Would you let your eighth grader do this? (Update, first post)

[aprilgail2]

That's my question too. Why the need to go when school is still in session? Could they go when school lets out?

.

We don't go when school is out for the same reason people don't like to go to Disney when schools are out- the lines are insane. Last July we went and the kids waited two hours to get on one water ride. We go the last week of school and they can do every ride in the park in 2 hours and then go on them all over and over again!

 

[Magpie]

We don't go when school is out for the same reason people don't like to go to Disney when schools are out- the lines are insane. Last July we went and the kids waited two hours to get on one water ride. We go the last week of school and they can do every ride in the park in 2 hours and then go on them all over and over again!

Yep, and also because next weekend is Canada Day and many of them will be leaving town for the summer, or going to camps.

I have a summer birthday, and I remember it used to be impossible to get any of my school mates together for a party. They were never around on the same day.

 

[Poohforyou]

Plus what kind of fun would that be to celebrate the end of 8th grade if the kids didn't go during the school year. I honestly don't see the big deal here. The kids aren't missing any exams or anything and by what the OP has posted the school has pretty much given its blessing without actually saying so.

 

[luvsJack]

I wouldn't consider NOT letting dd go! It sounds like a great way to end a big year and a send off for all the classmates going in different directions.

I let dd and friends go to the local waterpark alone (I drop off and pick up) so I don't see this as any different.

 

[joyjoy]

Absolutely. Sounds like a great time and I'm impressed with the kids' organizational skills. I'd even pop for several underwater disposable cameras for them to get some awsome pics to remember their classmates by.

 

[Rora]

I'd let my child go as long as a parents was going to be on property.

 

[Mama Who]

If my kid had good grades, behaved well and I trusted the parent who was driving? Sure.

I would consider this a matter among the families and would decide based on my child if I thought he could go. My son, absolutely. My daughter? Don't know who she'll be at that age, reserving judgement.

 

[collegejunkie]

while i'm not a parent, my mom would have let me. sounds like fun!

 

[ICF]

most likely no.....

Why can't they all go the day after shool is over? Why does it need to be durning school hours?

 

[Magpie]

most likely no.....

Why can't they all go the day after shool is over? Why does it need to be durning school hours?

Because the day after school is over - and for many of them the day before school is over - they'll be piling into cars with their families and heading out of town for the Canada Day long weekend.

Friday is Canada Day. The biggest travel day will be Thursday, the official "last day" of school, but they've wisely made it an Administration day. Or else the entire school body would be absent.

 

[FredinFL]

Only if I were one of the parents going.

 

[castmember19]

I don't have an eighth grader, or even kids, so how can I answer accurately, knowing it won't change? I can't, but here was my first reaction.

Well, first I said "Yes, sure thing!" if I trusted the parents, there was going to be chaperones, last week of school, no actual class time missed, kids were going to be separated after this, etc, etc.

But then my second thought was "Why can't they just wait until after school is over?"

After that, if my kids came at me with the "Well so-and-so is leaving on vacation after" or "so-and-so is going to summer camp" I'd probably cave.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Okay, school is in session, school is about learning..........
It is an UNauthorized school trip, for a reason
A teacher is organizing "ditch school , lets play instead"


Well, lets talk about a NY field trip, run by a teacher (newer one , in fact) took the kids with "a helper", her boyfriend... as the other one had to cancel
Sadly, One child DIED,
Teacher was fired
Parents Sued the district..and if I recall correctly, they did not even know about the trip

I see the OPs scenario wrong on so many levels.
No, I do not condone skipping school and worse, actually encouraging it
(and in our state the school could also lose funding for illegal absences by a large group of kids)
There is a time and place for everything, including fun vacations, save it for another time
Responsibility?? What a good role model this teacher/school is
the list goes on and on..............personally, I find it wrong AND I would not want to be that teacher or that district, if someone gets hurt or otherwise, HUGE liability

 

[luvsJack]

The OP has said a couple of times, I believe, that while the school is not "officially" stating that it is a school trip they are not saying that the kids cannot or should not go. They know about it and are ok with it.

Personally, I think most kids can tell the difference in a special day (that mom sends a note of permission for) and "skipping school". I know I could and all three of mine can.

IMHO, life is short, have all the fun when you can while you can. Let the kids go and have a blast.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

Yes, as long as i knew the parents going and trusted them...The whole school should not even come into play here (but with all the values everyone seems to love to share on he boards, you opened that can!!!) It really really should just come down to....Do you trust the parents with your kid...if so, let em be a kid!!! enjoy the time with friends...."One day of living Life or one day of school???"" really is that a choice???? But then again i take my kids out of school for our yearly Disney trip, so should really listen to my opinion???

good luck, hope your kid has fun on the trip....Don't forget the sun screen!!!!

 

[Mandychelle79]

Without a doubt I would allow my child to go.

By the time I was in 3rd grade I was staying out of state without my parents being with me, because I was in a marching group and competed. At the end of 10th grade I went to Spain without a chaperone for 10 days, New York city at the end of 11th ( much like the one here, we arranged it through school but it was not a school sponsored trip, so we did not have to follow school rules on the trip).

 

[shaylyn]

Absolutely!

My daughters teacher took her 5th graders for an entire weekend trip for their "graduation" celebration! (along with a few parent chaperones) It was not official, it was at one of the parents vacation homes. They went swimming and bike riding, hiking and just hanging out playing board games.

DD still thinks of that teacher as the one who cared about her students more than any other (DD is 19 now) and still remembers the trip in detail

 

[Colleen27]

Absolutely I'd allow it. That sounds like a really fun day to mark "graduating" from middle school and saying goodbye to so many of their long-time classmates.

 

[sam_gordon]

To me there's two distinct issues.

1) The "skip" day. Regardless of where they are going, I wouldn't let my 8th grader take part in a "skip" day.
2) The "waterpark trip". I have no problem with an 8th grader going with friends and minimal supervision to a day at the waterpark.

 

[jodifla]

Sure. I don't see the big deal.

Some folks find melodrama everywhere.