Swim meet and missing school

[Anonymous]

We never lie about it and it has always been excused. I usually send a note a month before and say something like “Ann w
has qualified for a swim meet in Florida and will be out of school from X-X. If there is any chance she can do the work before we leave or after return- I know she would be more than willing. We really appreciate any flexibility you can offer and appreciate your support.”

I have always gotten a “we wish her the best of luck” or “what a cool experience!” And always a “we appreciate the heads up and the honesty.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Death in the family! We always use that one. We are in DCPS and until recently that wasn't considered and excused absence but they just changed it again last summer to include it again. Phew.

Whew this is bad karma.

[Anonymous]

As a former swimmer I say be honest with the school and go to the meets. Swim meets were some of my most formative experiences as a middle and high schooler — particularly the ones where I didn’t do as well as I hoped and had to get myself back up for the next event or meet. It did not affect my academics negatively at all and I took multiple AP courses. I learned time management and how to communicate with my teachers about making up work. If your kid swims in college they will miss some classes for dual meets scheduled on Fridays and for invitational/championship meets. You have to communicate with professors about this in advance and are responsible for making up that work which can mean taking a test or turning in a paper early. Might as well work on some of these skills now if college swimming is a possibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a former swimmer I say be honest with the school and go to the meets. Swim meets were some of my most formative experiences as a middle and high schooler — particularly the ones where I didn’t do as well as I hoped and had to get myself back up for the next event or meet. It did not affect my academics negatively at all and I took multiple AP courses. I learned time management and how to communicate with my teachers about making up work. If your kid swims in college they will miss some classes for dual meets scheduled on Fridays and for invitational/championship meets. You have to communicate with professors about this in advance and are responsible for making up that work which can mean taking a test or turning in a paper early. Might as well work on some of these skills now if college swimming is a possibility.

Thank you for so succinctly articulating some of the benefits of participating in high-level sports (and swimming specifically). I get rather tired of parents posting on DCUM accusing those of us that support our kids' swimming careers as only chasing scholarships.

[Anonymous]

my DD's team is going to europe for a tournament and will be out of school for 6 days. The school has been nothing but supportive. We told the truth about what she was doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former swimmer I say be honest with the school and go to the meets. Swim meets were some of my most formative experiences as a middle and high schooler — particularly the ones where I didn’t do as well as I hoped and had to get myself back up for the next event or meet. It did not affect my academics negatively at all and I took multiple AP courses. I learned time management and how to communicate with my teachers about making up work. If your kid swims in college they will miss some classes for dual meets scheduled on Fridays and for invitational/championship meets. You have to communicate with professors about this in advance and are responsible for making up that work which can mean taking a test or turning in a paper early. Might as well work on some of these skills now if college swimming is a possibility.

Thank you for so succinctly articulating some of the benefits of participating in high-level sports (and swimming specifically). I get rather tired of parents posting on DCUM accusing those of us that support our kids' swimming careers as only chasing scholarships.

I think people who aren’t on that path just don’t get it. My non swimmer school friends (or the ones who didn’t swim club) and even my non athlete parents couldn’t figure out why I was spending so much time on it. One guy I dated even said something like “what does it matter if you aren’t going to the Olympics”? Well it paid for my college and gave me a sense of confidence that I never would have acquired without swimming. And it allowed me to develop a mental toughness that is honestly lacking in a lot of people. When I look at where my former college teammates and I are now I would say we are some of the more successful adults you will encounter, in terms of being driven and achieving our career goals and being able to juggle a lot of things. Swimmers are known for being hard workers who can handle delayed gratification (you train for months in order to hit a taper just right for a few minutes of racing!). Being able to delay gratification is a huge predictor of success. Just look at current events… so many people who want what they want when they want it and crumble when they can’t have it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a former swimmer I say be honest with the school and go to the meets. Swim meets were some of my most formative experiences as a middle and high schooler — particularly the ones where I didn’t do as well as I hoped and had to get myself back up for the next event or meet. It did not affect my academics negatively at all and I took multiple AP courses. I learned time management and how to communicate with my teachers about making up work. If your kid swims in college they will miss some classes for dual meets scheduled on Fridays and for invitational/championship meets. You have to communicate with professors about this in advance and are responsible for making up that work which can mean taking a test or turning in a paper early. Might as well work on some of these skills now if college swimming is a possibility.

Thank you for so succinctly articulating some of the benefits of participating in high-level sports (and swimming specifically). I get rather tired of parents posting on DCUM accusing those of us that support our kids' swimming careers as only chasing scholarships.

