A boy runs from school toward a vehicle packed with luggage and a giant inflatable donut

Illustration by Mike Deas; Debate photos courtesy of familes

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Is It OK to Miss School for Vacation?

Some families wait for school breaks to take trips. But others like to get away while class is still in session.

Many people think there’s no harm in missing school for a vacation every now and then. They point out that flights and hotels are usually cheaper outside of school breaks. Plus, kids may visit museums or historic sites. That can help them learn.

But others say kids should miss school only when necessary, like when they’re sick. Some people argue that taking long trips could cause students to fall behind in class.

Here’s what two of our readers say.

It’s OK to miss school for family trips once in a while. Some families can’t help it. Both my parents work. They can’t always plan our vacations around school breaks.

Also, some trips can help kids learn. My family once visited San Diego, California. We went to the zoo and the air and space museum. I got to learn about things that hadn’t been covered in school. I was also able to catch up on homework during our flight.

Kids already get plenty of time off during regular school breaks. Families should plan trips during those times. If they don’t, kids could miss important lessons or tests. That can hurt their grades.

Plus, students may have a lot of work to catch up on when they get back. That can be stressful. The rest of the class could be affected too. Teachers may have to review lessons they’ve already taught. That wastes everyone’s time.

What does your class think?

Is it OK to miss school for vacation?

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