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Elizabeth
Mom of Three
Member since 9/05 7900 total posts
Name:
"MOMMY!!!"
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X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
http://www.lifamilies.com/chat/topic-411955-1.html
Curious if anyone knows the answer. I already booked the trip and it's next week but I never thought of it being "not allowed". Is it?
Thanks
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Posted 4/21/09 1:17 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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My4GirlsMyLife
My 4 girlies
Member since 2/08 9702 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
I am doing it next month !! I know of alot of parents that take their kids out to go to Florida etc..... I am going to tell them the truth also !! My daughters are in 4th and K and they will be missing 3 days!
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| Posted 4/21/09 1:24 PM |
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shellybean
Love my Baby Boy!
Member since 4/07 5191 total posts
Name:
mich
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
I am all for it...I have memeories from when I was a child that will last a lifetime...precious moments with my family...ask me about school and I cant remember any of it...LOL
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| Posted 4/21/09 1:52 PM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
My kids parent's do it all the time. It may not be ideal, but it's completely your perogative. I would do it when my kids are school aged. I even have one family that goes to their house in Florida for 3 full months over the winter. 
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| Posted 4/21/09 1:52 PM |
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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
i work at a school now, AND my parents used to take us out of school for 3 days to go to Disney ( we would go every other year). I think its fine. I wouldn't lie to the teacher, or ask DS to lie.. .just write the teacher a note saying he will be out those days, and let her know you'll help him make up any work he misses. Thats the important part. I remember my parents being really strict about us getting caught back up.
My teachers used to send work for us to do (not much, maybe a story to read or a couple math sheets), but I know some schools/teachers don't do that.
I'm sure as long as you give the teacher a heads up, you'll be fine.
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| Posted 4/21/09 1:58 PM |
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mooshyboo
So Blessed!
Member since 11/07 6297 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
I don't see why not ~ I would just tell the teacher you are going away as a family and your child will be out such and such days (maybe the teacher can give you work he will miss) I am sure it is fine ~ just be straight with the teacher.
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| Posted 4/21/09 2:01 PM |
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EmmaNick
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Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
Name:
*
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
I have always taken DS out of school for vacations and have never had an issue with it. I typically ask for some of the work he would miss.
ETA, I wouldn't say a "family matter", I would be straight and say vacation. Otherwise you might get a call from the school social worker to discuss said family matter.
Message edited 4/21/2009 2:23:57 PM.
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| Posted 4/21/09 2:22 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
my parents got in trouble for taking me out of 1st grade 3 weeks early so I could spend the summer in germany 
they claimed I was a 'below-average' student that couldn't afford the 3 weeks off  (I actually was bored out of my skull by that teacher... loved 2nd grade much more  )
Message edited 4/21/2009 2:24:46 PM.
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| Posted 4/21/09 2:24 PM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
Name:
Mama Cranky
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
I would be honest, because like you said, your kids will probably talk about how fun the trip is and teachers might overhear.
As far as it being okay or not, my brother and SIL are teachers and their take has always been that there are so many days where kids don't have school (winter break, summer, spring break, holidays, etc.), that they don't understand why parents don't plan family vacations around them since it's less disruptive.
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| Posted 4/21/09 2:27 PM |
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2BEANS
wow time is going fast.
Member since 9/07 16106 total posts
Name:
Tina
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
My sis had to lie to school and tell them it was a family emergency when they took my neice out of school.
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| Posted 4/21/09 2:28 PM |
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EmmaNick
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Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by CrankyPants
I would be honest, because like you said, your kids will probably talk about how fun the trip is and teachers might overhear.
As far as it being okay or not, my brother and SIL are teachers and their take has always been that there are so many days where kids don't have school (winter break, summer, spring break, holidays, etc.), that they don't understand why parents don't plan family vacations around them since it's less disruptive.
Personally speaking, because the price is about triple of when it's not a holiday break 
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| Posted 4/21/09 2:33 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I don't agree with taking your children out of school for vacations.
As a teacher, it frustrates me when parents do it becuase it puts so much pressure on the studetns to catch up with the work that they miss while they're gone, while still keeping up with the work currently being taught. And I think taking kids out of school for "fun" sends a message that school isn't as important as vacation is.
Schools do give a lot of vacations during the year, and I just don't understand why vacations can't be planned during that time.
