Yet another thread about pulling a child out of school for vacation - but not Disney

[punkin]

DD10 has an opportunity to go to Japan for 10 days during the school year (a week after the state tests so she would not miss those) with a relative. She is a complete Japanophile and would have a ball. All I have to pay for is her ticket and of course, she would miss 2 weeks of school. She is a good but not spectacular student.

On the one hand, two weeks of school is not easily made up in 6th grade. On the other hand, she may never have this chance again.

What would you do?

 

[Darcy03231]

I'd let her go and deal with the consequence once she returned. I can tell you right now that I don't remember what I did for two weeks in school in 6th grade, but a two week trip to Japan will create a lifetime of memories and is a wonderful learning experience.

 

[DWGal210]

I would for sure let her go. You're absolutely right that this is such an important experience, I wouldn't want her to miss it if she were my daughter.

Perhaps you could visit with her teachers and see if there are any assignments she can do about her trip. For example, maybe her social studies teacher would like her to do a 5-10 minute presentation when she gets back about Japan, the history, any monuments/historical sites she visited, etc. Perhaps her art teacher would like her to take pictures of art in Japan, etc.....the possibilites are really endless.

I have a hard time imagining a school would give you grief about this. I know they can also miss a certain number of days, but for goodness sake, you would like they would be very excited that she got this opportunity.

Keep us posted!

 

[RadioFanatic]

I would totally do it and be nervous the entire two weeks she would be gone!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I'd do it in a heartbeat! She will learn more in 2 weeks in Japan than she will in the classroom.

 

[HM]

Good luck to you!

Please please check with your school administration to get permission for this before you say she can go (and pay for her ticket). Missing 10 days of school....unexcused....would mean failing that grade in our school system.

 

[FireDancer]

I'm with Darcy. I have learned a lot by traveling and much of that is information I would never have learned in a classroom. You can work with her at home to make up what she missed in school but you will never be able to replace the experience of going to another country.

It's your child and solely your decision. Once you make it inform the school, don't ask them.

I think we as Americans should travel a lot more than we do, especially abroad. It give you a much more accurate world view than CNN ever will.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think I would do everything in my power to help her go on this trip. That is a tough position because I would have to get it approved thru the school first.

If she could not get it approved I would pass.

 

[Briarmom]

Ask the school first. Our 'school' would have me thrown in jail.

That said, we took the kids to Japan last year and they had a BLAST. Is there any way you can join them? Seriously, one of our best vacations ever.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Definitely go. Last year we pulled our kids to go to Hawaii. It was an unbelievable experience, from volcanoes to swimming with sea turtles...I agree they learned far more than they would have in school. I basically told the teachers we had this opportunity and I would be happy to bring work with us (14 hour plane ride!!!). I was most concerned about my son in 5th grade, but his teacher was great and basically gave us minimal stuff to do and said "Have a great time!" Good luck! What an awesome opportunity!

 

[SeaSpray]

When my DSs were in 6th grade the school here definitely would not have had a problem with them missing 2 weeks for a trip to Japan. Once they hit high school, that was a different matter.

I'd absolutely do everything in my power to enable your DD to go to Japan! I really hope she gets to go!!

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I would do absolutely everything in my power to make this happen. Even if it means pulling her out to homeschool to get around inflexible school rules or administrators.

Unless your family frequently travels internationally this is the opportunity iof s lifetime.

 

[Sparx]

definitely let her go! she'll never remember what she did in those two weeks in class, but she'll never forget two weeks in japan!

 

[punkin]

I looked up the county rules. Vacations are generally unexcused absences BUT, a principal may make exceptions. I will have to find out all the details about when and where and then talk to the principal. This is DD's first year in public school so I am not sure how things work yet.

I wish I could go, but I really cannot afford it nor does DH have the vacation time. Besides, I have a DD who is a senior in high school applying to colleges. We are not going anywhere!

My2Cinderellas, why would taking her out to homeschool work? I intend to send her back to the same school as soon as she gets back. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

The homeschool thing is definitely a last resort. By withdrawing to homeschool you are not subject to attendance laws, the you can always re-enroll saying that homeschooling wasn't working out. It's circumventing the rules, and I doubt I'd have to go to such lengths in my district but some places are very rigid.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I would definitly let my child miss school for a trip to Japan (or anywhere abroad). It would be an invaluable learning experience and what a great place to visit.

 

[Tracy Savage]

GO! It's a once in lifetime thing right? What a learning experience in its self!

 

[jrmasm]

I wouldn't even have to think about it.

Send her!!

 

[Missy1961]

I looked up the county rules. Vacations are generally unexcused absences BUT, a principal may make exceptions. I will have to find out all the details about when and where and then talk to the principal. This is DD's first year in public school so I am not sure how things work yet.

I wish I could go, but I really cannot afford it nor does DH have the vacation time. Besides, I have a DD who is a senior in high school applying to colleges. We are not going anywhere!

My2Cinderellas, why would taking her out to homeschool work? I intend to send her back to the same school as soon as she gets back. Maybe I'm missing something.

I would hope the principal would see the benefits of this trip. I'm with the others--I would do everything in my power so she can go. Normally, I would never do the "I'm homeschooling her, no I'm not" thing, but if the principal gives you a problem, I think I'd do that. this is truly a trip of a lifetime.

 

[Pigeon]

I'd do it in a heartbeat. It will be way more educational than two weeks of school, and education is more than test scores in my book. I would also withdraw her to "homeschool" for two weeks if the school is going to be ludicrous about it.