Skipping the last week of middle school?

[Anonymous]

We have a rare opportunity to travel to Asia for a family reunion starting on June 11th. The last day of school is June 16th.
DD is in 7th grade, and worries about missing math and Spanish assignments that week, as she knows those classes will show up on her high school transcript.

Do teachers typically give large assignments the last week of school? Could DD request she get them sooner and hand them in before we leave?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Do the classes have exams?

[Anonymous]

Nothing happens the last week of school. It also seems that not much happens once SOLs are finished.

[Anonymous]

Yes she can request she get the assignments in advance. IME most teachers are nice and will grant them but they are not required to do so. If the grades are the make or break reason for deciding on the trip, have your DD ask first.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, everyone. DD will check with her math and Spanish teachers. I don't believe there are SOL exams or equivalent in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

You'll need to excuse it as a medical reason or an immediate family death. They will mark that week "unexcused" for any other reason or no reason at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll need to excuse it as a medical reason or an immediate family death. They will mark that week "unexcused" for any other reason or no reason at all.

who cares - why would that matter?

[Anonymous]

Generally nothing happens the last week of school. You can call in sick for her and she can email the teachers to ask if there are any assignments she should makeup for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll need to excuse it as a medical reason or an immediate family death. They will mark that week "unexcused" for any other reason or no reason at all.

OP here. We're not going to lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll need to excuse it as a medical reason or an immediate family death. They will mark that week "unexcused" for any other reason or no reason at all.

This doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is whether there are tests in the classes where the grades will appear on the HS transcript. IME, there were assignments and tests with high point values that week. It’s a tough week to miss once you get to the point of grades counting.

[Anonymous]

Generally, the last week of school is not serious. So it shouldn't be fine. But you'll want to find out when the last meaningful test or quiz is and make accommodations for that.

[Anonymous]

DC has multiple friends who have been in this situation. In their case it was just less expensive to fly the last week of school and it did not impact their grades. I think teachers are used to such requests.

Kids miss school for so many reasons including traveling for sports and while they are officially unexcused teachers are used to being lenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing happens the last week of school. It also seems that not much happens once SOLs are finished.

SOLs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a rare opportunity to travel to Asia for a family reunion starting on June 11th. The last day of school is June 16th.
DD is in 7th grade, and worries about missing math and Spanish assignments that week, as she knows those classes will show up on her high school transcript.

Do teachers typically give large assignments the last week of school? Could DD request she get them sooner and hand them in before we leave?

Thank you.

Teacher here. Communicate ahead of time, won't be a problem. Enjoy your trip. That experience will be much more valuable then what is happening the last week of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing happens the last week of school. It also seems that not much happens once SOLs are finished.

MCPS doesn't have SOLs so meaningful instruction continues for a week or two longer than in VA, but yes - nothing much happens the last week of school.