taking kids out of school

[korr2]

Has a lot of you take your children out of school for a cruise?? And do schools allow this ??? Just wondering - may take son on a cruise next april 2015.

Edited February 10, 2014 by korr2

[moki'smommy]

Did I do it--yes. Do schools allow it? It depends on the school. A "public" school gets government money based on average attendance. Decreasing attendance = decrease in funding. That's why the school system may object. But even if the system allows it, individual teachers may object. While they can't officially do anything, they can make life difficult for your child.

 

My suggestion--start out as nice person and find out what the policy is. If it doesn't fit with what you need, get as pushy as you need.

 

And for any of the "after the fact" stuff...well, I got real ugly. I took my daughter out for the Panama crossing. Dose of reality--it was the first 2 weeks of school and all they did was review. My daughter got all As for the term despite being out for 2 weeks. The parent/teacher conference set up was a joke; me (one parent) in a room with 6 teachers. It started out pretty routine--she's a great student, a good girl, etc. Then came the geography teacher who voiced his opinion that he didn't think it was appropriate to remove a child from school for a family vacation. I asked if he taught about the Panama Canal--yes. Do you teach about Mexico?-yes. Have you ever seen either of them? No. Do you think a child will learn and remember more by seeing very thin animals and children or by being made to memorize that the per capita income is XYZ (a figure that has NO meaning to a child anyhow!) Do you think she will appreciate that the Panama Canal is "big" by seeing photos or by seeing how the locks worked and knowing that it took a whole day to cruise thru the canal? And, oh by the way, the person who had been the head of the PC visitor's center for 20+ years did family and kid oriented lectures about the canal and Panama. The funny part was the English teacher sitting behind him giving me the "you go, mom" thumbs up.

 

YOU are responsible for your child and your child's education, not a school system or government. You get to decide what is best for you child. That does not mean that the system can't try to impose consequences for your decision.

[Host Mick]

My kids were private schooled for all of their lives. If we wanted to take them out for a vacation, they helped accomodate us with homework packs, email help etc. The exception was a year in a government run school for the younger. We tried to take him out for an extended weekend. They said no, that they would lose funding. I asked "how much? I'll write a check." They never got back to me so we split with no consequences.

In CA, the state spends about $12,000 per kid per year, about 1/3 is blown before it gets to the district level. School is 180 days per year so I figured that I might be out $45/day. No big deal but I learned that the whole "lose funding" manuver is a bluff.

Your mileage may vary.

Edited February 10, 2014 by Host Mick

[sippican]

Only you can make the decision.

Okay, flame suit on.

That being said, expecting a teacher to spend extra time to prepare lessons and activities for every child who goes on a trip is an imposition. Teachers are more than willing to go the extra mile for kids who are sick, or experiencing a family emergency. Chances are they will make you a packet of work with a smile on their face for your cruise. Please realize that they are usually doing this preparation on their own time, and if not, they are taking valuable time from the other children in their classroom. There are many planned breaks in a school calendar for family trips, and in reality, plans made during school times are usually for adult reasons - lower price, less crowded, etc. There is nothing wrong with these reasons, just be up front about them. There are few trips deemed to be "educational" that can't be taken during scheduled school breaks. If your child misses new concepts, they may need some extra attention upon return. There is no substitute for the classroom interactions that take place during absences. My suggestion is to ask the teacher if she/he would rather save missed work for you to complete upon your return (usually an easier task), and offer to complete a travel journal or such during the trip. Then, as a parent, follow through with your commitment to get the work done.A simple acknowledgement to the teacher that you are appreciative for his/her efforts will be greatly appreciated.

Now that I can feel the arrows coming my way, i will tell you I worked in educaition for over 30 years. My school had a policy regarding "unexcused absences", those included vacations. Letters went into the students' files regarding these absences (for whatever that was worth). School rankings in our state were dependent upon attandance rates, and rankings can determine funding - so that is not a false statement. I envied thoes who could travel during non-school times.

Now that I am retired, we do travel with our school-aged grandchildren - pulling them out during school times for skiing, cruising, etc. I have no delusions that they are learning more with me in Disney or Steamboat than they would be in school; we are just focused on having a heck of a good time together!

