Recently, a father named Mike Simmons made headlines for sharing his emotional experience after taking his kids out of school to watch him participate in the Boston Marathon. “This was a significant milestone for our family, and it meant a lot for me to have them there,” he told a local news outlet. Despite facing challenges like an injury and the loss of his grandmother, he was determined to run. “Having them there to witness me cross the finish line was invaluable,” he reflected.
However, upon returning home, Simmons received a letter from his children’s school principal notifying him that their absences would be deemed unexcused. The letter began somewhat redundantly, “I understand that your family recently took a family vacation.” It went on to state that the school district does not consider family trips as excused absences, regardless of the trip’s educational value.
Simmons didn’t quite agree with the tone of this communication and decided to share his thoughts on social media. He wrote, “While I appreciate your concern for our children’s education, I can assure you they learned more during our five days in Boston than they would have in an entire year of school. The three days they missed—filled with standardized tests they could retake—were overshadowed by lessons in dedication, commitment, love, and overcoming adversity.”
He highlighted the powerful experiences his children had, including witnessing blind runners and those with prosthetic limbs participating in the marathon, as well as the overwhelming support from the crowd. “They learned that no act of terrorism could diminish the American spirit,” he emphasized, suggesting that these are lessons that simply can’t be taught within classroom walls.
Simmons’ heartfelt post quickly gained traction online, though he clarified that his intention wasn’t to criticize the school or its teachers. “We love our school and the wonderful educators there; our concern is just with this one specific policy,” he explained. Notably, not all schools in Montgomery County enforce such strict attendance rules regarding family vacations. For instance, some schools allow absences for trips deemed educational, in accordance with Pennsylvania law, which permits school districts to establish their own attendance policies. Simmons plans to meet with the principal to discuss potential changes.
As a side note, Simmons was also recently chosen to run in the upcoming Chicago Marathon, which adds to his excitement.
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In summary, while it’s often frowned upon to take children out of school for family vacations, experiences outside the classroom can offer invaluable life lessons that schools may not provide. Each family must weigh the importance of these moments against school policies, and it’s worth exploring conversations with school administrators about flexible attendance rules.