3 Months in Germany with the kids during school year?

[Anonymous]

Oh boy.... so DH comes home tonight with the news that he has been selected for a rotation through Germany (near the Alps!) for 3 months Oct, Nov, Dec of this year. Not only that, but he can get us housing for $65/nt on base. I have always wanted to take the kids to Europe for an extended period of time to broaden their perspectives on the world, but I'm worried about school. What is the protocol for missing this much time? Would I have to withdraw them from school, homeschool them in Germany, and then re-enroll them in our district school when we get back? Could I get their work and just keep up, or would that be too much time out of school?

What would you do? The kids are 13, 6, and 3 and would very much like to travel to Europe for 3 months. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for my husband, so it's a one shot deal for the family.

[Anonymous]

Do it- my family did this a few times- you just catch up - ask about schooling in germany- but this is a great experience that they will never forget - and completely worth it- i've lived in Europe the majority of my childhood and i wouldn't trade it for the world..

[Anonymous]

I would do it in a second!!!

[Anonymous]

See if you can enroll them in the on base school.

Where are you going?

I love Germany, I have been a couple of times, and really enjoyed it.
http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/roomrates.html This is where I stayed both times, in the cabins. They have great affordable trips and great skiing too.

[Anonymous]

When I was in high school, I remember a friend of mine did this. Her father was originally from Germany and went back to be a visiting professor for 3 months. She was able to work out school assignments and other things with our school before she left. She was fine when she came back.

It's such a once in a lifetime opportunity - you shouldn't pass it up!

[Anonymous]

I would also do it in a second. What a great opportunity.

In response to your questions, I have a friend who is currently going through the same thing - she is from Europe, and is going for an extended trip with her kids this year. They've had discussions with the principal of the schools that the children attend, and basically after missing 15 days (I think that was the number), the kids will automatically be dropped from the school roster and then they will re-enroll once they return. I would suggest talking to the principal(s) to see how they want to handle it.

Good luck to you - I'm jealous!

[Anonymous]

I would not do it b/c of the 13 yr old. 3 months out of school is a long time.

[Anonymous]

As a current middle school teacher and former homeschooled student (4th-12th grades), I'd advise you to make the decision based on your 13 year old's academic weaknesses and strengths.

If the 13 year old is a at least average in all subjects, a self-motivated learner (a reader, curious and interested in learning more about things that interest him/her) than I'd go for a 3 month homeschooling tour.
If, however, your academic weakness is math (or even just explaning it) and it's also your 13 year old's weakness, then 3 months out of the system would probably really hurt in the future (because you may not be able to keep them up to speed on your own). At a time when self-esteem is already low and taking a beating through the usual puberty ups and downs, you don't want to pile more problems on your teen by creating a situation where he/she will lag behind in an area there's already perceived weaknesses.
Math and language (foreign) tend to be the hardest subjects for my students and they base a lot of their self-esteem on whether they're in a "slow" or "advanced" math group.
Hope that helps! By the way, if I had just a 3 and 6 year old, I'd be on the next plane to Germany! You may have to sacrifice this opportunity though for your teen. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

My 13 y/o is an A student always in all honors courses, who doesn't struggle with much, except Latin. He is very gifted, and a quick study. I am strong in all his subjects but Latin, having studied the opposites, Russian and Japanese. Oh well... I think he'd be fine, honestly. What I'm more worried about is getting his material in advance to keep up with it, and more importantly, making sure he is able to return to his school. It's officially over capacity and turning away students who were not matriculated in May (rising 5th). So a new kid moving to the neighborhood this week, would not get to attend his home school but a neighboring one.

I will call the school later today and see if I can talk to the dean for his advice. The little ones, I am not worried at all about, other than overcrowding bumping them out too when we return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 13 y/o is an A student always in all honors courses, who doesn't struggle with much, except Latin. He is very gifted, and a quick study. I am strong in all his subjects but Latin, having studied the opposites, Russian and Japanese. Oh well... I think he'd be fine, honestly. What I'm more worried about is getting his material in advance to keep up with it, and more importantly, making sure he is able to return to his school. It's officially over capacity and turning away students who were not matriculated in May (rising 5th). So a new kid moving to the neighborhood this week, would not get to attend his home school but a neighboring one.

I will call the school later today and see if I can talk to the dean for his advice. The little ones, I am not worried at all about, other than overcrowding bumping them out too when we return.

I am a high school teacher and to be honest, I rarely know what I am doing in class the next week, let alone for the next 3 months! If your son was my student, I might have an idea of what we would be doing in 3 months, but I would not be able to give you specific work for all that time. However, I know there are teachers, especially those who teach math and do basically the same thing every year, who would be able to do that, but I would be sure to check with the principal/dean and see what they say. Like others have said, at my school after 15 consecutive days of absences, students are automatically withdrawn. That said, it sounds like your son is a good student who will do well regardless, so I would go for it!

[Anonymous]

Hmmm, it seems like this may work if 15 days = 3 weeks of school. And taking Nov 5/6 plus Nov 23-25 out as given holidays already, maybe I could take them to Germany for the month of November and not have to worry about having them withdrawn from their home schools. Definitely food for thought, and I could do a lot with a month if I plan well, in advance.

Where on Earth would I start trying to get modules together for European history, geography, art - - all those things! I avoided most of these credits in college and HS by meeting them with foreign language credits, so I'm really behind in this area. We could do the Holocaust of course, and some Italian art history, oh this is SO EXCITING!

[Anonymous]

This IS so exciting!

As a former HS teacher, I agree that many teachers don't plan so far ahead, esp outside of math/science where material is easily retaught year after year. You could propose to principal/teachers that your son could report on some appropriate topic(s) you study together in Europe. This might be a nice arrangement for social studies, especially, but could also work for art, literature... That way you relieve any burden on teachers to accomodate his absence and the other students (and teacher) can benefit from his experience. Might help persuade the principal to "hold your spot" at the school.