My husband and I are looking to plan a vacation this year. We want to take a trip south- to tropical islands or florida area. We have a 9.5mo old and a 5yr old who is in kindergarten.
We have NEVER taken a vacation before. It will be only for one week but I didn't want to do it in July or Aug because it is WAY too hot, especially for the baby (we are pasty north-easterners).
Would it be wrong to take him out of school for a week in late may or early june?
2007-01-07 00:02:04 · 25 answers · asked by iampatsajak 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
he has not missed any school yet this year and there is no spring break for kindergarten
2007-01-07 00:54:30 · update #1
Not really. If you make it a habit of taking your child out of school, make it a yearly thing, let him stay home whenever the mood strikes...then yes. A week is too much if this is a regular thing in your family. But if you see it as a one-time thing, and particularly where he's in kindergarten, it should be fine. Just get his classwork for that week and do a little school work while he's out so that he'll be caught up.
2007-01-07 00:05:55 · answer #1 · answered by shannonscorpio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally do not approve. I feel there are enough vacation days through out the year for anyone who feels they need a vacation to utilize. However, if the scheduling of the vacation also has something to do with a work schedule I could possibly find some understanding in it. To be honest I think it's kind of silly for you to be looking for approval on this matter on here considering how you choose to raise your child is based upon your beliefs. Also, it sounds like you pretty much already have your mind made up so enjoy your vacation and take in some educational and historical sites along the way to at least make the time he is missing in school worth it. I know it's a vacation and everything but I would also suggest speaking to his teacher to obtain that week's assignments so he doesn't fall behind. Chances are his teacher won't give you a lot of work, but maybe enough for at least a half hour a day.
2007-01-07 13:12:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
People do it all the time. I know in grade school there are only so many days a child can miss of school, but for our kindergarten, they are allowed as many days. In NJ, kindergarten is not mandatory to complete a certain amount of school days. (I was told this by the school) Since your little one is in kindergarten, I would not worry about him missing too much is it's only being a week. If you want,maybe bring a workbook he could don on the plane and during down time. However, since you are also bringing a baby, I doubt there will be much time. I say plan your vacation, go and have a good time. The trip alone will be be a great learning experience for your 5 year old. Not to mention a great family bonding time for the rest of you. Enjoy.
2007-01-07 08:14:56 · answer #3 · answered by criley27 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It depends on how well the child is doing in school. My children do very well and never miss a day any other time so if I wanted to take a vacation I would coordinate with the teachers first, get all of the work that will be missed and go have a nice time. I don't think he will miss that much since he is only in kindergarten.
2007-01-07 08:15:26 · answer #4 · answered by Lady X 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not wrong... but as a teacher, I have to say it's probably not the best idea. Even though it is kindergarten, he will probably miss out on quite a bit. PLEASE make sure you discuss it with his teacher first in the 2 weeks prior to your trip so that you can get any make-up work he'll need before you leave. It can be overwhelming if a five year old misses a week of school and then has to play catch-up during the last week or two of the school year.
2007-01-07 10:34:12 · answer #5 · answered by Jemmie Vee 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Since he is only 5 and in Kindergarden, no. I don't see a problem with him missing a week of school. There is also always spring break. I am going to Japan that week and if my 12 year old's grades are ok at the end of this term, I am going to take her with me. If she did not do well, she ;is staying with her father that week. We made that agreement at the beginning of the school year when I started planning this trip. Since my oldest is 12 I would never dream of pulling her out of school for a week. She would get too far behind but in Kindergarten they don't really do that much and your son should do just fine.
2007-01-07 08:19:40 · answer #6 · answered by Wealth of useless information 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We use to take the kids out when they were in preschool and kindergarten in May for family vacations but it's once they get in first grade and up that is hard for them to make up the work and the teachers definitely frown on that time that is lost.
I would say yes at this time, do it while you can. He won't be missing too much in kindergarten. Just ask for his work sheets ahead of time and make sure he does them on vacation.
2007-01-09 06:21:34 · answer #7 · answered by LC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be sure to prearrange the absence with your school plenty early. This way the teacher can have the work your son will miss ready for him. It really shouldn't be a huge problem if your son is doing fine in school. If he is behind, I would rethink taking him out for a week. Otherwise, just communicate with the school office and the teacher so that your son can keep up with the class.
2007-01-07 20:32:40 · answer #8 · answered by caitlinerika 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my kids a little older so there's too much going on in school for her to be out for a week. is there someplace that you could visit that wouldn't be as hot? if not, try to plan around a holiday or do a mid-week including the weekend. he'd miss less school that way (you may also want to do a shorter vacation in case things don't go as well as planned--it's hell to be committed to a full week when the kids don't take to the vacation like you figured they would.)
2007-01-08 15:08:29 · answer #9 · answered by L. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I taught first grade, I was HIGHLY resentful of parents who took their kids out of school for a vacation when almost every school in the United STates has weeks and weeks of no school every year. I think one or two days is ok; I think it's ok if there is a special reason to travel during school such as a family wedding that must be attended. But for Pete's sake, what are you teaching your child about the importance of school if you skip it to go to Florida for no reason other than selfishness. By the way, I'm not just a disgruntled teacher, I'm a mom with school-age children.
2007-01-07 10:50:57 · answer #10 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