Taking kids out of school-fib or tell the truth?

[Harvest02]

I want to take my kids back to Disney in October 2007(better weather and MNSSHP). We just got back in June from our last trip and school was not an issue because they were already done for the year. When we go next time, I am going to have to take them both out for 2 days(My DS9 will be in 5th grade, and my DS5 will be in 2nd grade). We have fall break at the end of October, but only 2 days(which would make a 4 day weekend). If you take your kids out, do you call them in sick, or do you tell the teachers ahead of time to tell them you are going to Disney? I have never taken my kids out before, so I am debating what to do. I have time to decide, but thought I would get your opinions on this. Thanks for any suggestions!! :)

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[tmt martins]

You don't need to go into details unless they have an idea of some work while away.

But don't ever put your kids in a position for you to be caught in a fib .

Little Johnny gets backs and tells classmate what a great time in had at WDW and teacher over hears him and your caught.

They are your kids and as long as there in not an attendence problem then you are the ones making the decision for them. If you ask early enough they may have some makeup work for them to do in the mean time.

We take DD for a few days every year for trips we are waiting now for the calender to come out to try to get a small Oct trip in .We just make sure it's not during any real testing thats going on.

Oh and we pay Big just to have her in that school so they are a bit stricter then a public school..

[belle&beast]

You are going to get lots of different responses to this, be ready for anything! I would tell the truth, that's just my opinion. As an educator, I am honest with parents and I really appreciate honesty from parents. Your kids are going to tell their friends and it will get back to the teachers. Look into your school's policy and see if your kids can make up the work ahead of time or if they will be unable to make up anything while they are gone. Schools really differ in their policies, so if your is flexible it may not be an issue at all.

[beattyfamily]

I would never call them in sick for Disney. They WILL talk about it in class when they get home.

Just send in a note that they will miss 2 days and leave it at that. I never tell them why; I just write a note telling them what days and that's it.

[pixiewytch]

You can tell the truth without giving a lot of details. When our family goes on a trip, I say just that, that our son will be out for several days for a family trip. It sounds a bit better than being so specific and for all they know it could be for a wedding, funeral, anything.

[bctripp]

I'd tell the truth. It'll make it easier on the kids not having to lie. I agree with pixiewytch, i'd say it was a family trip.

[crisi]

If you are going to pull them, tell the truth.

You may want to check your school policy and state law, but generally speaking, a few days isn't a big deal and most schools are going to say "have a good time."

(I wouldn't recommend mentioning you just got back. That might make the district wonder if you place the value on education they would like to see placed - and may make things difficult down the road.)

[wendypooh]

We are very fortunate that our school promotes, supports and encourages "family time". On our last trip in Jan./Feb. I told his teacher and the school that we'd be going on a family vacation, (yes, they knew it was to WDW) they were beyond fine with it and actually seemed very pleased!! He missed 5 days and there was no problem at all. Funny thing, we knew of 4 other families from his school that went that week!!!

Anyway, I agree, I'd check your schools policy, but I'd tell them the truth. I'd think as long as they have enough days to cover it, you should be fine. Our school has so many days they can miss, but sick days with a dr.'s note do not count, so that could make a difference if it works differently in your school.

Good Luck and have a great trip!!

[3littleHalls]

When we took our kindergartener to Disney we told her teacher. She was out for 5 days. She even brought back a treat for her classmates. I hope all will go as smoothly when we go this year.

[NJDisneymom]

I would tell the truth, and like the idea of just saying you will be out for a "family trip". Even though my dd was only in kindergarten I encouraged the teacher to send some work for her to do while we were away and also had her keep a journal to work on her penmanship. Her teacher was more than happy to share the journal with the class as well!

I applaud the school that encourages "family time". I once had an argument with a school teacher friend who said she would send work to a child going to Disney but wouldn't if they were going somewhere "educational" like London or Paris. As a disney fanatic you know that burned me up big time!!!

[KristiKelly]

I would also tell them where you are going. Most likely your kids will be talking about it before and after. I've taken my kids out every year for WDW, DS will be in 4th grade this year and DD in 1st, I will be taking them out the 3rd week in Sept. Our teachers have always given them their homework before we go and they work on it while we're down there. Last year when I took the note to the office for DS & DD, the secretary said that we were the 4th family that week to take their kids to WDW. Elementary schools are definetly used to these trips. I would not want my kids to get caught in my little lie or have to lie themselves.

[kaysmommie]

We are atking DD out of school for 4 days this September. I"m honest so I will tell them we are going on vacation. They only allow 5 missed days per year with out a Dr's note. I"m a little worried because she is starting 1st grade. :rolleyes1

[littleelvis]

I agree you must tell the truth for your kids sake. Life lessons are important also :)

[Luv'sTink]

The truth.

