Taking kids out of school for Disney

[Michiganfamily]

Hi- We are working on planning our first trip to Disney next fall. Our oldest will be in second grade. What experiences have you all had with kids missing school? I'm worried about what the teacher's reaction might be, and I don't want my daughter to fall behind. She'd miss 4-5 days of school. I know missing school is not a great idea, but it sure seems like a good time to go in terms of disney timing.

any thoughts/experiences???? :confused3

[HappyDznyCamper]

The best place to start is with your school handbook, check to see what your district's/school's policy is on vacation absences. In my district vacations are not excused so any work or test missed may not get credit. Most elementary school teachers will however let the kids make up the work, for older grades that is not always the case. If you do take your child out for vacation, let the teacher know as soon as possible and then remind her as the time gets closer, ask the teacher how she would like to handle the missed work. Some will send it with you, some will ask that it be made up upon return.

[mom*to*2*princesses]

I went straight to the top and asked the principal before we did any real planning. Once she gave us her blessing we booked the trip-the principal is the one who has to okay the absences in our district. Our DD will be missing 5 days at the end of April. I also told her teacher at our fall conference to confirm that it wasn't a problem and to express our willingness to do whatever necessary to not make a burden on the teacher. It seems like it will be a-ok for us. Good luck!

[Happy4Disney]

Last month I took DD5 and DD7 out of school for 4 days for our WDW trip. I talked to the teachers well ahead of time and the principal's son is in DD7's class so we talked to him also. DD5's Kindergarten teacher was fine although she said she discourages kids out of class for any reason other than illness. Both teachers provided the homework ahead of time and we did it on the trip.

Last week I got a computer generated letter from the county listing the number of unexcused absences. My kids should have had 4 unexcused days each but the letter had 3 per child. I called them and they said not to worry about it unless I get to 21 unexcused days and then it is principal's discretion.

Enjoy your trip! :wave:

[wdwdancerwannabe]

In our district, the building social worker automatically sends out letters if the child misses 10 or more days in a quarter. (this is their documentation if they need to hotline for Children's Division).

I wouldn't request that the absences be excused --- that's tacky.

As long as you don't anticipate your child being sick for the rest of the quarter/semester....you should be OK.

Sometimes teachers will have their students write a story about her experience, calculate the distance on a map from home to WDW, read a book and write a book report about WDW....whatever - to make up - that way the child is working on GLE's (grade level expectations) and curriculum while the student is gone.

[GrumpyOne]

We used to go in May, before the end of the school year.

I always provided a note to the school and followed up with a phone call. It was an excused absence because I requested it. Nuff said.

The kid's education won't be ruined because she delayed how to spell "squirrel"

I don't take well to Disney during the crowded times (see the handle) and felt that any time the family could go on vacation with a reduced chance of the experience having problems, the better.

Perhaps there's something I'm overlooking but my opinion is that quality family bonding takes presedence over a week of 2nd grade.

[Elmo888]

It seems to depend on the district, teacher, and school. If it works for you, then go for it. We are taking DD out of first grade for 5 days, and the teacher seems to be fine with it. Our district counts absences the same, no matter what the cause. They don't designate excused or unexcused, at least at the elementary level. DD is doing very well, so I'm not concerned with her missing school. If you factor in all of the variables (district, teacher, school, child, etc.), it will probably be easy to see if it will be a problem.

[marcyinPA]

We took our kids out of school a few times for our Disney trips. Most recently, we took them out at the end of September 2005 for a week. My oldest was in 5th grade and my youngest in 1st. We surprised them, so they had NO idea about the trip. This was a GREAT thing, because they remained focused on school right up until we told them we were going to WDW the night before we left. I spoke with each of their teachers in private, told them the boys didn't know about the trip, and they were more than happy to get homework together and to me without the boys knowing. Our district requires that we fill out an extended absence form before a trip, so I did that without the kids knowing too.

We are planning another trip in May 2007. There will only be 3 weeks of school left when we go. My oldest is in 6th grade, and the youngest is in 2nd. I did check with my 6th grader's teacher to be sure there was no district testing going on, before I made our plans. I figure with only 3 weeks of school remaining, there won't be a ton that either one of them will miss. The only thing I found out AFTER I booked was that my 6th grader's middle school band concert will be held during our trip. There's nothing I could do about it now, since I already bought airfare. What's done is done. I haven't told him yet, because they don't know when we are going. They KNOW we're going, but they THINK we're going in June.

My only advice is to try to keep the trip a surprise if your kids are obsessive about things like mine are. My oldest is especially like this and will totally lose focus a few weeks before the trip. If he doesn't know about it, he can't obsess over it. It works for us!

Have fun!

[daisyduck123]

Hi!

First grade teacher here.
I think family time is very important, so I never mind when one of my students goes on a vacation.

My own DD (11yo & in the 7th grade last year) & DS7 (2nd grade last year) each missed 11 school days last year for 2 WDW vacations.
This year, they will each miss 6 days for our May trip.

I'm all for it. Going in the off season is such a big plus....shorter lines, cooler temps than summer, less crowds.

[Miss Jessr!ca]

yay! next year (my senior year of HS) me and my best friend are getting taken out of school for a week to go to disney with my family! im so excited :goodvibes

[MSSANDRA]

We took DS out in K-1-3 -5 and never gave it a second thought. Third grade they gave him a lot of make up work but other years he had none. I had decided not to do it agin in middle school but the principal (also a friend says why not!!) We are going next month but I almost wish we were not doing it. DS is an all A ,never struggles kid but he has had some respritory issues that caused him to miss some school. We thought we were under total control but some flair ups has cost us several days being absent. I stress everytime he coughs!!! Also the work load has increased in the last month and I am dreading all the make up work he will have. Trip is paid in full and we will go but will have to deal with the cosiquence. This will be the last out of school trip. I would absolutly ask that is be excused as sometimes unexcused days result in all 0's during that time. We belive that all travel is educational and WDW is no exception. I offer to have DS do something educational from the trip INSTEAD of all the makeup work but we have never been asked to do that. I totaly expect that DS will have to make up 100% of his work and he will do just that.

SO.....Second grande I would not even give it a second thought !!!Go enjoy and make memories!!!!!!

MsSandra

[Caitsmama]

We just had dd (gr.k) out of school for 5 days for WDW in Nov. And we are going again next yr - however, it works out she will just be missing 3 days next Nov. BUT , then we are going on the DCL in Dec, and she will miss another 3..
To be honest, i could care less what the teachers reaction or principals reaction is.. This is family time, memories being made.. and if that is the time we chose to go, so be it.
I will never plan my family vaction around what a school offical will say.. never. The most important thing in life is family.
I say go for it, and don't look back.

