Question for CHS Parents about November Schedule

A little out of season I know, but trying to make commitments for next year's holiday season.

We're going to be first time CHS parents next year and are considering traveling during Thanksgiving. So it would mean pulling our child from school the week before Thanksgiving (that Tuesday or Wednesday) and then returning after Thanksgiving break when school begins on Monday. So they will be missing 3 full days the week before, and then the 2.5 days the week of Thanksgiving. Not so worried about the 2.5 days, as I think less happens that week, but more concerned about the prior week.

Questions is....are we crazy to pull our student and have them miss this much school? According to my research midterms are in January, so we won't be missing those.

Any thoughts or feedback would be helpful. Thank you.

There are attendance requirements for each class in order to receive credit. I don't know the details but you should check it out.

From the CHS Student/Parent Handbook

Students are expected to attend every class, study hall, independent study and homeroom period.
Board Policy 5200 requires each student to be present for at least 90% of class meetings in order to be
eligible to receive credit. The number of absences in each class may not exceed:
18 Cumulative Absences Full Year Course
9 Cumulative Absences Semester Course
5 Cumulative Absences Quarter
Course (PE/Health)

“Cumulative absences” are those that count toward the 18 (or 9 or 5) day limit.

All class absences, whether excused or unexcused with the exception of those absences specified in
Section C, will count toward the 18 (or 9 or 5) day cumulative absence limit.

Editorial comment: It's can be quite hard (but certainly not impossible) for HS kids to make up work & catch up after that many absences. I would hesitate to do it unless it's really, really important (and your kid talks to every teacher in advance to negotiate a plan for catching up). You'll also have to keep your fingers crossed that s/he doesn't have an illness that causes more absences.

Something to consider. Thank you!

Your child will likely lose credit for their PE /health class for that quarter, as you are only allowed 5 absences for a one quarter course (which is only PE and health) .

I think that, for many students, the transition to high school is tough enough without having to figure out how to manage a big absence early in the year.

Unless your child is a good student, very well organized, and good at self-advocacy, I wouldn't recommend missing a week of school (for all of the reasons mjh describes) unless the reason you are traveling is worth the risk.

If you have any schedule flexibility, the first week of November has only two school days (NJEA convention, and a staff development day on Election Day).

I know it's a game changer now that we have a high schooler but until we get into our first year, an orientation or two, etc. we're going to be a little lost. This is all good feedback and very helpful. I think we'll need to figure out different travel arrangements. Glad I asked. Thank you!

Also keep in mind that some terrific extra curriculars require some absences as well as mandatory attendance outside of class. I'd also wonder about the timing of midterms. The system can be rather unforgiving in high school. We have learned the better time to take a longer trip is starting before Christmas break. Nothing substantial ever seems to happen in the days leading up to that vacation, plus there are more days off to work with.

The other thing that can come back to bite you is if your student misses a lot of school due to illness after you take an number of discretionary sick days. Then you have to appeal the absences so your student gets course credit.

CaltoNJ (and anyone else) - if you are on Facebook, a bunch of new to CHS parents started a group called "Columbia High School Families". We are hoping it will be a space where you can ask questions/have discussions about the high school. MMS has a similar group and I found it to be very informative.

NOTE: this group is different from the CHS HSA Facebook page.

I also found that my kids would often have tests in the few days before Thanksgiving and sometimes right after Thanksgiving break.

In the years when election day is a holiday (not this year AFAIK), we went with that week for a vacation rather than Thanksgiving, because Tuesday was a holiday for the election and Thursday and Friday were the NJEA convention dates, so only two (nonconsecutive and more or less "wasted") school days were lost as a result. As a result of this approach, we were on a vacation watching a TV in a National Park lodge lobby, when Obama won in 2008!

Even in high school, this worked out OK for our kids. I don't think I would take a high school kid out for more than the actual Thanksgiving week (i.e. 2-3 days max) both because of the absence policy and the impact on their schoolwork of missing that many days in a row. It isn't "unexcused" per se (i.e. the days are not considered "cuts" as long as you do the correct parental notification), but they are "chargeable" against the 5 day/quarter, 9 day/per semester and 18 day/year absence limitations.

Younger kids, especially elementary, no problem.

Tuesday the third of November is indeed a "Staff Development Day." this is because several of the schools are used as voting sites and it would be a security issue to have the students in class.

max_weisenfeld said:
Tuesday the third of November is indeed a "Staff Development Day." this is because several of the schools are used as voting sites and it would be a security issue to have the students in class.

In that case, assuming that's the same week as Teacher Convention, that's when I would take the kids out for vacation (if at all.)

ETA - I just noticed that susan1014 beat me to this suggestion, so giving credit where due.