It's up to the parents to decide if they take the kids out of school to go on a vacation. But, I always wonder way those same parents think that the teachers should be obligated to put together a school work package, or let the child make up the school work when they get back. Just a thought.
Speaking from years of experience, yes, parents absolutely expect that the teacher go out of their way to gather work together for when they pull their kids out for a vacation. And, if the teacher or school doesn't do this, it is the teacher and the school that are being uncooperative and unreasonable. All you have to do is go back and look through these responses to see that attitude. It never ceases to amaze me that parents expect teachers to take extra time of their own to accommodate their children's absences. You are taking time away from that teacher's family; why isn't that inconsiderate? If you would like to take your kid out of school for two weeks to go to Hawaii, or 10 days to go to WDW, that's fine, but don't expect the school or teacher to do extra work on their part because you are choosing not to participate in the lessons and activities at the time they occur.
I used to be a high school cheerleading coach and I made the girls sit out for missing practice for reasons other than illness or family emergency. I think I gave them one "freebie" but after that, it was 1 quarter sitting out for each practice missed. That was the policy of the coach before me and I carried it on.
We had voluntary practice in June and July before starting mandatory practice in August for football season, so it's not like I booked them solid for the whole summer with no opportunity to go anywhere. But missing practice affects the whole team (inability to practice certain stunts, etc.). It wouldn't have ever crossed my mind (or my parents' minds) to miss a mandatory practice when I was in high school!
Yes, when you are a part of a team and you miss practice, you are hurting the entire team. School sport seasons are typically short and have limited time to achieve whole-team season goals. Removing a member of that team, even for a short period of time, can significantly effect everyone. Being a part of a team includes commitment and responsibility. If you're want to take a week off in the middle of a twelve week season, that's great; enjoy your family time at Disney and don't go out for the team.
There are two things that stick out to me as I read these responses. While I am aware that the OP was asking to individual opinions, these thoughts have a cumulative effect. You are only thinking of your one child that is out of his 5th grade class for a week, for example. But in reality, when this attitude is pervasive, Jonny is gone for five days and Bella is gone for three of the same days and two the next week, and Sally will be gone for the next eight, while Billy will be gone for 5 in between. Jack will only miss four, and Cali will only miss three, but then Bobby will will miss seven. Then Chrissy and Aly will be gone for six, and Jenna and Susan missing for five. And all of their parents want the teacher to get work packets together ahead of time so they can keep up while their on vacation. And that's just February. All of he months look like this. And every parent will say their child is bright and getting all As and have no problem making up the work. Oh, and that teacher's job effectiveness, the school's rating, salaries, and sometimes employment are dependent on how all those kids that missed that school do on a standardized test. The stakes are much, much higher than your one child missing a few days for a vacation.
Of course it is your choice to take your kids out of school for a vacation. Of course family vacations are important. Of course many things can be learned on vacation. But just because those things are true, doesn't mean it the right thing to do.
