Taking kids out of school early

karen · Post by **karen** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:42 am

A family event has been scheduled for late-May in Texas and ds would miss the last week of school if we go. What usually takes place during that last week of school? Have any of you ever taken your kids out of school early and were there any problems?

**Sponsor:**

richard berman · Post by **richard berman** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:55 am

Its best just to ask the teacher what He/She thinks as every school is different, we just took Demi out for a couple of days because my mum and dad where in Finland and the teacher was fine about it and we just did some extra home work with her during that time.

As I remember the end of year at school it was everyone messing about for a week, and waiting for the holidays, but now they have all these tests for 7 year olds so ask about them.

And Karen the other thing you asked about , I have sent a couple of emails and will let you know.

karen · Post by **karen** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:04 am

Thanks, Richard. This isn't actually until 2010 and I don't know if he'll be in the same school or not. I was just wondering in general what the schedule is like that last week. Tests for 7yos? Is that before they start First or at the end of First grade?

Gigi · Post by **Gigi** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:40 am

As a teacher, I can say that the last week is indeed a bit messy and there are very small chances that there are still tests. Especially in elementary school, it shouldn't be a problem, just ask permission from the teacher and rehtori.

I have noticed that in Finland, parents rather easily take there kids out of school, for a holiday or something. Or even when they have a small regular cold, they stay home easily. Totally different then in my homecountry, where you need a note from the doctor if you are longer then 3 days absent, or more then 18 days a schoolyear.

Anyway, it shouldn't be a problem!

GIGI

karen · Post by **karen** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:57 am

Thanks, Gigi! What is your home country? Do you teach in Finland now?

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:37 am

The procedure in Espoo is quite simple. The homeroom teacher can approve absences up to 3 days. If the absence is more than three days then the rehtori's permission has to be obtained (there's a form to be filled in, probably on the internet somewhere in espoo.fi). We have done this a few times and never had any problems. Most schools and teachers understand that foreigners sometimes have important family obligations to attend abroad that don't always coincide with school holidays. If it is the last week of school that you are requesting then I see no problems. The classroom may have a party or an outing or something like that, but mostly it is clearing up. If you give the school an SAE they will send your son's school report to your home (these are usually handed out on the last day of school, ie the Saturday, when there is a small ceremony and some stipendi (prizes) are handed out). I don't think they hand out the school reports early though, so you are unlikely to get it before the holiday.

The end of year ceremony is quite nice. Everyone stands outside in nice clothes (Finns dress up for this) and sing a few songs (I think even a hymn

) and the kids who are leaving school ie 6th graders, get a rose and shake hands with the rehtori. The flag is raised and there is an prize giving ceremony which lasts forever and a day. Then the kids go back to their classrooms and the reports are handed out and the teacher makes a short speech. It does round off the school year and marks the official start to the holidays. I think last year was the first time in 7 years we didn't get soaked.

As far as I know teachers don't set holiday homework but my kids' primary has a holiday reading project where kids are asked to fill out a log book of all the books they read during the vacation. If they read more than 10 (???) they are invited to a pizza party when school starts up again in August. So you might want to check if there is anything like that.

Generally though Espoo is trying to reduce the number of absences during term time. And the schools do have the option of holding a student back a year if he/she has really missed a lot of school. IN theory.

EP · Post by EP » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:01 pm

It is like Penelope says --> up to three days it is up to the teacher, anything more, up to the headmaster.

I used to take the kids off for a week just about every year, and it was not the last week, it was usually November/December. I have always had a hard time to survive this time of the year, and some light and sun helps. So I go somewhere where I can find that. When the kids were at school I took them with me. It was never a problem. Sometimes teachers made them write essays about the countries where they had been. I still have a paper my son wrote about Minoan culture when he was about 10.

That will not be a problem.

karen · Post by **karen** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:13 pm

We also take a week off for our winter holiday in early January.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:29 pm

Yes, I tried that once in the UK (in a village school, not some vast urban establishment) and I got all kinds of excuses why they couldn't do it like insurance and liability and disrupting SATS and bla bla bla. Shame cos I thought the kids in the UK could've got a lot out of it too. Incapable of thinking outside the box unfortunately.

Make the most of primary because it is harder to keep kids out of school once they are in the higher grades, and once they are in lukio it is impossible. If my son missed three lessons in any particular course he would have to resit the whole module. So if kids get sick in lukio they risk having to stay on for a fourth year unless thay can cram the extra courses into the last year before the exams start. But lukio has a completely different organisation to the (so-called) comprehensive schooling.

luulio · Post by **luulio** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:46 pm

... yes, but lukio schools get to decide their own policies - some lukio schools are not at all that strict about absences.

onkko · Post by **onkko** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:56 pm

penelope wrote: The end of year ceremony is quite nice. Everyone stands outside in nice clothes (Finns dress up for this) and sing a few songs (I think even a hymn )

That "hymn" is part of finnish tradition and culture. It is religious hymn thanking good about spring tho i dont deny that but more than that its just a tradition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Den_blomstertid_nu_kommer

"The song was at the first time translated into Finnish in year 1700. The song has a significant role at the spring celebrations of the Finnish schools. Annually the first three verses are sung at those celebrations."

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:06 am

wtf is that, Henry & the Bishops?

Hevinkelium...

onkko · Post by **onkko** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:29 am

We have spies in here! only 18mins and that song is in "vieraskirja"

Pursuivant is that you?

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:48 am

Yes, it's a nice song and a great tradition and the kids enjoy it and without it the summer holidays wouldn't be the same. But... it's still a hymn. And my own opinion is that the school yard is no place for hymns.

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland