Where I work I have noticed a trend over the past few years. Parents take their children out of school a few days before or after holidays so that they can vacation and avoid the big crowds. Do parents do this where you live? What do you think about this? These count as unexcused absences.
school attendence
12/12/2011
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There were a few, when I was in school, but it had to be done with permission, otherwise you were fined £50 per day.
12/13/2011
I think it depends on the child and parents, and school.
For me, school was a place I didn't really need to be. It didn't help me and I didn't learn much anything I didn't already know. I would have been prepared, mentally, for college much earlier than the system prescribed. I feel that emotionally, I probably would not have been ready, but I feel those years could have been much better spent exploring actual learning and interests.
I can't say if most kids are like this or not, so I think it depends. I respect educators and know they do a lot of good - I'm not knocking that.
But it's a judgment call that should be up to the parents and child unless they are proven incapable - for instance, they take a vacation and the child falls very behind and does poorly.
Vacations can be memory-making and learning experiences, too, even though they're not in a traditional school setting. I think it's worthwhile and unless the child is truly struggling and would do best not to miss, I don't think it's a problem. It might be one of a few times the whole family is really "together" as well.
And if a child is struggling greatly, it might be best to look into why.
For me, school was a place I didn't really need to be. It didn't help me and I didn't learn much anything I didn't already know. I would have been prepared, mentally, for college much earlier than the system prescribed. I feel that emotionally, I probably would not have been ready, but I feel those years could have been much better spent exploring actual learning and interests.
I can't say if most kids are like this or not, so I think it depends. I respect educators and know they do a lot of good - I'm not knocking that.
But it's a judgment call that should be up to the parents and child unless they are proven incapable - for instance, they take a vacation and the child falls very behind and does poorly.
Vacations can be memory-making and learning experiences, too, even though they're not in a traditional school setting. I think it's worthwhile and unless the child is truly struggling and would do best not to miss, I don't think it's a problem. It might be one of a few times the whole family is really "together" as well.
And if a child is struggling greatly, it might be best to look into why.
12/13/2011
Quote:
Thank you for the thoughtful reply! I appreciat your insights.
Originally posted by
Chirple
I think it depends on the child and parents, and school.
For me, school was a place I didn't really need to be. It didn't help me and I didn't learn much anything I didn't already know. I would have been prepared, mentally, for ... more
For me, school was a place I didn't really need to be. It didn't help me and I didn't learn much anything I didn't already know. I would have been prepared, mentally, for ... more
I think it depends on the child and parents, and school.
For me, school was a place I didn't really need to be. It didn't help me and I didn't learn much anything I didn't already know. I would have been prepared, mentally, for college much earlier than the system prescribed. I feel that emotionally, I probably would not have been ready, but I feel those years could have been much better spent exploring actual learning and interests.
I can't say if most kids are like this or not, so I think it depends. I respect educators and know they do a lot of good - I'm not knocking that.
But it's a judgment call that should be up to the parents and child unless they are proven incapable - for instance, they take a vacation and the child falls very behind and does poorly.
Vacations can be memory-making and learning experiences, too, even though they're not in a traditional school setting. I think it's worthwhile and unless the child is truly struggling and would do best not to miss, I don't think it's a problem. It might be one of a few times the whole family is really "together" as well.
And if a child is struggling greatly, it might be best to look into why. less
For me, school was a place I didn't really need to be. It didn't help me and I didn't learn much anything I didn't already know. I would have been prepared, mentally, for college much earlier than the system prescribed. I feel that emotionally, I probably would not have been ready, but I feel those years could have been much better spent exploring actual learning and interests.
I can't say if most kids are like this or not, so I think it depends. I respect educators and know they do a lot of good - I'm not knocking that.
But it's a judgment call that should be up to the parents and child unless they are proven incapable - for instance, they take a vacation and the child falls very behind and does poorly.
Vacations can be memory-making and learning experiences, too, even though they're not in a traditional school setting. I think it's worthwhile and unless the child is truly struggling and would do best not to miss, I don't think it's a problem. It might be one of a few times the whole family is really "together" as well.
