Comments on: Pull Your Kid Out From School Painlessly

By: Christie

Christie — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:57:36 +0000

How can I learn more about the Independent Study packet, and how I can suggest it to our school. I know they will have a problem with the missing of school days due to the $$$ lost when there is lower attendance…

“If it’s more than 3 days you want to avoid problems with the office and/or the teacher, see if you can do an “Independent Study” packet. Usually you can and the kid never loses any days on the roll. Sometimes they get huge rewards at assemblies and such for perfect attendance. If its just a day or two, just say she/he was sick.”

By: Charlie on PA Tpk

Charlie on PA Tpk — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:01:50 +0000

@Damien start at k12.com … that’s the curriculum provider for the cyber charter school our kids use. They offer their material to individuals and in conjunction with charter and private schools.

There are others out there as well… it is a major undertaking, but you may find it well worth.

Charlie on PA Tpks last blog post..Gov. Sarah Palin, candidate for Vice President

By: Damien Riley

Damien Riley — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:13:45 +0000

@Charlie: Wow. I had not ever heard of cyber charter schooling. That is one of the most exciting things I have ever heard in my 10 years teaching. I will be looking into that, especially to save my kid from being murdered in High School in a few years.

@Jessica: Nah, they just get pressured from the top when funding is low. The seedcorn money of public schools is attendance.

By: Jessica The Rock Chick

Jessica The Rock Chick — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:04:14 +0000

My parents used to take us out of school for a day or two sometimes and we’d hit the museums, take a small road trip, etc. It was not only fun, it was memorable!

I think the problem, here anyway, is that a lot of the people want to take their kids out for weeks at a time to go to other countries to visit relatives. The schools here even frown on “sick”, for some reason. They have no problem sending the kids home sick, but when calling them in sick, you get the third degree.

Too much absenteesim, I guess!!!!

Jessica The Rock Chicks last blog post..Velocity

By: Charlie on PA Tpk

Charlie on PA Tpk — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:55:48 +0000

My kids are enrolled in a cyber-charter public school, so we can split the difference: school is where we are with their books and wifi connection, so we can arrange trips – even out of state – with minimal impact to their academic schedule.

Charlie on PA Tpks last blog post..Gov. Sarah Palin, candidate for Vice President

By: Damien Riley

Damien Riley — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:15:29 +0000

@mamaflo: I see your point. I used to teach in a year-round district and it was a very different feeling having the vacations spread out instead of just in the summer. Thanks for chiming in on this.

@chelle: As I recall you have really young kids. My 3 year old starts preschool Tuesday.

@michael kwan: Oh I can see your parents were those very responsible types. That is always refreshing when I get parents like that in my classes. Thanks for your comment dude.

@isabella mori: Germany eh? I am jealous. Think of all a child would learn on a trip to Germany as opposed to the rote routines of Language and math … See if they’ll do independent study with you.

By: isabella mori

isabella mori — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:30:53 +0000

thanks, damien. that’s very helpful. i still have a lot of friends and family in germany and we’ve been talking about going there in may of next year (still school here in canada).

i love the idea of the independent studies package. that might also help with moments of boredom.

isabella moris last blog post..carnival of eating disorders, august 2008 edition

By: Michael Kwan

Michael Kwan — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:30:19 +0000

Growing up, my parents tried to avoid pulling me out of school for vacations (booking them during holiday time instead), but I did go on a couple of trips during the year. The experiences were great, but it did make for some "catchup" time when I got back. Michael Kwans last blog post..Wii Balance Board + Roomba = OMGWTF

By: Chelle

Chelle — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:40:36 +0000

This really reminded me how lucky our kids are…i am going to be in for a lot of battles in the next 12-16 years I think with schools…

Chelles last blog post..After Heâ€™s Been Caught: Should You Stay or Should You Go?

By: Mamaflo

Mamaflo — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:10:52 +0000

I don’t agree with vacations during the academic year unless the kids are in year round school (which I also believe in).
The only stress these kids have is from their home environment regardless of the social-economic background and no amount of vacation time or time off will fix that problem.