Teens missing school for free dining?

[LSmith]

How did this go from the OP asking if it would be ok to take a teen out of school to the focus being how hard teachers work (in comparison to the rest of the world)? Don't most people bust their butts at work, many working long, long hours? Whether the person has one, two, twelve degrees or no degrees? Why do some teachers need their egos stroked so badly? There are hard working teachers, of course, just as there are hard working police officers, nurses, mailmen, Chrysler, Ford and GM workers, secretaries, social workers, doctors, etc. Lots of people are going above the call of duty everyday and don't feel the need to announce it.

To the OP. Whether your kids are A students or D students, I have had many wonderful teachers tell me that my kids are going to learn much more traveling than they'll ever miss sitting in a classroom.

Personally I either have my kids do the work beforehand or afterward but never during a vacation. Just doesn't seem fair to me.

 

[Tiger926]

I also wanted to clarify that I have nothing against teachers, I have been a TA for years and only left my beloved position to begin college, to become a teacher!

I do however, have a problem when teachers over-step their boundries or judge how we parent! We never encountered this at our DS school and he was taken out in Elem., MS, and HS.

By over-stepping I am simply referring to the vacation leave being approved. If it has been approved, even though a teacher may not feel it is appropriate, it has been deemed appropriate by someone higher up than he/she, and is more than likely approved based on a policy!

Just because a principal approves a leave does not mean it has been approved based on a 'policy'. Most parents remind the school board on a daily basis that they pay our salaries, and so most principals are going to ok a leave based on that. If you look at it from an attendance policy perspective, than there may be issues with longer vacations, because like I said, after a certain amout of days missed, a student is deemed truant according to the computer - the computer spits out names and then automatically calls the home to find out where students are as it's based on a certain number of days missed.

Also, this has nothing to do with 'outranking' me as a teacher. Some of you just don't seem to understand that we as classroom teachers are in charge of our classrooms and the curriculum that we teach - by law, we must assess and evaluate these students, not the principal. He/she does not teach my class, plan lessons, nor mark my students' work as that is my job. The government and our unions are very specific about that. So, when principals grant leaves, they are most of the time doing so based on an attendance perspective - the harder part of the equation are the classroom teachers of your children as we are the ones who are directly involved with your kids, and not the principal. In big schools, principals don't even know you, or your kids, it's us classroom teachers who know what lessons are next, or, if pulling your child out for 1 or 2 weeks may affect his/her progress in the class. By the way, someone mentioned teachers penalizing students for going on vacation - not allowed. In Ontario, we are NOT allowed to use absences in our assessments. All of these government policies can be found on Min of Ed website.

How did this go from the OP asking if it would be ok to take a teen out of school to the focus being how hard teachers work (in comparison to the rest of the world)? Don't most people bust their butts at work, many working long, long hours? Whether the person has one, two, twelve degrees or no degrees? Why do some teachers need their egos stroked so badly? There are hard working teachers, of course, just as there are hard working police officers, nurses, mailmen, Chrysler, Ford and GM workers, secretaries, social workers, doctors, etc. Lots of people are going above the call of duty everyday and don't feel the need to announce it.

To the OP. Whether your kids are A students or D students, I have had many wonderful teachers tell me that my kids are going to learn much more traveling than they'll ever miss sitting in a classroom.

Personally I either have my kids do the work beforehand or afterward but never during a vacation. Just doesn't seem fair to me.

Brought this up because I read in some posts how easy it is to be a teacher, how lucky we are to get so much vacation time, etc. I mentioned my Chrysler neighbor because so many people bash teachers for being paid so highly and having so much vacation time, yet here is a job on the opposite end of being a teacher with being paid more, no post-secondary required and more vacation time, yet it's ok because it's private industry. I could never work in a factory, as my physical body couldn't do it, so I can't comment from that perspective, but my own neighbor says it's a crime that he gets paid more than me, or his wife who is a medical professional saving lives. It's not about stroking egos at all - I believe that people who put their lives in jeopardy for me (police, nurses, fire) should be paid more than I as a teacher. Don't worry - I don't need you stroking my ego at all as the success and thanks of my students is enough.

I hope all families have wonderful vacations, Tiger

 

[LadyKay]

Funny, I work in early childhood education and on many occasions have had parents and others comment on how lucky or how easy my day must be. Never have I felt the need to defend myself or what I do as I figure everyone is entitled to an opinion and furthermore I know my work itself speaks volumes. It's all about living and being content/happy with life choices we all have made to land us where we are today. To each their own I tell my girls.

