The principal called today...

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Okay, I know this has been discussed before, but here goes:

We have 3 kids, DD9, DS7, and DD 17months (today!). DH and I are looking at doing a family vacation in Jamaica in Jan. It's going ot be pricey, but very nice, and we think the week of MLK day would be best--no conflicts with DH's work, only 4 days of school missed, etc. So, this morning I sent in notes to the teachers to see if there was a major problem with this. That's when I got the call from the principal. Technically, such an absence is legal, but here's his concern: we have ELA (language arts) testing in DD9's class starting 1/31, and they prep for 2 weeks ahead of time, and he doesn't want her to miss it. I would agree with him, except she's an exceptional student, straight A's or better, who consistently tests gifted. She's a total geek and proud of it. I think he's really more concerned with the overall school performance, and counting on the "Belles" of the grade to pull up the average. What do you think--should we take this seriously, or tell him (politely) to go pound sand? DH thinks he's nuts.

 

[Mermaid02]

"Oh so sorry she won't be there! Have a nice test week!"

And tell him if he prefers, you'll bring him back some Jamacain sand to "pound"

 

[Traveliz]

I personally think a week where they are doing testing to see how the school is doing is a great time to miss (if you are going to miss). Obviously there will be less "real" work missed so its sort of a double bonus.

Have fun on your trip!

Liz

 

[Beauty]

Yep I agree!! She will miss less Real Work! Have fun in Jamaica!

 

[DoeWDW]

Have a wonderful trip and forget about the testing. I think your assessment of the principal's concern is right on the money - has nothing to do with concern for your child but concern for his school's performance.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

If I understood your post she'd miss a week of prep for the testing, is that correct?

If so and she's a top student I wouldn't worry a bit about taking her then. Perhaps you could thank the principal for his concerns, ask if there's prep you can help her with on the flights going and coming and get busy with your planning for a great family vacation.

 

[cynsaun]

Why is the principal calling? If the teacher thought it could potentially be an issue, why didn't she call you? Why instead did she send the note to the principal???

Make sure to let her get her hair done with thread in Jamacia!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
Perhaps you could thank the principal for his concerns, ask if there's prep you can help her with on the flights going and coming and get busy with your planning for a great family vacation.

ITA with this plan.

While the principal may be thinking of the school first, one child's test score is not going to make or break the entire school's average, no matter how bright and gifted she is. I think you need to acknowledge his concerns and make sure that your daughter is ready for the testing. Don't just blow those concerns off, as it may come back to haunt you later.

 

[laurie31]

If I understand correctly, she won't miss the test...but the "Prep!" I would have no problem with missing the prep. Honestly, I have a problem with the school taking two weeks to prep for a test. What about the novel idea of just TEACHING the material all year and see if the kids learn it?

As for missing the test, with the NCLB it is a HUGE deal. Not one single school system in our area passed - even the excellent ones - because they didn't have 95% attendance on test dates. Even if the scores were awesome, they failed due to attendance! The really bad part about this was the number used to calcualte the 95% was the enrollment two months before the test! Some schools missed the 95% becasue they'd had kids move away. I think 95% is a bit unreasonable. Sorry for the rant. Don't let your kids miss on test day. They can lose all sorts of funding and get a failing NCLB grade

Have fun on your trip. Your dd doesn't need "prep."

Laurie

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Contrary to what Vice President Cheney said about NCLB last evening it's a mess. There's waaaaaaaayyyyy too much time spent trying to prep children for the tests IMO. I haven't spoken to one teacher or school administrator who thinks NCLB is actually helping them teach children.

 

[decker96]

Originally posted by crazyforgoofy
Contrary to what Vice President Cheney said about NCLB last evening it's a mess. There's waaaaaaaayyyyy too much time spent trying to prep children for the tests IMO. I haven't spoken to one teacher or school administrator who thinks NCLB is actually helping them teach children.

ITA! My mom is an elementary principal and my sister teaches 3rd grade and they agree with you too!

