Create a New Forum Owner Login Contribute & Create Your Member account VoyUser Login (see contribute) VoyForums Directory/Categories No-ads: Completely remove ads from your forum VoyForums Homepage VoyForums News Help Desk VoyForums Exchange FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Search VoyForums

Sat, December 26, 10:52:46am

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

• this is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but in fact serves as a good model: http://zandb.blogspot.com/2005/01/excused-absences-from-school-for.html (NT) -- thanks to zandb, Thu, September 17, 05:56:50pm

  ---

• Just tell them she's travelling to Scotland for an Irish Dance competition. Tell them she works hard at her dance and takes it very seriously. Tell them that it's an honour for her to be able to attend and that it's a unique opportunity for her to travel to another country. It is a learning experience that will enhance her formal schooling. Don't make apologies. (NT) -- This is also a part of her life and she should be proud of it., Thu, September 17, 06:25:40pm
  • When DD was in grade 8 and headed overseas, her teachers were very understanding and excited for her. No homework was given they just asked that she keep a journal and pictures to share. We did some fun tourist stuff visiting historic sites, pick up some info to share and she wrote in her journal...everyone was happy! (NT) -- enjoy and Good Luck!, Thu, September 17, 09:29:05pm
    • omg...hello??? High school is next yea,get your priorities straight..school FIRST, I.D. second...I.D. isn't going t2 get her in Univerisity...my dd is U14 have been going to Worlds, A.I.'s, A.S. ect...we get as much homework as we can get so dd won't fall behind...if dd is not doing well @ school...we just don't take her out...if she's doing well, then SHE will have to ballance both, with school as Top priority...ugggg, hate when parents give up things for a chance at I.D....my dd is a world and AI champ, but won't hesitate for a second to put it all to an end if her school work falls behind! (NT) -- don't be blind-sighted, Thu, September 17, 10:07:22pm
      • Why is it any of your business what decisions other parents make for their kids? High school next year -- big deal. Somehow my kids managed to make the transition AND keep up with their extracurricular activities. The idea that learning only happens in school is ridiculous. My kids learned more about Geography and History and Politics touring Ireland during Worlds and AIs than they will ever learn in a classroom. If your kid can't keep up, then it's your decision to pull her. But don't assume than everyone's kid has the same trouble keeping up. All life's experiences are valuable. (NT) -- I can't even remember what I learned in grade 8. But I'd sure remember every minute of a trip to Scotland., Thu, September 17, 10:19:18pm
      • you are rude and judgemental. The poster did not ask your opinion on weather or not to go... -- When my dd is traveling for dance (more inside), Thu, September 17, 10:27:03pm
        • All schools are different I suppose. My ds has often missed for majors. His school is incredibly supportive of his dancing. His grases are good and he works ahead before he leaves. When he returns, he works harder to catch up. We have never had any problem. -- Irishmama, Thu, September 17, 10:36:09pm
      • So while we're being all judgemental and everything... do tell us if basic literacy is going t2 get her in University? (NT) -- hope you don't help her with her homework., Thu, September 17, 10:35:16pm
        • nope, because I was an I'D Champ myselt...want dd to do ALOT better then me in SCHOOL. Whatever you do is fine, just put my own opinion;...above posters must be TC's, cause most parents want shcool to be their kids number 1 prioritiy...sorry, I.D. is great, but not going to get you to far in "real life." (NT) -- ., Thu, September 17, 10:54:51pm
          • yip...school first , I.D. will always be second for my ds...too many other dreams and ambtions to let I.D. get in the way..do as much as we can, but school is the top in my books too. Took Champ ds out of I.D. after A.I.'s,..said he can go back to I.D. in the summer...when school is over. (NT) -- me, Thu, September 17, 11:02:24pm
          • What is "real" life? It's whatever a person happens to be doing at any given time. "Real" life to you is different than "real" life to someone else. Is an accountant's or lawyer's version of "real" life any more "real" than a dancer's "real" life? Does "real" life only happen if you're rich? Or if you're stuck in the 9-to-5 grind? Tell me what "real" life is, because I haven't figured it out yet. There's only one life -- the one you're living. (NT) -- isn't that "real" enough?, Thu, September 17, 11:14:51pm
          • No...I am a school teacher...btw.."alot" is two words not one... (NT) -- "a lot", Thu, September 17, 11:21:53pm
          • No you didn't just put your opinion. You told the poster to get their priorities straight. That's not an opinion, it's a judgement that no one really asked for (NT) -- anyway, Thu, September 17, 11:23:08pm
      • Not to mention that university isn't in everyones future, for so many reasons. And for some, myself included, Irish Dance is part of the future, hopefully for thirty years to come at least! (NT) -- Ya never know, Fri, September 18, 07:48:48am
      • Most girls who are motivated to work hard at ID are also motivated to work hard at school - they take pride in their ID accomplishments & also in their school work. They are young for so short a time - if they have the opportunity to do something like this, it will be an enriching experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives - soak it up & enjoy every second. Lots of time for university in the 'big picture' - universities look for students with extracurricular activities. Why do we have to rush them to grow up? (NT) -- jmho, Fri, September 18, 03:07:03pm

