How important is the last day of school?

la79al

My mom takes a family vacation every year.  Except despite having 3 siblings, generally it is just my DDs and I that end up going for the whole week.  Well this year mom had to start her vacation week on DDs last day of kindergarten (a Friday). I figured no problem, we would leave after school, no big deal (going to Williamsburg VA so 4 hours away for us).  Well today we had a snow day and we've already used up all of the built in snow days so I'm assuming that she will now be going to school that next Monday as well.  I mentioned leaving after school Friday, heading to VA for the weekend, returning for her last day of school and then going back to VA after her last day.  DH thinks that's crazy and she should just miss her last day.  I'm not sure that I want her to miss her last day of her first year of school.  To complicate things, we may well have at least one more snow day this week alone so it might be more than just the very last day.  So WDYT? Is the last day important enough for an extra 8 hours in the car (DD2 would probably stay with my mom if I bring DD1 home for school)? 

Spin313

How long is your Mom's vacation...? Can you just go after the last day and not before?

2Gma

My DD's last day of K last spring was nothing special, she could of missed.  They "tidyed up" the room, played games and had a hot dog picnic all of which family could attend.  That being said she did have K graduation ceremony the evening before last day.

neverblushed

Eh -- it's always a 1/2 day in my kids' schools.  They wash the desks with shaving cream, have recess, say goodbye to the teacher.  It provides closure and it's a fun tradition, I guess, but I wouldn't prioritize it above vacation, personally!

ETA: you could ask the teacher what the general routine is on the last day.  If it's "clean desks, watch a movie, have extra recess, say goodbye," I wouldn't worry about it. 

CareBear0607

I think it is different for each school.  I would talk to the teacher and see what she thinks.

MesmrEwe

I agree with the others in talking with the teacher to find out what their end of the school year routine is... I wouldn't necessarily make plans now since you don't know what the district is going to do in terms of future snow days and make-ups. Even they realize that tacking on days at the end of the year is a waste of time for them and only serves to meet the state requirements (they want to get on vacation as much as you do!)..

jnksmom

For us, it would not matter. It is a half-day and only about half of the students actually attend that day. I would check with your teacher and see what that day is like at your school. I would also check about the snow day policy. I know for our district we have 8 days built in...if we miss 9 days we make it up on an inservice day. If we miss more than that, they extend the school year 5 days(which I don't really understand but whatever).