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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/live/2017/apr/07/do-you-agree-with-the-term-time-holiday-ban-join-our-live-look-at-the-week
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| What do you think about recent benefit cuts? Catch up on our live look at the week | What do you think about recent benefit cuts? Catch up on our live look at the week |
| (7 months later) | |
| We will be signing off now, but thanks for joining us. Hopefully everyone can now go forth and enjoy their weekends in the sun! | We will be signing off now, but thanks for joining us. Hopefully everyone can now go forth and enjoy their weekends in the sun! |
| Here are a few of your comments that have provoked the most recommends and replies below so far – do click on the timestamps to get involved in the discussion. | Here are a few of your comments that have provoked the most recommends and replies below so far – do click on the timestamps to get involved in the discussion. |
| Term-time school holidays | Term-time school holidays |
| We’ve posted a few of your views as part of the debate on term time holidays already, from different sides and with different perspectives, but here are another couple that got you talking: | We’ve posted a few of your views as part of the debate on term time holidays already, from different sides and with different perspectives, but here are another couple that got you talking: |
| ‘The real culprits here are the holiday companies’ | ‘The real culprits here are the holiday companies’ |
| To take your child out of school for a week or a fortnight to visit Disneyland or to lie on a Mediterranean beach harms your child's education. It also harms the education of the other children in the class who have to wait or mark time while the teacher deals with the child who has now returned to school. The teacher has also spent a lot of time preparing lesson plans, worksheets, equipment etc and now has to do it all again for one individual while the rest of the class are slowed down. This shows disrespect to the teacher and school who have been working hard to provide your child with an education. It is hard enough teaching one lesson at a time - never mind two concurrently. This behaviour is both antisocial and selfish! Have some consideration for other people - both children and their teachers. What would happen to you if you took time off work to take a holiday outside of your company entitlement? Taking pupils out of school, by the school, is not the same as a parent taking a child away on holiday. School trips are either educational or designed to foster social and interpersonal skills. The real culprits here are the holiday companies but I have yet to hear any comments on their behaviour. | To take your child out of school for a week or a fortnight to visit Disneyland or to lie on a Mediterranean beach harms your child's education. It also harms the education of the other children in the class who have to wait or mark time while the teacher deals with the child who has now returned to school. The teacher has also spent a lot of time preparing lesson plans, worksheets, equipment etc and now has to do it all again for one individual while the rest of the class are slowed down. This shows disrespect to the teacher and school who have been working hard to provide your child with an education. It is hard enough teaching one lesson at a time - never mind two concurrently. This behaviour is both antisocial and selfish! Have some consideration for other people - both children and their teachers. What would happen to you if you took time off work to take a holiday outside of your company entitlement? Taking pupils out of school, by the school, is not the same as a parent taking a child away on holiday. School trips are either educational or designed to foster social and interpersonal skills. The real culprits here are the holiday companies but I have yet to hear any comments on their behaviour. |
| ‘It just takes a bit of lateral thinking [from parents]’ | ‘It just takes a bit of lateral thinking [from parents]’ |
| So this dad decides to fight a £60 fine for taking his daughter out of school and is now currently down £12,000 and intends to fight on. Could he not have taken this to his MP or start an online petition to force a debate about this? | So this dad decides to fight a £60 fine for taking his daughter out of school and is now currently down £12,000 and intends to fight on. Could he not have taken this to his MP or start an online petition to force a debate about this? |
| There were years when I couldn't take holidays when my children were on school holidays because it was too busy at work. My children had a great time attending various clubs, going away with the scouts or the guides with their friends, they didn't miss a family holiday at all. On the weekend we went to museums, cinema and the zoo, we often went away on a Friday night and came back on Sunday evening. | There were years when I couldn't take holidays when my children were on school holidays because it was too busy at work. My children had a great time attending various clubs, going away with the scouts or the guides with their friends, they didn't miss a family holiday at all. On the weekend we went to museums, cinema and the zoo, we often went away on a Friday night and came back on Sunday evening. |
