Keeping child off school because it's their birthday!

bylromarha

Moved schools recently as a teacher. New head quietly lets some of the TAs have a day or 2 off to make a long weekend to celebrate their birthday/wedding anniversary. No pay docked.

Whilst it's a nice gesture as school staff don't get to opt when their holidays are, I'm not sure the governors would be too happy if they found out. Already rumblings round the staff about it.

I've never understood the "specialness" of birthdays - I can choose to have a "me" day any day I want to. My birthday was 4 days ago, and I did everything as normal. Will make sure I have some fantastic treats though on our up and coming holiday.

monkeychops

ska_lover wrote: »

I neither agree, nor disagree with it - you know why? Because it is none of our business.

Best not start any new posts to have any discussions as apparently most things are "none of our business"!!!!

Billie-S wrote: »

As a teacher friend told me once, it depends largely on the child, and how they are doing at school, and how easy it is for them to catch up.

I kept my two off for their birthday sometimes - not always - but sometimes. Like another poster said earlier on here, I would sometimes keep them off just for the afternoon. They only missed one lesson, and as long as we cleared it with the the teacher in question, it was fine. The teachers and admin staff would shout 'enjoy your birthday tomorrow,' knowing they would not be in, because we asked them the week before

I just don't think that a child losing a few days a year from school, and maybe one whole week, is going to do them any harm. And I have that first hand from the school. Although, this was a few years ago; mine left in 2010 and 2011. I can't vouch for what the attitude is now.

Difference is you asked the school. This parent didn't but lied that the child was sick. How is that setting a good example? I would guess the parent didn't ask because they thought or knew the school would refuse so obviously the school does not think it ok.

alias*alibi wrote: »

For crying out loud; that's because they are an adult and in a paid profession and if you choose that profession then you adhere to the T&C's. Comparing that to a child taking a day off school is ridiculous.

Why is it? I am sure there are teachers who would love to take their birthday off but it falls on a school day. What about the fact that teachers can only have holiday in the school holidays? You hear plenty of stories of parents taking their children out of school because they want a cheaper holiday. Why not teachers doing the same? They could go sick and take a cheap holiday

ecgirl07

duchy wrote: »

Teachers are all different- some never take sick days, some drag themselves in regardless, others prefer not to infect the rest of the school-and as for these 4pm appointments- not all teachers live where they work (and many do so as a deliberate choice to seperate work/home). Plus we often see teachers proclaiming that just because the school day finishes at 3.30pm it doesn't mean their day finishes then and they are still at school at 6pm.

Teachers are not all the same

In my experience teachers dont take time off ill unless its significant - clearly your experience is different but in all my years of teaching I've never seen a teacher take a sick leave unless it was very serious.

"as for these 4pm appointments" In general if you have make a mid week appointment as a teacher you juggle your schedule and planing and try and make it between close of school and close of business. Im not suggesting teachers are running about making 4pm appointments everyday - what a queer point to pick up on and make heavy weather of?

alias*alibi

Why is it? I am sure there are teachers who would love to take their birthday off but it falls on a school day. What about the fact that teachers can only have holiday in the school holidays? You hear plenty of stories of parents taking their children out of school because they want a cheaper holiday. Why not teachers doing the same? They could go sick and take a cheap holiday

Because teachers became teachers KNOWING what terms and conditions they were signing up to. Become a teacher then you do so with the knowledge that your holidays will fall on half terms. Which part of that is hard to grasp?

monkeychops

alias*alibi wrote: »

Because teachers became teachers KNOWING what terms and conditions they were signing up to. Become a teacher then you do so with the knowledge that your holidays will fall on half terms. Which part of that is hard to grasp?

And parents know when the school terms are don't they? Quite why you have to have such an aggressive tone I don't know.


Just because you want to be a teacher doesn't mean you are happy to have to pay more for your holidays.


I can imagine what my parents would have said if I had asked (or whinged) for my birthday off school. Mind you in those days parents didn't give in to their childrens' every whim

ska_lover

monkeychops wrote: »

Best not start any new posts to have any discussions as apparently most things are "none of our business"!!!!

Most things? I think you may have misinterpreted what I am meaning

''Most things'' that affect you = your business.

Things that another family are doing & have no affect on you or your family = none of your business. Unless the other family ask you for your opinion.

There are always exceptions to the rule, morally. If a child was being abused for example, then it is everyones responsibility

alias*alibi

monkeychops wrote: »

And parents know when the school terms are don't they? Quite why you have to have such an aggressive tone I don't know.


Just because you want to be a teacher doesn't mean you are happy to have to pay more for your holidays.


I can imagine what my parents would have said if I had asked (or whinged) for my birthday off school. Mind you in those days parents didn't give in to their childrens' every whim

Not aggressive; frustrated that you can't grasp that if somebody doesn't want to take holidays in half terms then don't become a teacher. Simples. :cool:

I was never allowed time off as a child for birthdays, holidays etc and had a carp childhood which is why I am now of the mindset sod it; you only get one life so enjoy it while the kids are still young enough to appreciate it before they are off to work and shackled by rules and regulations.

monkeychops

alias*alibi wrote: »

Not aggressive; frustrated that you can't grasp that if somebody doesn't want to take holidays in half terms then don't become a teacher. Simples. :cool:

I was never allowed time off as a child for birthdays, holidays etc and had a carp childhood which is why I am now of the mindset sod it; you only get one life so enjoy it while the kids are still young enough to appreciate it before they are off to work and shackled by rules and regulations.

If children are not taught rules and regulations are important when they are young they are not likely to want to abide by them when they go to work though are they?


This child may well feel that they are "special" and if they want a day off for their birthday or any other reason they can take it regardless of whether school/work/uni etc agree. If they are not granted their wish they may well lie to get it as they are not being taught that lying is wrong by their parent.


I never got time off of school for birthdays or holidays either but then I would not have expected to.


I can grasp that if you become a teacher you know you have to take holidays in school holidays - doesn't mean you have to like it though does it? Parents know when they have children and send them to school that really they shouldn't be taking the children out of school just to get a cheaper holiday - doesn't stop them though does it?


If parents don't like paying more for holidays why should teachers?

catkins

ska_lover wrote: »

In your OP you did ask what other people think, but seemingly the only opinion you want to hear, is one agreeing with you.

If it makes you happy when people back you up, and click that little ''thanks'' button - then that is great

I think the other parent knew what was being insinuated there, hence the reaction you got.

No, I don't expect or want everyone to agree with me. I asked what people thought and some people agree with me and some don't although I think slightly more do.


Some people, you included, have got quite hot under the collar telling me to mind my own business etc. Seems that maybe I touched a raw nerve.


Also for your information, the parent had no reason to believe I was insinuating anything. I expressed surprise because that is exactly what I was - surprised. I was rather taken aback that someone would keep a child from school because it was their birthday but it was only later that I thought that, in my opinion, it was not a good thing to do or to lie to the school

balletshoes

alias*alibi wrote: »

Not aggressive; frustrated that you can't grasp that if somebody doesn't want to take holidays in half terms then don't become a teacher. Simples. :cool:

I was never allowed time off as a child for birthdays, holidays etc and had a carp childhood
which is why I am now of the mindset sod it; you only get one life so enjoy it while the kids are still young enough to appreciate it before they are off to work and shackled by rules and regulations.

the 2 aren't always (or even usually) connected in my opinion - I didn't have termtime holidays or birthdays off school either, but I had a great childhood.