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

[Scurvy]

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.

It is nice for a teacher to be home on Christmas morning with their children. I imagine it's nice for everyone who is able to do that. Perhaps that was a factor they considered when choosing a job. I'm sorry you don't have that luxury - it must be difficult. You must like your career quite a bit to have chosen it despite the fact that you wouldn't always be home on Christmas morning.

As to teaching the Civil War in 4 days - I can totally believe that. With "No Child Left Behind", teachers are having to fly through the material faster than ever before. Do you think that the teacher was lying to you about that? Why would they do something like that? It isn't going to change what they are teaching while you are gone or once your child gets back.

Regarding the bolded - Why should it be expected? Most families understand that they will have less freedom to travel while their children are in school. Fortunately, some students are allowed to make up the work they miss if their parents take them out of school for a trip. If you as a parent decide that a trip is more important to you than it is to have your child in school those days that's your choice, but why should a teacher be expected to add to her work load because of that? Essentially you are expecting the other students to give up some of their instructional time or the teacher to give up some of her free time because you decided to take a trip. How is that reasonable?

 

[rgf207]

So - what's your point?

What's my point you ask? Well my point is that there are many people who are saying that they can only go in the fall and "Family is most important" and so on and so forth. It's pretty plain as day. Most people go because it's convenient for "them" and really has nothing to do with the kid's schedules. There are plenty of other times during the year for "Family Time".

Thanksgiving break is in the FALL when people are saying is the only time they can go. They won't choose to go during Thanksgiving because it's crowded. They go during less crowded times.

As I said before I don't care if you take your kids out of school or not but don't blow smoke up our butts saying that "Family comes first" or it's the only time of the year you can go. We all know it's the least crowded time which offers the most perks.

my reasons are none of your business

You're right but don't give us the excuse that it's the only time (not you personally but the collective you) because we all know it's not true.

 

[JenniD44]

When we pulled the kids out of 7th grade for 3 days last year at the end of the Thanksgiving holiday, most of the teachers (a total of 12) allowed the kids to make up work when they got back. The rest gave the kids zeros. We sucked it up because the choice was ours and we knew the possible consequences before we left. They maintained their grades but it was a struggle in the honors classes.

I am so on the fence about doing that again. I think only way I would do it is if it were for 3 days or less and I knew there were not going to be any heavily weighted assignments in their absence--which might be impossible to fortell. This will only get harder with AP classes and the demands of high school so it may not happen at all.

Where are you in Maryland, if you don't mind my asking? My DS is in 8th grade and we are planning to go to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. I know it will be tough, but I hope he will be able to make up the work, meaning I hope he is allowed. He is a good student and I'm happy to help him with whatever he needs. I know this will be our last time doing this, because it would be too difficult in high school.

I'm a little nervous about the 0s you mentioned which is why I wondered if you were in my county.

 

[rgf207]

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.

obviously you have never taught. Maybe it should be expected that you keep your child in school during the school year and not have the teacher make an exception so that you can have your family time. The teacher has hundreds of other students that deserve the same education as your child and, IMHO, it is selfish for you to think otherwise.

 

[princessmom29]

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.

If I send one presonalized email per student per day I am sending out nearly 100 emails if I spend an average of 5 min per email that is 500 min which is alomst 3 1/2 hours of my day spent emailing parents. Are you really ok with your child losing that much instructional time so that i can do that, because that is where it will have to come from. I spend 7 hours teaching and an average of 3 hours planning and grading each day. I am not willing to put in a 14 hour day every day so that every parent can get a presonalized email every day from me. It is not part of what is expected of a teacher. I chose to teach both because I love doing it and b/c it allows me to be home with my child. If I wanted to work 14 hour days I would have stayed in the research lab. I just don't think that i could be an effective teacher in the classroom if I woas putting in 14 hour days. I would just be too exhausted to give in my all. I would not mind posting my assignments for the day every day, but as several PP's have explained it really does no good on the AP level to give assignments without the students having recieved the instruction. They cannot complete them.
Also, charting those patients is most likely part of your job, and I would be willing to be that charting time is built into your day. Not so with teachers.

 

[LadyZolt]

I wrote, ''My DD's high school had a web site where every teacher posted his/her assignments so you could see each day what the homework was, and when projects were due. For example, you could click on a future month and it would say "October 21 - science project due - solar system" or "November 1 -- book report due, Scarlet Letter" or whatever."

Melissa replied:

That information is meant to supplement and reinforce what is taught in the classroom, not replace it.

Just to clarify -- I meant that the teachers post the homework assignments so parents could go to the site and see what they are and then can parent the child and ensure the work is completed. It isn't meant to supplement what was done in class, nor to replace what is taught in person in class, only to list the homework assignments and due dates for bigger projects.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[FigmentChick]

As long as it doesn't come first when it is crowded or hot or inconvenient.......

I'm sorry but I hear more I don't want to go when the kids have off because it is hot or crowded than I can't absolutely get off any other time. I find it hard to believe everyone taking their kids out of school can';t get off any time in the summer or over Easter/spring break or Christmas. There are a few very few families who really can't but most of it is because they don't want to go then not that they can't.