 

[jmann]

If taking a week to go on vacation is such a disruption, then what are teacher strikes? They never happen at Xmas or March Break or over the summer.

 

[Tiger926]

If taking a week to go on vacation is such a disruption, then what are teacher strikes? They never happen at Xmas or March Break or over the summer.

I don't support teacher's striking at all as it is highly disruptive. My job is to be in class, but my union has other ideas.

In regards to my school district, student trips to Europe are always scheduled during March Break, summer vacation or Christmas break. Our school board is very strict on absences - for both staff and students. Every field trip must be debated and approved by trustees, so principals/teachers really think long and hard about when and where they go for field trips. Many field trips have been shot down in the past due to missing too much school, as well, field trips have been rescheduled during break times. Our trustees are very clear that they want their staff and students in school, as much as possible. There have been times where a major band concert or such to the U.S. was granted on extenuating circumstances with presentations from principal, teacher and parent's club as to why it was ok to miss school, and what the plan was to keep on track within the classroom. This is the culture that I am used to.

Again, I know that some families can't work within our school break periods, so that is why I asked for you to consider all options while making the important decision of whether to remove your children from school for vacation. It's important for me to show you as a highschool classroom teacher what variables may come into play if your teenager were to miss my class for an extended period of time.

We, as the school, and you as families need to be in partnership together in order to ensure the success of your child in school. It is not us vs. them as many people make it out to be - we as educators want the best for your children, as that is why we do what we do. For some families, removing kids is acceptable, and for others, it is not. Just wanted you all to get a sense of the different parts to the school absence puzzle - especially from a school perspective.

Happy and safe travels to all, Tiger

 

[disneymath]

In regards to my school district, student trips to Europe are always scheduled during March Break, summer vacation or Christmas break. Our school board is very strict on absences - for both staff and students. Every field trip must be debated and approved by trustees, so principals/teachers really think long and hard about when and where they go for field trips. Many field trips have been shot down in the past due to missing too much school, as well, field trips have been rescheduled during break times. Our trustees are very clear that they want their staff and students in school, as much as possible. There have been times where a major band concert or such to the U.S. was granted on extenuating circumstances with presentations from principal, teacher and parent's club as to why it was ok to miss school, and what the plan was to keep on track within the classroom. This is the culture that I am used to.

Again, I know that some families can't work within our school break periods, so that is why I asked for you to consider all options while making the important decision of whether to remove your children from school for vacation. It's important for me to show you as a highschool classroom teacher what variables may come into play if your teenager were to miss my class for an extended period of time.

We, as the school, and you as families need to be in partnership together in order to ensure the success of your child in school. It is not us vs. them as many people make it out to be - we as educators want the best for your children, as that is why we do what we do. For some families, removing kids is acceptable, and for others, it is not. Just wanted you all to get a sense of the different parts to the school absence puzzle - especially from a school perspective.

Happy and safe travels to all, Tiger

I'm in a different school district than you ... but the situation is much the same where I am.

 

[LadyKay]

I don't support teacher's striking at all as it is highly disruptive.
Tiger

Doesn't it suck to be generalized!!!

 

[dvcdisney]

Funny, I work in early childhood education and on many occasions have had parents and others comment on how lucky or how easy my day must be. Never have I felt the need to defend myself or what I do as I figure everyone is entitled to an opinion and furthermore I know my work itself speaks volumes. It's all about living and being content/happy with life choices we all have made to land us where we are today. To each their own I tell my girls.

That is really strange. I have yet to hear someone comment that a teachers job is easy. I have heard the opposite and have thought the same. I couldn't handle that job. We have always thanked the teachers for their role in our children's lives. And yes it is their job, but many have gone beyond this and we have shown our appreciation. We don't take their position in our children's lives for granted. I will, however, admit that we had some very great teachers. And when we moved, I wanted to take the whole school with me because I was very impressed on their method and how they conducted themselves around my children and parents. However, we had ones that we were not too fond of, but that's life. I think people generalize from their experience and I'm glad you don't take these comments personally . I don't think anyone was trying to insult you, at least I don't think so anyways.

 

[LSmith]

Nobody on this thread has bashed teachers or said that their job was easy. Just because not all people mentioned how amazing and appreciated teachers are doesn't mean that they think their job is easy or under-appreciated.

The only thing said is people wish they could have has much time off as a teacher. No one said they didn't "deserve" it.

