Missing kindergarten for vacation is ok, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. I taught prek and first grade.

No, it is not okay. School is not daycare. Two whole weeks? That is so disruptive to the routine for your child and for the class.

I would not want my kids in your class.

[Anonymous]

Well my older kids a missing the last week of school this year since we planned vacation before the extra days got added on.

You will be fine missing two weeks - usually well up into 2nd - and depending on your kids maybe even farther up!

when vacations have to line up with work trips, there is only so much you can do.

I have a business trip to Disney the first week of school this year and I'm thinking about pulling my then 3rd grader and mother to come with me, since he doesn't remember the trip we took 5 years ago!

[Anonymous]

The first week of school? When all the routines and rules are learned? When we make new friends and the kids are excited about being there. For my kids, there was a huge difference between second and third grade.

[Anonymous]

There's a kid in our elem who is going to India for a month. I don't know how they swing that with the truancy thing.

[Anonymous]

After 15 straight days a student is unenrolled. They have to register when they return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a kid in our elem who is going to India for a month. I don't know how they swing that with the truancy thing.

If they are prearranged, you can get them excused. I teach ESOL in FCPS and we often have students go back to their countries for a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Of course it's fine. (I am on vacation with my kindergartner right now). FWIW, my child's teacher was very positive about the trip and what a great experience it would be.

[Anonymous]

Fine for probably most of ES. We always go before spring break starts. We get assignments ahead of time from the teachers so our kids do the work while away. Never been a problem for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I ask - what kind of message are you sending to your kid that it is okay to take a vacation during school? I am constantly shocked by how many kids go to Disney, etc., during the school year. Yeah, it's less expensive, but that doesn't justify it. It's not fair to the student, the teacher and the class. Sure, this is only Kindergarten, and no, Larla probably won't miss much but consider the message you are sending, inadvertently, about school.

This is not a solid assumption. My family lived overseas and we would visit them for a long span. I took school very seriously when I was there, despite missing it to visit my family. I don't know anyone who slacked in school because their parents took them out for a week here and there for vacation. You can have high expectations on them the other 170 days of the school year and they'll turn out fine.

[Anonymous]

eh, I took my kids to St. John this year, felt guilty, and then it turns out school was cancelled 3 days that week regardless. No biggie. Plus what is more educational than learning about nature and getting away from the cold?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fine for probably most of ES. We always go before spring break starts. We get assignments ahead of time from the teachers so our kids do the work while away. Never been a problem for us.

Our handbook specifically states that parents should not request work in advance for planned absences.

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher, and I say FINE! =) Family time and cultural experiences are extremely important for any grade, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would talk with a school administrator about this. From what I've been told once you hit 10 days of unexcused absences it is considered truancy. From there in some cases you could have visit from social services or even be hauled into family court? School is legally required. Definitely check into the details with school administration.

Even if kindergarten isn't mandatory, like where I live? (not OP)

[Anonymous]

It's about habits. These are the kids who won't understand when the boss tells them that is a bad week for them to take vacation.

[Anonymous]

Kids get plenty of time off during the calendar year, let them be in school during the school year. Take your vacations during non-schooldays.