Thoughts on taking kids out of school

[Spwhoney]

Our school district has a very strict 15 day absence policy that applies even to Kindergarten.

There is no "family vacation" take-home homework thing. You must go, and anything other than illness is not excused.

After 15 days of either excused or unexcused absences, your child is expelled and must either be accepted into a different school within the district, or private school, or if you go to HS then continuation HS.

I grew up here and it was so hard not get kicked out every year since 2 tardies also = 1 unexcused absence and my HS lacked enough parking spaces so we were always late....

If you have even 1 incident of unexcused absence (truancy) even if the parent said it was OK for the child to be absent, they can take away privileges like graduation and other school activities. It's pretty crazy.

Anyway, yea I can't take my kindergartener out next year for the EBTA and I'm so bummed.

What state are you in? I WONT be moving there.

 

[DeniseMarie526]

I recently found out that my son will have the same teacher for 7th that he had in 5th....he had the philosophy that it was educational travel....lol Had him do a travel journal and all was well!

 

[jahber]

What state are you in? I WONT be moving there.

Seriously! If I didn't already homeschool, a policy like this would be enough to convince me.

Back to topic, I was a teacher (public and private) and I could always tell in advance who would return the work I sent home. Those kids did just fine. The kids who didn't bother with the work struggles. But they weren't doing well before, either, so it's not like missing a few days was the turning point. The point is, I agree with the other posters who said you know your child best. If he can handle it, go for it and have a great time!

 

[jrabbit]

Our school district has a very strict 15 day absence policy that applies even to Kindergarten.

There is no "family vacation" take-home homework thing. You must go, and anything other than illness is not excused.

After 15 days of either excused or unexcused absences, your child is expelled and must either be accepted into a different school within the district, or private school, or if you go to HS then continuation HS.

I grew up here and it was so hard not get kicked out every year since 2 tardies also = 1 unexcused absence and my HS lacked enough parking spaces so we were always late....

If you have even 1 incident of unexcused absence (truancy) even if the parent said it was OK for the child to be absent, they can take away privileges like graduation and other school activities. It's pretty crazy.

Anyway, yea I can't take my kindergartener out next year for the EBTA and I'm so bummed.

Sounds like its ALL ABOUT THE MONEY TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT - not so much about the education of the kids. Sorry to hear about your crappy system. I thought ours sucked - but its not as bad as yours. Again - So Sorry About That!!

Instead of the EBTA (May) how about the EBPC (September) cruise. Your child would just start kindergarten late. Don't pre register -- you "just moved" to your current location - right Will they fight you on that point? Maybe, but since he/she wasn't register - you didn't actually miss any school!

 

[sweetlovin']

Sounds like its ALL ABOUT THE MONEY TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT - not so much about the education of the kids. Sorry to hear about your crappy system. I thought ours sucked - but its not as bad as yours. Again - So Sorry About That!!

Instead of the EBTA (May) how about the EBPC (September) cruise. Your child would just start kindergarten late. Don't pre register -- you "just moved" to your current location - right Will they fight you on that point? Maybe, but since he/she wasn't register - you didn't actually miss any school!

I would totally do that, if my schools started in Sept. My kids are already back in school, but can I just say, brilliant!

 

[k3chantal]

My first child will begin kindergarten this year. Yay!

Anyway I'd really like to book a cruise for Oct. 2014. Will missing 3 days of school make a huge impact? It's been a long time since I was in school, lol.

I haven't read through all the posts but as an educator I can say that a few days of kindergarten missed will not harm your child ( I do it myself with my kids). The caveat for me is whether your child is on grade level or not. If they are below grade level, I would not do it.

The other factor you have to consider is what your district's policy is. Some public school policies have become crazy strict because of the ADA (Average Daily Attendance) which is how many schools are funded. So check to make sure that your school district won't have a truant officer after you or that you won't receive a nasty letter.

Other than that, have fun and enjoy your vacation.....

 

[jjgarv]

As a school psychologist, here are my thoughts: This is a personal decision. Do whatever is best for your child and your family.

 

[pfp258]

One daughter in college and one a senior in high school this year. Often took them out of school for.a week in elementary school for Disney vacations, a few days in middle or high school. No guilt what so ever! These are some of our daughters favorite memories! Sometimes I think parents get so worried about their children missing schoolwork and not being able to catch up. I am a teacher so I understand that being in class is important but so is family. I do think it is the parents (and child's) responsibility to learn what was missed when class was missed. I have NEVER regretted our decision to have family vacations when it was best for our families needs!

