Your thoughts on kids missing school to go to Disney

[Flight]

If physically being in a school building was so critical for a student to receive a superb education, why do we allow them to be absent on Columbus Day?

If it was essential that students be in attendance, why are they not in the buildings the day after Thanksgiving and the following Monday?

Half days? Why, that is a half day of class work lost.

Why not be in the classrooms the days and week following Christmas? So much school time lost.

Are they really celebrating the birthday of Dr. King and several of our presidents by learning more about them when having those days off?

Spring break? They are missing a whole week of academics!

How many students use Memorial Day off to actually memorialize the great sacrifices and contributions of the men and women of our military? Can't it be argued that they would be better of learning while on school property?

Several months of summer off! Look at all the lessons they are missing during that time!

Multiple days off because of teacher in service requirements. Think of the children! They should be in classroom instead!

Pep rallies means time away from the school books. Haven't we said that students should not miss school work?

What it comes down to is well thought out decisions by both the parents and the students when deciding to take a vacation during school days. Each family considers the value of such a trip and the consequences of school time lost. One family is proud that their child has never missed a day of school. Another family pulls their child out of the classroom yearly for family functions. Both are doing what is best for that student and both are equally correct.

 

[Kona65]

I say maybe!

 

[sam_gordon]

If being physically being in a school building was so critical for a student to receive a superb education, why do we allow them to be absent on Columbus Day?

If it was essential that students be in attendance, why are they not in the buildings the day after Thanksgiving and the following Monday?

Half days? Why, that is a half day of class work lost.

Why not be in the classrooms the days and week following Christmas? So much school time lost.

Are they really celebrating the birthday of Dr. King and several of our presidents by learning more about them when having those days off?

Spring break? They are missing a whole week of academics!

How many students use Memorial Day off to actually memorialize the great sacrifices and contributions of the men and women of our military? Can't it be argued that they would be better of learning while on school property?

Several months of summer off! Look at all the lessons they are missing during that time!

Multiple days off because of teacher in service requirements. Think of the children! They should be in classroom instead!

So all of these examples are made up throughout the year. For example, if kids went to school on Columbus Day, their last day would be June 1 instead of June 2. Stay though Spring Break? Get out a week earlier.
So if you're going to use these arguments in order to justify pulling your kids out for a week, are you willing to leave them in school a week longer than everyone else?

ETA: If you want to use those arguments, how about "if you think kids learn better outside of school, why send them at all?"

Pep rallies means time away from the school books. Haven't we said that students should not miss school work?

Next time you can take a vacation in the 45 minutes (if that) a pep rally takes, go for it.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

As a fellow Aussie, I concur. It wouldn't even occur to me or anyone else I know, to be worried what the school thought if my kids were to miss just a few days of school for travel. I'm very strict on making sure my kids attend every day they're supposed too, but when it comes to multi week overseas holidays, the final decision rests with DH and me. The school has no say.

Most of our overseas trips are about 5 - 5/12 weeks in length. Where possible, I try and incorporate the 2 week school holidays (plus the student free day on the first Monday back). But if it doesn't work out that way, then that's just the way it is.

The schools have never had a problem with it. Sometimes the teachers offer up work; sometimes they don't. Either way, it has never made a difference to my kids' overall school careers. My older child returned from a 5 1/2 week trip to the US in grade 12 and was awarded the top honours in his specialised engineering programme that night at the school awards evening. That trip included 2 weeks at WDW and 2 weeks at DLR. Educational? Who knows. Who cares. He has/we have great memories of that time, the school was fine with his absence, he's doing extremely well post high school, and wonders of wonders, the world didn't end because he missed a few weeks of school. (When I told the main teacher that DS was going to be away, he said he was glad as it'd give the other students a chance to catch up with DS. I thought he was joking. Turns out he wasn't).

Our last trip (to UK/Europe/Japan) included stays at Disneyland Paris and Disneyland Tokyo. DS learnt more about the Japanese culture in the week we spent in Japan than he ever did in the 2 years of classroom learning. Seeing the historical sites he studied in history during our stay in the UK enhanced his lessons. His history teacher was beyond thrilled that DS could see some of the curriculum subjects for himself.

