Anyone have problems taking their kids outta school for vacation?

[JMCDAD]

Mattsmom
I suggest you reread my post
it clearly says unless you have a job/reason.............
what it does not say is many of the things you mentioned (bad parenting etc)

 

[jeff968]

My job would allow me to travel anytime but my wife and I feel that the school schedule comes first so we'll be there next week with everyone else who has President's week off. We feel school comes first.

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

My family will also be at Disney next week during President's week - We have taken my son out of school for 8 days to go to Disney every year since he was in Kindergarten. He is in Third this year, and I felt it was time to shorten the length, so we will be going Presidents week, but we will still be there during the 1st week in March.

I have never had a problem with his school not allowing him to go, or not giving him the work to make up. This year was quite different though - I received a form from the school stating that it was illegal in NYS under section XXXX to take my child out of school for vacations. It went on to say that the school or teacher was not responsible for any missed work or tests. I had to sign the paper and return it to the school.

On the side, I received a note directly from the teacher that stated she will provide him with the missed work and to go and have a good time! We will see how this trip goes, before we decide on next year.

On the other hand - I get kind of mad when my son is out of school once or twice a month for "Staff Development Days" - I don't know what they are developing, but I didn't have them growing up, so I don't know why my child has to be out of school constantly - last month there were 2 scheduled within a week of each other! - $$ spent on child care, plus he could be learning on those days! - so why are they angry when I take my child out - as I see it, 10 months of school = 5 days of missed school due to "staff development days!" NYS should check those out!

 

[Becky2005]

It's always way more complicated than just "forget what the school says, I'm taking my kids out no matter what and that's just tough for them if they don't like it".

I have 1 child that I could *easily* pull out of class for a week, no problems, even if she didn't make up the homework/tests, she could pass the class.

I have another child that I would only consider taking him out of class for a week or even a day unless it was due to a dire emergency or something like a wedding/funeral! He's only in 2nd grade, he was out sick for a week and the amount of homework he had was awful. Not to mention, he gets special help with reading/writing as it is right now plus summer school (he is hoping to get to go again this year as he absolutely loved it! During the summer school, vacations aren't an issue, you just let them know up front when you will be gone!). I know for him, he would be so far behind in class and he would never catch up.

I'm not sure what the policy is here. I know it can be done because I know of those that have done it. I do know it's frowned upon and you have to go through a certain procedure (I looked it up just because I was curious).

I guess I'm one that tries to play by the rules even if I didn't like them, so if the policy was "you can't make up homework or tests" if you go on unexcused absences, then I wouldn't bother challenging the school board about it - the rule was *probably* put in place by too many people pulling out their kids too often. I would weigh the pros/cons of it and live by the consequences if I still chose to pull my kids out.

 

[Becky2005]

On the other hand - I get kind of mad when my son is out of school once or twice a month for "Staff Development Days" - I don't know what they are developing, but I didn't have them growing up, so I don't know why my child has to be out of school constantly - last month there were 2 scheduled within a week of each other! - $$ spent on child care, plus he could be learning on those days! - so why are they angry when I take my child out - as I see it, 10 months of school = 5 days of missed school due to "staff development days!" NYS should check those out!

Wow, you never had "Teacher Institute" days growing up? I'm over 35 and we had those even when I was in school. I thought everyone did. Just surprised me. They have clustered ours more now so that when they do have holidays/days off, it makes 4 day weekends, etc... I remember we used to get off of school whenever the day would fall for certain things, so it was possible to have a Tuesday or Wednesday off in the middle of the week. Now all days off for holidays fall on Monday (except Thanksgiving of course, that's Thursday/Friday).

 

[Idahomom]

Our oldest is in 8th grade. Including from the time he was in preschool until now he has missed no more than 10 days total for family vacation. Sure he's missed school due to illness and to travel for a relatives funeral, but how can no more than 10 days in 10 yrs of schooling make me someone who doesn't put school before fun? And for making sure my children fulfills their responsibilities, I'd say their grades and involvement in student council and being honor roll students shows they are meeting their school responsibilities.

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

Becky2005,

I too am over 35 (way to close to 40) and I honestly do not remember having those days off! - Maybe we did, but I think it is excessive! one or two - 1/2 days a month. I just don't agree, as it seems that everytime I turn around there is one. (like tomorrow!) He had one on January 26th, January 31st and another one tomorrow 2/16 - Its ridiculous!

 

[Reflection]

Interesting thread......