[JacobsMommy11002]

I was expressing concern to my SIL (A teacher) about this being our last January trip, because next year the kids will be in school. She said to me "Johanna, don't worry about it. There is nothing the kids are going to learn in school from k-atleast grade 4/5 that can't be made up. Missing a week for family time is not going to make them an unsuccessful adult." and she is right. Kids are pushed so hard now at such an early age, they deserve a week to take off.

[Starr W.]

As a parent of a 4th grader, we pulled him out the 2 days of Thanksgiving week. They don't do "anything" that week, since it's only 2 days. He had 4 math workbook pages, one homework page, read 3 pages in SS book and one Science worksheet.

I have also found out that after the 3rd quarter ends, the school year seems to start winding down. It really accelarates after the state tests. So I would have no problem yanking him for a day or two then either.

Our district doesn't seem to mind week long trips, our district is one of the tops in the area and very upper middle class. It' not just WDW trips, but other places too. Now I know some of the church schools(not just Catholic) give you a lot harder time about missing time for vacation or even misssing a week being sick. My SIL had to go to a meeting with Dr's notes to show my DN was sick with step for a week, not skipping school. Geez. I have a friend who swears they load up on the homework just to discourage in-school trips.

[rileysmommy]

We are pulling my dd out of Kindergarten for 5 days for our Disney cruise in 3 weeks. January is the only time we can afford to cruise so that's when we are going. With it being Kindergarten I am not really worried about her missing too much. She does have an alphabet book each week as homework so she will have to make that up but nothing else. My 2 nieces (8th grade and 2nd grade) and my nephew (5th grade) are also missing school and they have a ton of work to do about the trip plus make up all the work they will miss while they are away. It must be made up in the same length of time that the trip was so since they will be out of school for a week they have a week to get it all made up. Fortunately they are all very good students so it shouldn't be too much of a problem for them.

[mom2-four]

We're going in late Oct, and I plan on telling the school, as soon as the year starts. My oldest will be missing a whole week and a half. I'm not worried about the work he'll be missing (he'll only be in 1st grade), and I will be telling him upfront all the homework he will be receiving when he returns.

[jchick]

You didn't mention the grade your child is in, but mine is in 3rd and we went this year, and I wouldn't do it again. She stayed out a whole week. We brought a ton of work with us, did it while we were at our hotel, then had even more to do when we got back. Notice I say "we" because it really is "we" when they are in elementary school!

My parents like going in Jan/Feb and they are taking us in 2008 and want to go then...I told them we had to work it around a school holiday, but at the most she could only miss 3 days.

[WAHMto5]

We take our kids out for vacation. I believe it really depends on the child and how they are doing in school. I let the school know well in advance the dates they will be gone. I know they are not crazy about it, but it works best for our family.

[mjantz]

My oldest is in 3rd grade & after seeing the amount of homework he has currently, I would never take him out of school for a vacation. Possibly the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in a few years but not Disney, which is open 365 days/year.
My kids school seriously frowns on taking the kids out for vacations because they're a charter school & recieve less money than the public schools & every absense costs the school money.

[1Prince2Princesses]

Take her to Disney and don't worry about school! It's easy to prearrange an absence. You don't have to tell the teacher where you're going, you can just say you're going on a family vacation, but I bet even the teacher would be excited if you did tell!

There is nothing your daughter will learn in school those few days that will stick in her memory like a Disney vacation. Have fun.

[Starr W.]

You didn't mention the grade your child is in, but mine is in 3rd and we went this year, and I wouldn't do it again. She stayed out a whole week. We brought a ton of work with us, did it while we were at our hotel, then had even more to do when we got back. Notice I say "we" because it really is "we" when they are in elementary school!

My parents like going in Jan/Feb and they are taking us in 2008 and want to go then...I told them we had to work it around a school holiday, but at the most she could only miss 3 days.

No way would I take my 4th grader out for a full week, too much work. That's why we picked Thanksgiving week, only 2 days. The only real work was math.

[SGB13]

We took our kindergartener and 3rd grader out for 4 days for our trip in Nov. They had to keep a journal of their trip and tell the class about what they learned on the trip to get excused absences. The 3rd grader was a little over whelmed with her make-up homework though. We didn't get it until we got back, and she also was given class work that she missed too, along with the current homework. She is a very good student and it was a lot of work for her. We are planning to go again in 2 years, so I will probably try to work a teachers workday in again so it's not a full 5 days. But we love being there in the slower times and the cooler weather.

[momocay]

Each child is different. We are going for the first time in January, so I informed the teacher at our conference. My dd is in second grade. The teacher said, "it sounds like fun!" I asked the teacher when she would prefer for my daughter to make up the work, and she prefers to go over it all with her when she gets back, so no homework on vacation. I think it may be important to note my dd is a very strong student. If your child/children struggle, it may not be the best idea. Or if your child struggles, try to minimize the school days they miss.

[Starr W.]

Our son's teacher wanted to hear all about his trip! She loves WDW. Our next trip is in May, we now get all election days off, since the schools are used for voting. Children's safety was the issue, but I think it soothed the bus drivers nerves as voters don't necessarily know the rules of when they can't park in the bus lane! We'll go down on Sat. and come back Tues. He'll miss Monday but I'll just call him in sick.

[Michigan]

You shouldn't have any problems at the start of the school year. Basically all they do the first week is refresh from the year before. However, when they get to 3rd grade they start taking the MEAP the month of October so they would miss a lot.

I always take mine out the week before a school vacation. We are going the week before mid winter break in Feb. That way they have the week school is out for the break to do the work they missed while at WDW.

[bgirl29]

Hi There :wave2:

We are a Michigan family that loves to go to DW in October. This past October we took all 3 kids out for 5 days. They are all good students so we feel this works out fine for us. My husband would never go during the hot summer months and we started going in October occasionally when the kids would have a day or two off school, but now they don't get any days off this month so it ended up being the 5 days. My oldest is in 9th grade, middle is 6th and youngest is kindergarten. Had to fill out a paper telling teachers when the kids would miss and the absences were excused. This was the third time taking them out in Oct. and never has a teacher been upset about it. I bet if you talk to your childs teacher they would make you feel better about it, especially in elementary. In the past we have tried to schedule around any days off, but for fall travel this has been difficult because our school system doesn't make any firm dates until almost the end of the previous school year for the next fall.

[MELSMICE]

We've taken our DD's out of school just about every year for a vacation. We didn't go this November, like we normally do because of other commitments, however, they will miss 2 days which we have tacked on to their February break & 3 days at the beginning of their April break. They are a senior & we have twin freshmen.

