Would You Let Your Kids Skip School

[Busymom]

BlueBells:

Hmmmm ... I wouldn't do it, starting from the time they are in kindergartens. I have discussed it with my spouse when my nanny allowed her P1 to skip school for CNY visitation (many years ago). Our decision since then is no. We don't want the children to get the wrong message.

Pray tell, what is the wrong message? That it is wrong to go on a vacation when there is school, even if it is for CNY?

I know different parents think differently and maybe different schools treat this issue differently. Hence, I'm trying to understand more and hear from other parents.

[jedamum]

Why not?

In fact, after all the hardwork that my boy put in for his three papers which ended last Thurs, I was tempted to give him 'off' on Friday and just write a letter to his FT that he be excused to celebrate. (he actually had a tingxie that Friday and he looked worried cos i told him not to memorise the dictation and focus on exam preparations).
but my kiasuism took over as i got worried that the teachers may go through the test paper that Friday (true enough!) and it will not benefit him to miss it. (oh, and i told him to just bring back to let me sign the 'warning slip' for failure to learn tingxie )

[duriz]

Busymom:

autumnbronze:

Hi Busymom :imanisland:


Really nice avatar :celebrate: :celebrate:

Is it a pix by one of your kiddos??

:imanisland: sista!

Thank you, it's a postal painting by DD at NAFA.

Impressive :celebrate:

[mrswongtuition]

Usually for primary school, they are not too strict about it. As long as parents write a letter to the school will do. Secondary school is tougher.


Sending wrong message:
I think most parents are afraid that their kids might start to think that it’s alright to miss school as long as you have something ‘important’.
At their age, many things can be ‘important’. And as a result, they might start to raise arguements about not going to school on those ‘important’ days.

Family first or studies first?
To me, family is more important. If we have to travel to meet up with grandparents, then we have to do it, even if it’s for a short trip.
Usually for CNY celebrations, there’s no lesson and school usually ends earlier for teachers to go home to prepare too.
Discuss with the kids about it too (some kids may not want to skip school).
Alternatively, fly the grandparents in (maybe alternate years?) unless they are too old to travel.

I think missing the celebrations and maybe 1-2 days of school is still alright, but not too long (alot of catch up work to do).

Actually, it’s rather common in schools with alot of foreign students (esp Malaysians and PRCs).

[jedamum]

LKVM:

Busymom:

[quote=\"BlueBells\"]Hmmmm ... I wouldn't do it, starting from the time they are in kindergartens. I have discussed it with my spouse when my nanny allowed her P1 to skip school for CNY visitation (many years ago). Our decision since then is no. We don't want the children to get the wrong message.

Pray tell, what is the wrong message? That it is wrong to go on a vacation when there is school, even if it is for CNY?

I know different parents think differently and maybe different schools treat this issue differently. Hence, I'm trying to understand more and hear from other parents.

Yes different parents think differently and maybe if we allow too many times missing the class the kids may feel its ok to miss.. so thats why need to tell them its only sometimes on special occassions only... but for me its okkk to do as long as its justified... it shouldnt be cannot do
IMHO :P[/quote]Agree with LKVM.
Taking into TS' topic into view, that the CNY visitations are related to visiting the grandparents, i personally feel that it will be the wrong message to send to our kids that to attend sch for the sake of attending (but if is EOY exams, that is valid reasons to attend sch) and not celebrating with the elders is acceptable. afterall, if my kids eventually go overseas to work, i do like them to take leave from their busy workschedule and take the time to fly back and celebrate such occasions with me

[Busymom]

3Boys:

I should rephrase, my DS1 school principal said she strongly discouraged parents from arranging to leave on vacation during term time, even at end of term. The message is one of manipulating the system for ones own end.

I think I'm getting the gist... hmm.. all kinds of parents and hence the school need to preempt.

3Boys:

HOWEVER, having read some of the other posts in this thread, I might consider taking him out just a day early as this fits my flights better for next year.

Ah, so do you mean taking him out on Tuesday or on Wednesday?

[Busymom]

LKVM:

wow so nice :love: :love:

Thank you, I just like that it is so colourful.

[autumnbronze]

Busymom:

autumnbronze:

Hi Busymom :imanisland:


Really nice avatar :celebrate: :celebrate:

Is it a pix by one of your kiddos??

:imanisland: sista!

Thank you, it's a postal painting by DD at NAFA.

Whoa :love: :love:

She's GOT talent :celebrate: :celebrate:

[Busymom]

jedamum:

Why not?

In fact, after all the hardwork that my boy put in for his three papers which ended last Thurs, I was tempted to give him 'off' on Friday and just write a letter to his FT that he be excused to celebrate. (he actually had a tingxie that Friday and he looked worried cos i told him not to memorise the dictation and focus on exam preparations).
but my kiasuism took over as i got worried that the teachers may go through the test paper that Friday (true enough!) and it will not benefit him to miss it. (oh, and i told him to just bring back to let me sign the 'warning slip' for failure to learn tingxie )

Yes, I'm kiasu too, that's why I thought how can I continue to let her skip school or her enrichments classes for more than 1 or 2 days...

Your son's school actually has tingxie after exams?! :faint:

[Blobbi]

duriz:

Busymom:

[quote=\"autumnbronze\"]Hi Busymom :imanisland:


Really nice avatar :celebrate: :celebrate:

Is it a pix by one of your kiddos??

:imanisland: sista!

Thank you, it's a postal painting by DD at NAFA.

Impressive :celebrate:[/quote]Beautiful colours too!