Ok...normally I'm not snotty, but.......REALLY? You're really going to say that? Let me just give you one job title (and, yes, it happens to be mine) where a person cannot get off during Easter/spring break and Christmas: an accountant!!!

You try and take off even ONE DAY from December 15th to April 30th at a firm and see what happens. Can you say "fired"? And, yes, I have actually fired a junior accountant for that offense.

As for why I can't go during the summer? I have very pale skin (picture a ghost) and I would end up with third degree sunburns. Heck, going in a week is going to be an issue, but I have to be back before the October 15th deadlines.

You may say it's hard to believe, but you seriously need to consider other peoples issues and reasonings. Many of us that go "off season" do so because we actually can't go any other time of the year.

Also, I should state that I ask the teachers to provide spelling words, math work, etc. if they are able to. I do not expect it of them and fully understand my kids have to make up the work in noon room the week we get back if they can't complete their school work while we're on vacation.


Again...sorry if I hijacked, guys. And, normally, I totally avoid this topic (like hearing what other parents are going through, though), but this statement just totally ticked me off.


(as she leaps off soapbox)

 

[si-am]

Ok...normally I'm not snotty, but.......REALLY? You're really going to say that? Let me just give you one job title (and, yes, it happens to be mine) where a person cannot get off during Easter/spring break and Christmas: an accountant!!!

You try and take off even ONE DAY from December 15th to April 30th at a firm and see what happens. Can you say "fired"? And, yes, I have actually fired a junior accountant for that offense.

As for why I can't go during the summer? I have very pale skin (picture a ghost) and I would end up with third degree sunburns. Heck, going in a week is going to be an issue, but I have to be back before the October 15th deadlines.

You may say it's hard to believe, but you seriously need to consider other peoples issues and reasonings. Many of us that go "off season" do so because we actually can't go any other time of the year.


Again...sorry if I hijacked, guys. And, normally, I totally avoid this topic (like hearing what other parents are going through, though), but this statement just totally ticked me off.


(as she leaps off soapbox)

I understand the accountant thing. But sunburn? I bet I'm paler than you and I can manage to maneuver around WDW just fine in the summer.

 

[cymbaldiva]

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!!

I'm sorry, I know this was pages back but I just have to ask - your signature indicates 21 trips since 2001. Were all those trips were taken while school is in session? That adds up to a lot of missed school time ...

Just curious -

 

[Racemom17]

We go every year the week after Thanksgiving...and I have never had any teacher give me a hard time except for the one year we went the second week of Sept (second week of school) free dining...and my assumption...they are still reviewing, etc...good time to go...my son's second grade teacher was so nasty about the whole trip and took every opportunity the rest of the year to get in digs...My son is a very shy child and has a hard time adjusting to change, she blamed the trip for that...

We are going this year over halloween...the kids will miss Thurs/Fri...and Mon Tues are teacher workdays...i chose to do that only because my oldest is in middle school now and I didn't want to cause him anymore "panic" that a week of missed school would most likely do...

I would say go, worry about the homework when you get back.

 

[FigmentChick]

I understand the accountant thing. But sunburn? I bet I'm paler than you and I can manage to maneuver around WDW just fine in the summer.

Naw...I got you beat! LOL Seriously....I don't go to the beach, I don't do backyard barbeques or anything! I lead a very boring life from mid April to the end of September (although, this year it's rainy here, so it's not so bad!).

I use a 70 sunblock and I still manage to get sunburnt! And, somehow, as the years pass, I end up with immunity for certain sunblocks. Ah, well...that's what long sleeves were made for! I try to be positive about it, but I know that most days when we get back to the hotel room, I'll be sick (I end up being "sun poisoned" if I stay out in the sun for more than a couple of hours - AK is NOT a good day for me!).

 

[Scurvy]

I understand the accountant thing. But sunburn? I bet I'm paler than you and I can manage to maneuver around WDW just fine in the summer.

As a complete aside, sunscreen is a wonderful thing! Especially since it's just as easy to burn in the winter as the in the summer. My mom has health issues that are aggravated by the sun - she carries an umbrella on particularly sunny days.

I totally can understand that some professions make it difficult (if not impossible) to get away during some parts of the year. Of course, school makes it difficult for kids to get away during the school year. It's fortunate that some students are able to get away for a few days during school, but sometimes there are consequences for that. As parents, we have to decide if a vacation is worth those consequences. I don't think it's reasonable to expect a teacher to have to do extra work to make up for your child being out, though.

 

[Samantha/NC]

I am sorry- but I spent over an hour today listening to one my employees complain about another employee- I wish I put in an 8 hour day and a 40 work week. I am not asking teachers to type out every word spoken- but again I am not a stupid person. They could type - read chapter 3, discussed ecomomics differences between china and the US. I could look it up on the internet and have discussion with my child about it.

