A Few ??'s for those with school-age kids....

[TheFlame]

We have always tried to camp in the "off-season", if there is one anymore!We did not realize so many people do the same thing more and more! I have read so many posts here from people with kids that are going during the school year but I don't know how old the kids are in some cases. After reading the posts for who is going in January, I would like to ask all those here with kids in school to post your replies to the following questions..........................

1. Do your kids go to public/private school or do you home school?

2. Do you always vacation during the school year just to miss the crowds or is that the only time you can go?

3. How many days a school year do your kids miss due to family vacation's that are considered unexcused absences?

4. Have you had to deal with or how would you deal with problems from the teacher, principal or the school system?

I am asking because we are going the middle of January and my 8yo DS will miss 4 more days of school(unexcused of course). He missed 5 days in October for our MNSSHP trip and since we got AP's then, we decided to take advantage of the AP discount for Jan. That will give him a total of 10 maybe 11 unexcused days this school year because of vacations. He is doing beyond great in school and way ahead of his peers. His lowest grade in any subject is an A and his average is an A+!?!?!?!?!?!? No worries from me or I wouldn't even consider taking him out! My school system really focuses on AYP and tardies and absences school wide affect this. In my opinion, since GA schools are so low on the totem pole compared to other states, you would think they would care more about fixing that!

I home school my 13yo DD because the middle school is crappy. If I get alot of hassle from the school, I may take my son out and finish the year at home, though he doesn't want to! BTW- we are moving in March and I could enroll him then in his new school!?!

We have always vacationed during the school year (except we do go to the beach in the summer!) because we have a farm, but we have gone a little over board this year! It's usually just 5 to 7 days a year that they miss!

I want my kids to have a good education and I do think that it is important but I also believe you should enjoy your kids while they are young and while you are healthy and able! Life is so very short!

Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to the responses!

 

[becky1960]

We usually schedule around the School as we have Teenagers now and they are involved in Band, sports Etc. The schools are unforgiving when they miss these activities. If they miss too much(I think 30 days) then they take the parent to court. We did take them out a couple of days early one year and they said no problem.
We have relatives who took theirs out ( Different district) for 2 weeks one year and the school got upset and told them they would check their grades and possibly set them back.

 

[TheFlame]

Becky- I agree, if my daughter was in public school then she could not miss that many days. Middle and High school are almost impossible to make up days for. It is alot easier to go while the kids are in ele. school! If I feel that my child can miss days and it not affect him, then it is my decision to leave him out, not the schools. I will not be bullied by the public school system. My son is in a good ele. school but our school system beyond that is a joke! I am fortunate enough to be able to home school my middle schooler, but it is NOT EASY! I don't blame the teachers for the poor schools. They have such a hard job!

Also, I agree with you Becky, If you are part of a band or team, then you should be held accountable to that commitment! It is not a required activity and if you choose to join then the whole family knows of the commitment! There is nothing wrong with missing a practice or game with notice and a good excuse but if you are a part of a team then they are counting on you!

Thanks for the reply!

 

[CNDKangaroo]

My children are 8,5,4 (the two oldest attend school -- kindergarten and grade 3). We always bring "work" for the children to do although rarely has the teacher provided it. All the children do a daily journal and then I also bring some fun workbooks which include math and reading. We also talk a lot about what we are doing/seeing/experiencing and my children learn a lot while we are away!

1) Both my children attend public school but we are in Canada so that may make a difference as funding is provided for the schools in October and not for days that the children are actually in attendence (at least I'm pretty sure that is the way it works)

2) We always go during the school year. Not necessarily to miss the crowds but it is just a good time for us to go.

3) We usually go on holiday for 2-3 weeks during the year (usually all in one lump sum).

4) I have not had to deal with problems from the school yet. If I did have any problems I would most likely decide that perhaps school wouldn't work for our family and we would homeschool. I require a school/teacher that is supportive and interested in learning outside of the classroom. I am a firm believer that learning comes from experience. My children learn the basics of math in school and then in the "real world" they get to put that into practice. While we are on holiday they each receive a set amount of money they are allowed to spend....they then have to figure out what they can afford etc. As well, we read books prior to leaving about planes/the history of flight and discuss how exactly a plane stays in the air...when we are on the plane we experience what we have read...looking out the window at the flaps, engines etc.