So do what you feel is right, recognize that they will miss some learning time, be committed to provide support, thank the teacher if work is provided, and have a great vacation!

[rktilleryj]

Only you can make the decision.

Okay, flame suit on.

That being said, expecting a teacher to spend extra time to prepare lessons and activities for every child who goes on a trip is an imposition. Teachers are more than willing to go the extra mile for kids who are sick, or experiencing a family emergency. Chances are they will make you a packet of work with a smile on their face for your cruise. Please realize that they are usually doing this preparation on their own time, and if not, they are taking valuable time from the other children in their classroom. There are many planned breaks in a school calendar for family trips, and in reality, plans made during school times are usually for adult reasons - lower price, less crowded, etc. There is nothing wrong with these reasons, just be up front about them. There are few trips deemed to be "educational" that can't be taken during scheduled school breaks. If your child misses new concepts, they may need some extra attention upon return. There is no substitute for the classroom interactions that take place during absences. My suggestion is to ask the teacher if she/he would rather save missed work for you to complete upon your return (usually an easier task), and offer to complete a travel journal or such during the trip. Then, as a parent, follow through with your commitment to get the work done.A simple acknowledgement to the teacher that you are appreciative for his/her efforts will be greatly appreciated.

Now that I can feel the arrows coming my way, i will tell you I worked in educaition for over 30 years. My school had a policy regarding "unexcused absences", those included vacations. Letters went into the students' files regarding these absences (for whatever that was worth). School rankings in our state were dependent upon attandance rates, and rankings can determine funding - so that is not a false statement. I envied thoes who could travel during non-school times.

Now that I am retired, we do travel with our school-aged grandchildren - pulling them out during school times for skiing, cruising, etc. I have no delusions that they are learning more with me in Disney or Steamboat than they would be in school; we are just focused on having a heck of a good time together!

So do what you feel is right, recognize that they will miss some learning time, be committed to provide support, thank the teacher if work is provided, and have a great vacation!

 

No flame suit needed. I think that was a very well articulated response.

[DisneyFamily123]

We just took our 8 yr old son out of school for 2 weeks and I do it again. I informed the school early in the year. So he was not marked unexcused, I completed a form to homeschool him during that time. In Maryland, I can do that. He learned a much more on our cruise than if he were in school. He learned US geography, marine mammals, and more through hands on experiences, reading books, and writing a diary. He swam with dolphins, manatees, and interacted with sea lions. I did not ask the school for any work. I think that trumps any field trip the school would do.

 

 

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[moki'smommy]

I did not ask the school for any work. I think that trumps any field trip the school would do.

 

 

 

This says it all. We never asked the school for any make up work in advance or afterward. Actually, on our Panama trip, my plan was to officially enroll her in the school when we returned; the principal convinced me that attending the first day, locating locker, getting books, etc. would be of benefit to her (that was wrong..I should have enrolled her when we returned!)

 

And she definitely learned more on that "vacation" than she would have sitting in any classroom doing review work.

[Godiva5]

My daughter and son-in-law will be taking their 9 yr. old daughter out of school for one week to go on our December 1-5, 2014 Disney family cruise. Son-in-law works for the local city colleges and has a lot of black-out days where, he can't take vacation due to registration activities. In these instances, they coordinate with my granddaughter's private school to get a homework packet. Believe me, it's a LOT of homework. Her parents set aside time each morning for homework, before getting involved in the days activities. They also keep in touch via email when necessary.

 

She's an honor roll student so, we're not concerned.:) I just hope my granddaughter has plenty of kids her age to socialize with cause, she's an only child.

[Lady_Jag]

My daughter was out for 2 days recently to take our cruise. (Private school.) The teacher had no problem with it. Rather, her teacher values time spent together as a family, even if it happens during the school day.

 

The trip was a surprise for DD, but I still managed to send a note to the teacher a week beforehand reminding her of the trip. The teacher had no problem sending home the work DD would miss over those 2 days, and DD completed the assignments while en route to the terminal.

 

Fortunately for us, DD's private school starts and ends the school year earlier than local public schools. They usually have a different Easter break than public schools, too, so we can often take advantage of the timing and plan accordingly. If we have to take her out of school, though, I consider the following:

- How many days will she miss?

- Does the timeframe coincide with standardized testing?