[munchkin bunchkin]

When we went in January ,I told the teachers that we were taking the girls to Disney .I figured if I fibbed the girls would be so excited about telling their friends about their trip that the teacher would know the truth any way and then that would make me look bad! :sunny:

[lulugirl]

I would just tell the teacher you are taking a family trip and leave it at that.

[daisyduck123]

My DD11 (7th grade) & DS7 (2nd grade) missed 4 days of school in January for our trip to POP. In May, they each missed 7 days when we went back & stayed at CBR. We just told the schools where we were going & that was it.

[ssleblanc]

We are going in September and I will tell the school the truth. My kids WILL come back talking about it, and I work hard to get them to tell the truth (and stress the "whole" truth because my 6 year has recently perfected the habit of telling half truths or "lie's of ommission") - I don't want to derail those teachings. Also, since I know that they will talk about it - I don't want a lie from me getting back to the school. I'm on the board of the PTA and it would get noticed. :crazy:

I know they won't have a problem with it. My younger was the first pre-k to have perfect attendance all year (year before last) and once again had perfect attendance this year for K - even after the hurricane hit our area (once the schools opened back up). During the awards ceremony at the end of the year his teacher made a big deal about his perfect attendance. The older missed just two days of 1st grade this year after he got sick at school and was sent home. But other than that, he had perfect attendance all year.

I know that the school knows I am serious about my kids education, and don't expect any sort of problem when I tell them about the 3 days they will miss in September.

[sammyb]

When the kids were taken to Disney for the first time when the twins were six and the oldest was 9. We went at the end of June and they had to be taken out of school for about a full school week. Their teachers were informed and it was no big deal. Since they were only in elementary school it was good, because they only had one teacher who gave them a packet of things that they were missing and had to do. They worked on it on the plane and it passed time pretty quickly. It may be a better idea to take the kids out of school for a few days and go to Disney, because it is not supposed to be that crowded and the weather is supposed to be good in the months such as October and November. It really isn't that big of a deal.

1998- Coronado Springs
2000- Yacht Club
2002- Yacht Club
2003- Yacht Club
2004- Yacht Club
2005- Yacht Club
2006- Yacht Club (still planning for around October or November 2006)CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bounce:

[rbork]

OMG- it's 2 days. I 've had to explain 6 day absences. lol. :teeth:
I simply put "will be out due to planned family travel". Yeah, the kid's spill the beans when asked. I don't care. They tell the truth. I don't discourage it.
Now, having taken the kid's out of school a week at a time several years in a row. I've learned - it depends on the teacher and county system how well it is received. Never had a problem until this year. Kid's keep perfect attendance with the exception of the week "travel" absence every year. My DS9 asked for work ahead of time. The teacher refused and said he was "not going to control her time!" Oh brother... so she gave him a journal and he had to make up tests/work during recess the week he got back. Then had the nerve to tell him he couldn't miss anymore days. BTW the kid's a well mannered A/B student.
Good Luck - I wouldn't really start to worry about 2 days and Have a GREAT time. There's nothing being taught in 2 days, you can't teach in an hour at home! :rotfl:

p.s. try to arrange travel not during state testing days. This is important as they get older.

[anneofgreengables]

The truth. You don't want to send your kids the wrong message that it's okay to lie so you can play hooky. Have fun on your trip! :)

[nicolemomof4cuties]

Tell the truth.

[the Fidge]

I just tell the truth my Dh can only vacation during certain months and natrually its a school month. I inform the school well in advance and check before making reservation what dates the state's standardized tests are and arrange plans around it. I request any assignments that will require to be done and rarely have I received any other than DS bring in a journal which the teachers have always given him a book to write it in. He shares it with his classes when he returns. Funny at the end of the year the teacher send it back home and had some great things written in response to what he wrote very cute!

DS is going into 5th grade, and I realize that as he gets older it may be more difficult. Honesty is always the way, I would not want to teach my son its ok to lie if it works to my advantage. Most teachers are excited about the trip and are very pleasant. Happy planning! The day we go I make sugar cookies to send into school for the class with my mickey cookie cutter (yes that is my souvenier from WDW hehe)

[tinaluis]

We take our daughters out for two weeks a year (total of 10 missed days). We let the teachers know ahead of time, usually at the school Open House, and we give the teachers the option of preparing work to be brought with on the trip. IMO it's best to be honest.

[Carnator]

We went last Sept and will be going again this Sept. It is usually the only time my wife and I can get the same time off from work. We told the teachers last year and will again this year where we will be going. The teachers gave our kids work that they would miss. It wasn't a problem.


Sept 06 POFQ :banana:

[Leigha]

I will say vague stories that are somewhat mysterious are usually solved at some point and the lies are revealed and you can come up with the conclusions from there.