 

[Shannone1]

1. Do your kids go to public/private school or do you home school?

Our kids are in public schools. 1st, 6th and 8th grades.

2. Do you always vacation during the school year just to miss the crowds or is that the only time you can go?

We only go in the summer/school vacations. Sometimes they miss one day of school at the beginning or end of a trip. When they were all younger, missing school wasn't such a big deal. Now though they have grades that depend on participation. Even though they get good grades, it is frowned upon if they miss school unless they are sick.

3. How many days a school year do your kids miss due to family vacation's that are considered unexcused absences?

I would say 2-3 a year. We sometimes take a long weekend and they miss a Friday or Monday.

4. Have you had to deal with or how would you deal with problems from the teacher, principal or the school system?

We haven't had this issue yet, so I'm not sure how we would deal with it. The number of absences from school have never really mattered to us as long as the kids are doing well. What IS important to us is that we spend quality family time together. When the kids look back on their childhood..they aren't going to remember how many days of school they missed or if they ever got a "B" instead of an "A". Hopefully they will remember all the great places we went and the time we spent together.

We are planning an 8 week trip out west in summer of '09 and we've already told the kids we won't be participating in softball or band camp that summer. No commitments other than the ones to our own family. I have to make this trip happen...my oldest will be 15 that summer !!


Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to the responses!

 

[TheFlame]

CNDKangaroo- You sound like a GREAT mom and you would make a great home school mom! Sounds like you could be on your way down that road unless Canadian public schools are different than US one's. Our government run public school system has it's priorities mixed up royally compared to other countries! You would do a great job teaching your kids full time since you have already figured out what is important.

Shannone1- Your answer to #4 was great! I agree 100%! I believe family is more important than ANYTHING! My kids will be grown and gone before I know it! You can't get these days back!

There are so many opportunities to learn a WDW that most people would not believe you if you listed them all! I know it is not "school" but you can learn anywhere if you open your mind to all of the possibilities! Epcot is full of learning experiences and there are life experiences everywhere you go!

 

[AuburnJen92]

We have always tried to camp in the "off-season", if there is one anymore!We did not realize so many people do the same thing more and more! I have read so many posts here from people with kids that are going during the school year but I don't know how old the kids are in some cases. After reading the posts for who is going in January, I would like to ask all those here with kids in school to post your replies to the following questions..........................

1. Do your kids go to public/private school or do you home school?
My child is in private pre-school, but I am a public school teacher and high school softball coach.

2. Do you always vacation during the school year just to miss the crowds or is that the only time you can go?
We have the luxury of living close enough to WDW to go on weekends so I don't miss work and he doesn't miss school, however, we did miss a couple of days for our Christmas trip. The DS4 missed two days only because my district let out early. We try not to go during school because of commitments that I have made with the school.

3. How many days a school year do your kids miss due to family vacation's that are considered unexcused absences?
Just a couple.

4. Have you had to deal with or how would you deal with problems from the teacher, principal or the school system?

In the past when I was in HS band, the director made a special rule in the handbook just for me because I missed too many days for going to college football games with my family. I would talk to your children's teachers first and give them a head's up. Teachers, on the whole, are much easier to work with if you can give them prior notice of things that are coming up. No teacher wants to fail a child because of absences, especially if the child is giving a good effort and doing his/her work. Also, follow up with the administration and let them know your plans and make sure you let them know you have told the teacher first of your intentions. Nothing irritates an administrator more than to hear a parent go straight to the administration without talking to the teacher first. Make sure you read and understand the rules of the child's student handbook as well before you talk to anyone. Just some helpful hints from the "inside".
I am asking because we are going the middle of January and my 8yo DS will miss 4 more days of school(unexcused of course). He missed 5 days in October for our MNSSHP trip and since we got AP's then, we decided to take advantage of the AP discount for Jan. That will give him a total of 10 maybe 11 unexcused days this school year because of vacations. He is doing beyond great in school and way ahead of his peers. His lowest grade in any subject is an A and his average is an A+!?!?!?!?!?!? No worries from me or I wouldn't even consider taking him out! My school system really focuses on AYP and tardies and absences school wide affect this. In my opinion, since GA schools are so low on the totem pole compared to other states, you would think they would care more about fixing that!

I home school my 13yo DD because the middle school is crappy. If I get alot of hassle from the school, I may take my son out and finish the year at home, though he doesn't want to! BTW- we are moving in March and I could enroll him then in his new school!?!

We have always vacationed during the school year (except we do go to the beach in the summer!) because we have a farm, but we have gone a little over board this year! It's usually just 5 to 7 days a year that they miss!

I want my kids to have a good education and I do think that it is important but I also believe you should enjoy your kids while they are young and while you are healthy and able! Life is so very short!

Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to the responses!

I hope this helps.

 

[MBMacs]

We have taken the girls out for 4 or 5 days the past 2 years. The teachers understand and support it. Our 3rd grader had her state mandated testing during this time. Her teacher took it upon her self to do it before we left. The little one had 2towrite 2 sentences each day for her kindergarten teacher. They learned more in AK and Epcot to make up for any loss time in school. They are only allowed 7 unexcused absences during the year. So we make sure they make it the rest of the year, I believe in the past 2 years neither has had a sick day. Both of their teachers are of the same thinking as us, family time and traditions, weigh out against school.

 

[mamaloya]

I homeschool. I go in the off season because I have mobility and stamina issues as well as not being able to handle heat. Family flexibilityis one reason I homeschool. dh is an army chaplain and I like to be free when he has time off. Recently on post my dh's battalion was given block leave before the deployment. Time to spend with their families before they leave. It was in October. A lot of parents started talking about hsing because the schools were giving them such a hard time about pulling their kids out of school to take a vacation with their dad before he deployed. I was livid. I was so grateful to hs. Also when we move I don't have to worry about switching schools and curriculums.

WDW is such a great learning experience all the way around. www.themouseforless.com has a great school excuse letter with all of the educational benefits listed. You should check it out. If I have time I will post an exact link later. Here is the link http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/SE.shtml .

Happy Camping!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

We have always tried to camp in the "off-season", if there is one anymore!We did not realize so many people do the same thing more and more! I have read so many posts here from people with kids that are going during the school year but I don't know how old the kids are in some cases. After reading the posts for who is going in January, I would like to ask all those here with kids in school to post your replies to the following questions..........................

1. Do your kids go to public/private school or do you home school?


My girls are 11, 8 & 6 and go to public school. I have considered homeschooling; partly to make our schedule more flexible for "field trips!"


2. Do you always vacation during the school year just to miss the crowds or is that the only time you can go?


When going to WDW, we prefer to go when it is less crowded. We do our best to work around school, but if we need to miss a few days we don't sweat it. I have always believed that life experiences beat text book experiences any day, and as long as my DDs are excelling academically I won't hesitate to pull them out of school for something worthwhile.


3. How many days a school year do your kids miss due to family vacation's that are considered unexcused absences?


They have missed up to a week or maybe a bit more of combined absences. We usually try to plan trips when they are going to be out of school anyway and we tack on a few extra days. I've found that these days tend to be less academic anyway. They missed 2 1/2 days before the winter holiday and we heard from another parent that they just watched movies those days. Hmmmm, Disney World? or Disney movies? Now THAT's a no brainer!!!!!



4. Have you had to deal with or how would you deal with problems from the teacher, principal or the school system?


We've never had a problem from the school. I always talk to the teachers beforehand. I've never encountered opposition, as they all seem to agree with my thinking that life experiences are worth the days missed. I am sure things will change as my kids get older. I'll enjoy it as long as I can!


I really think that as long as your kiddos are doing well you should go for it! These are memories that will last forever!

Have fun!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

1. Do your kids go to public/private school or do you home school?

They are in public schools, we moved to this district specifically because the public schools here are ranked #1 in this state. Unfortunately, with that ranking comes a bit of snobbery, and although all 4 of my girls have always been in top honors classes and one in gifted and talented arts....we're "that family" the one whose "father works in the adult entertainment industry, so they OBVIOUSLY are drug dealers and immoral, white trash..." These rich folks crack me up, but it sometimes really gets to my kids. Children CAN be mean


2. Do you always vacation during the school year just to miss the crowds or is that the only time you can go?

I simply refuse to go to Disney when its crowded again. And summer break in Florida is NOT what we consider a vacation. So, although its probably irresponsible of ME, we take them out of school for completely selfish reasons. The kids dont seem to mind, and they have never fallen behind in grades.


3. How many days a school year do your kids miss due to family vacation's that are considered unexcused absences?

5-6, I always send in a note informing them that we wont be in town....though I usually forget to mention Disney, no sense in adding fuel to a fire. Sometimes the absences will be excused, sometimes they arent. Depends on their teachers.


4. Have you had to deal with or how would you deal with problems from the teacher, principal or the school system?

This year, my 2 oldest daughters' principal decided that he wanted to further investigate the situation. He's one of those guys who tries to act superior to everyone, and the fact that HE and I went to school together doesn't help us much.We didnt get along in school, THEN, or NOW!! Unfortunately if I punch him NOW....he'd sue me. He seems to have forgotten that we grew up in the same neighborhood, I haven't forgotten where I come from...and I never will. It helps me to appreciate where I am now. It must be really sad to be so embarrassed of your past that ya gotta try to hide, or forget it. I get alot of satisfaction knowing that my kids are excelling in HIS school because I love my kids and am very proud of them....AND because I know it burns him up a just little bit!! I know thats wrong, but I cant help it.


Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to the responses!

I was looking at some old home videos the other day....and my two oldest kids were so sweet and innocent and little, and they have grown into beautiful young women....but its like those 2 LITTLE kids are gone, like someone came and slowly took them away a little at a time so that I wouldnt notice, and I didnt. I wont let that happen with my other 2, I know...I cant stop them from growing up....but I sure can make the most out of every second that passes while all that growing up is going on.

 

[lawnspecialties]

1. Do your kids go to public/private school or do you home school? We home-school our two sons.

2. Do you always vacation during the school year just to miss the crowds or is that the only time you can go? I'm a firefighter and landscaper. No way I could go between March and October.

3. How many days a school year do your kids miss due to family vacation's that are considered unexcused absences? I'm the principal. None are unexcused

4. Have you had to deal with or how would you deal with problems from the teacher, principal or the school system? My sons' teacher loves the way I deal with her.

Good luck with the schools. Let us know how it turned out.

 

[auntie]

My kids are now 16 and 20...with an older son who doesn't live home of 27.
That being said..we've been vacationing as a family in Disney World since the youngest was 6 weeks old. We used to vacation in Aiugust, because that's when the kids were off and my husband was able to take time also. It was really hot and humid..but the parks are open late..so that was a plus.

When the youngest was around 10 we took our first trip in May..and we loved it. The weather was warm but not as humid and of course with the age differences we have, we always have someone in school.

In fact this past May, we had my youngest in high school..9th grade at the time. My daughter is in college..so we waited for school to end for her and went the last week of May. My son attends school until the end of June. He finished lacrosse for the season and we went the next day. He keeps his grades up..in fact he made honor roll this past quarter. I suppose if he weren't a good student or was going through a difficult time we wouldn't pull him out, but that hasn't been the case so far. With any of the kids for that matter. Frankly...you'd be surprised what a great incentive it is for them to do their best in school during years when we have a Disney trip planned. They know that I wouldn't think twice of cancelling if anyone was failing anything. Of course as they get older it is more difficult to work a vacation around their schedules. Everyone seems to have commitments and obligations. However, we all share a love of Disney World and that seems to motivate us to pull it together and get away every so often in a place we all enjoy. Even our older son was able to schedule some vacation time for the same dates and we all went to WL together.
Having been through this with kids from infants to their twenties, I will tell you that my experience was that when they are younger it was easier..as they got older their commitments and studies became more apart of their lives, and makes it a bit more difficult to get away together. My younger son who is in high school is only allowed to miss 4 consecutive days from school....without having to return with a Dr.'s note. So we have scheduled our last couple of trips to coincide with Memorial Day. His school offers the friday before Memorial Day off, and if we go that week he only misses 4 days, and we still avoid the holiday crowds. It's worked nicely for us. Missing college..not a chance. That's why we wait until May since my daughter is totally done at that point. She WILL NOT miss a Disney vacation! I don't think my husband and I are ever going to get that trip alone unless we lie to our kids!

