nurses start in the summer so that is also a factor.Dh has residents and students ( year round)-that he has to factor in as well as other co workers that also have seniority and vacations.We are limited as to when we can go.I accept that and take vacations when we can.
 
I think what it boils down to is this:

1) Families get to decide when they go on vacation, and they may use whatever criteria they want (work schedules, low crowds, financial incentives, etc) in making that decision.

2) Schools get to decide how/when/if missed information and homework is provided to students.

3) Families who choose to go on vacation when school is in session will accept the consequences and abide by #2.
 













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