When I was growing up, my parents never took us out of school for vacation, so maybe that's why my point of view is what it is.
Oh, I also forgot to mention that my school (as well as many schools I am familiar with) instruct the teachers to give the student a zero for any assignment missed if the student is absent illegally (which is what it is considered if you are absent for a vacation).
Message edited 4/21/2009 2:39:32 PM.
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| Posted 4/21/09 2:37 PM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by Palebride
Oh, I also forgot to mention that my school (as well as many schools I am familiar with) instruct the teachers to give the student a zero for any assignment missed if the student is absent illegally (which is what it is considered if you are absent for a vacation).
That's awfully unfair to the student.. it isn't as though they are making the choice to be absent.
I have not taken my kids out of school for fun.. but I would certainly do it if I had good reason. I don't think it is sending a message that vacation is more important than school - but more that family is just as important as school.
I would let the teacher know in advance and see if I could get a packet made up so we might work on things while vacationing. I also wouldn't make it a habit. If my kid is doing well in school and I feel comfortable with him missing a few days for a family vacation - I'd probably do it... but only after I tried to make accomodations during one of the 2000000 other sanctioned vacations! :)
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:03 PM |
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steph4777
**************
Member since 5/05 11726 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by Palebride
Schools do give a lot of vacations during the year, and I just don't understand why vacations can't be planned during that time.
I agree, why not plan when the kids are already off?
The only instance I could imagine taking me kids out of school just because would be for a family event that we had to travel for, but no more than a day or so. At the same time, I guess it might be one of those things that I'll have to decide if I ever am in a situation to consider it.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:08 PM |
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Ambersmom
Straight up nasty
Member since 5/05 7740 total posts
Name:
Sharon
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
In my trade, we have black out periods where we can't take vacation time and most, if not all fall when "school breaks" occur. Does that mean my child should never experience a vacation with us because I can't get the time off when she has it? I'll take it when we can and we'll deal with the consequences thereafter.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:08 PM |
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mtnmama
Member since 5/06 4794 total posts
Name:
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by rojerono
I would let the teacher know in advance and see if I could get a packet made up so we might work on things while vacationing.
DH was a teacher for 10 years. This was his biggest pet peeve. Why should he have to spend extra time creating a packet for a student? So he has to create lesson plans ahead of schedule (because he may not have had TIME to make yet), plus do everything else he has to do as a teacher all b/c parents want their kid to have fun? Then, it would end up that the kid would come back and say "I need after school help to catch up" It was very frustrating.
It may not seem like a big deal to you, but as a HS teacher he had a couple of hundred kids. It is not just your kid doing this.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:11 PM |
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
I am always honest with my Dd's school. She has taken "fun" days here and there in the past 4 school grades.
It's never on a test day though. If I had no control over it then I woudl speak to the teacher about rescheduling the test.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:12 PM |
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angelbear217
Mommy of 2
Member since 5/05 4313 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by Palebride
I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I don't agree with taking your children out of school for vacations.
As a teacher, it frustrates me when parents do it becuase it puts so much pressure on the studetns to catch up with the work that they miss while they're gone, while still keeping up with the work currently being taught. And I think taking kids out of school for "fun" sends a message that school isn't as important as vacation is.
Schools do give a lot of vacations during the year, and I just don't understand why vacations can't be planned during that time.
When I was growing up, my parents never took us out of school for vacation, so maybe that's why my point of view is what it is.
Oh, I also forgot to mention that my school (as well as many schools I am familiar with) instruct the teachers to give the student a zero for any assignment missed if the student is absent illegally (which is what it is considered if you are absent for a vacation).
As a teacher as well, I 100% agree with you.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:14 PM |
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lulugrrl
My 3 Blessings
Member since 3/06 6551 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
My parents always took us out of school for vacation to Florida. Mainly because it was much more affordable to go at an off time, and a lot less busy. Thankfully we had great teachers who would work with us, and we would get packets of work we had to do while gone. We always drove so plenty of time to get it done, and kept us busy out of our parents hair.
I think it is a HORRIBLE policy to give automatic zeros. I think it would be much better if a teacher could work with a child...it's kids after all.
I would Def. take my child out of school for a couple of days for vacation if it was affordable and we had a decent teacher working with us. AND if I had a good student on my hands, maybe some kids could not handle missing that much class time..so many factors.
Just for the record. DH was an elem. teacher, and did work with parents all the time in this situation.