 

[seabee]

I was looking at some old home videos the other day....and my two oldest kids were so sweet and innocent and little, and they have grown into beautiful young women....but its like those 2 LITTLE kids are gone, like someone came and slowly took them away a little at a time so that I wouldnt notice, and I didnt. I wont let that happen with my other 2, I know...I cant stop them from growing up....but I sure can make the most out of every second that passes while all that growing up is going on.

This made me choke up. It is sooo true. We are lucky enough that our kids go to a small private school, and the principal is a disney fanatic. We choose to go during the fall because it is easier for us. My husband is a quadripalegic and smaller crowds make our vacation so much more enjoyable. This is what I told our school administration. Besides, my girls do well in school, so the administration is easier about it. After my husband was injured, we, as a family, said we would never wait to do anything. You never know what is around the corner, and I don't want to miss time with my kids. It just so happened that we took a trip to DL, one that we really didn't have money for, just before DH was injured, and I am so grateful. Those are memories we will always have, that I wouldn't give up for anything. To me, the memories that we make on a trip are much more important then a weeks worth of math and phonics. They can make it up. We can't make up memories and time together.

 

[TheFlame]

Thank you so much for all of the replies! I am so glad that I am not alone in this big bad world! I really appreciate the time you guys have taken to share your families stories and your heart about how important your KIDS are and not just pleasing the public school system and following society! We are a bit of rebels at our house and really try to buck the system at any given opportunity. We do things OUR way with OUR kids!

BigDaddyRog- Thanks so much for sharing your families story and your heart. As for the bozo's you spoke about in ?? #1, I just love it when the "church on Sunday, drunk on Monday" crowd start with their holier than thou attitude! We just love the ones that throw stones around here! We try to not get hit by them on the way to Church on Sunday but I must admit my car needs a new paint job! We really don't care what people think about us. We can't seem to please anyone with anything we do! Then again every family has a black sheep! We just try to please ourselves and hope we can live with our decisions and our actions based on our own moral compass, not someone else's! You just do your thing and forget about the rest!
Your last paragraph summed up our exact attitude! I cannot get these years back or replace the memories. I want to make new ones at every given opportunity and that just happens to be at WDW at the moment. I am sure our obsession will subside eventually!?!?!?!?

Thanks again for the replies, I love this forum, I love FW and really love WDW!

 

[graciejane]

MY boys go to a public school. They are in 7th and 11th grade this year and we will be taking them out of school for a week in March. In the past them missing a week hasn't been a big issue. When they were in elementary school we would take them out for 2 weeks at the end of Sept/Oct to miss some of the crowds. Hopefully there won't be a problem when I send "the note" to school this time. Even if there is, they are only young once and the time with family can't be replaced.

 

[TheFlame]

GracieJane- I hope that you don't have any trouble with the school when your kids are out. My experience is only with elementary schools, since I started homeschooling my middle schooler the year she started 6th grade. Ele. schools are easy to deal with. We take work with us from the teacher but usually it is just busy work. Kids go to school for too many hours everyday. If they went and did just school work, they would be home by lunch time. Oh well, the ways of the government run public school system. I hope I can get my 2nd grader home before too long.
I have heard that it is very difficult most of the time for ms and hs kids to miss because they miss so much work! I am so glad that I don't have to deal with that. I find that when we miss school days when we are camping that it is easy to take work along in the truck and do work at the desk in my camper. My 13DD thinks we bought it for the "school" desk(actually it was just "the one" and to get the floor plan we wanted we had to get the useless desk and fireplace!) But, it is convenient, no missed days or missed school work! Okay, it is very hard to get any work done at Disney, maybe in the mountains.....maybe at the beach.....never mind! We just mark them as vacation days or life-skills learning days, we RARELY get any work done!