[slo]

We take my DD out of school every Sept. and I always tell the teacher exactly where we are going. If I don't, I can guarantee my DD will ::yes:: She can't keep a secret like that :sad2: Especially after she came home from her most favorite place in the world :rolleyes:

[GoofyTraci]

hi mom, I am at the same issue right now with my son and his school. Everyone told me to tell the school the first day that he started so that they would be prepared. Yes I want to be honest b/c I don't want to lie and don't want my son to think it's ok to lie or get him caught in a lie. B/c they will come back and tell it all. So yes this is a hard one. Our school district is VERY hard on unexcused days out. Do what you feel is best for you and your family. Check with the schools policies the first week when the hand books come home for you to sign. Like I said this is a tough one no one's answer is right or wrong and don't let anyone make you feel bad for taking your child out of school. They will learn so much and the family time is always much needed. Beware of the responses that you will receive on here B/C i asked this same question on here not to long ago and got all kinds of stuff I really didn't want to hear and people arguing back and forth b/c of something I posted. It made me feel bad at first but hey life goes on take time for family and whatever you decide have fun at disney. :thumbsup2

[3DisneyKids]

We all tell our kids not to lie...we can't then go ahead and do the lying. Gotta practice what we preach and role model for them. Plus, you will soooo get busted in the lie...of course the kids are gonna talk about their amazing trip! :)

[lexmelinda]

Hhhhmmmm, depends on the ages of the kids. Mine will be 16, 13, and 6 by the time we get to WDW in Sept. Of course I have to tell the kindergarten teacher where we are going. Middle school and high school are much different. Our district also has a very harsh unexcused policy--3 days and you are considered truant. Although we haven't been on a family vacation since 2002 and my husband can't get off in the summer, I'm still not sure that the teachers will be understanding. One of my friends is a high school teacher (he's also my Sunday School teacher) and he tells me that the district forces parents to lie about taking their kids out of school for vacation. My older kids will need to make up their work and will not be able to unless their absences are excused. Find out your school's policies and make your decision accordingly. I'm still not sure what to do either. Good luck! :)

[Harvest02]

I want to thank everyone for their opinions. It is a tough decision for me, but I think Disney will win out! I can't imagine that the school will be that strict for just one or two days. I will let you all know what happens!!! :sunny:

[Becky2005]

I haven't read through it all but if you tell them the kids are sick, you might end up needing doctor's note or something.

I would look up the school policies and see what they are.

I know here, they of course frown upon it but they do allow it. In the student handbook (if you look around you probably have yours from last year), it tells you the procedure you need to pull your kids out. Mine varies depending on the grade level. Elementary school has different procedure than Middle School.

[bowlesx3]

I am glad to hear so many positive responses from the many of you who have taken children out of school.

I was never absent when I went to school---ever, my mom would have carted me there in a body bag. SOOOO, when my husband was asked to play in the softball world series which is at the Wide WOrld of Sports in late Sept. I got a migraine!!! We could not be gone that long and leave DS home, he LOVES baseball/softball, so I called a few teachers I know and got opinions before booking and we are going--he will miss 5 days. I still cringe when I think about it and I hope I am able to have good time in spite of my anxiousness. He is in first grade, I plan to speak to the teacher several weeks in advance and get any work he needs to do, so we can do it while we are gone. Also, I am not sharing with him (I hope to escape it) that he is out 5 whole days. I think at his age he will not really notice how many days he missed! Hope not. I will see how it goes, but I sure wish it were in the summer.

[Cruz91]

My wife (who taught 2nd grade for about 6 years prior to staying home with our two beasts) has a very simple way of looking at this. Basically - any teacher who has children and who has taken them to The Dis will understand why you're doing it. Any teacher who doesn't have children will think you're a horrible parent, but will understand once they have kids and take them to the Dis. And any teacher who has kids and hasn't taken them to The Dis - well - do you really care what they think?!

[daisyduck123]

I am glad to hear so many positive responses from the many of you who have taken children out of school.

I was never absent when I went to school---ever, my mom would have carted me there in a body bag. SOOOO, when my husband was asked to play in the softball world series which is at the Wide WOrld of Sports in late Sept. I got a migraine!!! We could not be gone that long and leave DS home, he LOVES baseball/softball, so I called a few teachers I know and got opinions before booking and we are going--he will miss 5 days. I still cringe when I think about it and I hope I am able to have good time in spite of my anxiousness. He is in first grade, I plan to speak to the teacher several weeks in advance and get any work he needs to do, so we can do it while we are gone. Also, I am not sharing with him (I hope to escape it) that he is out 5 whole days. I think at his age he will not really notice how many days he missed! Hope not. I will see how it goes, but I sure wish it were in the summer.


Please don't fret over this. I'm a 1st grade teacher & all I can say is, "Your DS will be fine. It's only 5 days." My own DD11 & DS8 missed 11 school days last year to go to Disney (2 separate trips).

We can't wait to go again next Spring!!