Can I pull my kid out of Kindergarten to go on vacation?

[Anonymous]

Seriously, if I took him out for 4 days, would this be a big deal? Do other parents do this? Does the school make you feel bad about it? This is our first year in formal school and its quite an adjustment only being able to take vacation at peak travel times. At what age should I not pull him out of school for vacation? I assume that soon its more important to be there everyday, but is this a no no in kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

Gosh, that's a good question. I look forward to the answers.

My parents did it all the time (30 years ago), but I wonder if the world has changed. My mother once wrote my excuse note to say "please excuse my child from school on these dates. She will be with us, getting an education." My dad didn't let her send it.

[Anonymous]

As a teacher of students who are often being pulled out for vacation outside of summer, spring break and winter break, it can be annoying. However, that said, there are families who request 2 weeks off or do it repetitively and that really gets under our skin. But if you did it once during the school year for just a few days, the teacher probably won't mind. One of the things that can be trying is when a parent wants lesson plans/homework in advance of the student's vacation. Don't put extra work on the teacher just so a family can have extra vacation.

I'd say bring it up with your child's teacher as soon as you can and get a feel for how he/she responds. Probably will be fine.

[Anonymous]

I would be curious to hear input from other parents who have done it and how it was recieved by the teachers/administration. I can understanding wanting kids to have a routine, get as much classroom time as possible but I also know from a family perspective that its not always easy to wait until school is dismissed (for instance Christmas and Thanksgiving break) to travel to see family. Cost and increased travel time are two reasons. I would hate to feel bad about removing my son from school a day early so he could visit his elderly grandparents at the holidays. Honestly how much are they really going to miss in a day?

[Anonymous]

We pulled our first grader out for a week in June. It's the first time we did it, I told the teachers well in advance and it absolutely was not a problem for them (we're in FCPS). However, I did get a week's worth of pre-recorded messages from the principal about the importance of school. It's first grade for goodness sakes. We didn't ask the teacher for any homework but we did continue to read and and DS had to write a page everyday. I wouldn't worry about it if you don't do it on a regular basis.

[Anonymous]

Check with your school district. We are in DCPS and they "allow" a certain number of unexcused absences. Until you get to that number they tend not to call. You still should let the teacher know in advance. I personally would not feel comfortable pulling my child out for a full week, but would be ok doing a day here and there so that we can leave early/come back late from vacation and I know several parents who have done the same.

[Anonymous]

My children will never go to school the Friday before Labor Day. We have been celebrating our family reunion that weekend (in another state) since 1926. It is against the rules though and will be counted as an unexcused absence. Too many of those and you can have a truant officer at your door.

[Anonymous]

God- this depresses me. I hate summer travel. My favorite time to travel is Fall.

We have one more year before kids hit 'real' school.

[Anonymous]

Former teacher here--I would try to avoid doing this. In the early grades it can really disrupt the child's routine and it is not fair to expect the teacher to do all the catchup when he returns, or to prepare a week's worth of work in advance. In the older grades the kid can really miss out on substantive learning.

But more importantly, I think it's critical to send a message to kids that school is to be taken seriously. When I was teaching, the kids that were regularly taken out of school for vacations were generally just not as engaged and respectful of school. I know that they were also the ones begging mom and dad for days off at other times. If you pull them out of school to go to the beach or disneyland, they're not going to understand why you can't also pull them out to sleep in or go to the movies. They've got 2 months off in the summer and various assorted weeks and days off during the school year, which gives plenty of time for relaxation and vacation.

Kindergarten is pretty young, of course, and a week off would probably be OK if your kid is the flexible type, but I really wouldn't do it much older than that and I would consider it my responsibility (NOT the teacher's) to go over what the kid missed so that he's prepared when he gets back.

[Anonymous]

Only if you're ok with them never knowing what happens to Peter Rabbit.

Seriously, it's only kindergarten!

[Anonymous]

I agree with most of the PPs-- I would be ok with the occasional day here or there, esp. for family gatherings where the dates are not flexible. However a week, just because it's more convenient for you seems to me not to be a good idea.

[Anonymous]

My parents did it regularly when I was young. I used to not go to school for a variety of reasons including vacation, waiting for the plumber, big sale at Bloomingdales, taking care of a sick younger brother/sister, didnt feel like it, etc.

Still went to a top college and a grad school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents did it regularly when I was young. I used to not go to school for a variety of reasons including vacation, waiting for the plumber, big sale at Bloomingdales, taking care of a sick younger brother/sister, didnt feel like it, etc.

Still went to a top college and a grad school.

And yet, I can tell just from the tone of your post that you are an entitled pain in the ass. OP, I submit to you exhibit # 1 in favor of NOT pulling your kid out.

[Anonymous]

As a MCPS teacher I say it is not the greatest, but I understand- clearly life will go on!
As a parent I say- I would do what you want. I have done it. I am on the ball enough to make sure my kids "make up" the work. Besides sometimes you learn just as much traveling around!
Don't loose sleep over it- have fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former teacher here--I would try to avoid doing this. In the early grades it can really disrupt the child's routine and it is not fair to expect the teacher to do all the catchup when he returns, or to prepare a week's worth of work in advance. In the older grades the kid can really miss out on substantive learning.

But more importantly, I think it's critical to send a message to kids that school is to be taken seriously. When I was teaching, the kids that were regularly taken out of school for vacations were generally just not as engaged and respectful of school. I know that they were also the ones begging mom and dad for days off at other times. If you pull them out of school to go to the beach or disneyland, they're not going to understand why you can't also pull them out to sleep in or go to the movies. They've got 2 months off in the summer and various assorted weeks and days off during the school year, which gives plenty of time for relaxation and vacation.
Kindergarten is pretty young, of course, and a week off would probably be OK if your kid is the flexible type, but I really wouldn't do it much older than that and I would consider it my responsibility (NOT the teacher's) to go over what the kid missed so that he's prepared when he gets back.

This is it for me. It's got nothing to do with school work, but with fulfilling obligations. It sends a message that school is second to vacation fun.