| It meant they didn't miss out on their education, it just takes a bit of lateral thinking instead of expecting everything and everyone in life to fit in with you and your needs. It sounds a bit like someone may have got their own way a bit too much as a child. | It meant they didn't miss out on their education, it just takes a bit of lateral thinking instead of expecting everything and everyone in life to fit in with you and your needs. It sounds a bit like someone may have got their own way a bit too much as a child. |
| And here’s an update on our poll – which is still open | And here’s an update on our poll – which is still open |
| Later, the discussion turned to pizza toppings ... | Later, the discussion turned to pizza toppings ... |
| Tinned spaghetti on or off pizza just isn't nice - I'm not overly convinced it's even spaghetti..However I know plenty of people who would serve it up in toast - which isn't much different from a pizza base really. | Tinned spaghetti on or off pizza just isn't nice - I'm not overly convinced it's even spaghetti..However I know plenty of people who would serve it up in toast - which isn't much different from a pizza base really. |
| I think the New Zealand prime minister is under the mistaken impression that more Italian you make your meal, the more sophisticated you look. I'll wager he eats his spaghetti pizza while gunning his Lambretta along a cobbled street | I think the New Zealand prime minister is under the mistaken impression that more Italian you make your meal, the more sophisticated you look. I'll wager he eats his spaghetti pizza while gunning his Lambretta along a cobbled street |
| But there’s plenty else to get your teeth into ... | But there’s plenty else to get your teeth into ... |
| ... including Frances Ryan on benefit cuts, a piece on Barry Manilow coming out, and a semi-autonomous android who is looking forward to taking Guardian readers’ questions. | ... including Frances Ryan on benefit cuts, a piece on Barry Manilow coming out, and a semi-autonomous android who is looking forward to taking Guardian readers’ questions. |
| We’ll wrap up soon, but you can continue the conversation in the comments. | We’ll wrap up soon, but you can continue the conversation in the comments. |
| This week has been defined by the Conservative’s latest wave of benefit cuts coming into force. | This week has been defined by the Conservative’s latest wave of benefit cuts coming into force. |
| From removing support from disabled people too ill to work, to young people at risk of homelessness, these are particularly grubby measures. Guardian analysis found that the child tax credit cut alone will push a quarter of a million children into poverty. | From removing support from disabled people too ill to work, to young people at risk of homelessness, these are particularly grubby measures. Guardian analysis found that the child tax credit cut alone will push a quarter of a million children into poverty. |
| As Toby Helm pointed out, factor in tax changes, too, and the richest people in the country are set to reap 80% of the rewards, as the poorest become poorer still. | As Toby Helm pointed out, factor in tax changes, too, and the richest people in the country are set to reap 80% of the rewards, as the poorest become poorer still. |
| What do our readers think about these cuts? | What do our readers think about these cuts? |
| This week Barry Manilow came out as gay – the first time he has spoken openly about his sexuality. The music veteran, whose hits include Copacabana and Mandy, also confirmed that he has been in a relationship for 39 years. | This week Barry Manilow came out as gay – the first time he has spoken openly about his sexuality. The music veteran, whose hits include Copacabana and Mandy, also confirmed that he has been in a relationship for 39 years. |
| Given the fact that his marriage to his manager, Garry Kief, has been an open secret for the last two years, my article did not come as much of a surprise. In fact, many readers questioned why it was even news – and made jokes along the lines of “Is the Pope catholic?” However, for me (and many readers who commented below the line), it was important because it shows just how far the gay rights movement has come. | Given the fact that his marriage to his manager, Garry Kief, has been an open secret for the last two years, my article did not come as much of a surprise. In fact, many readers questioned why it was even news – and made jokes along the lines of “Is the Pope catholic?” However, for me (and many readers who commented below the line), it was important because it shows just how far the gay rights movement has come. |