They have always taken work with them, called a friend every day for any work they didn't get & make up what they couldn't do when they return. While a few teachers have grumbled in the past, one teacher summed it up best for us & has made our decision much easier.

She told us..........."I lost my mother when I was 9 years old. Every day I wish she was here. I would miss a million days of teaching just to go on one more vacation with her. Go & have a great time. The school work will be waiting for your girls when they return, but you never know what lies ahead of you in life."

Missing a few days of school is not going to hurt your children in the grande scheme of things. Have fun! :teeth:

[mousiemom]

Last yr., we took our dd out for 5 days for our disney trip and she was in K5 and we let the teacher know ahead of time and it was fine. We are allowed 7 parent excused days and we took her out for our mtn. trip in Nov. for 3 days and we had to take her out again for our disney Jan. trip for 5 more days and they said that was fine. We did all of her makeup work for the mtn. trip when we got back but for the disney trip, she will go to school the very next day so, she will have to do some makeup work while in Disney! Oh well, she doesn't mind!!

[Downrivermama]

MI Family you should be ok next fall when your child is in 2nd grade. Starting in 3rd grade they take the MEAP in October. My dd is in 3rd. She likes school too much to miss so I don't like to pull her out. Check with your principal first. I am pulling dd out of school for 2 1/2 days in Feb for a DCL cruise. They use to have a whole week off in Feb, but this year its a Th-Fr-Mon-Tues and than they go back Wed for a 1/2 day! I booked our cruise for when I thought that the week she would have off would be. I haven't told the teacher yet, but will do so after the new year. Our principal already knows.

[Starr W.]

I think it really depends on the attitude of your school's administration. Fortunately, we live in a district where a lot of people "leave" early around vacation time or take kids out for a week. I have helped with my 4th grader's Holiday/Xmas party since preschool and quite a few kids aren't there. Can't remember what grades, but there were a couple of years at least half the class was gone by the last day.

[tara lynn]

My mom used to take me and my brother out of school everytime we went to Disney when I was younger. She didn't want to wait until school vacations because she hates crowds. Some teachers would get really mad about it and give us a ton of work. My mom would just have us do a little bit everyday though, and what we didn't finish wasn't a big deal and we finished it when we got home. It's funny though because I just missed a few days last week because I was at Disney (I'm in high school) and my teachers either didn't notice I was out for multiple days or asked me where I was and responded with "Good for you!"

[Tissa]

I took my boys out for the first time in October, the teachers knew and were excited for them. The office said that the first 7 absences for any reason that I write an excuse for are excused and after that they have to have a dr's note. They had never missed school more than a couple of days due to illness so I wasn't worried at all. Well of course after missing 5 days they were both back 3 weeks when they both got Bronchitis and missed 8 more days of school! I felt so guilty after that, from now on we are going in June or Spring Break.

[ksloane]

Teacher Response:
I don't know how your kids school works, but in Texas part of the school's funding is based on ADA (Average Daily Attendance) and I think would be frowned on by public school. We've also got a policy abou thow many days kids miss of school and after a certain number (I think 8 a semester) you must go before a court and possibly do community service work, etc for your time off.

Parent Response:
I do not allow my daughter (1st grade) to miss school for anything but death/illness. She's missed 2 days in 3 years (those were in pre-k and the school sent her home). I know I'm extreme, but I do this because it's the same thiing that I apply to my life. I do not take off work just for the heck of it. I come sick, I come when I'm tired, etc. I believe that you are hired to do the best you can do and to do that you have to be at work.

I see students day in and day out that think nothing of staying home whenever and for whatever reasons...I see parents that allow it. Then I see those sames students have a hard time holding down a job - and not just for attendance, but for just not doing the best they can do. Again, just a personal opinion.

And I agree that family time is important, and if the parent couldn't get vacation time that aligned with the kids it would be different too. I just know how many days we are out of school and that there are plenty of times to take vacations (even if that means crowds)...so I can't personally justify it.

I make no judgements on anyone who does take their children out of school, nor am I saying that everyone who does this will be raising unsuccessful kids. So please don't go crazy on me. This is just my opinion (and I know it's seems different than most others here)...not trying to start a debate...

[brymolmom]

Teacher Response:
I don't know how your kids school works, but in Texas part of the school's funding is based on ADA (Average Daily Attendance) and I think would be frowned on by public school. We've also got a policy abou thow many days kids miss of school and after a certain number (I think 8 a semester) you must go before a court and possibly do community service work, etc for your time off.

Parent Response:
I do not allow my daughter (1st grade) to miss school for anything but death/illness. She's missed 2 days in 3 years (those were in pre-k and the school sent her home). I know I'm extreme, but I do this because it's the same thiing that I apply to my life. I do not take off work just for the heck of it. I come sick, I come when I'm tired, etc. I believe that you are hired to do the best you can do and to do that you have to be at work.

I see students day in and day out that think nothing of staying home whenever and for whatever reasons...I see parents that allow it. Then I see those sames students have a hard time holding down a job - and not just for attendance, but for just not doing the best they can do. Again, just a personal opinion.

And I agree that family time is important, and if the parent couldn't get vacation time that aligned with the kids it would be different too. I just know how many days we are out of school and that there are plenty of times to take vacations (even if that means crowds)...so I can't personally justify it.

I make no judgements on anyone who does take their children out of school, nor am I saying that everyone who does this will be raising unsuccessful kids. So please don't go crazy on me. This is just my opinion (and I know it's seems different than most others here)...not trying to start a debate...

No debate here...you have every right to have that rule for yourself and your family.

I must say, however, that I am quite happy that I do not work with/near you. I get very angry with a sick person who really should not be at work showing up as if the sky would fall if they miss a day. I assure you - most businesses lose WAY more productivity due to sick personnel passing on their illness to numerous other employees by spreading germs all over the workplace. If your contagious, hacking, sneezing all over the place, feverish - PLEASE stay home.

Other than that - I agree that kids today tend to skip school for even the slightest thing, even with parent consent. So I do not agree with that either. Still...there could be a happy medium.

Personally, if my child is dedicated and goes to school without issue on almost every school days and tries their hardest, I would let him/her miss school for vacation. It would be different if he or she had to be forced into school every day and showed no effort in class, etc. - I certainly don't think that should be rewarded.

[eyeheartgoofy]

I have yet to deal with this situation b/c my oldest is not yet in kindergarten, but I have pondered it many times.

[eyeheartgoofy]

Teacher Response:
I don't know how your kids school works, but in Texas part of the school's funding is based on ADA (Average Daily Attendance) and I think would be frowned on by public school.



