Let's sum this up
Here are the issues:
1. If kids miss school to go to Disney, they should make up the work.
2. Making up the work should not slow down the rest of the class, and it should not take up an inordinate amount of the teacher's time. If it does, then it is irresponsible and a burden on others for you to go.
3. Most parents who have to travel a fair distance to get to Disney World, probably make more than average money because of the costs involved. People with money are usually better educated. Therefore, the parents probably (but not always) feel that education is important and will be responsible enough to make sure their kid does not fall behind and will not be a burden to the teacher or the rest of the class.
4. Vacation is earned by people who work hard. Vacation is not a right to be given to the lazy, irresponsible, burdensome, or slothful. Therefore, if the kid is a bum in school, the kid should NOT be rewarded with a vacation. Also, it sends a poor message to have the lazy, bratty kid going to Disney when good kids do not have the chance to go.
5. All grades are important, Kindergarten through Professional schooling. Kids learn at different paces, so some boredom is inevitable, especially in the earlier grades. Nevertheless, Kindergarteners and 1st graders are learning to read, to do simple math, to be creative, and to sing, follow-directions, and play together. These are life skills, folks. Those people who do not realize this probably forgot, or do not see that some kindergarteners do not come in recognizing numbers, ABC's, colors, and do not know how to follow directions or play well with others.
6. It is the kid's and the parent's responsibilities to make sure the kid does not fall behind, with the teacher's help. But it is not the teacher's responsibility to simply suck it up do all the to get the kid caught up.
7. Most teachers would love to have the budget and resources to take kids to wonderful places around the world to enhance the learning process. But don't belittle a teacher by saying insulting things such as: "Junior will learn tons more at Disney than he will in your schoolroom." I doubt if core learning such as reading, algebra, physics and literature can be learned by most students without regular classroom methods. Great journeys can enhance the learning process, but they are not a substitute for core learning.
8. If you're going to Disney, tell the teacher and administration humbly that you are doing so. Then, bring back gifts for the teacher and classmates if possible.
9. Excessive vacations by some students can affect an entire class and school system. These days, if the class test averages are brought down, the teacher, the school, and the school district all lose out. Consequently, dollars may be lost, and then ALL the students and teachers pay the price. This is one reason why school districts get tough on these issues.
10. For older kids, don't whine if your kid misses a scholarship or admittance into a prestigious college because of one bad test score and the resulting drop in Grade Point Average. Too bad. Mickey was obviously more important to you than Harvard. Of course, if a teacher refuses to accomodate you on rescheduling tests, talk to the principal. That is probably uncalled for.
With that being said, we took my son to Disney during the school year for three years in a row. But we worked hard and were humble about it. However, if my son was having trouble in school or was a discipline problem, he would not be going. Case closed.
'Nuff said.
Here are the issues:
1. If kids miss school to go to Disney, they should make up the work.
2. Making up the work should not slow down the rest of the class, and it should not take up an inordinate amount of the teacher's time. If it does, then it is irresponsible and a burden on others for you to go.
3. Most parents who have to travel a fair distance to get to Disney World, probably make more than average money because of the costs involved. People with money are usually better educated. Therefore, the parents probably (but not always) feel that education is important and will be responsible enough to make sure their kid does not fall behind and will not be a burden to the teacher or the rest of the class.
4. Vacation is earned by people who work hard. Vacation is not a right to be given to the lazy, irresponsible, burdensome, or slothful. Therefore, if the kid is a bum in school, the kid should NOT be rewarded with a vacation. Also, it sends a poor message to have the lazy, bratty kid going to Disney when good kids do not have the chance to go.
5. All grades are important, Kindergarten through Professional schooling. Kids learn at different paces, so some boredom is inevitable, especially in the earlier grades. Nevertheless, Kindergarteners and 1st graders are learning to read, to do simple math, to be creative, and to sing, follow-directions, and play together. These are life skills, folks. Those people who do not realize this probably forgot, or do not see that some kindergarteners do not come in recognizing numbers, ABC's, colors, and do not know how to follow directions or play well with others.
6. It is the kid's and the parent's responsibilities to make sure the kid does not fall behind, with the teacher's help. But it is not the teacher's responsibility to simply suck it up do all the to get the kid caught up.
7. Most teachers would love to have the budget and resources to take kids to wonderful places around the world to enhance the learning process. But don't belittle a teacher by saying insulting things such as: "Junior will learn tons more at Disney than he will in your schoolroom." I doubt if core learning such as reading, algebra, physics and literature can be learned by most students without regular classroom methods. Great journeys can enhance the learning process, but they are not a substitute for core learning.
8. If you're going to Disney, tell the teacher and administration humbly that you are doing so. Then, bring back gifts for the teacher and classmates if possible.
9. Excessive vacations by some students can affect an entire class and school system. These days, if the class test averages are brought down, the teacher, the school, and the school district all lose out. Consequently, dollars may be lost, and then ALL the students and teachers pay the price. This is one reason why school districts get tough on these issues.
10. For older kids, don't whine if your kid misses a scholarship or admittance into a prestigious college because of one bad test score and the resulting drop in Grade Point Average. Too bad. Mickey was obviously more important to you than Harvard. Of course, if a teacher refuses to accomodate you on rescheduling tests, talk to the principal. That is probably uncalled for.
With that being said, we took my son to Disney during the school year for three years in a row. But we worked hard and were humble about it. However, if my son was having trouble in school or was a discipline problem, he would not be going. Case closed.
'Nuff said.
