she who must read
new to all of this
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2013
OK - I tried not to comment, I reaaallly did, but I cannot stop myself. I am a public school teacher (24 years) and a parent…so I have a thought or two on this topic.
Many things I have to say have been said (and said well, I might add) - so I will try to add my thoughts rather than repeat. I may not attain this goal (OK, I just finished, and I have repeated - I failed to achieve my goal). Feel free to not read…these are just my feelings. I am not telling you how you should feel…I am not judging, getting snarky, calling bull…just putting in my thoughts.
Here are my thoughts - if I thought my kids could make up the work they missed at school in an hour or two per day, there is no way on this green Earth I would send my kids to that school. If I thought I could do it better/faster - I would. Between the two of us, my husband and I could teach upper grade-level work, and my kids still go to a public school because they are learning at school. If I take them out for a vacation, I cannot imagine believing, in my heart, that they would not be missing anything. How could I justify sending my kids to a place where I think so little of the teachers/education on a daily basis? I have taken my kids out for trips (fun ones - no education intended!)…but I know they are missing material when they are gone. They had better be missing something important, or they are so at the wrong school. Why do I still take them on trips? I do because as their mom, I balance the gain (FUN!) and loss, and I decide. I accept the consequences for my choice - well, actually my kids do since they are the ones missing the work, right?
Should it be "illegal"? That is something to consider…
At this point, my kids can handle the missed work, BUT are there some kids who miss who cannot? YES! Are there parents who pull their kids out who are struggling and failing - YES! Would they be struggling and failing if they were at school more and their parents valued an education more than travel? I am not sure (no one can be - right?)…but maybe we should care enough to require that their parents get them to school to at least try to see if it helps? It is the student who pays the cost of the trip - the cost that matters in the long-run, I mean.
If I require the struggling/failing kids to attend, can I honestly say it is OK to miss for highly-achieving kids? Yikes - that does NOT sound like a sound policy. OK - so should I (a parent of two kids with all As in advanced class) give up my "missing school" trips to support the potential learning of all - hum…sounds like a public education where we consider all rather than just advanced kids. Hum….
I do not like the policy my school district has adopted for whatever reason - I want the freedom to decide when my kids attend? Home school is legal in our country - so are private schools (though many of these have attendance policies, too.) As a parent, I have the right to decide WHERE my kids attend. That is my right. I have the right to try to get on the school board, rally for change, support my ideas with evidence and factual data - and make my school district better for all…how awesome is that! One of the amazing aspects of living in this country - I have the freedom to choose, rally and fight for change. Do I have a right to put my kids/my belief system/values above all else because I value travel and the family time it offers…well, yes! Home school, on-line education, private school…so many choices! They are my children after all.
Now, back to lesson-planning, homework support, and planning of our next Disney vacation! Ahhh, I love it! BOG reservation? Will tonight be my lucky night? Here is hoping!
Many things I have to say have been said (and said well, I might add) - so I will try to add my thoughts rather than repeat. I may not attain this goal (OK, I just finished, and I have repeated - I failed to achieve my goal). Feel free to not read…these are just my feelings. I am not telling you how you should feel…I am not judging, getting snarky, calling bull…just putting in my thoughts.
Here are my thoughts - if I thought my kids could make up the work they missed at school in an hour or two per day, there is no way on this green Earth I would send my kids to that school. If I thought I could do it better/faster - I would. Between the two of us, my husband and I could teach upper grade-level work, and my kids still go to a public school because they are learning at school. If I take them out for a vacation, I cannot imagine believing, in my heart, that they would not be missing anything. How could I justify sending my kids to a place where I think so little of the teachers/education on a daily basis? I have taken my kids out for trips (fun ones - no education intended!)…but I know they are missing material when they are gone. They had better be missing something important, or they are so at the wrong school. Why do I still take them on trips? I do because as their mom, I balance the gain (FUN!) and loss, and I decide. I accept the consequences for my choice - well, actually my kids do since they are the ones missing the work, right?
Should it be "illegal"? That is something to consider…
At this point, my kids can handle the missed work, BUT are there some kids who miss who cannot? YES! Are there parents who pull their kids out who are struggling and failing - YES! Would they be struggling and failing if they were at school more and their parents valued an education more than travel? I am not sure (no one can be - right?)…but maybe we should care enough to require that their parents get them to school to at least try to see if it helps? It is the student who pays the cost of the trip - the cost that matters in the long-run, I mean.
If I require the struggling/failing kids to attend, can I honestly say it is OK to miss for highly-achieving kids? Yikes - that does NOT sound like a sound policy. OK - so should I (a parent of two kids with all As in advanced class) give up my "missing school" trips to support the potential learning of all - hum…sounds like a public education where we consider all rather than just advanced kids. Hum….
I do not like the policy my school district has adopted for whatever reason - I want the freedom to decide when my kids attend? Home school is legal in our country - so are private schools (though many of these have attendance policies, too.) As a parent, I have the right to decide WHERE my kids attend. That is my right. I have the right to try to get on the school board, rally for change, support my ideas with evidence and factual data - and make my school district better for all…how awesome is that! One of the amazing aspects of living in this country - I have the freedom to choose, rally and fight for change. Do I have a right to put my kids/my belief system/values above all else because I value travel and the family time it offers…well, yes! Home school, on-line education, private school…so many choices! They are my children after all.
Now, back to lesson-planning, homework support, and planning of our next Disney vacation! Ahhh, I love it! BOG reservation? Will tonight be my lucky night? Here is hoping!