Message edited 4/21/2009 3:20:44 PM.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:15 PM |
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angelbear217
Mommy of 2
Member since 5/05 4313 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by rojerono
I would let the teacher know in advance and see if I could get a packet made up so we might work on things while vacationing.
We are instructed not to do this.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:15 PM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by cpanyc
Posted by rojerono
I would let the teacher know in advance and see if I could get a packet made up so we might work on things while vacationing.
DH was a teacher for 10 years. This was his biggest pet peeve. Why should he have to spend extra time creating a packet for a student? So he has to create lesson plans ahead of schedule (because he may not have had TIME to make yet), plus do everything else he has to do as a teacher all b/c parents want their kid to have fun? Then, it would end up that the kid would come back and say "I need after school help to catch up" It was very frustrating.
It may not seem like a big deal to you, but as a HS teacher he had a couple of hundred kids. It is not just your kid doing this.
My thinking is that I would want to try to keep my kid stimulated and in the loop so that catching him up wouldn't be too much of a problem for their teachers when he returned.
I guess I assumed that teachers had a lot of these materials prepared a week or so before the actual classes - some of my girlfriends who teach make a habit of this. But - it is wrong to assume such.
I would hope that any teacher who does not have those materials ready would tell me that it would not be possible to prepare that packet - rather than harbor any resentment about having to create it. I would also hope they would be able to at least let me know what the intention would be for the following week - like "We will be reading "**** Does Hollywood" and reviewing the Theory of Relativity" and spelling words that use long I sounds. I think that would be helpful to the child.. and to the teacher. 
ETA: I don't think vacations are always about a parent wanting their kid to have fun during school time because they don't care enough to plan around vacations. Sometimes it is the only time a whole family can get together - or it may be a matter of the parents being able to coordinate time off together or it may be a once in a lifetime chance to go somewhere for a limited time.. or it could be a matter of visiting a sick relative.
Message edited 4/21/2009 3:33:34 PM.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:30 PM |
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Arieschick29
aries+cancer= pisces&gemini
Member since 3/06 4268 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by angelbear217
Posted by rojerono
I would let the teacher know in advance and see if I could get a packet made up so we might work on things while vacationing.
We are instructed not to do this.
I am not instructed to do so by my school but to be frank, I am not always prepared for a whole week in advance- most of my copies/plans arent completed until a day or 2 ahead of time. And anytime I have given work, its is never done and returned since the kid is busy doing vacation things!!!
I was never once pulled out of school to go on vacation or even for a dr's appt- my parents always worked around the school vacation schedule.
For parents who do this- just expect a lower grade for any subjects taught during that time. As a teacher I am never ok with parents who do this as education should always come first- what are you teaching your children about priorities in life that fun takes place over learning?
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:32 PM |
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BeachMom
Love my 4 kiddos!
Member since 11/08 8346 total posts
Name:
Kristie
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
The school may not like it but it is totally allowed. It counts as an unexcused abscense from the school. Unless your child has an obscene amount of absenses from school i woulnd't be too worried about it.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:36 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by rojerono
Posted by Palebride
Oh, I also forgot to mention that my school (as well as many schools I am familiar with) instruct the teachers to give the student a zero for any assignment missed if the student is absent illegally (which is what it is considered if you are absent for a vacation).
That's awfully unfair to the student.. it isn't as though they are making the choice to be absent.
I agree 
Its a Parents choice. And Please...I know at least 10-12 teachers and know most of them TAKE THEMSELVES out of school by calling in sick when they really aren't sick. I dont think that sa big problem so why the reverse. .
Vacations during School Holidays are much more expensive and harder to book.
I dont see a problem with missing a few days of school. For whatever the reason. Life is about life experiences and our Kids are in school long enough these days, they arent going to fail for a few days away from school IMO.
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| Posted 4/21/09 3:57 PM |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
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Re: X-post re: taking your child out of school for fun
Posted by dm24angel
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Its a Parents choice. And Please...I know at least 10-12 teachers and know most of them TAKE THEMSELVES out of school by calling in sick when they really aren't sick. I dont think that sa big problem so why the reverse. .
Actually, teachers can get in a lot of trouble for doing this. My mom was a teacher for 35 years and she couldn't even take off the Friday before February break the year she retired.
ITA with Lori.
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| Posted 4/21/09 4:05 PM |
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