I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the funding for public schools in Michigan is based on the head count on 2 separate attendance days for the entire year - not average daily attendance.

[Caitsmama]

Teacher Response:
I don't know how your kids school works, but in Texas part of the school's funding is based on ADA (Average Daily Attendance) and I think would be frowned on by public school. We've also got a policy abou thow many days kids miss of school and after a certain number (I think 8 a semester) you must go before a court and possibly do community service work, etc for your time off.

Parent Response:
I do not allow my daughter (1st grade) to miss school for anything but death/illness. She's missed 2 days in 3 years (those were in pre-k and the school sent her home). I know I'm extreme, but I do this because it's the same thiing that I apply to my life. I do not take off work just for the heck of it. I come sick, I come when I'm tired, etc. I believe that you are hired to do the best you can do and to do that you have to be at work.

...
OT here........... :rolleyes:
has your dd never been sick at all? Or does she go to school, even if she is slightly sick? What if she had say a runny nose, cough, etc.. would she be in school? IF so, this is what bothers the heck outta me, cuz this is why kids get sick left and right in school, i can't stand to see parents send their sick kids to school and contaminate the other kids.. it bothers me to no end. :sad2: Now, if she has never been sick in 2 yrs, then your child must be amazing healthy....... and good for her! :)

And i too, am so glad i don't work with you - nothing personal, but i own a business, and i would NOT want my employee coming into work,selling my products while sick and getting everyone around her sick.. it's not polite at all. And you say you are hired to do the "best you can do", to me, when you are coming to work sick or overtired, that is not being the "Best you can do" at all!!

[mouseketeer_mom]

Parent Response:
I do not allow my daughter (1st grade) to miss school for anything but death/illness. She's missed 2 days in 3 years (those were in pre-k and the school sent her home). I know I'm extreme, but I do this because it's the same thiing that I apply to my life. I do not take off work just for the heck of it. I come sick, I come when I'm tired, etc. I believe that you are hired to do the best you can do and to do that you have to be at work.

I see students day in and day out that think nothing of staying home whenever and for whatever reasons...I see parents that allow it. Then I see those sames students have a hard time holding down a job - and not just for attendance, but for just not doing the best they can do. Again, just a personal opinion.



I have to agree with other posters. I have three small, (elementary age ) children that have not missed a single day of school this year. They have not been sick. But, if they had been, they certainly would not have been at school to share the "wealth"! A good work ethic and a strong sense of responsiblility are probably two of the most important values I will try to teach my children. Along with the idea that a strong family will help to support a strong character.

So, having missed little to no school by this March and having maintained good behavior and good study skills, my children will be missing six days of school for our WDW vacation. :goodvibes

When I told my DS's teacher, she explained that after having three other students missed a week of school for a WDW vacation this year, there is a new policy in effect. She is now required to travel with any child missing school for a Disney vacation :rotfl:

[Grumpy on Ice]

We've taken our kids out of school for vacation. The teachers have never given us a hard time.

[sgmom]

We just returned from our week long Disney vacation and DS6 missed a week of school. He had perfect attendance in K and also in 1st grade up until our vacation. I did tell his teacher at the beginning of the school year that we had our trip planned and then reminded her 2 weeks prior to our trip. Even though I requested any school work to be sent home prior to our trip, I did not receive feedback or any homework until the Friday before we left on Saturday! Based on the amount of work that she sent home, I wish we would have received this the week before, but my son managed to get it all done! I do not feel that it was beneficial to receive this amount during our trip, as we were returning to the room late every night and some nights, he was up past midnight working on homework sheets and reading! Yes, we could have set a time to do this during the earlier hours of the day, but hey, we were on vacation. However, the entire family felt bad about the amount he received - about 7 or 8 math sheets - some needing to be colored; 3 cut and paste worksheets; 5 reading books with worksheets. So we took our box of crayons, scissors and glue stick! His DCousin10 only had to write an essay about his trip.

So, whether the school excused his absences or not, does not matter to us - enjoy the family time!

[Caitsmama]

I think what is bothering me the most while reading this thread, is the amount of work i am hearing that these young kids have!!
Sgmom - I can't believe at 6 your son had THAT much work!!! That seems crazy.. i know i never had that kind of homework at 6! I really feel bad for the kids.. they honestly don't need homework at that age..
My dd is in K, and they send home a sheet to do each week.. now, granted that's not bad, i just know i never had to do ANY homework in K..
I think our kids are being pushed to young with all this.......

[Michigan]

I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the funding for public schools in Michigan is based on the head count on 2 separate attendance days for the entire year - not average daily attendance.

You are correct the first day is the 100th day of school and the other one is sometime in the late winter or early spring I think.

[Starr W.]

You are correct the first day is the 100th day of school and the other one is sometime in the late winter or early spring I think.


Just south of you, in the Buckeye state. it's basically the same. The "official" count is in October and they do another count late Feb/early Marck.

[Downrivermama]

Originally Posted by Caitsmama
Sgmom - I can't believe at 6 your son had THAT much work!!! That seems crazy.. i know i never had that kind of homework at 6! I really feel bad for the kids.. they honestly don't need homework at that age..

I agree, my dd now in 3rd grade has had homework 4 days a week since kindergarten! At her school they also have to do 3 independent projects a year, which includes science fair. Now in 3rd grade they have to do 7 book reports a year plus daily homework! It gets worse as they get into the higher grades. I don't remember having homework until 5th or 6th grade. They do push kids alot harder now. I can't see stressing out an 8 year old!

[MELSMICE]

We just returned from our week long Disney vacation and DS6 missed a week of school. He had perfect attendance in K and also in 1st grade up until our vacation. I did tell his teacher at the beginning of the school year that we had our trip planned and then reminded her 2 weeks prior to our trip. Even though I requested any school work to be sent home prior to our trip, I did not receive feedback or any homework until the Friday before we left on Saturday! Based on the amount of work that she sent home, I wish we would have received this the week before, but my son managed to get it all done! I do not feel that it was beneficial to receive this amount during our trip, as we were returning to the room late every night and some nights, he was up past midnight working on homework sheets and reading! Yes, we could have set a time to do this during the earlier hours of the day, but hey, we were on vacation. However, the entire family felt bad about the amount he received - about 7 or 8 math sheets - some needing to be colored; 3 cut and paste worksheets; 5 reading books with worksheets. So we took our box of crayons, scissors and glue stick! His DCousin10 only had to write an essay about his trip.

So, whether the school excused his absences or not, does not matter to us - enjoy the family time!