I did notice you comparing your job to that of a person who works at Chrysler. You claim that he makes more money than you, has no post-secondary education and and has more vacation time. I have a friend who has been working his butt off at Chrysler for 25 years and he DOES have a degree and he gets 6 weeks off a year. Any other "off" time is "laid off" time. Also, the only reason he makes more than you is that he works a ton of overtime.

You are complaining and being insulted (again and again) that people aren't noticing all of the extra work you have to do and yet you are the only one saying anything derogatory towards others.

 

[Tiger926]

Nobody on this thread has bashed teachers or said that their job was easy. Just because not all people mentioned how amazing and appreciated teachers are doesn't mean that they think their job is easy or under-appreciated.
All I asked was that parents consider all options when taking their kids out of school, most of all, how it will affect the child's class as a whole, and their teacher's workload.

The only thing said is people wish they could have has much time off as a teacher. No one said they didn't "deserve" it.
Why do you think people say this? Because it's basically insinuating that we as teachers should keep quiet about stuff such as this because we have off the whole summer and so we can travel then. Again, we have no say in how the academic school year is scheduled. We get time off in the summer without pay, which I greatly appreciate - the money we receive is our money that was held for us.


I did notice you comparing your job to that of a person who works at Chrysler. You claim that he makes more money than you, has no post-secondary education and and has more vacation time. I have a friend who has been working his butt off at Chrysler for 25 years and he DOES have a degree and he gets 6 weeks off a year. Any other "off" time is "laid off" time. Also, the only reason he makes more than you is that he works a ton of overtime.
Did you not read my post? Let me explain again - I said I can't compare my job in regards to working conditions as I have never worked there, nor, would I be able to as my physical person couldn't handle it; therefore, I have no right to compare our jobs. I compared the qualifications and benefits of our jobs as that is what has been discussed on this thread. Nowhere did I say that they don't deserve their wages, as that is not my place to say. I compared a job that side by side is almost identical in terms of benefits, but is vastly different in regards to qualifications and working conditions. My neighbor does NOT work overtime and makes more than me and has more vacation time than me, period. I live in the automotive capital of Canada, so I live and breathe this each and everyday. My neighbor is also our best friend - we discuss this at least 3x a week in regards to our jobs and we have seen each other's paycheques. My claims are fact - he is the one who says it's ridiculous how much money he makes when he's not formally educated such as myself or his wife. He finds it 'criminal' that he isn't educating or saving lives, yet he makes so much money (no overtime) - his words, not mine. He finds it confusing that people are so hard on teachers, yet he has more time off! I made myself very clear on that point.

You are complaining and being insulted (again and again) that people aren't noticing all of the extra work you have to do and yet you are the only one saying anything derogatory towards others.
I haven't said that I need recognition for any extra work that I do - I mentioned the extra work that goes into preparing students for taking vacations during the school year. Nowhere did I list what extra work I do as a teacher as that isn't relevant to the conversation at hand. I mentioned the extra work that goes into prepping and maintaining a student who takes off for vacation during the year. We have to assess and evaluate so many different areas of a student's work in class, it's not just about preparing handouts and your child completing them on vacation. The new curriculum and assessment/evaluation of your children is vastly different than when you or I went to school. We have strict rules about test rewrites, etc. Not to mention that there are multiple classrooms, students and staff members involved when highschool students take time off for vacation during the year, and this is my area of concern. There are many people who work in direct contact with your highschoolers each day, and so this is what I have tried to remind you of.

Based on many of the comments on this thread, some of you seem to have no idea how a classroom works, what the role of teachers and principals are, attendance laws, Education Act or school board policies. All of these are relevant when taking kids out of school - it's not just about removing them from class and that's the end of it. There are many things that should be considered when making this decision, most of all the classrooms and teachers involved. This is what the OP requested guidance on - mostly everyone who replied were parents who said No worries and to Go For It!, so I felt she should have an educational perspective in order to help her make her decision.

Happy travels to all, Tiger

 

[LSmith]

Happy travels to all, Tiger

Fine, you're louder, you win!

 

[LadyKay]

Fine, you're louder, you win!

 

[Tiger926]

Fine, you're louder, you win!

If this in reference to my font size, I am sorry as I had issues with it. It froze a couple of times when I selected a smaller font size and then I went to feed the baby.

Sorry for the large size, as that wasn't intentional, Tiger

 

[pxlbarrel]

Everytime this thread comes up, it never progresses well. Happens every time.