I agree I wish I put in an 8 hour day and a 40 hour work week--AND I am a teacher

When I go on vacation (we have been to WDW once in September and once at Thankgiving) during the school year--the LAST thing I am going to do is have an economics discussion with my child (unless it is about how much money they are spending in WDW), talk about bummer! I say forget about having them email YOU, YOUR child's assignments that THEY are going to miss because YOU are going on vacation during school. Just have them do the make-up work when you get back! Go and enjoy yourself!!

 

[Sandi]

I noticed that the OP is from Michigan. If OP's child is in a Michigan public school, they are going to miss "student count day" on September 30 (assuming, by "next Friday," they are leaving on 9/25 for more than 5 days). That's the day each student is physically counted by the district for purposes of state funding. The schools can later get adjustments, but it really is a big deal for school funding here. I doubt that the teacher was thinking about that, but that might be in the back of her mind, too. (Nope, I'm not a teacher. Just a taxpayer.)

 

[rgf207]

Ok...normally I'm not snotty, but.......REALLY? You're really going to say that? Let me just give you one job title (and, yes, it happens to be mine) where a person cannot get off during Easter/spring break and Christmas: an accountant!!!

You try and take off even ONE DAY from December 15th to April 30th at a firm and see what happens. Can you say "fired"? And, yes, I have actually fired a junior accountant for that offense.

As for why I can't go during the summer? I have very pale skin (picture a ghost) and I would end up with third degree sunburns. Heck, going in a week is going to be an issue, but I have to be back before the October 15th deadlines.

You may say it's hard to believe, but you seriously need to consider other peoples issues and reasonings. Many of us that go "off season" do so because we actually can't go any other time of the year.

Also, I should state that I ask the teachers to provide spelling words, math work, etc. if they are able to. I do not expect it of them and fully understand my kids have to make up the work in noon room the week we get back if they can't complete their school work while we're on vacation.


Again...sorry if I hijacked, guys. And, normally, I totally avoid this topic (like hearing what other parents are going through, though), but this statement just totally ticked me off.


(as she leaps off soapbox)

The UV index for the next 10 days in WDW will be 10 (as high as it goes). The heat does not cause the sunburn, it's the UV. You will probably get sunburned in your upcomming trip

 

[seadd67]

Tell them to Mind there owen Buisness!!, Its your Family and you know whats best!! you do not need to hear there oppion over and over again. You do not need to explain and justfy your self to any one!!.Now days alot(not all) of Schools and Teachers feel that there oppion Is the golden rule. There jobs Is to Teach not give Family advice,when not ask for.The Fact that they would not provide email updates shows you there they are showing you there personal Bias.

 

[rgf207]

Tell them to Mind there owen Buisness!!, Its your Family and you know whats best!! you do not need to hear there oppion over and over again. You do not need to explain and justfy your self to any one!!.Now days alot(not all) of Schools and Teachers feel that there oppion Is the golden rule. There jobs Is to Teach not give Family advice,when not ask for.The Fact that they would not provide email updates shows you there they are showing you there personal Bias.

you make me laugh

 

[swald91]

I have read a few more of these & I really don't believe that parents who take their kids out of school for vacation-ANY vacation-aren't really looking for special treatment. I know that I ask the teachers what my kids will need to do-either before or after our trip. Some of you are commenting on how people choose these times to travel b/c of low crowds, etc. But my husband is a police officer & he doesn't get the same vacation as the kids in school do-I'm sure many others here don't always get the same time either. Now I'm not defending people being nasty about the teachers reaction, but we all have responsibilities. Teachers, parents & students all need to do what they need to do. I don't expect my kids teachers to spend hours on preparing the work while we are gone but what do these teachers do when a child is sick & out of school for a long period of time?

 

[cepmom]

Tell them to Mind there owen Buisness!!, Its your Family and you know whats best!! you do not need to hear there oppion over and over again. You do not need to explain and justfy your self to any one!!.Now days alot(not all) of Schools and Teachers feel that there oppion Is the golden rule. There jobs Is to Teach not give Family advice,when not ask for.The Fact that they would not provide email updates shows you there they are showing you there personal Bias.

for real? I don't see anywhere in the OP that the teacher gave her opinion over and over again or where the teacher gave family advice The fact that the teacher chose not to email every day does not show any personal bias; give me a break. The OP should have asked the teacher how to handle the missed assignments instead of getting mad that the teacher did not want to email each evening.

 

[kaelarad]

As A teacher of middle school my day begins before the bell and ends long after the bell. If a family decides to take children out of school for a family vacation that is ok but your choice. It does not mean that I have to re-arrange my life around your schedule. Policies are policies and if I want to keep my job I follow them. A few minutes to send an email to a family in WDW because they chose that time is disrespectful. I have a life a family who is most important to me and deserve my time and many other students who are in class that I need to be prepared for. Lessons are involved and not always easy to put in a short email. The OP's job sounds no more stressful than mine. I love my students and would not take a vacation during school time. That is my choice. when you make a choice you need to accept the consequences.