I have taken my kids out of school numerous times, but I'm just wondering how much work you did or did not expect your son to receive?

Considering he was out for a week, I don't think 7 or 8 math pages is out of line. Remember, he was missing class work also. This only amounts to one page per day, plus 2 or 3 sent home during the week. Five reading books is only one per day also. Does the teacher read the story in class or have the kids read the story & then have them do the worksheet?

Also, regarding the teacher sending home the work the Friday before you left - she/he probably didn't have it together before this time - might not even have had a lesson plan made up for the next week. My kids always get their work the day prior to leaving. We have taken suitcases filled with just text books on trips.

Some days they have done school work while at the pool. They complain, but I always tell them that they are fortunate enough to be at WDW instead of school & to do that they MUST complete all assigned work or we will not be doing it again. (I know that your son did also, kudos to him! :thumbsup2 )

Did he have time to do the work on the way down or on the way back? My DD's have always gotten a lot of work done on the plane rides.

[sgmom]

Yes, I expected him to have homework, but not this much! We even printed off sheets and were going to have him put together a trip journal to work on during and after his trip, to turn in to the teacher... never got to that!

I think she could have provided the work sooner or waited on some of it when we returned. She has been teaching for 25+ years and yes, things change year to year, but for the most part, she stays on track with her lesson plans from previous years.

Our flight was only 2 hours, so by the time we pulled out the stuff, it was time to put it away. He did work on some of it on the way home, but frankly, we were all too excited about Disney to worry about it on the way there!

A month ago, we had grandparents come to visit and took them to DC for 2 straight days. DS's teacher knew that I was taking him out of school early each day, staying in DC for the rest of the day for tours and then having dinner. After fighting traffic here, which can take hours, we were home late... We still were given 2 story books and 2-3 worksheets to complete each night. Yes, I'm thankful for him having homework and being able to keep up with his classmates, but talk about being overwhelmed! I do applaud my son because he did not complain once about having to complete his homework! However, he was disappointed he did not get to make a gingerbread house with the rest of his class, until I reminded him that we saw a real lifesized one at The Grand Floridian!! :teeth:

[declansdad]

If you are going to take a child out of school don't complain about the amount of work that you may receive. A child in class will do much more than i worksheet per day.

[Starr W.]

Yes, I expected him to have homework, but not this much! We even printed off sheets and were going to have him put together a trip journal to work on during and after his trip, to turn in to the teacher... never got to that!

I think she could have provided the work sooner or waited on some of it when we returned. She has been teaching for 25+ years and yes, things change year to year, but for the most part, she stays on track with her lesson plans from previous years.

Our flight was only 2 hours, so by the time we pulled out the stuff, it was time to put it away. He did work on some of it on the way home, but frankly, we were all too excited about Disney to worry about it on the way there!

A month ago, we had grandparents come to visit and took them to DC for 2 straight days. DS's teacher knew that I was taking him out of school early each day, staying in DC for the rest of the day for tours and then having dinner. After fighting traffic here, which can take hours, we were home late... We still were given 2 story books and 2-3 worksheets to complete each night. Yes, I'm thankful for him having homework and being able to keep up with his classmates, but talk about being overwhelmed! I do applaud my son because he did not complain once about having to complete his homework! However, he was disappointed he did not get to make a gingerbread house with the rest of his class, until I reminded him that we saw a real lifesized one at The Grand Floridian!! :teeth:



Our 4th grader does 2 pages per day of math in class, then 1 page of homework. So 3 per day. Now I know our district went to a new Language Arts/Reading/Spelling program this year and I have seen a pick up in the homework in that area, it's more writing, spelling and vocabulary. Also varies on Social Studies/Science, usually a couple a week. I know 5th grade has homework in every subject Mon-Thurs. Would I take my son out for a full week, answer is no. Will I take off a couple days before Thanksgiving,Xmas or spring break, yes because after years of observation, they are winding down the work. He had no problem doing 4 workbook pages plus 1 homework sheet in math, reading 4 pages of social studies and doing a science worksheet. He took his at home book to keep up with his 20min/night reading requirment.

[Caitsmama]

We have taken suitcases filled with just text books on trips.




Never, EVER will you catch me doing that!!! :sad2:

[MELSMICE]

Never, EVER will you catch me doing that!!! :sad2:

To each his own, I guess.

Just wondering (not in a snotty way), but why not? Would you prefer not to take your kids out of school or are you saying you wouldn't do homework on vacation if there was school going on? I'm just wondering?

It's never really been an issue for us & my DD's understand that if they want to go on vacation while school is in session they will need to do work while they are there.

[bgirl29]

When we went in October I encouraged my children to finish all of their homework (9th and 6th grades) while on our trip, but I believe our school does give them a couple of days before they expect everything to be turned in after missing school. I just wanted them to keep up with their classes and it was almost the end of the marking period.

Did your teacher tell you if she expected everything done on the first day back to school?

[DaisyD]

DD brings her school work with her. She loves sitting at the room desk and feeling all important doing homework. Every night if we returned early enough she would do a days worth of work. If we were late then she did it in the morning before going out. She even did a trip journal and talked about what she did every day. It wasn't difficult and she really liked the down time and was able to relax a bit while doing her work. Her teacher gave her the 12 days of school work she would miss and also the 12 days of homework. I think that if you take a child out of school then you need to put time aside every day while on vacation to get it done.

[flying_babyb]

I like the teachers who give it early. I went away once, got all my homework for a week nd got my homework three days before. I Sat down, did it, and handed it in before I ever left.

[MSSANDRA]

I think most schools have a policy as to how long a child has in order to trun in missing work. In our district it is one day for each day our child is out. So when we miss 4 days this January, we will have four days after he retuns and receives the work in order to get it done. Most years DS has just not been given a lot of work to make up.One year (5th) he did it all before we even left. Third grade he had a huge amount of work that he did not receive much ahead of time. He did all the reading on the drive down. The plan was to work on it in the hotel room but that just did not work well for us. We alway return on Saturday and leave Sunday free to work on Homework. I will again this year request any work that the teacher knows about ahead of time to be given to him well before the trip but i make it clear that I do not expect that and we will see that DS completes 100% of the work. I think that seems to be the biggest issue for teachers that kids do not complete the work. We will see what happens this year.
BTW- I normaly have almost no part of DS doing his homework excpet to sometimes review for a test or help with an overwelming project. The expection I make is with trip make up work when I choose to take him out to travel. I admit that I do help a little bit more in order to get the work done a little bit quicker. DS almost always understands the material already but I do make absoluty sure of that and then help with review work.

MsSandra

[Caitsmama]

To each his own, I guess.