- How likely is it that she will be starting a new skill/method that may be difficult to catch up on (e.g., starting multiplication) when we return?

- How are her grades currently?

 

And of course, age will be a key factor. While she's in elementary school, and even middle school, I'm pretty confident I can "homeschool" my daughter so she can get caught up. When she gets to high school and starts calculus, physics, or other AP courses, I will be more reluctant to make her miss her classes.

[Aggiebuttercup]

I took my first grader out for a week to take a Disney cruise because the line was only in Galveston during the school year and I didn't want to have to fly in the summer. A good friend brought her granddaughter, who was the same age (in a different district).

 

I spoke with the principal first and explained what I was doing and how I intended to make the trip educational. She said she understood, that the absences would still be unexcused, that in my state 10 unexcused absences can mean either truancy charges for the parents or being held back, and that it was up to the teacher whether to allow make-up work. Then she told me to have fun.

 

I spoke with the teacher before school started and again a few weeks before the trip. I had a plan to present to her on what I would do on the trip - a math workbook that I bought at an education supply store, grade-level-appropriate books to read every day, lessons I drew up on reading maps (to be used to plot our course and to plot where our fellow cruisers were from; I put a piece of paper on our door asking people to write where they were from), a journal she could write fun things she learned about the different countries we were going to, etc. My daughter's teacher told me my kid would be fine missing school, there was no need to make up work, I shouldn't worry at all. Her friend's teacher sent a big packet of work with her. For two hours every afternoon (while the 3-year-old napped), the two girls did schoolwork together. They brought their books to dinner and read to each other.

 

I would do it again in a heartbeat at elementary ages. I might think twice for older kids.

[STUR]

Has a lot of you take your children out of school for a cruise?? And do schools allow this ??? Just wondering - may take son on a cruise next april 2015.

Back in 1989 our first Cruise We made a decision to take our daughter out of School to join us on a 2week cruise went to the her school to get an unexcused absence and her Home work so as she would not fall behind unexcused absence was granted as we where told this was classified as a learning experience

 

STUR DAYTON,OHIO

[cumberlandga]

I homeschooled my son until 9th grade. We actually did 2 cruises with a homeschool mom who was also a cruise specialist w/carnival. I think we had 200 homeschool families on board.

 

He learned more on those cruises than I could have ever taught him. Panama Canal, engineering, Mexico, we studied the Mayans, Costa Rica, the rainforest, etc...

 

I recently took him out for a week and a half for a trip to New Zealand. It was right at exam time and we talked with his teachers and agreed if he had high enough average, he would be exempted from exams. It defintely gave him a reason to keep that high average!

 

I would do it! I truly believe the experiences they have with family and places is just as important as bricks & mortar schooling.

[avgsuperheroine]

I work for a youth educational organization that believes in life-long learning so I know that kids do learn on these trips. I also know that teachers have a lot of specific things they have to teach kids about each year with limited time to do so! I don't want to hinder their success either.

 

At this point, I feel perfectly comfortable taking our kids out of school for a few days for vacation. They don't miss for other reasons often, and they're doing excellent in school. If they were having issues or struggling at all, I would be concerned for them that we do it differently. With them being so young still, I don't see it as a problem.

 

I have also gone back to college, and feel I can accomplish what I need to with no internet access as long as I work ahead and watch those deadlines!

[MadMark]

I have taught school in KY for 20 years. I would be thrilled if my student had the opportunity to go on a cruise. Especially, if it included the opportunity to experience different countries and cultures. I think parents can be strategic about it to minimize missed time in the classroom. Such as doing it on a week that includes a holiday or something. But my own children know so much more about the world and life because of their opportunities to travel. No better classroom than the real world.

 

As a teacher of world cultures I can always tell which of my students has had the opportunity to see some of the world around them.

 

 

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[babyher]

My kids were private schooled for all of their lives. If we wanted to take them out for a vacation, they helped accomodate us with homework packs, email help etc. The exception was a year in a government run school for the younger. We tried to take him out for an extended weekend. They said no, that they would lose funding. I asked "how much? I'll write a check." They never got back to me so we split with no consequences.