| Back when Manilow’s star was rising in the 1970s, it could have been career suicide to come out. Like many of his generation, he went to great lengths to hide his sexuality, even going as far as living with a woman he was rumoured to be dating. | Back when Manilow’s star was rising in the 1970s, it could have been career suicide to come out. Like many of his generation, he went to great lengths to hide his sexuality, even going as far as living with a woman he was rumoured to be dating. |
| So should we have covered Manilow’s news? And does it even matter when his sexuality has been known for a while? | So should we have covered Manilow’s news? And does it even matter when his sexuality has been known for a while? |
| Back to term-time holidays and time off, a couple of you have been talking about related implications for contact with family – both at home and overseas. | Back to term-time holidays and time off, a couple of you have been talking about related implications for contact with family – both at home and overseas. |
| This reader had time off to see his visiting father in term time: | This reader had time off to see his visiting father in term time: |
| My parents divorced when I was 5 and my mother moved to a different country. I didn't see my Dad for several years which was enormous distressing to me. He finally came for a visit: during term time. I was allowed to go out of school for a couple of weeks to go on a small trip with him. I fail to see how missing a couple of weeks worth of learning that 1+1=2 did me any lasting harm. I still graduated high school with As and have a degree in political science. The damage to my mental health if I had not been able to spend time with my father would have been far greater.There is more to life than academics. | My parents divorced when I was 5 and my mother moved to a different country. I didn't see my Dad for several years which was enormous distressing to me. He finally came for a visit: during term time. I was allowed to go out of school for a couple of weeks to go on a small trip with him. I fail to see how missing a couple of weeks worth of learning that 1+1=2 did me any lasting harm. I still graduated high school with As and have a degree in political science. The damage to my mental health if I had not been able to spend time with my father would have been far greater.There is more to life than academics. |
| And here’s a point about the very reason for needing to travel – not necessarily primarily for a leisure-focussed holiday. | And here’s a point about the very reason for needing to travel – not necessarily primarily for a leisure-focussed holiday. |
| My brother and sister in law live in America (Miami). If I can get a considerably cheaper ticket outside of school holidays (and at times in the year when the climate in South Florida is bearable for a northern European), then I will take my children out of school. | My brother and sister in law live in America (Miami). If I can get a considerably cheaper ticket outside of school holidays (and at times in the year when the climate in South Florida is bearable for a northern European), then I will take my children out of school. |
| School is important, but so is family and having a range of experiences. After all, there is not a one-way relationship between schools and educational outcomes; the blend of family, community, support, home life are all part of the mix. So are the broader experiences that families can offer to children that schools can't offer. | School is important, but so is family and having a range of experiences. After all, there is not a one-way relationship between schools and educational outcomes; the blend of family, community, support, home life are all part of the mix. So are the broader experiences that families can offer to children that schools can't offer. |
| I personally think that time spent in the US and on the Keys, seeing Kenndey Space Station etc will be more than educational and I am pretty sure that my kids will catch up on some educational jumping hoop. | I personally think that time spent in the US and on the Keys, seeing Kenndey Space Station etc will be more than educational and I am pretty sure that my kids will catch up on some educational jumping hoop. |
| The New Zealand prime minister got everyone talking this week when he made pizza topped with tinned spaghetti and pineapple. The addition of the latter is already steeped in controversy, but tinned spaghetti is even more outlandish (and unheard of). The Guardian tested the creation and you can check out the verdict below. | The New Zealand prime minister got everyone talking this week when he made pizza topped with tinned spaghetti and pineapple. The addition of the latter is already steeped in controversy, but tinned spaghetti is even more outlandish (and unheard of). The Guardian tested the creation and you can check out the verdict below. |
| What do you think? | What do you think? |
| Here’s a bit of data from our colleagues relevant to the earlier (and ongoing) debate about term time holidays | Here’s a bit of data from our colleagues relevant to the earlier (and ongoing) debate about term time holidays |
