Pulling kids out of school.

[youngb1978]

We are heading to florida from October 27 returning Nov 7. This means the kids will be missing at least 7 days as we have a pd day in there
Halloween is in there as well and figure they won't do much that day. Our kids are in grade 2 3 ans 7. Has anyone else pulled their kids out. We will not be just going to amusement parks but doing some other things around florida that I think the kids will learn from as well as the drive down. I am hoping the teachers give them some work and not pile it on when we return.

 

[missbrooke06]

I haven't yet but likely will - unfortunately, our jobs/businesses don't line up with school breaks.

But our school is pretty clear about working with families as long as they're given a long amount of lead time.

 

[jevs]

Yes I have pulled kids out of school and will continue doing so

 

[roseaster]

We don't. Our schools don't allow it. It is an unexcused absence and the kids have to take zeros for the work missed.

Check with your schools about their attendance policies.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've taken them out when they were younger. I've found that the younger they are, the easier it is. Just don't expect to get all of the work ahead of time, especially for that long. Your vacation shouldn't cause the teachers extra work. After 3rd grade or so, my kids usually had a solid week of catching up.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

I'm writing this from the perspective of a teacher.

As long as your kids are doing well in school, I see no problem with pulling them out for a week. If your child is struggling, I would reconsider what is best for the child. Family time is certainly important though.

Let the teacher know ahead of time. Depending on the teacher and the child, he or she may send work home before the trip. If not, you may get it after. Depends on policy. But, there are some kids I wouldn't hesitate giving work to early, and some I never would. Depends on the child.

Don't expect anything extra from the teacher. As PP said, the teacher shouldn't have to work harder because you took vacation.

Make sure your children understand the responsibility that comes with taking time off school. They'll have to work extra hard when you get home.

 

[Govols1997]

We used to pull them out for up to a week at a time. DD is now in 8th and requests that we don't. I respect that. There is a lot more to be learned in life than inside those walls.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

We used to pull them out for up to a week at a time. DD is now in 8th and requests that we don't. I respect that. There is a lot more to be learned in life than inside those walls.

Agreed.

 

[DrunkJam]

here in the UK, we can get fined for taking children out of school, it would have to be a very special reason for a trip to WDW to incur the cost and disapproval.

 

[RLGNC]

I don't have any problems with it in theory, but there are obviously variances based on school district policies, grade level, individual children. We did it when DS was in 6th grade and were given a pretty hard time about it by his teachers (although he was also sick for a few days after we got home, so that didn't help). I don't think I would do it again in middle school, but my daughter was in 2nd grade at the time and I don't recall any issues.

 

[DopeyDame]

My kids will miss 9 days for three different trips this year. The oldest is in second grade, so I realize things will get more complicated as they get older, but so far I'm not worrying about it.
Yes, they are unexcused absences. Officially that means he'll get a zero on a spelling test, but it sounds like his teacher will be willing to bend the rules a little. If she does, great, if she doesn't no big deal - I'm pretty sure one spelling grade in second grade won't keep him out of Harvard.

 

[ashleyr409]

I'm writing this from the perspective of a teacher.

As long as your kids are doing well in school, I see no problem with pulling them out for a week. If your child is struggling, I would reconsider what is best for the child. Family time is certainly important though.

Let the teacher know ahead of time. Depending on the teacher and the child, he or she may send work home before the trip. If not, you may get it after. Depends on policy. But, there are some kids I wouldn't hesitate giving work to early, and some I never would. Depends on the child.

Don't expect anything extra from the teacher. As PP said, the teacher shouldn't have to work harder because you took vacation.

Make sure your children understand the responsibility that comes with taking time off school. They'll have to work extra hard when you get home.

How soon in advance should we contact the teacher to let them know about the family vacation?

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

How soon in advance should we contact the teacher to let them know about the family vacation?

I'd say a month, so they have it on their radar but not so far out that they forget.

 

[Pesky]

Mine are missing 8 days due to two trips. School and teachers have no issue with it provided they know in advance. I will say that it is a bit easier with them in elementary school and I realize that we may be more locked into the school schedule as they get into middle school and high school.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I have never pulled our daughter out of school for vacation. We just moved across country. Our daughter was previously in a private school. Even though I know we wouldn't get a hard time from the school (because plenty of other families were doing it even though it clearly stated not to in their rules), I believe she would of just missed too much work. She's missed school because of illness in the past, two days here and there, and it takes at least a week to get caught up. She is now in a public school and the schools "rules and code of conduct" just came out which they request be signed by both student and parents. Pulling her out of school would be considered an excused absence and 5 are more is considered truant and subject to penalties such as fines. A friend of mine took her son out of school (not the one we're in now but a public school) the half day before Thanksgiving break. She received a truant letter in the mail. My daughter has at least two quizzes or two tests a week. This month she has two book reports due. I can't imagine the amount of make-up work she would have if she were pulled out for vacation. I couldn't do that to her. She's in 5th grade.

 

[monorailsilver]

I only pull mine out for the 1/2 day before April break and the Monday after April break. This past April they only missed the 1/2 day because the Monday after was a snow flake day and we had a mild winter so they didn't have school anyways.

I won't pull them out more then that. My oldest didnt like missing 2 days when she was in 8th grade and now she is in 10th. It's that much more work to make up.

 

[stacyjoy75]

We have twice pulled the kids out a few days before a break to go to WDW. We are planning to do the same this year, but they are older now, 9 and 11, and I am starting to feel guilty!! We already have everything booked - ADR's, flight, room... I would probably change our dates or just not go if I didn't already have everything set. My kids make good grades and I would work with them on any worked missed IF the teachers will tell me what they are missing. Fingers crossed we have understanding teachers! My son LOVES all things Disney, but is on the Autism spectrum, so facing high crowds would be too much to take. This will most likely be the last year we do this.

 

[eyeblaura]

This is the second time I'm pulling my kids out (well first for my youngest). My kiddos are 1st and 4th grade. They both are great students with good attendance otherwise. They will both miss a week of school next week. I have let their teachers know and they don't have issue with it. As they get older I won't pull them out but elementary students that aren't having any issues or struggles, yep, I will.

 

[mom2rose&john]

This year will be the last year. We have always pulled our kids out from 1-5 days once a year since my first was in kindergarten. Their teachers have always supported our decision to pull them out. My kids had ample time to make up the missed assignments. School rule states a teacher cannot give out class assignments beforehand but they have 2 days for every one day to make up missed assignments. My daughter will be in high school next year and because the stakes are higher and workload is greater she cannot miss class in large chunks of time.

 

[LilyWDW]

Know the policies of your school and district. Be willing to accept any possible consequences. Then make an informed decision.