I think people who aren’t on that path just don’t get it. My non swimmer school friends (or the ones who didn’t swim club) and even my non athlete parents couldn’t figure out why I was spending so much time on it. One guy I dated even said something like “what does it matter if you aren’t going to the Olympics”? Well it paid for my college and gave me a sense of confidence that I never would have acquired without swimming. And it allowed me to develop a mental toughness that is honestly lacking in a lot of people. When I look at where my former college teammates and I are now I would say we are some of the more successful adults you will encounter, in terms of being driven and achieving our career goals and being able to juggle a lot of things. Swimmers are known for being hard workers who can handle delayed gratification (you train for months in order to hit a taper just right for a few minutes of racing!). Being able to delay gratification is a huge predictor of success. Just look at current events… so many people who want what they want when they want it and crumble when they can’t have it.

OP here. This is exactly why I support my swimmer going to these kind of events. Thanks for sharing!

[Anonymous]

Bumping this thread because trying to decide whether to let my DD go to NCSAs. She is a HS Junior and has never made the meet before. She would miss 4 days of school (on block schedule, 2 of each class). I am very torn. Her grades suffer when she misses even a day here or there for sickness - she is not a strong student. But her swimming is what will actually give her a hook for colleges. She won't be going top tier in any event. I am very concerned about her ability to make up the work and do well in school (which is my priority) but realize the value of going to NCSAs and potentially seeing time drops. Making NCSAs has been a goal of hers since she was 9! Welcome advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread because trying to decide whether to let my DD go to NCSAs. She is a HS Junior and has never made the meet before. She would miss 4 days of school (on block schedule, 2 of each class). I am very torn. Her grades suffer when she misses even a day here or there for sickness - she is not a strong student. But her swimming is what will actually give her a hook for colleges. She won't be going top tier in any event. I am very concerned about her ability to make up the work and do well in school (which is my priority) but realize the value of going to NCSAs and potentially seeing time drops. Making NCSAs has been a goal of hers since she was 9! Welcome advice.

YES, of course you should let her go! Making NCSA Junior Nationals is a huge deal and the school should not only understand, but be supportive! She is likely to be able to swim in college if making those cuts. Congrats and enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread because trying to decide whether to let my DD go to NCSAs. She is a HS Junior and has never made the meet before. She would miss 4 days of school (on block schedule, 2 of each class). I am very torn. Her grades suffer when she misses even a day here or there for sickness - she is not a strong student. But her swimming is what will actually give her a hook for colleges. She won't be going top tier in any event. I am very concerned about her ability to make up the work and do well in school (which is my priority) but realize the value of going to NCSAs and potentially seeing time drops. Making NCSAs has been a goal of hers since she was 9! Welcome advice.

YES, of course you should let her go! Making NCSA Junior Nationals is a huge deal and the school should not only understand, but be supportive! She is likely to be able to swim in college if making those cuts. Congrats and enjoy!

Agree completely! This is a huge goal, she should go. Start planning for the absences now, perhaps that will help with the time management and make up work.

[Anonymous]

Definitely let her go, and since you have a good amount of lead time coordinate with the school so that she can get assignments in advance, get some extra assistance, etc. Because this isn’t a last minute thing plan in advance to set your DD up for success from a school standpoint, and congrats to her to making this goal, that’s awesome and she should be proud of herself! The dedication and discipline needed to swim at that level is something that will translate into adulthood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a child in public school who will be attending the NCSA/ISCA/spring zone meets do you have any tips in working with the school to not have these days be marked as unexcused absences or penalized for missing in class work? This is for a 7th grader who otherwise attends in person if it matters. I want to be upfront with the school and am hoping the end result would be to allow virtual asynchronous for a week. Thanks!

Club swim meets aren't worth missing school for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread because trying to decide whether to let my DD go to NCSAs. She is a HS Junior and has never made the meet before. She would miss 4 days of school (on block schedule, 2 of each class). I am very torn. Her grades suffer when she misses even a day here or there for sickness - she is not a strong student. But her swimming is what will actually give her a hook for colleges. She won't be going top tier in any event. I am very concerned about her ability to make up the work and do well in school (which is my priority) but realize the value of going to NCSAs and potentially seeing time drops. Making NCSAs has been a goal of hers since she was 9! Welcome advice.

Can you find a tutor for those 4 missed days of work? She should be able to catch up with some help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a child in public school who will be attending the NCSA/ISCA/spring zone meets do you have any tips in working with the school to not have these days be marked as unexcused absences or penalized for missing in class work? This is for a 7th grader who otherwise attends in person if it matters. I want to be upfront with the school and am hoping the end result would be to allow virtual asynchronous for a week. Thanks!

Club swim meets aren't worth missing school for.

Hard disagree. Making these meets are a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a child in public school who will be attending the NCSA/ISCA/spring zone meets do you have any tips in working with the school to not have these days be marked as unexcused absences or penalized for missing in class work? This is for a 7th grader who otherwise attends in person if it matters. I want to be upfront with the school and am hoping the end result would be to allow virtual asynchronous for a week. Thanks!

Club swim meets aren't worth missing school for.

My kids have missed school every year (save Covid) starting in 4th/5th grade to swim NCSAs, no regrets for those life lessons.