And if a child is struggling greatly, it might be best to look into why. less
12/13/2011
I hope it didn't feel like an attack on schools or teachers, I was worried it would come off that way. ^.^;;
I have issues with the American school system and my heart goes out to those who are trying their best to do a good job working in it. I think if given more freedom, teachers would be able to reach students, like me, who did not do well with traditional learning structures. I had teachers who really tried, and I am grateful for them.
I think vacations are case-by-case. If someone's struggling, or likely to, I feel it's inappropriate to pull them out for vacation during the school-year. I don't think that a week off would harm most students unless they are in an accelerated curriculum that is really pushing them. Ideally, the student would discuss this with parents and teachers before there was a decision made, but I know first hand that parents can be pig-headed about things.
I have issues with the American school system and my heart goes out to those who are trying their best to do a good job working in it. I think if given more freedom, teachers would be able to reach students, like me, who did not do well with traditional learning structures. I had teachers who really tried, and I am grateful for them.
I think vacations are case-by-case. If someone's struggling, or likely to, I feel it's inappropriate to pull them out for vacation during the school-year. I don't think that a week off would harm most students unless they are in an accelerated curriculum that is really pushing them. Ideally, the student would discuss this with parents and teachers before there was a decision made, but I know first hand that parents can be pig-headed about things.
12/13/2011
my parents are/were both educators for many yrs, & they both saw this. it's a bad idea b/c then the kids end up possibly missing something. not to mention the high school students who have finals & try to find ways to take them sooner or something. most teachers don't like giving a final to 1 or 2 students before everyone else (that is, those that don't have a legit excuse like a death in the family or something), b/c they're afraid that those students may go & tell some of their friends in that class what all was on the final, giving them an unfair advantage over the rest.
12/13/2011
Parents have been doing this all over for ages. When I was little (~15 years ago) we often skipped a day or half-day before a vacation to get a head start on travel. I have family members in education who talk about how frustrating it can be when parents keep pulling their kids out earlier and earlier (ex: give kids a half-day Wednesday off before Thanksgiving, parents take full-day off; give them Wed off, parents take Tuesday, Monday, the weekend prior, and half-day Friday...) because they can't really teach when half the class is gone. I think that arranging ahead of time to pick up homework and skip is fine, especially in elementary school. But as a kid, that extra time spent with parents and family was really special. Before too long, high school schedules and workloads are too hard to miss.
12/13/2011
I'm not sure, but when I was in grade school, I was taken out of school for weeks or months at a time because my parents were world travelers. No one ever gave me trouble because I was always a top student.
12/14/2011
Quote:
none around here but I live in very poor area. I am considered rich compared to alot of people here.
Originally posted by
Gracie
Where I work I have noticed a trend over the past few years. Parents take their children out of school a few days before or after holidays so that they can vacation and avoid the big crowds. Do parents do this where you live? What do you think
...
more
Where I work I have noticed a trend over the past few years. Parents take their children out of school a few days before or after holidays so that they can vacation and avoid the big crowds. Do parents do this where you live? What do you think about this? These count as unexcused absences.
less
12/14/2011
I find this trend mostly in public schools. It does occur in private schools but to a lesser degree. In private schools the established guidelines are well published for parents who send their children there. The prospects of removing the student from such a school assures compliance for everyone to follow. There are certainly exceptions which can be made. When both parents and children agreeing to become a member of the private institution, it assures that the time and money spent by the families as well as the teachers are effective. Sufficient notice by parents to make such a request of absence will always be rewarded thru such communication. Another words, if the teacher is going to spend the time to instruct the class, it would follow that the student should have the respect to attend.
12/18/2011
We don't miss school for travel only because we only go in the summer. I do allow my daughter to miss a day here and there for other reasons. This year she missed 1 day to stay home and bake Christmas cookies with me. She enjoys this personal time. She hasn't missed any other days this year though at all. Last year, she got to miss a day because we had a good snowstorm and they didn't cancel school. We don't get a lot of snow and it was one day. She wanted to play outside. I have no problem with people keeping their kids home for the most part. Unless it's a regular thing.
12/18/2011
I don't think it is right and my parents would never allow it.
12/18/2011
I think that's kind of stupid. Attendance is a big part of how well kids do in school.
12/31/2011
Total posts: 13
Unique posters: 11