| Hiroshi Ishiguro and his colleague Dylan Glas, the creators of Erica, a semi-autonomous android and the subject of the latest Guardian documentary, believe she has a soul and can help teach us about the future – and what it means to be human. She believes she’s a child of humanity and hopes to one day move her arms and legs. | Hiroshi Ishiguro and his colleague Dylan Glas, the creators of Erica, a semi-autonomous android and the subject of the latest Guardian documentary, believe she has a soul and can help teach us about the future – and what it means to be human. She believes she’s a child of humanity and hopes to one day move her arms and legs. |
| We’re asking readers who’ve seen the film to get involved – by sharing the questions they have for “her” before they are passed on and answered. If you’re interested in finding out more or have a question, you can do so at the following link: | We’re asking readers who’ve seen the film to get involved – by sharing the questions they have for “her” before they are passed on and answered. If you’re interested in finding out more or have a question, you can do so at the following link: |
| I’ve been away and avoiding the news this week, but apparently missed something of a furore around the use of the word Easter in some events or other ... | I’ve been away and avoiding the news this week, but apparently missed something of a furore around the use of the word Easter in some events or other ... |
| I’m not sure many of the target audience (kids, surely?) for these events would notice anyway, but there you go. | I’m not sure many of the target audience (kids, surely?) for these events would notice anyway, but there you go. |
| In more seasonal chocolate snack news, the Guardian has published this really interesting photo essay which describes – and shows us – how one of the most popular snacks at one particular high street retailer this time of year are made. | In more seasonal chocolate snack news, the Guardian has published this really interesting photo essay which describes – and shows us – how one of the most popular snacks at one particular high street retailer this time of year are made. |
| Enjoy! | Enjoy! |
| Bored by Brexit? Fed up with the daily grind and stresses and strains of modern life? Upmarket retailer Selfridges is hosting potato-peeling workshops as part of a new project designed to help consumers get back to basics and reconnect with everyday activities like, er, vegetable preparation. As well as the supervised peel-in, people can learn how to brew fresh leaf tea, grind spices by hand and understand the “journey” of sourdough bread-making. I attended the first potato-peeling workshop yesterday and found that what the participants most enjoyed was a chance to chat and unwind around the “kitchen” table. Handing their mobile phones in was an unexpected boon and a chance for a digital detox. | Bored by Brexit? Fed up with the daily grind and stresses and strains of modern life? Upmarket retailer Selfridges is hosting potato-peeling workshops as part of a new project designed to help consumers get back to basics and reconnect with everyday activities like, er, vegetable preparation. As well as the supervised peel-in, people can learn how to brew fresh leaf tea, grind spices by hand and understand the “journey” of sourdough bread-making. I attended the first potato-peeling workshop yesterday and found that what the participants most enjoyed was a chance to chat and unwind around the “kitchen” table. Handing their mobile phones in was an unexpected boon and a chance for a digital detox. |
| Elsewhere, consumers with a little more time on their hands will be able to help make a rag rug on a traditional wooden loom, or brush up on their sewing skills – and if this all becomes a little too much, there’s even a manger-like straw area where you can lie down and have a nap. Meanwhile, in its retail temple on the next floor up – the new, marble-floored accessories hall – Selfridges is selling swanky handbags for the price of a small car. Is this all a sad reflection of modern-day society? Would you want to attend a potato-peeling workshop? Is this a well-intentioned move by Selfridges or just an opportunity to flog more stuff? We would love to hear your views … | Elsewhere, consumers with a little more time on their hands will be able to help make a rag rug on a traditional wooden loom, or brush up on their sewing skills – and if this all becomes a little too much, there’s even a manger-like straw area where you can lie down and have a nap. Meanwhile, in its retail temple on the next floor up – the new, marble-floored accessories hall – Selfridges is selling swanky handbags for the price of a small car. Is this all a sad reflection of modern-day society? Would you want to attend a potato-peeling workshop? Is this a well-intentioned move by Selfridges or just an opportunity to flog more stuff? We would love to hear your views … |