To the OP: I wouldn't worry about the prep either, like others have said, it's less real work she'll be missing and you can ask for review sheets or whatever to go with her on the plane.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

The note I sent did mention that we expected the children to make up any work, and ask if there was anything we could do. And despite my personal objection, in principle, to the whole testing thing, it would be very different to me if she was actually missing the testing. But she would just be missing the first of two prep weeks. I try very hard to get along with everyone at the school, it's a small district, all 12 grades in the same building, so it could be a LONG, hard time if I were to make enemies. Not to mention we want to do this again next year with a Disney trip 9but won't have a fourth grader).

I don't know why the teacher brought it to the principal, except possibly because to get the "family" absence, you need prior approval.

I think I'll skip the hair braiding--my DD has been growing hers out all her life--she plans to grow it to her knees and donate it, and only has 2 inches to go. I think it'll be bad enough when she gets back, tanned and rested, and blows the doors off the testers. We dont' want to be rubbing this in or anything, would we?

 

[OhMari]

Our school's have a special book that they work on all year to get ready for the tests. But, if she is only missing prepping I would go talk to the principal.

When our students test, every child has to take the tests. No one can miss. My sister told me when her child took the tests all the answers were given to them, he was in classes were he gets help. How fair was that, and talk about cheating the system. In Wisconsin, results are coming back and some schools in our area are not passing NCLB. The sad thing is, it all comes down to funding.

 

[ripleysmom]

I have a real problem with the teachers "cramming" the children for the ELAs. That test should be given with no prep so that the district and the state gets a true pic of a child's abilities.

*steps down from the soapbox*


Go and enjoy your vacation.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I hate the test stuff. DS is now a Senior in HS. He's been Special Ed since 6th grade. He HAS NEVER SEEN THE MATH that appears on the test. Nor will he ever. Now they are on my back to have him TAKE IT OVER. SOORRRYYYY my LD son is dragging the district down. And he is. They all are, no special accomodations for Spc Ed kids. And NO I will NOT be party to ANOTHER blow to his ego. His IEP teacher agrees. Ditto the SAT's. He WON'T be taking them. So when his buddies ask him what his score was he can answer honestly.

He's immensely popular at school, has a real gift working with the kids in the Intermediate Unit (mentally and physically handicapped) and he will go to Community College and study to teach handicapped kids. That's good enough for me.

OK, I'm done with the rant!

To the OP: Go and have a BLAST!!!!!

Edited for spelling!

 

[JPN4265]

Originally posted by cynsaun
Why is the principal calling? If the teacher thought it could potentially be an issue, why didn't she call you? Why instead did she send the note to the principal???

Make sure to let her get her hair done with thread in Jamacia!

Because the Principal is the Boss, he/she is in charge of the school and all of employees of the school. If something goes wrong, the buck stops at his/her desk. If the test scores are not complete because someone decided not to take them, it effects the whole school.

 

[luvflorida]

This is a real pet peeve of mine, and I see it all the time on these boards. I am a parent and I have been an elementary school teacher. My opinion- GO ON VACATION AND ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!!!!

I can't stand the way schools are so negative when it comes to a family taking a vacation. Yes, ideally, it would be nice if everyone could take their vacations only during the summer or during school vacations, but this is not an ideal world, and other things come into the decision. Families have to work around everyone's schedules, not just the school calendar.

As a parent, and as a teacher, I have always felt that families who were fortunate enough to be able to take their kids on a vacation should certainly do so. Nothing they miss in school will be as much of a learning experience as the things they experience on a trip with the family. When I was teaching, I always supported parents taking their kids on vacations. I was more than happy to give them any work that would be missed, and I stressed that the work could be turned in within a few weeks of returning to school, (no need to ruin a vacation trying to complete homework). I also would give the option of not doing the work, but doing something special instead, maybe bringing in photos to share with the class, or mementos from the trip, a report about what they saw and did.

We have taken many vacations where school days have been missed. Our son is now a college graduate, our oldest daughter is a Junior in college, and our youngest is a Freshman in high school this year. All three kids were high honor/ honor students and consistently scored in the top 97-99% on standardized tests.

I agree that the schools today spend WAY TOO MUCH time "teaching to the test". If your daughter is only missing prep time, then don't give it a second thought- go and enjoy!