Just wondering (not in a snotty way), but why not? Would you prefer not to take your kids out of school or are you saying you wouldn't do homework on vacation if there was school going on? I'm just wondering?

It's never really been an issue for us & my DD's understand that if they want to go on vacation while school is in session they will need to do work while they are there.


That's ok - I didn't mean to sound like i was putting you down in any way.. :goodvibes
I would definately take my dd out of school, (and already have - but she's only in K), See, i guess after thinking about it - it's hard, because i still have so many years to go of this ahead of me.. my dd is still so young.
So, I guess i would have to cross that bridge when i come to it.. But, hopefully, we can get some of the work done before we left, and some when we come back...... I guess i could see bringing a subject or two worth of books with us, but not a whole suitcase or so..
If we are going away, i want my dd to really enjoy the time with the family, and not stress about school work.. Which is why like i said, the ultimate thing would be to have the teachers who have it all "together" so we could do a bulk of it before we left..
I don't know.. it's a tough decision i guess, And all i am doing is speculating, so, ask me this question again in say - 5 years or so.. LOL :teeth:
Thanks!

[Starr W.]

That's ok - I didn't mean to sound like i was putting you down in any way.. :goodvibes
I would definately take my dd out of school, (and already have - but she's only in K), See, i guess after thinking about it - it's hard, because i still have so many years to go of this ahead of me.. my dd is still so young.
So, I guess i would have to cross that bridge when i come to it.. But, hopefully, we can get some of the work done before we left, and some when we come back...... I guess i could see bringing a subject or two worth of books with us, but not a whole suitcase or so..
If we are going away, i want my dd to really enjoy the time with the family, and not stress about school work.. Which is why like i said, the ultimate thing would be to have the teachers who have it all "together" so we could do a bulk of it before we left..
I don't know.. it's a tough decision i guess, And all i am doing is speculating, so, ask me this question again in say - 5 years or so.. LOL :teeth:
Thanks!


Trust me those years come up on you fast! Seems like yesterday eldest DS was in kindergarden and now he is a very tall (5'2") 4th grader. We told the teacher the first week of school and filled out the school form soon after. I have never come across a teacher who hasn't had it all together, but when you go on vacation, you're asking them to spend a lot of extra time(which is not in ample supply for them) to look ahead at their teaching plan to get the classroom work together for you. Our district starts co-teaching in 4th grade, so there are 2 teachers to get work from. I thanked them both for their trouble. They thanked me for giving them enough heads up to pull the work together and appreciated our planning so DS wasn't missing much work.

[MELSMICE]

That's ok - I didn't mean to sound like i was putting you down in any way.. :goodvibes
I would definately take my dd out of school, (and already have - but she's only in K), See, i guess after thinking about it - it's hard, because i still have so many years to go of this ahead of me.. my dd is still so young.
So, I guess i would have to cross that bridge when i come to it.. But, hopefully, we can get some of the work done before we left, and some when we come back...... I guess i could see bringing a subject or two worth of books with us, but not a whole suitcase or so..
If we are going away, i want my dd to really enjoy the time with the family, and not stress about school work.. Which is why like i said, the ultimate thing would be to have the teachers who have it all "together" so we could do a bulk of it before we left..
I don't know.. it's a tough decision i guess, And all i am doing is speculating, so, ask me this question again in say - 5 years or so.. LOL :teeth:
Thanks!

I understand what you're saying. I have 3 DD's that all are in high school now, so there's a big difference between the work they have now & the work they had when they were in K or elementary school. Also, if they can get their work done on the plane some of the books never even leave the suitcase, which is a plus for them!!! :)

It is hard to speculate what might happen in years to come. When my DD's were younger I swore I would NEVER go during peak Eastery holiday time. Guess what? We have been there during their Easter break for about the past 6 years. :confused3 Go figure! Plus, it's probably our favorite time to go because we go for at least 10 days (have been as long as 15) & there is no school work to make up. (well, there will be this year because we're overlapping our vacation with 3 school days)

I also said I would NEVER let sports or activities "dictate" when I would take a vacation. Hmmmmm........I'm eating my words now because one DD is involved in basketball & we've planned & cancelled 2 trips this year because of tournaments. :guilty:

[Lady V]

Hi- We are working on planning our first trip to Disney next fall. Our oldest will be in second grade. What experiences have you all had with kids missing school? I'm worried about what the teacher's reaction might be, and I don't want my daughter to fall behind. She'd miss 4-5 days of school. I know missing school is not a great idea, but it sure seems like a good time to go in terms of disney timing.

any thoughts/experiences???? :confused3

I think it is fine. Especially tht young. We go every Jan and the kids miss about 5 days of school. This year we will be there Dec 31-Jan 8th so they will miss 5 days. My kids are in Kin. and first grade. the principal always just says it is fine and can he come along?? :rotfl2: I figure, as long as your kids are ok with missing school and they can catch up and not feel lost then you should go for it!! ;) Have fun!!

[declansdad]

That's ok - I didn't mean to sound like i was putting you down in any way.. :goodvibes
I would definately take my dd out of school, (and already have - but she's only in K), See, i guess after thinking about it - it's hard, because i still have so many years to go of this ahead of me.. my dd is still so young.
So, I guess i would have to cross that bridge when i come to it.. But, hopefully, we can get some of the work done before we left, and some when we come back...... I guess i could see bringing a subject or two worth of books with us, but not a whole suitcase or so..
If we are going away, i want my dd to really enjoy the time with the family, and not stress about school work.. Which is why like i said, the ultimate thing would be to have the teachers who have it all "together" so we could do a bulk of it before we left..
I don't know.. it's a tough decision i guess, And all i am doing is speculating, so, ask me this question again in say - 5 years or so.. LOL :teeth:
Thanks!

Your bolded quote makes it sound as if you think teachers who don't give you the work before hand, don't have it all together. I know that it is difficult to convey the proper tone in a written message but in my opinion this is unfair to teachers.

[Lady V]

[QUOTE=ksloane]Teacher Response:

I do not take off work just for the heck of it. I come sick, I come when I'm tired, etc. I believe that you are hired to do the best you can do and to do that you have to be at work.

QUOTE]

but see, when people come sick they cause other people to have to miss work or school because they get them sick!!! :confused3

[mel64]

We have taken DS 3rd grade out every year for a week in Jan. He does extra work before we go and extra when we return. All I have to say is "Life is Short" Let's make those memories while we can. You just never know

[mjantz]

We have taken DS 3rd grade out every year for a week in Jan. He does extra work before we go and extra when we return. All I have to say is "Life is Short" Let's make those memories while we can. You just never know


Sorry, but I've seen others say this ('Life is Short') & I have to respond.