I doubt I'd take my my kids out of school for an Australian domestic holiday.

One thing I'm sure that factors in is most Americans don't have as much vacation as do others. I've only ever worked for one employer that offered more than 5 weeks of vacation and that company changed their policy to 5 max while I was there (I was still 7 years from achieving that 5th week when I left that company after 13 years). At my current job, we max out at 3 weeks, 1 of which is mandated to be the week between Christmas & New Years. We're also not permitted to carry unused time into the next year. Last year, I only used 13 of my 15 vacation days & they cut a check for the other 2. Now, I will say this situation is well below average. But, it's not unheard of either.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

If being physically being in a school building was so critical for a student to receive a superb education, why do we allow them to be absent on Columbus Day?

If it was essential that students be in attendance, why are they not in the buildings the day after Thanksgiving and the following Monday?

Half days? Why, that is a half day of class work lost.

Why not be in the classrooms the days and week following Christmas? So much school time lost.

Are they really celebrating the birthday of Dr. King and several of our presidents by learning more about them when having those days off?

Spring break? They are missing a whole week of academics!

How many students use Memorial Day off to actually memorialize the great sacrifices and contributions of the men and women of our military? Can't it be argued that they would be better of learning while on school property?

Several months of summer off! Look at all the lessons they are missing during that time!

Multiple days off because of teacher in service requirements. Think of the children! They should be in classroom instead!

Pep rallies means time away from the school books. Haven't we said that students should not miss school work?

What it comes down to is well thought out decisions by both the parents and the students when deciding to take a vacation during school days. Each family considers the value of such a trip and the consequences of school time lost. One family is proud that their child has never missed a day of school. Another family pulls their child out of the classroom yearly for family functions. Both are doing what is best for that student and both are equally correct.

Honestly, this is by far the weakest argument for either side I've ever witnessed. Although you do have a point about the 1/2 days. The rest is complete nonsense.

 

[anniemae]

If being physically being in a school building was so critical for a student to receive a superb education, why do we allow them to be absent on Columbus Day?

If it was essential that students be in attendance, why are they not in the buildings the day after Thanksgiving and the following Monday?

Half days? Why, that is a half day of class work lost.

Why not be in the classrooms the days and week following Christmas? So much school time lost.

Are they really celebrating the birthday of Dr. King and several of our presidents by learning more about them when having those days off?

Spring break? They are missing a whole week of academics!

How many students use Memorial Day off to actually memorialize the great sacrifices and contributions of the men and women of our military? Can't it be argued that they would be better of learning while on school property?

Several months of summer off! Look at all the lessons they are missing during that time!

Multiple days off because of teacher in service requirements. Think of the children! They should be in classroom instead!

Pep rallies means time away from the school books. Haven't we said that students should not miss school work?

What it comes down to is well thought out decisions by both the parents and the students when deciding to take a vacation during school days. Each family considers the value of such a trip and the consequences of school time lost. One family is proud that their child has never missed a day of school. Another family pulls their child out of the classroom yearly for family functions. Both are doing what is best for that student and both are equally correct.

Yes, but in your instances, the entire school is closed. Everyone has the day/week/afternoon off. When you pull your kid out during an "in session" time, school goes on without them. they miss the work and lessons so they fall behind. It's not an issue when everyone is out of school because nobody falls behind.

I am in the camp that everyone should do what they want. I don't think there is any clear cut answer. If the school and teacher are okay with it, and your child can make up the work. Go for it. If you don't feel comfortable, don't do it.

 

[clori]

nm

 

[Julylady]

We travel with my two nieces. The last time they were pulled out for a vacation during school was when the oldest was in the 4th grade. Her parents asked for her homework ahead of time and I think the teacher tried to punish her for missing school. The amount she was expected to do was really excessive. She did homework the entire time in the plane, plus another 2 hours a day while her younger sister napped in the hotel room. Both girls also kept a journal which they worked on another 30 minutes a day. It really put a damper on our trip and we (her parents and us) decided from now on we will only go to Disney during school breaks. That doesn't stop us from leaving a day early or returning a day late to get the best air fares, though.

 

[roseaster]

If being physically being in a school building was so critical for a student to receive a superb education, why do we allow them to be absent on Columbus Day?

If it was essential that students be in attendance, why are they not in the buildings the day after Thanksgiving and the following Monday?

Half days? Why, that is a half day of class work lost.

Why not be in the classrooms the days and week following Christmas? So much school time lost.

Are they really celebrating the birthday of Dr. King and several of our presidents by learning more about them when having those days off?

Spring break? They are missing a whole week of academics!

How many students use Memorial Day off to actually memorialize the great sacrifices and contributions of the men and women of our military? Can't it be argued that they would be better of learning while on school property?

Several months of summer off! Look at all the lessons they are missing during that time!

Multiple days off because of teacher in service requirements. Think of the children! They should be in classroom instead!

Pep rallies means time away from the school books. Haven't we said that students should not miss school work?

What it comes down to is well thought out decisions by both the parents and the students when deciding to take a vacation during school days. Each family considers the value of such a trip and the consequences of school time lost. One family is proud that their child has never missed a day of school. Another family pulls their child out of the classroom yearly for family functions. Both are doing what is best for that student and both are equally correct.

That's quite a bit of hyperbole.

No one is saying that education can only occurs in the classroom. I think almost everyone will agree that it doesn't. Just like family time doesn't only occur at WDW during school hours.

The point is, I think, when you enroll your children in a school, whether it be public, private, cyber, whatever, you agree to abide by the rules of the school, or accept the consequences. There are lots of options for people who don't agree with a school system's attendance policies. You can find a school that thinks similarly, you can home school.

If you choose not to abide by the attendance rules, that is your decision to make for your child, but you can't flaunt the rules and then cry foul.

You can't be mad at the school if they refer you to truancy court, or if the teacher won't give you work ahead of time, or if the teacher gives you too much work and ruins your vacation, or if your kid has hours of make up work on top of his/her regular work. You can't be mad if your kid gets no credit for days missed, or if the teacher refuses to use his/her free time or classroom time to help your child catch up.

The problem, I think, on the DIS as I have seen in the past is people take their kids out and then complain when consequences are levied or complain that the rules shouldn't apply to their kids for a variety of reasons.

Like I said, with my own children, who are not typical DIS gifted, I think missing more than a day or two is too much. We always tried to hook trips on to school vacations, though, now that they are older and our Jersey week is no longer a full week, we have been going in the summer. For us there is always going to be a sacrifice. Either my comfort, my wallet, or the kids' grades. We decided that we would rather be hot.

Other people's choices may vary.

 

[Amii]

I homeschooled my sons so when I went on vacation was never a problem. We own a buisness that is extremely busy during school vacations due to tourists. We would never be able to have someone run the buisness for us during school vacations even if they were willing. During the slower times we can have one of our employees watch the business for us. My family (including my kids) would have burned out many years before they graduated if we could not go on vacations.

When I was young it was no problem if a family wanted to pull the kids out of school for vacation. The school and the teachers didn't complain. They would give you the work that needed to be done when you came back. I'm not why it is such a huge problem now.

 

[roseaster]

I homeschooled my sons so when I went on vacation was never a problem. We own a buisness that is extremely busy during school vacations due to tourists. We would never be able to have someone run the buisness for us during school vacations even if they were willing. During the slower times we can have one of our employees watch the business for us. My family (including my kids) would have burned out many years before they graduated if we could not go on vacations.

When I was young it was no problem if a family wanted to pull the kids out of school for vacation. The school and the teachers didn't complain. They would give you the work that needed to be done when you came back. I'm not why it is such a huge problem now.

I think part of it is a funding issue. Government funding is based on attendance. The better the attendance, the more money.

I think the other thing is that kids learn so much more now in the same amount of time, that the pace is much more demanding. My kids cover a lot in a week, a lot more than I think I ever did. I am amazed, at times, at the things my kids learned at early ages.

My kids aren't typical DIS geniuses with 10 AP classes a day, but even in their mediocrity I think they would have a difficult time catching up with a week's worth of work. I can't even imagine how all these super advanced kids do it.

 

[ForeverAlice]

We always pull our son out for vacation. Crowds are way more manageable and the temps are lower as well. If he was not doing well in school or was overwhelmed by make up work- or not allowed to make up the work we probably would not.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

When I was young it was no problem if a family wanted to pull the kids out of school for vacation. The school and the teachers didn't complain. They would give you the work that needed to be done when you came back. I'm not why it is such a huge problem now.

Where I am, it was all but unheard of when I was a kid. It's still pretty uncommon, but compared to 30-40 years ago, it's WAY more common today.

 

[Skiton]

While this is a Disney forum, there are many other cruise lines that go to Alaska. DCL prices overall would make anyone blanch. And the Alaska cruise season is very short - probably half of it is during summer break.

Nobody needs to get to Orlando for a vacation. That Colorado family could drive to Florida, but it would be infinitely more sensible to visit DLR, especially for a desired (again, not needed) family vacation.

As for through the roof resort rates, well, here's CBR from May to October (courtesy of Mousesavers.com):

...............................Standard King Pool Water
May 30-Jun 30 Summer $223 $251 $255 $306
Jul 1-Jul 3 July 4th .......$234 $264 $269 $322
Jul 4-Aug 13 Summer ...$223 $251 $255 $306
Aug 14-Aug 18 Regular $215/$252 $249/$286 $242/$284 $298/$333
Aug 19-Sep 17 Fall ......$206/$234 $237/$263 $226/$243 $278/$286
Sep 18-Oct 6 Regular ..$215/$252 $249/$286 $242/$284 $298/$333

AKL for pretty much the same time frame:

.........................................Standard....... Pool ...........Bunk ......Savannah
May 27-May 29 Memorial Day $487 ..........$574 .........$597 .........$674
May 30-Jun 30 Summer ....$404/$410 ..$467/$467 $492/$492 ..$577/$595
Jul 1-Jul 3 July 4th ...............$431 ..........$490 .........$516 .........$626
Jul 4-Jul 9 Summer ..........$404/$410 ..$467/$467 $492/$492 ..$577/$595
Jul 10-Aug 13 Value 2 ......$370/$370 ..$396/$422 $450/$450.. $505/$541
Aug 14-Sep 22 Value .......$346/$376 ..$387/$416 $410/$439 ..$495/$515
Sep 23-Oct 6 Regular 2 ....$422/$449 ..$432/$478 $488/$539 ..$597/$630

So, not a whole lot of difference from low to high. Certainly not through the roof, or, reasonably, the excuse

Yes, but what's the point in quoting those rates? It's ALWAYS going to be cheaper in mid-September, and there will ALWAYS be families who can't afford whatever the lowest rate is in July, but who will find fall rates doable. And the Caribbean rates for DCL summer cruises aren't any better than Alaska. Saying "Hey, there are other cruise lines" is the equivalent of saying "Hey, just go to Six Flags." There's nothing wrong with that, except if a family really wants to do Disney, it goes back to my point of people saying "Sorry, if you can't afford to do Disney during peak season then you just have no business being there." I realize that's not what you're saying, of course, but it's why I wouldn't judge anyone for taking that vacation when they can afford to, with full knowledge of what's involved with their kids missing a week of school.

 

[Allons-y!]

If physically being in a school building was so critical for a student to receive a superb education, why do we allow them to be absent on Columbus Day?

If it was essential that students be in attendance, why are they not in the buildings the day after Thanksgiving and the following Monday?

Half days? Why, that is a half day of class work lost.

Why not be in the classrooms the days and week following Christmas? So much school time lost.

Are they really celebrating the birthday of Dr. King and several of our presidents by learning more about them when having those days off?

