DAD SCOLDED FOR TAKING KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL FOR FAMILY TRIP

Michael Rossi of Philadelphia recently took his kids, Jack and Victoria, on vacation to Boston for three days during the school term. Rydal Elementary School Principal Rochelle Marbury wrote Mr. Rossi a letter scolding him for taking the kids out of school. Her letter said, in part:
“I understand your family recently took a family vacation. I want you to be aware that the Abington School District does not recognize family trips as an excused absence, regardless of the activities involved in the trip. The dates that your children were absent were recorded as unexcused. An accumulation of unexcused absences can result in a referral to our attendance officer and a subsequent notice of a violation of the compulsory school attendance law.”
Mr. Rossi wrote back to the principal:
“Dear Madam Principal,
While I appreciate your concern for our children’s education, I can promise you they learned as much in the five days we were in Boston as they would in an entire year in school.
Our children had a once-in-a-lifetime experience, one that can’t be duplicated in a classroom or read in a book.
In the 3 days of school they missed (which consisted of standardized testing that they could take any time) they learned about dedication, commitment, love, perseverance, overcoming adversity, civic pride, patriotism, American history, culinary arts and physical education.
They watched their father overcome injury, bad weather, the death of a loved one and many other obstacles to achieve an important personal goal. They also experienced first-hand the love and support of thousands of others cheering on people with a common goal. At the marathon, they watched blind runners, runners with prosthetic limbs and debilitating diseases and people running to raise money for great causes run in the most prestigious and historic marathon in the world.
They also paid tribute to the victims of a senseless act of terrorism and learned that no matter what evil may occur, terrorists cannot deter the American spirit. These are things they won’t ever truly learn in the classroom.
In addition our children walked the Freedom Trail, visited the site of the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre and the graves of several signers of the Declaration of Independence. These are things they WILL learn in school a year or more from now. So in actuality our children are ahead of the game.
They also visited an aquarium, sampled great cuisine and spent many hours of physical activity walking and swimming.
We appreciate the efforts of the wonderful teachers and staff and cherish the education they are receiving at Rydal Elementary School. We truly love our school. But I wouldn’t hesitate to pull them out of school again for an experience like the one they had this past week.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Michael Rossi, Father”
* POWNED!
* Wait – do people say “powned” any more?
* So I’m guessing Dad’s not an editor.
* The sad part is he thinks he has to explain.
* This guy should go into public relations. He’s really bringing it here.
* Too bad the kids didn’t get to do any fun stuff.
* I mean, would one trip to Dairy Queen be asking too much?
* Actually, kids, schools used to do this all the time. They were called ‘field trips’. That was in the days before they spent all the money on mandatory state testing.
* Concerned educators. Concerned parents. I still say this story is one big win.
* Did he really play the terrorism card in a letter about missing school?
* PHONE TOPIC: Would you have any qualms over taking your kids out of school for a family trip like this? Teachers, how do you feel about it?