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'. My son had an 'experience' last night when he & DH did what they do every Tuesday DD & I have Brownies (watch an old episode of Star Trek). He was so excited DD & I were leaving so he could spend time with his dad doing something they both love.
Tomorrow we're going to a museum exhibit that we've been looking forward to for months. Its a prelude to a trip we're taking next summer & I'm looking forward to both.
We take vacations every year & they range from small (San Antonio) to massive (Disney cruise). And somehow, despite the larger crowds (because we go during the summer or Spring Break), we always seem to have a great time & really enjoy ourselves. Somehow, even with the 'unwashed masses' we manage to make memories & bond with our children.

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.

[BostonRob]

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.

Well said. I couldn't agree more. I'd hate to think that when I tell people I wouldn't take my kids out of school to go to disney that they would assume I don't value family time or bonding or making memories. I wouldn't want them to asume I think school is more important than family. That's ridiculous. My family is the most important thing to me too. Listen, school is only 6 hours a day, 180 days a year. And school is the only 'job' that most kids have. My wife and I agree that it is important for our kids to make that a priority in their lifes. That doesn't mean we don't value family time.

We schedule our family time so it doesn't interfere with other priorities. Not because one is more important than the other, but because we have control over scheduling one and not the other.

[BostonRob]

OT here........... :rolleyes:
has your dd never been sick at all? Or does she go to school, even if she is slightly sick? What if she had say a runny nose, cough, etc.. would she be in school? IF so, this is what bothers the heck outta me, cuz this is why kids get sick left and right in school, i can't stand to see parents send their sick kids to school and contaminate the other kids.. it bothers me to no end. :sad2: Now, if she has never been sick in 2 yrs, then your child must be amazing healthy....... and good for her! :)

And i too, am so glad i don't work with you - nothing personal, but i own a business, and i would NOT want my employee coming into work,selling my products while sick and getting everyone around her sick.. it's not polite at all. And you say you are hired to do the "best you can do", to me, when you are coming to work sick or overtired, that is not being the "Best you can do" at all!!

Your bothers and fears are unfounded. Check the definition of the common colde here http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000678.htm from the national institute of health.

To summarize, the common cold is most contagious before symptoms appear. So kids are infecting one another BEFORE they start sneezing and coughing.

[Sunny37]

Sorry, but I've seen others say this ('Life is Short') & I have to respond.

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'. My son had an 'experience' last night when he & DH did what they do every Tuesday DD & I have Brownies (watch an old episode of Star Trek). He was so excited DD & I were leaving so he could spend time with his dad doing something they both love.
Tomorrow we're going to a museum exhibit that we've been looking forward to for months. Its a prelude to a trip we're taking next summer & I'm looking forward to both.
We take vacations every year & they range from small (San Antonio) to massive (Disney cruise). And somehow, despite the larger crowds (because we go during the summer or Spring Break), we always seem to have a great time & really enjoy ourselves. Somehow, even with the 'unwashed masses' we manage to make memories & bond with our children.

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.

Well put! :thumbsup2

[Starr W.]

Well said. I couldn't agree more. I'd hate to think that when I tell people I wouldn't take my kids out of school to go to disney that they would assume I don't value family time or bonding or making memories. I wouldn't want them to asume I think school is more important than family. That's ridiculous. My family is the most important thing to me too. Listen, school is only 6 hours a day, 180 days a year. And school is the only 'job' that most kids have. My wife and I agree that it is important for our kids to make that a priority in their lifes. That doesn't mean we don't value family time.

We schedule our family time so it doesn't interfere with other priorities. Not because one is more important than the other, but because we have control over scheduling one and not the other.

Very well put! DH tells our son that school is his "job" too.

[mel64]

Sorry, but I've seen others say this ('Life is Short') & I have to respond.

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'. My son had an 'experience' last night when he & DH did what they do every Tuesday DD & I have Brownies (watch an old episode of Star Trek). He was so excited DD & I were leaving so he could spend time with his dad doing something they both love.
Tomorrow we're going to a museum exhibit that we've been looking forward to for months. Its a prelude to a trip we're taking next summer & I'm looking forward to both.
We take vacations every year & they range from small (San Antonio) to massive (Disney cruise). And somehow, despite the larger crowds (because we go during the summer or Spring Break), we always seem to have a great time & really enjoy ourselves. Somehow, even with the 'unwashed masses' we manage to make memories & bond with our children.

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.
Well let's give you the parenting gold star

[Lady V]

Sorry, but I've seen others say this ('Life is Short') & I have to respond.

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'. My son had an 'experience' last night when he & DH did what they do every Tuesday DD & I have Brownies (watch an old episode of Star Trek). He was so excited DD & I were leaving so he could spend time with his dad doing something they both love.
Tomorrow we're going to a museum exhibit that we've been looking forward to for months. Its a prelude to a trip we're taking next summer & I'm looking forward to both.
We take vacations every year & they range from small (San Antonio) to massive (Disney cruise). And somehow, despite the larger crowds (because we go during the summer or Spring Break), we always seem to have a great time & really enjoy ourselves. Somehow, even with the 'unwashed masses' we manage to make memories & bond with our children.

If you want to take your kids out of school to go to Disney, your choice. But don't make it out to be some huge form of 'bonding' or 'memory making' only available the 2nd Tuesday of every 5 month on years that end in zero. Disneys open 365 days so you could go when school is out.



different situations need different vacation times. I am glad you can go during the busy months so parents like me have one less family to wait in line behind!! LOL :rotfl2:

[traul]

I have taken my children out of school to go to DW 4 times and have never regretted it. The way I look at it is they are my children not the schools and as long as they get the work done that they miss it isn't a problem. I just inform the teachers ahead of time and ask if we can have the work before we leave. The teachers have never had a problem with it and usually just ask that the kids read a book for 20 minutes in the evening, keep a journal of our trip and give us the math assignments before we leave. Take it from a 10 year cancer survivor and someone who lost their brother to the same disease no one looking at their own mortality ever wishes they had gone to school instead of DW because it should have been their first priority. School will be there when you get back. But you don't know if you or the ones you love will be. Go have fun with your kids!!!

[MrsPete]

Yes, we should enjoy every moment we have with our kids & families. However, I've found that I don't need to pull my kids out of school for up to a week to have 'experiences' or 'family time' or 'bonding moments'. I couldn't agree more. Kids go to school 180 days/year, which leaves 185 days free. We take our girls on trips about once a month, and they never miss school -- we often take advantage of long weekends. We do LOTS of "family time" and "bonding moments", AND they attend school regularly.

