Taking child out of school for a week

[Anonymous]

I have taken the kids out for a week vacation with extended family - so I say yes. I have never had a teacher who would provide work for the kids though. They just have had to make it up when they returned.

[Anonymous]

I say let her go for a week. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and in a foreign country no less. School will always be there. My dad always said that you can only learn so much from books. He was a huge fan of travel and the lessons it can provide. It's just a week, and think of how much more difficult it will be for granny's 90th or 95th bday!

[Anonymous]

Since she's that young, I say do it. My parents were one of those who took me out for a week at the beginning or end of the school year to visit relatives in another country. It was completely fine through middle school, although I really didn't like missing the beginnings or ends of the year. If it were the middle of the year, when there is more 'work', I probably wouldn't have minded. I ended up missing fun dances and things like that.

School-wise, it was fine until the last time my parents planned a trip like this when I was in 11th grade. Catching up on two weeks' worth of AP Calc BC and AP Chem proved to be a little more challenging. I'm still a little peeved about that trip; it was the only semester I got a B. (Yeah, I know, get over it.)

[Anonymous]

Go for it, without a doubt! This may be her last chance to visit granny, and you and she will regret it if she cannot go. Nothing in 3rd grade AAP is that crucial in October that she won't catch up. It's all still review at that point.

[Anonymous]

My son has had perfect attendance for his first two years of school with nary a mention. The principal sends out emails to the parents saying to let them know if you won't be there thanksgiving week, last few days of school, etc so they don't have to call you looking for your kid. I no longer feel guilty about taking my second grader out of school next year for a Disney trip since clearly attendance is not a priority at our school.