In CA, the state spends about $12,000 per kid per year, about 1/3 is blown before it gets to the district level. School is 180 days per year so I figured that I might be out $45/day. No big deal but I learned that the whole "lose funding" manuver is a bluff.

Your mileage may vary.

 

 

I am shocked and appalled and shaking my head in disbelief at this !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

You asked how much ? and offered to write a check, and they didn't come up with a number ???????? What the hell is the world coming to ? *LOL*

 

Back on topic , When they wre in school I took my kids out a few times for vacation . Usually just a day or two on either end of a school vacation or a weekend . Never had a problem

[dkjretired]

Have read in the past on Cruise Critic of parents who actually unenrolled the kids from the school system, got transcripts and everything for a transfer. When they returned they put the kids back into school. This is usually when a school system gives them a hard time. There are some now that will not permit you to take the kids out of school.

[megansdad1]

We have to pull my Gf's daughter out of school for our cruise in 2 days. We booked last summer and the school board decided to stop February vacation to shorten the school year after. She is in 1st grade and we talked it over with the teacher and she will keep a journal during the cruise and present a report when she comes back.

[moki'smommy]

H. There are some now that will not permit you to take the kids out of school.

 

They cannot actually prevent you from taking the kids out of school, but they can give you a really hard time. They can give "unexcused absences" and drop grades for this reason. They can try to take it out on the kid. Ultimately, they can report you for truancy and this could result in a court hearing (yeah, 6 months later I'd love to be explaining to a judge that the school officials said I couldn't take MY kid....) But ultimately you are the parent and unless the court rules that you are a neglectful parent based on the "truancy," there is nothing the school can do.

 

They can give you a truck load of grief, but THEY do not control you or your child. They control only what they choose to do about your decision.

[GatorMomInNC]

Our tablemates on our 2 week EBPC in September were from California and had taken their kindergartner and 4th grader out of school. The 4th grader had a LOT of homework she did every day for quite a few days before it was done and she could "relax". It was at least half the cruise for several hours each day, I was surprised how much she had. It made my kids very grateful they go to year-round school and have most of September and March off, as well as all of June and December, so we can travel off peak season without missing school.

[dkjretired]

They cannot actually prevent you from taking the kids out of school' date=' but they can give you a really hard time. They can give "unexcused absences" and drop grades for this reason. They can try to take it out on the kid. Ultimately, they can report you for truancy and this could result in a court hearing (yeah, 6 months later I'd love to be explaining to a judge that the school officials said I couldn't take MY kid....) But ultimately you are the parent and unless the court rules that you are a neglectful parent based on the "truancy," there is nothing the school can do.

 

They can give you a truck load of grief, but THEY do not control you or your child. They control only what they choose to do about your decision.[/quote']

 

I think we are all aware that they can't stop you from taking them out of school but for some it is their official policy that you can't.

[lovely_serenity]

Are all of these extreme measures taken by schools in the U.S? Because here in Canada (or at least the west coast), this is how we did it. In elementary school, I was already travelling very frequently. What I would basically do was have my Dad type up a letter informing the school of when our trip was and thank them for understanding that I wouldn't be in school. He would sign a few copies and I'd give them to the secretary in the office, as well as my teacher. I say to my teacher (a week in advance): "What homework will there be next week? I won't be here." The teacher gives me a few worksheets, perhaps a journal to write (probably not if I'm older) and says, "Have fun". The secretary tells me to have fun too.

 

I'm quite surprised at how much work all of you parents in the U.S. have to go through to pull your child out of school. Most of our schools are public btw. && I mean, I literally just get a few absences on my report card, but nobody cares LOL. My grades have always been good anyways. I could usually finish the homework before we even left LOL.

 

Like, the process for us was always this simple. I would ask what was going to be homework for that week, because I was pretty sure I didn't deserve extra work just because I wasn't there. My homework load should be the same as the kids attending class, right?

 

And unexcused absences for us literally mean nothing. The office will just phone home and be like, "where's your kid?" Usually the answer is "He/She's sick." And they'll be like "okay that's good, she/he's safe but absent okay bye".