Spring break? They are missing a whole week of academics!

How many students use Memorial Day off to actually memorialize the great sacrifices and contributions of the men and women of our military? Can't it be argued that they would be better of learning while on school property?

Several months of summer off! Look at all the lessons they are missing during that time!

Multiple days off because of teacher in service requirements. Think of the children! They should be in classroom instead!

Pep rallies means time away from the school books. Haven't we said that students should not miss school work?

What it comes down to is well thought out decisions by both the parents and the students when deciding to take a vacation during school days. Each family considers the value of such a trip and the consequences of school time lost. One family is proud that their child has never missed a day of school. Another family pulls their child out of the classroom yearly for family functions. Both are doing what is best for that student and both are equally correct.

That argument has nothing to do with the concern of pulling kids for vacation. All of your examples are when ALL students are out of the building. They don't miss instruction that other kids received.

FTR, I have no problem with pulling kids as long as it won't negatively affect their progress.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yes, but what's the point in quoting those rates? It's ALWAYS going to be cheaper in mid-September, and there will ALWAYS be families who can't afford whatever the lowest rate is in July, but who will find fall rates doable. And the Caribbean rates for DCL summer cruises aren't any better than Alaska. Saying "Hey, there are other cruise lines" is the equivalent of saying "Hey, just go to Six Flags." There's nothing wrong with that, except if a family really wants to do Disney, it goes back to my point of people saying "Sorry, if you can't afford to do Disney during peak season then you just have no business being there." I realize that's not what you're saying, of course, but it's why I wouldn't judge anyone for taking that vacation when they can afford to, with full knowledge of what's involved with their kids missing a week of school.

I would respect families more if they just flat out said "we're going now to save money/enjoy the lower crowds". However, with rare exception, that's not what you hear. Instead it's "they'll learn more at Disney" or "the school can't tell me what to do", "there's enough time wasted at school anyway" or all the other excuses posted here and on other threads.

And yes, Disney will be cheaper in mid-September. Where is it written that a Disney vacation is required yearly? Why not skip a year, save that money, then go the following year during a school break?

 

[Missy1961]

One thing I'm sure that factors in is most Americans don't have as much vacation as do others. I've only ever worked for one employer that offered more than 5 weeks of vacation and that company changed their policy to 5 max while I was there (I was still 7 years from achieving that 5th week when I left that company after 13 years). At my current job, we max out at 3 weeks, 1 of which is mandated to be the week between Christmas & New Years. We're also not permitted to carry unused time into the next year. Last year, I only used 13 of my 15 vacation days & they cut a check for the other 2. Now, I will say this situation is well below average. But, it's not unheard of either.

I think that's a big factor. I knew that vacation days and sick days are not mandated by law here in New York - they are given only if the employer wants to give them. I was with my company for 30 years so I had a lot of vacation time - and that's probably one of the reasons they let me go. It was certainly cheaper to replace me with someone that only got 10 days of vacation instead of my 30.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, but what's the point in quoting those rates?

Point of displaying the rates is to demonstrate that summer - synonymous with extended school vacation - prices are not "through the roof" compared to September/school-in-session rates, as was claimed. In fact, the difference between Summer and Fall at CBR is a whopping $19 per night. At rack rate, which virtually nobody here ever pays unless the discount is Dining Plan Free.

 

[grandmateri]

I pull my daughter out when she was in school. Now she pulling her children out in March to go to Disney. The oldest is in band and they are marching at the Magic Kingdom . The band going from a thur. to a mon. We are going from Wed (after school ) to thur. The granddaughter is in 11th grade. she will miss 3 extra days of school. The other grandchildren are in( two) 8th, one in 6th, and a 3rd grader. Several other family from band are also taking family trip at this time and staying longer. A couple of Aunt and Uncle with cousins are going too (lives out of state , A big surprise for my grandkids). We are also taking the 11th grader. best friend,she moved last year (a couple of hours away).Surprise !!!!We rented a big 8 bedroom house.20 days to go !!!