Notified schools that we were taking them out......guess what they said..... - The DIS Discussion Forums

cindykelley · 11-05-2009, 09:25 PM

I downloaded the letter to the schools and filled in my kids' names. Sent it to school yesterday and heard back from my 6th grader's school today. His principal said that she couldn't count the days as excused, but she thought no kid should have to do homework at Disney World so he won't have to make up any of the work for the week! They will average his grades for that grading period based on his work before and after that week. She said he has straight A's and she is not worried about him falling behind....go and have a good time. The days would have counted as absences anyway...I was just worried about him being allowed to make up work, but now he won't have to. Our schools rock!

tinkerfan1 · 11-05-2009, 09:33 PM

Yes, your school does rock! I wish our schools were that way. The high school is actually ok. The middle school frowns upon it. Oh well. Family time is important to me and the kid's grades are excellent. They won't suffer.

misha-ginger · 11-05-2009, 09:34 PM

At my kid's school DS (grade 5) and DD (grade 3) their teachers just want them to do a travel journal and will help them catch up when they get back. The teachers said the same, that they should not have to do work at Disney and to have a good time. I am particularly happy about this since I plan on telling the kids just before we head to the airport and having to get homework would have been a complication. Only 10 days to WL

yrdlyprincess · 11-05-2009, 10:08 PM

Our school counted the days as excused--but I insisted that DD get work- she will be missing a week of school- I don't want her to be behind when she gets back--because they are going to stop working whe we are away

, another teacher in her grade gives the kids more than an hour of homework a night -every night--she''s in 3rd grade, I hope that they act the same way when we get to 6th grade or higher--I won't take them out once they get to the high school--WAY to make work there!

melisandes · 11-06-2009, 01:02 AM

Schools in the south have strange rules regarding prearranged absentism. My daughters school basically is very strict about not allowing it for anything outside of family emergency and things like visiting a family member shipping out to the middle east. Why you ask? Cause those silly deer hunters were abusing the policy. Yeah how dare the schools not shut down for deer hunting season.

samshane · 11-06-2009, 01:26 AM

Very cool!

Keri · 11-06-2009, 06:51 AM

lucky you!! I have work for mine AND it's not excused AND I got a letter saying how they frowned upon absences for family vacation (and a reminder that after 10 days absent they can revoke his transfer) *sigh* But, my DS goes to a school of choice which prides itself on SOL scores and AYP, so I kind of get it, but I didn't need the scolding. The only other time my kids are absent during the year is if they are sick!

OffKilterMom · 11-06-2009, 07:58 AM

My school sends out a letter each fall stating there "policy" on family vacays during school time. They say they understand the "educational merit" of travel and family time, but to please not expect the teachers to provide lessons and make up work, as they are already quite overburdened. True dat!
So I always bring along reading materials and some math practice sheets for "airplane time" and make sure they visit and talk about some of the more "school-trip" type attractions like Living with the Land and Innoventions. There really is a lot to learn at WDW if you fit that stuff in. Epcot is FULL of cool stuff/they won't even realize they're learning! Think Spaceship Earth (world history) Ellen's Energy Adventure (science) and all the social studies to explore in the world showcase!

mickey317 · 11-06-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindykelley

I downloaded the letter to the schools and filled in my kids' names. Sent it to school yesterday and heard back from my 6th grader's school today. His principal said that she couldn't count the days as excused, but she thought no kid should have to do homework at Disney World so he won't have to make up any of the work for the week! They will average his grades for that grading period based on his work before and after that week. She said he has straight A's and she is not worried about him falling behind....go and have a good time. The days would have counted as absences anyway...I was just worried about him being allowed to make up work, but now he won't have to. Our schools rock!

Hi!
Would you mind telling where to find the letter to the schools? I am not sure what to write...in the past we have had great teachers that did not go crazy with the work...I am hoping it is the same for this year

abcboys · 11-06-2009, 03:20 PM

That's great!! My oldest's 3rd grade teacher did the same for him. Didn't make him make up the work he missed....and he is NOT a straight A student so I'm sure it was a relief for him. She loves disney world, too so I thought it was very nice of her.

cindykelley · 11-06-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickey317

Hi!
Would you mind telling where to find the letter to the schools? I am not sure what to write...in the past we have had great teachers that did not go crazy with the work...I am hoping it is the same for this year

I believe the letter is on www.themouseforless.com. It outlines all of the educational things to do and you just fill in your child's name and dates of your vacation. Funny thing about it is that we were planning on doing all of those things anyway. Our kids, 7 & 11 really do like all of the science and history stuff and they can't wait for Innoventions. They even loved Epcot last time we went and they were only 4 and 8. I hear kids don't usually like it but mine did so the letter wasn't just a scam trying to get around the schools.

Good luck with your schools!

cindykelley · 11-06-2009, 05:20 PM

Just verified it. It's www.themouseforless.com. Go to Downloads on the left side menu. Then click on For the Kids. It's called "school excuse letter".

a1tinkfans · 11-06-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindykelley

I downloaded the letter to the schools and filled in my kids' names. Sent it to school yesterday and heard back from my 6th grader's school today. His principal said that she couldn't count the days as excused, but she thought no kid should have to do homework at Disney World so he won't have to make up any of the work for the week! They will average his grades for that grading period based on his work before and after that week. She said he has straight A's and she is not worried about him falling behind....go and have a good time. The days would have counted as absences anyway...I was just worried about him being allowed to make up work, but now he won't have to. Our schools rock!

GaSleepingBeautyFan · 11-06-2009, 09:08 PM

You are so lucky. It's nothing like that at my kids schools.

Enjoy your trip!

mickey317 · 11-07-2009, 07:00 AM

Thanks so much!
I know what you mean about EPCOT - my kids love it too! KIDCOT stations make it very enjoyable for them...my DS12 likes to ask about people about their home countries - he learns so much.

11-05-2009, 09:25 PM	#1
cindykelley Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Zachary, Louisiana Posts: 82	Notified schools that we were taking them out......guess what they said..... I downloaded the letter to the schools and filled in my kids' names. Sent it to school yesterday and heard back from my 6th grader's school today. His principal said that she couldn't count the days as excused, but she thought no kid should have to do homework at Disney World so he won't have to make up any of the work for the week! They will average his grades for that grading period based on his work before and after that week. She said he has straight A's and she is not worried about him falling behind....go and have a good time. The days would have counted as absences anyway...I was just worried about him being allowed to make up work, but now he won't have to. Our schools rock! __________________ DH Me DS11 DD7

11-05-2009, 09:33 PM	#2
tinkerfan1 DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Unfortunately, not Disney World Posts: 640	Yes, your school does rock! I wish our schools were that way. The high school is actually ok. The middle school frowns upon it. Oh well. Family time is important to me and the kid's grades are excellent. They won't suffer. __________________ Pinkerbell

11-05-2009, 09:34 PM	#3
misha-ginger Earning My Ears Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 23	At my kid's school DS (grade 5) and DD (grade 3) their teachers just want them to do a travel journal and will help them catch up when they get back. The teachers said the same, that they should not have to do work at Disney and to have a good time. I am particularly happy about this since I plan on telling the kids just before we head to the airport and having to get homework would have been a complication. Only 10 days to WL __________________ me DH DD(8) DS(10) 2/2007 ASMo 1/2009 AKL 2/2009 DCL(Wonder) 11/2009 WL 11/2010 CBR 11/2010 DCL(Wonder) 11/2010 WL(club level)

11-05-2009, 10:08 PM	#4
yrdlyprincess DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SE PA Posts: 938	Our school counted the days as excused--but I insisted that DD get work- she will be missing a week of school- I don't want her to be behind when she gets back--because they are going to stop working whe we are away, another teacher in her grade gives the kids more than an hour of homework a night -every night--she''s in 3rd grade, I hope that they act the same way when we get to 6th grade or higher--I won't take them out once they get to the high school--WAY to make work there! __________________ ME DH DD 9 DS5 Just back 11/22/09 and what a great time...next time hubby and the kids will pack and plan--ok maybe just pack! Next trip fall 2011

11-06-2009, 01:02 AM	#5
melisandes Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orlando Posts: 80	Schools in the south have strange rules regarding prearranged absentism. My daughters school basically is very strict about not allowing it for anything outside of family emergency and things like visiting a family member shipping out to the middle east. Why you ask? Cause those silly deer hunters were abusing the policy. Yeah how dare the schools not shut down for deer hunting season. __________________ Mom to 4 wonderful kids and wife to Eric.

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11-06-2009, 01:26 AM	#6
samshane Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: WA state - but forever a New Englander Posts: 263	Very cool! __________________ Sam Mom to DD10 , DD9 , and DS7

11-06-2009, 06:51 AM	#7
Keri Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 235	lucky you!! I have work for mine AND it's not excused AND I got a letter saying how they frowned upon absences for family vacation (and a reminder that after 10 days absent they can revoke his transfer) sigh But, my DS goes to a school of choice which prides itself on SOL scores and AYP, so I kind of get it, but I didn't need the scolding. The only other time my kids are absent during the year is if they are sick! __________________ Keri, Mommy of 3 :: Davis (almost 7!), Lanie (5) and Emery (20 months)

11-06-2009, 07:58 AM	#8
OffKilterMom Earning My Ears Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: St. John's Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 29	My school sends out a letter each fall stating there "policy" on family vacays during school time. They say they understand the "educational merit" of travel and family time, but to please not expect the teachers to provide lessons and make up work, as they are already quite overburdened. True dat! So I always bring along reading materials and some math practice sheets for "airplane time" and make sure they visit and talk about some of the more "school-trip" type attractions like Living with the Land and Innoventions. There really is a lot to learn at WDW if you fit that stuff in. Epcot is FULL of cool stuff/they won't even realize they're learning! Think Spaceship Earth (world history) Ellen's Energy Adventure (science) and all the social studies to explore in the world showcase!

11-06-2009, 03:20 PM	#10
abcboys Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 434	That's great!! My oldest's 3rd grade teacher did the same for him. Didn't make him make up the work he missed....and he is NOT a straight A student so I'm sure it was a relief for him. She loves disney world, too so I thought it was very nice of her. __________________ Me DH DS10 DS7 DS3

11-06-2009, 05:20 PM	#12
cindykelley Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Zachary, Louisiana Posts: 82	Just verified it. It's www.themouseforless.com. Go to Downloads on the left side menu. Then click on For the Kids. It's called "school excuse letter". __________________ DH Me DS11 DD7

11-06-2009, 09:08 PM	#14
GaSleepingBeautyFan DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,741	You are so lucky. It's nothing like that at my kids schools. Enjoy your trip! __________________ Me DD10 DS14 DH Connie WDW: 12 family trips, 1 solo trip US/IOA: 4 family trips

11-07-2009, 07:00 AM	#15
mickey317 Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 44	Thanks so much! I know what you mean about EPCOT - my kids love it too! KIDCOT stations make it very enjoyable for them...my DS12 likes to ask about people about their home countries - he learns so much. __________________

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