Nobody who takes their kids out of school wants to be told that maybe they shouldn't be doing it. Especially, since this a Disney forum, nobody likes being told that going to WDW during the school year may not be the best for their child but more importantly, nobody likes being told how to raise their kids (or the implication..)

No teachers or education officials want to condone taking kids out of school. It's their job to teach the kids and it's probably harder to teach them when they're not actually in the classroom.

It's a no win scenario. Classic stalemate. There's no right or a wrong...only things to consider.

 

[pkitty]

My dh is a cop......I could take this thread in a COMPLETELY different direction here but I won't......getting back to the topic at hand I have always felt that it is up to each individual family as to when and how they choose to spend their "family" time. I cannot tell you how many times my Dh who has been on the JOB for 22 years comes home and tells me of a situation where an everday hardworking Joe citizen dies on his commute to work, or has a fatal heart attack at 40 or dies in and industrial accident....life IS SHORT PEOPLE. Enjoy it, ride the teacups, watch the fire works, laugh with you children and put the rest into perspective PLEASE. This may not be the most popular response (haven't read the whole thread....last time I checked this WAS suppose to be a Disney related community board) but I really feel that putting aside something that can bring you together as a family because of the fear of missing a few days of school seems silly. Families are broken for the most part and maybe more of this type of thinking would keep them together....making sure to make time or you'll never find the time. That's all I've got for now

 

[ahalla]

My dh is a cop......I could take this thread in a COMPLETELY different direction here but I won't......getting back to the topic at hand I have always felt that it is up to each individual family as to when and how they choose to spend their "family" time. I cannot tell you how many times my Dh who has been on the JOB for 22 years comes home and tells me of a situation where an everday hardworking Joe citizen dies on his commute to work, or has a fatal heart attack at 40 or dies in and industrial accident....life IS SHORT PEOPLE. Enjoy it, ride the teacups, watch the fire works, laugh with you children and put the rest into perspective PLEASE. This may not be the most popular response (haven't read the whole thread....last time I checked this WAS suppose to be a Disney related community board) but I really feel that putting aside something that can bring you together as a family because of the fear of missing a few days of school seems silly. Families are broken for the most part and maybe more of this type of thinking would keep them together....making sure to make time or you'll never find the time. That's all I've got for now

Pkitty..like you my husband is also a cop...and he too has been reading this thread and it is all I can do not to chime in again...and you are right....the parents who support taking their kids out of school, aren't neccessarily saying that we do it on a whim. We do put thought and consideration for both the student and the teacher but in the end.. we realize...life is short. We need to build memories with our children, both at home and during vacation whenever and where ever that may be. Life is a lessson everyday and we don't need to institutionize them for 10 months a year for them to learn. So that is why I support doing what you need to do, for you , your spouse and your children! JMHO

 

[amycakes]

Like your husband, not all of us can get time off at scheduled school vacation times because these are times of high demand. If you are low on the work place totem pole you will not be granted vacation. I am not guaranteed to have my vacation at certain times of the year, such as in the teaching profession. I have to take what is left.

I would not feel bad about taking my child out of school for a special family vacation. I have done so myself and will do it again. I did not ask for homework packages in advance but asked them to place any home assignments aside for pick-up upon our return. Friends can also provide valuable insight for what has gone on while you were away as well as help with any notes/assignments which may have been missed. I would not ask the teachers for extra help...some don't mind at all (our teacher made up a package and wished us a great time....without being asked) but others will.... I did not give them the chance to complain or pass judgement. We muddled through the work just fine on our own.

You will hear many opinions on this issue. Just do what is right for you and your family.....

Have a great time.

Amy

 

[pta-mom]

Oh Boy.....

....I'm not here to debate why one person gets paid more than another or why one has more holiday time & when that might be; I'm not here to debate if the teachers across our nation have a hard job or enjoy their job or even do a good job; I don't care right now about unions, UI or job lay-offs; IMHO, *some* people's tone do seem a *little* defensive but it is all irrelevent.....

.....to the OP, yes, in IMHO, if it works for your family & you feel as a parent that it is not going to cause any problems for your kids, take them out of school & enjoy your holiday!

 

[TraceyDisney2008]

I really didn't mean to stir up such a HOT topic, I understand everyones position so I would just like to say Thank-you and if there is a next time I will take everyones opinions into consideration.

 

[puppyears]

I am so glad that Disney is such a magical place for everyone to forget all their troubles and woes and just inhale the experiences to last a lifetime.





That is what it is all about...