Don’t lie. I was a swimmer and missed so much school one year that the school sent a letter saying if I missed any more days I wouldn’t pass the grade. I think that was freshman year of high school. It is what it is - I was good enough to be recruited by top colleges (including Harvard) despite not so great grades. You and your child have to decide about priorities but do not teach your kid to be dishonest by feigning illness. I’m not sure I would choose the path I took for my own children but it worked out for me.

How do the students keep up with school work when they are a HS junior? At our school, missing even a day means makeup quizzes, HW, etc. and the teachers are not allowed to give them early to students who have a planned absence. When the student gets back, there are then new quizzes/tests on the material they missed plus everything from the prior week. It just seems like too much to make up 4 school days. My DC is not a strong student. But NCSAs is their first national-level meet and chance to catch good times for college recruiting.

My DC is in HS and committed to swim D1. I didn't let them go to NCSAs when they were in elementary/ MS and I regret that decision. I was worried about missing school and didn't understand how hard it is to make the cuts. My DC swam in Junior Nationals a few weeks ago, but definitely needed some of these big meets to be ready for that event and to make the cuts.

Missing school has taught my DC how to time manage, talk to teachers directly about assignments, use the most of the down time during these meet events -- all skills they will need in college. They have maintained a 4.0 unweighted GPA.

I always let the school know ahead of time and tell the truth. What are you teaching your kids if you are lying about missing school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

“Club” swim meets?? Do you know absolutely nothing about swimming? This question is about Junior Nationals, a national level meet. Would you say the same of Olympic Trials? What meets are worth missing school in your opinion?

OP, qualifying is a huge deal and she should absolutely go. My swimmer is still young but has missed school for big championships, NCSA, etc. I know it’s harder to miss in high school, but this type of meet is a big deal and attending is a must if she has any interest in swimming in college. Congratulations to her and good luck.

I don't think there was any reference to juniors that I saw. The question was about NCSA/ISCA/ and Zones not Juniors or Nationals. If you are making those meets or the TYR/Speedo Pro Swim series meets go ahead and miss school for it, but if you aren't at that level you can get quality competition locally without traveling or missing school.

NCSA Junior Nationals is the championship meet of choice for many clubs. Sure, it is not the same thing as winter juniors or US junior nationals, but once we are talking high school age, NCSA is a junior national meet that may be a kid’s only opportunity with their team for this level of meet.

NCSAs is to junior nationals what JOs are to the Olympics. Branding to fool swim parents who think their kids are special. Guessing most people who got to ncsa isca etc are not top 5 in their event in the LSC, so there’s plenty of competition already for them. 13 year olds networking is very important. Add their competitions on LinkedIn

Please review who swims at this meet (not age group meet) and some meet record holders 🙄

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

“Club” swim meets?? Do you know absolutely nothing about swimming? This question is about Junior Nationals, a national level meet. Would you say the same of Olympic Trials? What meets are worth missing school in your opinion?

OP, qualifying is a huge deal and she should absolutely go. My swimmer is still young but has missed school for big championships, NCSA, etc. I know it’s harder to miss in high school, but this type of meet is a big deal and attending is a must if she has any interest in swimming in college. Congratulations to her and good luck.

I don't think there was any reference to juniors that I saw. The question was about NCSA/ISCA/ and Zones not Juniors or Nationals. If you are making those meets or the TYR/Speedo Pro Swim series meets go ahead and miss school for it, but if you aren't at that level you can get quality competition locally without traveling or missing school.

NCSA Junior Nationals is the championship meet of choice for many clubs. Sure, it is not the same thing as winter juniors or US junior nationals, but once we are talking high school age, NCSA is a junior national meet that may be a kid’s only opportunity with their team for this level of meet.

NCSAs is to junior nationals what JOs are to the Olympics. Branding to fool swim parents who think their kids are special. Guessing most people who got to ncsa isca etc are not top 5 in their event in the LSC, so there’s plenty of competition already for them. 13 year olds networking is very important. Add their competitions on LinkedIn

Anonymous wrote:NCSAs is a fast meet with the opportunity to get some good times that can qualify you for higher meets. It also allows swimmers to perform under the duress of traveling, much like competing in college. It also allows your swimmer time to bond with teammates while simultaneously networking with swimmers from other LSCs. Even if your swimmer stays local for a five day (which nothing local is…) championship meet, you aren’t going to find the same level of competition. Even Senior champs you have to miss school.

Sectionals requires missing school too

NCSAs is a fast meet with the opportunity to get some good times that can qualify you for higher meets. It also allows swimmers to perform under the duress of traveling, much like competing in college. It also allows your swimmer time to bond with teammates while simultaneously networking with swimmers from other LSCs. Even if your swimmer stays local for a five day (which nothing local is…) championship meet, you aren’t going to find the same level of competition. Even Senior champs you have to miss school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

“Club” swim meets?? Do you know absolutely nothing about swimming? This question is about Junior Nationals, a national level meet. Would you say the same of Olympic Trials? What meets are worth missing school in your opinion?

OP, qualifying is a huge deal and she should absolutely go. My swimmer is still young but has missed school for big championships, NCSA, etc. I know it’s harder to miss in high school, but this type of meet is a big deal and attending is a must if she has any interest in swimming in college. Congratulations to her and good luck.

I don't think there was any reference to juniors that I saw. The question was about NCSA/ISCA/ and Zones not Juniors or Nationals. If you are making those meets or the TYR/Speedo Pro Swim series meets go ahead and miss school for it, but if you aren't at that level you can get quality competition locally without traveling or missing school.

NCSA Junior Nationals is the championship meet of choice for many clubs. Sure, it is not the same thing as winter juniors or US junior nationals, but once we are talking high school age, NCSA is a junior national meet that may be a kid’s only opportunity with their team for this level of meet.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

“Club” swim meets?? Do you know absolutely nothing about swimming? This question is about Junior Nationals, a national level meet. Would you say the same of Olympic Trials? What meets are worth missing school in your opinion?

OP, qualifying is a huge deal and she should absolutely go. My swimmer is still young but has missed school for big championships, NCSA, etc. I know it’s harder to miss in high school, but this type of meet is a big deal and attending is a must if she has any interest in swimming in college. Congratulations to her and good luck.

I don't think there was any reference to juniors that I saw. The question was about NCSA/ISCA/ and Zones not Juniors or Nationals. If you are making those meets or the TYR/Speedo Pro Swim series meets go ahead and miss school for it, but if you aren't at that level you can get quality competition locally without traveling or missing school.

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.

“Club” swim meets?? Do you know absolutely nothing about swimming? This question is about Junior Nationals, a national level meet. Would you say the same of Olympic Trials? What meets are worth missing school in your opinion?

OP, qualifying is a huge deal and she should absolutely go. My swimmer is still young but has missed school for big championships, NCSA, etc. I know it’s harder to miss in high school, but this type of meet is a big deal and attending is a must if she has any interest in swimming in college. Congratulations to her and good luck.