  ---

• Re: Ugh! I'm terrible at writing letters....... -- NIAB, Fri, September 18, 10:04:15am

  ---

• Dear Op, I jst wanted to mention that our Son who is in HS also travels with us OSeas. Whenwe went to Belfast for the first time...he and dh took many tours learning as much about the city and the conflicts over the years. more -- ECR mom, Fri, September 18, 12:53:10pm

  ---

• As a school counselor, may I suggest the following: (see inside) -- me, Fri, September 18, 12:53:58pm
  • Re: As a school counselor, may I suggest the following: (see inside) -- NIAB, Fri, September 18, 01:20:09pm

  ---

• I'd bet your dd is more than willing to work hard to catch up before & after the trip. Other than reading, as you said, I would ask if the teacher might allow her to do an independent project on her experiences overseas - this would be great preparation for high school where Independent Study Projects are in almost every class (NT) -- just me, Fri, September 18, 03:10:09pm

  ---

• We are forcing kids to grow up before they have too. Their "real" life is being able to experience the fruits of their labor. In this case it is dancing abroad. There is so much learning that does not come from school. We as parents have to be able to show our kids that. Not every child will excel at traditional schooling. Even those that do will be all the more prepared for "real" life if they actually have "real" life experiences. (NT) -- Mom, Fri, September 18, 05:46:01pm
  • Agreed. Many of the brightest kids we know are/were homeschooled. They are eager, curious, ambitious and dilligent. Their interests are varied and travel has definitely helped. Ours go to a trad school, but I would do it differently if we had the chance. (NT) -- jmo, Sat, September 19, 09:48:34am

  ---

• My advice as a teacher - just write a letter saying your dd will be missing so many days due to her attending the All Scots. You don't actually need to go in to a big explanation. That being said, take advantage this year in gr 8 - it is a much bigger deal to miss that much school in high school. (NT) -- Good luck & Enjoy!, Fri, September 18, 11:06:18pm

  ---

• Found out yesterday I have to write a letter for my daughter IN UNIVERSITY (NT) -- Denise (Midterm Saturday she's @ Os!), Sat, September 19, 11:31:37am
  • I.D. RULES.....who cares about school!!! Go where the $$$ is....can't see any better future, then being in I.D....especially the young ones...get em used to missing school now !!!...practise, practise, practise, because with pracitice, y canp spewol;kj better aghTHAN me. (NT) -- lol..lot's of luv or laugh out load, or...live off life??, Sun, September 20, 12:11:34am
    • Ya, this whole string is a hoot! Just joined in after being off line for a few days - wow - where is Mary Poppins when you need her? "Enough is as good as a feast" "Moderation in everything" - there's got to be common sense people. Dance = fabulous + education = imperative therefore Dance = imperative! Get a job dancing! (NT) -- Logic 101, Sun, September 20, 12:49:30pm
      • You know, some people actually do get jobs dancing. And they love what they do. And they're happy at it. And people love to pay to be entertained by them. Having a Masters degree in Business Administration doesn't necesarily equate to success. There are lots of really educated graduates out there flipping burgers because they can't find "real" jobs. In my opinion, (NT) -- common sense = mind your own business and let others mind theirs, Sun, September 20, 02:47:01pm
    • Obviously, going to school didn't help you much... (NT) -- can you say "aggrandizement?", Sun, September 20, 02:43:00pm

  ---

• This is what we did early this year when we took both our girls, one was a junior in catholic h.s. and one was a 7th grader in catholic middle school to All-Ireland. More inside... -- nn, Sun, September 20, 11:47:05pm