School and camping

We take ours out at least once or twice a school year. Never been an issue and they still get good grades. Never gave two thoughts about it.

I have to say that pulling them out for some school days is ok also because to me, while education is absolutely important, my child's school schedule can not rule this family totally. I feel like a rut is what happens. cram all my trips into 3 months. not for us. We also want other travel times. If a few days is required to be absent then it is cool. I am fortunate her being only in 3rd grade and very smart helps alot. As she progresses thru school, we shall see what happens.

I don't think pulling a kid from school means they are not learning responsibility. I think they are learning how to balance life just a bit. Life is never black and white. Live and work by these rules only. There are times we have to make choices.

Also fortunate she is not a sickie. Rarely takes off from school with an illness so at least her days off from school never get into the bad area. So far :)

I take my son out of school for "Special Privileges" one or two days a year. He has gotten straight A's on every report card since he started school. He is currently above 4.0. He understands that his achievement is directly tied to his "Special Privliges". If he fails to achieve he will no longer have "Special Pivileges". His "Special Privileges" are planned and not education related; they are fun things, like going up north for an extra day, etc. His school work for those days is always completed and turned in ahead of time. He enjoys going to school, he also earns his bonus days and and he knows they are a bonus given for excelling in school. He also gives up several hundreds of hours of his summer and after school free time participating in shool marching band. He earns his "Special Privileges".

I plan our trips around our grandson's school schedule. We usually go to Florida on his Fall break for warmer temps. Christmas break is hard for us to get away as Christmas Day always falls right in the middle of his break. Spring break usually means a return to Florida for the warm temps again. Sounds like we're in a rut. :C

rjf7g wrote:
...I also encourage you to advocate for PUBLIC education that embraces what matters most and not the current push for the pursuit of trivia and success on state tests designed to trick 8 year olds.

I would encourage folks to advocate for CHOICE in schools...vouchers, charters, etc. it's not the only factor but it certainly is A factor. when the government schools have to compete our kids will have a fighting chance.

For a very special vacation (free trip to Disney and seeing long lost family)? Yes.

As a matter of course? Not so much.

We are off June-August and there are many weekends. That works for us but you need to find what works for your family.

JesLookin wrote:
I agree.
This is also part of your child's education process. They should be in school when school is in session. Teaching them that it is ok to skip school for a fun adventure is a bad idea in my way of thinking. These early lessons in life will carry through for the rest of their lives.

I agree discipline is important, as is a certain amount of routine. So is not losing touch with what is truly important. Like spending time with a sick grandparent, taking time with your family, etc.

Teaching your kids creative ways to meet their obligations and still make time for other important parts of life is a goal to aspire to. There is a lot more to life than book learning, but that is not unimportant, either ;)

rk911 wrote:

korbe wrote:
We always planned our campin' trips around school.

we do too...we go when school is in! :)

I agree.
This is also part of your child's education process. They should be in school when school is in session. Teaching them that it is ok to skip school for a fun adventure is a bad idea in my way of thinking. These early lessons in life will carry through for the rest of their lives.

You can thank No Child Left Behind (NCLB) for many new regulations and measures school have to implement. Schools and school divisions can use attendance as a measure...so, you better believe they want kids in schools. Also, state funding is often tied to attendance and there are state-level requirements about truancy ("unexplained absences" by some definitions), etc.

I am a public school district administrator and avid camper...I encourage you to work WITH your school to figure out how to do what you want to do as a family and ensure your child has every opportunity to learn what matters most. I also encourage you to advocate for PUBLIC education that embraces what matters most and not the current push for the pursuit of trivia and success on state tests designed to trick 8 year olds.

all the rules are mind numbing :)

we live our lives around rules. rules for everything. (just shaking head in general asbout all the rules in life) YIKES