[MrsPete]

I like the teachers who give it early. I went away once, got all my homework for a week nd got my homework three days before. I Sat down, did it, and handed it in before I ever left.Then you are highly unusual.

I'd say 80% of the kids who are out of my class for vacations do NO make-up work whatsoever -- even if their parents have picked up the work personally and promised to supervise it -- even if the child is given an extension, they simply don't do it. Another 10% do just the easy, fill-in-the-blank worksheets, and they ignore the reading and the assignments that take real effort. And 10% -- a very generous estimate -- actually DO all the make-up work.

On the other hand, kids who are out because of illnesses, DO tend to do the make-up work. It seems to be a mindset: if you're out for illness, you have to make up the work . . . if you're out for vacation, the world stops for you and there's no need to think about what went on during your absence -- all evidence to the contrary.

[Starr W.]

Really? I guess that doesn't suprise me vacation make-up work or not. Last year if you turned in your homework on time for a quarter, the kids got to watch a movie. This was for all three 3rd grade classes, over half the kids didn't get to watch the movie(the teachers let you make up work if you were sick/excused absence and gave you a couple of freebies if you forgot homework).

I have a friend who decides that her DS has had "enough" homework for the night and will write a note that it's too much and she decided he didn't have to finish. I noticed 4th grade has a little more homework than last year, she's going to flip in 5th grade. Homework in every subject during the week.

[snowman]

When Carl was in 1st and 3rd grades we took him out of school for Disney (trips to hit his birthday and then DSO's birthday). We talked to his teachers as soon as school started and again as the date got closer to get his homework.

However, this next year he will be in 8th grade. My feelings towards taking him out of school for a vacation are a lot different now. We are going at the end of August. He will be missing 2 1/2 days of school, but this is at the beginning of the year. I don't have a problem with that as they don't do much for those first 2 1/2 days anyway.

I would much rather go for his birthday or for the time between T-giving and Xmas but the idea of taking him out of school as an 8th grader is one that I can't get on board with.

As for the OP - 2nd grade shouldn't be a problem (or at least wouldn't be at DN's school). I'd take my 2nd grader out in a heartbeat for a trip to WDW.

[Tinkerbelle32]

We will be leaving in 4 days and my two dd's will miss 3 days of school. They always make up any work missed. Actually, my youngest is in Kindergarten and she hasn't missed a day yet. My other daughter is in second grade and has missed two days due to an illness. They are both doing well in school and their absences will be considered excused. So, I say go and have a good time.

[Taratink]

I take my kids out of school every year. My son had AS and he cannot tolerate crowds. I have no regrets and why do others have such a large problem with it. My kids my choice! I take great care of my kids and I am a great mother who also takes her kids out of school for a week. If my kids start to fall behind because of it, I will have to change our plan.
Taar

[Magalex]

I would love to go off season too but I am afraid of my son's principal:scared1: (I jump when he says jump) :rotfl: They have a strict attendance policy(public school) enforced by the principal. I haven't asked any other parents about vacation during school time. My DS is only in K. But my friend is going to Hawaii in May. So we will see what is said to her. But we are now planning our WDW in June right after the last day of school. Even tho I think one big benefit is that we don't have to ask permission and no school work to worry about.

[Magalex]

I would love to go off season too but I am afraid of my son's principal:scared1: (I jump when he says jump) :rotfl: They have a strict attendance policy(public school) enforced by the principal. I haven't asked any other parents about vacation during school time. My DS is only in K. But my friend is going to Hawaii in May. So we will see what is said to her. But we are now planning our WDW in June right after the last day of school. Even tho I think one big benefit is that we don't have to ask permission and no school work to worry about.

[Darcy03231]

Just make sure you check your school policy. In our district if you take them out of school for a vacation it counts as an unexcused absence. Its up to the teacher whether or not they want to give the makeup work/homework/tests. If they don't the child gets a zero on everything they missed while out. I took my kids out when they were little (we didn't have the policy then) but certainly wouldn't do it now. I think the elementary school teachers are more willing to work with you than the middle or high school ones as their is only one teacher.

[declansdad]

I have a friend who decides that her DS has had "enough" homework for the night and will write a note that it's too much and she decided he didn't have to finish.

Just curious, who does she blame when he loses marks for incomplete homework or when he doesn't understand the material?

[Starr W.]

Just curious, who does she blame when he loses marks for incomplete homework or when he doesn't understand the material?

She's one of those parents that if you mention her name to the secretaries in the office they just roll their eyes. The teachers wince when they see her kids' names on their class list. The general "rules" don't apply to them, they have their own special ones, like not finishing homework. They are also the ones that can't manage to register their kindergarteners at the given time, but prefer to do it right before school starts. The registration day is in every newsletter for 3 months before hand. But they don't want their kids to go through "screening" like everyone else. And these are not people who just moved in, they have 2 other kids at the school.


My son has AS and he manages to do all the homework,which I have to bite my tongue from saying to her.

[Starr W.]

Just make sure you check your school policy. In our district if you take them out of school for a vacation it counts as an unexcused absence. Its up to the teacher whether or not they want to give the makeup work/homework/tests. If they don't the child gets a zero on everything they missed while out. I took my kids out when they were little (we didn't have the policy then) but certainly wouldn't do it now. I think the elementary school teachers are more willing to work with you than the middle or high school ones as their is only one teacher.


Our district starts "co-teaching" full time in 4th grade(2 teachers for the price of one). It wasn't any problem as they both had to sign off on the unexcused absence sheet.

[Starr W.]

I would love to go off season too but I am afraid of my son's principal:scared1: (I jump when he says jump) :rotfl: They have a strict attendance policy(public school) enforced by the principal. I haven't asked any other parents about vacation during school time. My DS is only in K. But my friend is going to Hawaii in May. So we will see what is said to her. But we are now planning our WDW in June right after the last day of school. Even tho I think one big benefit is that we don't have to ask permission and no school work to worry about.

My DS's go to public school, I have to admit we are in a "snooty" district(has been for 20+years) and people pull kids out frequently, usually not that many full weeks, but a few days before Thanksgiving(we did), Xmas(have seen half the class gone by the last day), Easter and maybe make some of the 3 day weekends 4.

[brooklynheights]

I will be pulling my nephews out of school in the fall of 07 to go to WDW :cool1: we will wait until the count day happens the day all kids are counted so the school gets the money :cheer2: so we are booking are trip after this they will get there homework ahead or get it when we get back we know when they have it its the same time frame each year summer to hot and to many people so fall works for us Brooklyn