Edited February 22, 2014 by lovely_serenity

[Shmoo here]

Are all of these extreme measures taken by schools in the U.S? Because here in Canada (or at least the west coast), this is how we did it. In elementary school, I was already travelling very frequently. What I would basically do was have my Dad type up a letter informing the school of when our trip was and thank them for understanding that I wouldn't be in school. He would sign a few copies and I'd give them to the secretary in the office, as well as my teacher. I say to my teacher (a week in advance): "What homework will there be next week? I won't be here." The teacher gives me a few worksheets, perhaps a journal to write (probably not if I'm older) and says, "Have fun". The secretary tells me to have fun too.

 

I'm quite surprised at how much work all of you parents in the U.S. have to go through to pull your child out of school. Most of our schools are public btw. && I mean, I literally just get a few absences on my report card, but nobody cares LOL. My grades have always been good anyways. I could usually finish the homework before we even left LOL.

 

Like, the process for us was always this simple. I would ask what was going to be homework for that week, because I was pretty sure I didn't deserve extra work just because I wasn't there. My homework load should be the same as the kids attending class, right?

 

And unexcused absences for us literally mean nothing. The office will just phone home and be like, "where's your kid?" Usually the answer is "He/She's sick." And they'll be like "okay that's good, she/he's safe but absent okay bye".

 

The biggest issue is that many schools get XX amount of dollars per student per day (full day) in class for their budget. When parents pull kids out, they lose money that they need.

 

So, every child that gets pulled out of school 15 days out of the school year (or even 1 day) will effect the budget that school will have the next year.

[lovely_serenity]

The biggest issue is that many schools get XX amount of dollars per student per day (full day) in class for their budget. When parents pull kids out, they lose money that they need.

 

So, every child that gets pulled out of school 15 days out of the school year (or even 1 day) will effect the budget that school will have the next year.

 

 

Oh wow, I did not know that. For us, many, many kids call in to school for sick days randomly, and nobody cares. It's simply their job to find out what they missed in school that day. I'm quite certain that the schools here do not work on a budget that is dependant on the children's attendance. Their budgets are typically set in stone, whether the kids show up or not. Thanks!

 

P.S. Kids here can't get kicked out of school. They can only get expelled if they are REALLY bad. (And they just get transferred to another school, but even that almost never happens)

Edited February 22, 2014 by lovely_serenity

[moki'smommy]

, I'm quite certain that the schools here do not work on a budget that is dependant on the children's attendance. Their budgets are typically set in stone, whether the kids show up or not. Thanks!

 

 

In all "public" schools in the United States, government funding is dependent on pupil attendance. The schools make their budget based on anticipated attendance. If they are too high or ow in their anticipation, their funding for the next year will be adjusted.

 

I dont' know if poster is in the US or is familiar with the government school funding situation.

 

How strict or lax a school is in "encouraging" attendance is up to that school or district. But they still have to complete and submit the same attendance records.

[sippican]

In all "public" schools in the United States' date=' government funding is dependent on pupil attendance. The schools make their budget based on anticipated attendance. If they are too high or ow in their anticipation, their funding for the next year will be adjusted.

 

I dont' know if poster is in the US or is familiar with the government school funding situation.

 

How strict or lax a school is in "encouraging" attendance is up to that school or district. But they still have to complete and submit the same attendance records.[/quote']

 

Also important to point out - only a portion of any public school revenue comes from federal funding, and the relative amount of federal funding can vary from district to distrct, depending upon many factors, of which attendance is only one piece. The bulk of funding comes from tax dollars at the local or county levels. State and local governing agencies can also generate attendance policies regarding attendance.

School rankings or "grades" usually take into consideration overall attendance percentages. In some instances, homebyuers look at school rankings when deciding where to raise their children. Such rankings can impact your home's value. There is also a growing trend to link teacher evaluation and compensation to these "rankings". So although an unexcused absence here and there seems insignificant, taken as a whole, there may be larger impacts.

 

Regardless of all of these other factors, the most important consideration should be the child (and the impact on classmates). As stated in an earlier post - most vacations taken during school time are for adult convenience, preferences or budget. There's nothing wrong with this, but I just wish people would own up to their choices to pull their kids out. Yes, it can be the most valuable educational experience in the universe (our goal is purely fun, togetherness and relaxation and if the kids learn something - great), but these types of expereinces can usually be scheduled during school breaks. It is your decision in the end.

Edited February 22, 2014 by sippican