While I don’t know if they’ll be given tests or assignments, I do know it’s fairly common for kids to miss days before or after breaks.

Just make sure you send in an excuse, whatever it is it has to be within the confines of "acceptable" reasons. Sickness is the most obvious. If you don't there will be an "unexcused" on your kid's record.

You could always email the teachers ahead of time to get their thoughts. They’ll know their plans better than anyone here, and they’ll be able to share their policies around any potential makeups (or lack there of) that they might allow for. That doesn’t mean you can expect or be entitled to accommodation—some do and some don’t. But polite communication might help you decide how to proceed.

I think most teachers are reasonable but I can already see DD might have one who is not.
MCPS is being really tough this year on unexcused absences and some things have changed so look up the regulations before you book. I have been meaning to read through them myself but a few parents told me they are being much stricter than in previous years.

My kid transferred after first quarter last year, we had a vacation booked based on original schedule and missed the entire week before winter break.

Yes, there were tests. Mostly in the first half of the week. I think you are safer with only two days.

I don't believe there was a big issue making things up. I usually advocate for telling the truth, but if they are "sick" they have to be allowed to make things up.

Anonymous wrote:Luckily mcps has really low standards and no accountability. Probably from years and years of people like yourself taking advantage of the system, pressuring and threatening teachers if they take data correctly. Literally your kid could do nothing all year and pass with a B

What in the world is going on with these overwrought responses. This used to be pretty common. Not sure why it is an enormous deal now.

A lot of kids will be out - that was even true in college the week of Thanksgiving etc.

Anonymous wrote:Luckily mcps has really low standards and no accountability. Probably from years and years of people like yourself taking advantage of the system, pressuring and threatening teachers if they take data correctly. Literally your kid could do nothing all year and pass with a B

Calm down. I’ve never pressured or threatened teachers.

Luckily mcps has really low standards and no accountability. Probably from years and years of people like yourself taking advantage of the system, pressuring and threatening teachers if they take data correctly. Literally your kid could do nothing all year and pass with a B

At the end of the day, the time with grandparents is something you can't make up. So I would not worry about school too much.

There are always a few kids leaving early for winter break. Unless you have a complete hardass of a teacher, you should be fine.

Anonymous wrote:We’d like to visit my in laws in Europe over winter break. School doesn’t end until 12/22. I’d like to take the 2 HS kids and fly after school on 12/20. Do MCPS teachers tend to give tests or big assignments that close to a long break? If it’s an unexcused absence and they miss a test, does that mean a zero?

You just can't know this. Sure, it would be a bad idea but some may do it on purpose.

We do give assignments and assessments because we are not babysitters. Many families take that week and others for vacations, teachers won’t and can’t sue to the sub shortage. You do you. No accountability in MCPS anyway

Call or email that morning to say your kids have a stomach bug.

None of us are fortune tellers. Most teachers won't give a big assignment or tests that close to break. But that doesn't mean it's completely off the table.

It WILL be an unexcused absence, but don't worry, if your kid is absent MCPS will let them make it up somehow or some way. So I would not worry about that part. Two days absent is not a huge deal.

We’d like to visit my in laws in Europe over winter break. School doesn’t end until 12/22. I’d like to take the 2 HS kids and fly after school on 12/20. Do MCPS teachers tend to give tests or big assignments that close to a long break? If it’s an unexcused absence and they miss a test, does that mean a zero?