 

[jimsubry]

One thing to think about though. Since your child is just starting school he may start catching one cold after another by October! So...you may be taking a chance that he'll be sick with something for the cruise...

 

[Carolwoodpr]

Our DS will be in 5th grade starting next week. We are taking him out the week after thanksgiving for a full week. I plan on letting the school know right after Labor Day. We have taken him out at least once a year with no problems.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[LenaN4fun]

My first child will begin kindergarten this year. Yay!

Anyway I'd really like to book a cruise for Oct. 2014. Will missing 3 days of school make a huge impact? It's been a long time since I was in school, lol.

School time is the only time I can afford to take the family on DCL. I usually look at the school schedule and will book it around an inservice day so that it limits the school days missed.

 

[Tancos3]

I took DS out for a week in may to go on the Fantasy (he was in the 2nd grade) and his teacher wasn't thrilled. She got over it. She sent home his work at the beginning of the week before we left and he got about 80% of it done before the cruise.

I am not sure if I would do it again, but depending on the prices in 2015 if its feasible to go during their April break we will go then.. If not I will pull him out again. I agree with another poster on this thread... What do we really remember from these young years in elementary school? But he will never forget DCL time with our little family!!

 

["Got Disney"]

we took our kids out one was in 5th the other in 3rd to do the 14 day Panama canal(missed one week of school other half vacation time)....they brought Homework as all the other kids on the ship did and did a report with pictures to show their classes...kinder is a no brainer....and only 3 days....your good to go...just let the teacher know

have a great cruise.

 

[yaddakal]

Our school allows 5 days. We is it up until now. Now my son is entering fourth grade and its too much for him to miss. Kindergarten I wouldn't worry about.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

My husband's job doesn't adhere to the antiquated agrarian schedule that schools follow. In order to get a week together as a family we pulled the kids out every year until my daughter got to High School.

Although it kept one of my daughters off High Honor’s one semester I don’t regret a single memory. If the teacher hadn't been on autopilot it wouldn’t have been an issue. Every other teacher was wonderful particularly the Math teacher that went out of her way to give my girls assignments in advance. I ended up bringing her back Mickey Ear earrings.

So it depends on the child, teacher and school but once they get to High School and they are in the accelerated classes missing even one day can mean hours to catch up.

 

[dreamer2014]

Our oldest is starting kindergarten this year too. We booked our cruise months ago for August 2014. School usually started around the 20th so I figured we'd go the week before. Well, this year school starts the 14th. Our cruise next year is the 14th. I looked into moving it, but we just can't afford to. I'm thinking he'll go the first day then we'll fly out after school, and he'll only miss 2 days. That way he won't feel totally out of place since it's the beginning of the year. It's not ideal and I feel guilty about it, but I don't think it'll be the end of the world. I wouldn't worry about an October cruise. I say go and have a great time.

 

[ppony]

Oh it will be terrible!!!! They might miss the day they learn to color within the lines!!!!

Seriously though, no way. Not at that age. We still take our kids out for a week (oldest was in 7th grade on our alst trip) and he managed exceptionally well as always. As he moves into High School. then we will be shortening our trips. I don't want him to miss more than 3 or 4 days tops in HS. Some kids manage well some don't at that level, but elementary, IMO, isn't anything to worry about.

Know thy child.

 

[BarefeetMom]

Thanks for all the responses. Looks like we r going to book May 2014

 

[SZ2016]

My parents didn't start pulling me out for vacation until last year... my junior year of college. During the fall semester I missed one whole week for a Disney cruise, 3 days to go to California, and then another 2 days to go to Seattle. My 7th grade brother also missed the same amounts of time. It went so well for both of us that they are doing it again this year. I actually had more trouble with my professors during the spring semester when I missed a week because I was contagious with the flu, and that was WITH a doctors note. I'd say if I could do it while taking 19 hours worth of classes AND with all my typical college student procrastination, then a 1st grader for 3 days would be no problem.

 

[jpeppers]

I have no problem taking my daughter out for a week for a family vacation, she gains way more on a major vacation than she gains in that week in class. The school has late start one day a week and many half days or teacher in service days and cancel school every time we have a dusting of snow so I will never feel guilty unless she was struggling. She does know the vacation during the school year is completely dependent upon her grades.