In principle, I would not take my daughter out of school for a vacation at WDW. For other locales, particularly foreign (am not including Disneyland Paris ) travel, I would. In actuality, however, I have taken her out of school for travel to Orlando--twice. Once, when she was in 1st grade and the other when she was in 3rd grade. For both of those trips, my travel to Orlando was work-related. Thankfully, she is a very good student and administration and teachers were supportive--both absences were excused--and there was no problem in arranging ahead time with the teachers for school work for her to do while we were away.

Same school a couple of years later--but completely different environment, No Child Left Behind and strict adherence to state mandates regarding school attendance-only 10 days are allowed for unexcused absences. In fact, there were regular notices in weekly take-home materials from the office reminding/asking parents not to interrupt class an hour or so before school ended because their child had to get to soccer, basketball, baseball, or whatever after school practice. I'd love to hear the eductional rationale/excuse for that action. Anyway, my daughter was in 5th grade (this was the 03-04 school year). At back-to-school night, the principal stated absence from school due to family vacation would result in an unexcused absence and teachers were under no obligation to provide make-up work when the student returned or work packets while the student was away. Since my job requires travel to conferences 3-5 times a year, I always alert the teacher in advance--particularly if my daughter will be traveling with me. That year, I had a conference in Italy and made arrangements to take my daughter with me. She was out of school for 10 days--all unexcused. Her teacher was very supportive. This was truly one of those once in a lifetime experiences, and turned out to provide valuable first-hand experience when her class studied the Middle Ages and Renaissance in one of the history tracts. However, she would have accompanied me on this trip whether or not the class had studied the Renaissance.

My daughter is now in middle school (6th grader), and she would miss too much, which is why she did not accompany me on a conference I had to attend at WDW in earlier this month. However, if the travel involved an international destination, I would have made arrangements with her teachers in advance, and she would have gone with me. I love the international showcase in EPCOT but it is no substitute for the Duomo or Leaning Tower of Pisa, or the fjords in Norway (that work-related trip occurred last summer, so no school issues to deal with).

Another thought...I agree that WDW is educational and so are many other places we've visited (e.g., Williamsburg, Philadelphia, New York, etc). However, we don't choose vacation spots for their educational value, we go where we will have fun. Okay, I'm getting off the soapbox now......

 

[Baloo]

Okay folks this is a very hot topic here at the DIS,and before y'all get too steamed up here's a reminder of a couple of the DIS Guidlines you should keep in mind!




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Also remember this is a TRIP PLANNING Board NOT a Debate board!!!

Thanks!!

 

[LSUDis]

It is difficult for teachers to accommodate students who miss school for extended periods. Most teachers make their lesson plans only a week or so in advance so that they can most readily meet the needs of their students. For example, if they determine that more time is needed for learning about clauses, then they can build in that time as needed. They can then more easily respond to each class and its individual learning styles and pacing.

Even if parents ask for the child's work before they leave, they are asking the teacher to predict exactly what they may be studying 2-3 weeks from that point. (I say 2-3 weeks b/c the child will need time to do the current work while working ahead to turn everything in b/f the trip.)

Then, the teacher must make any necessary copies for that child while still getting together that day's/week's work for the other 25-30 children per period.
Meanwhile, grading is still occurring and lesson plans are being written for the other five different classes being taught.
If the child doesn't understand the assignments, then the teacher must schedule individual tutoring time with that student (which is okay, except that other students are waiting to be tutored on what is happening in the classroom now.)
This is quite a bit of extra work to ask of a teacher who may have 180 other students during the day.

Plus, student absences are counted against the schools, which costs them operating money. Excessive student absences can drop a school into remediation mode, too.

Just another viewpoint on taking kids out of school for vacations.

 

[FredS]

...........Most schools have more than enough vacation time and days off to allow for family time and family vacations. I can understand parents who have difficult work schedules or have a Disney business meeting /convention asking to take their children out of school. Taking kids out of school for Disney solely to avoid crowds sends the wrong message about school........Why can't the trip be scheduled around the school schedule? If there is a good reason I'd think most schools will give permission.

I totally agree. If missing a week of school doesn't present a problem for your child, particularly in the higher grades, then I would think about whether or not the school was any good. Kids missing several days just for their parents' convenience does cause extra work for good teachers. As someone else said, multiply this by many kids whose parents decide to vacation during school sessions and it gets to be a significant burden for the teacher, and takes their limited time away from the kids who are there, ready to learn.

And I really, really hate the "family time is more important" comments used as some sort of justification. I think family time is incredibly important but I don't think that one must make a choice between dedication to your family and going on memorable vacations OR having your child abide by school attendance policies. It isn't as if school was in session 11 1/2 months of the year, puhleeze.

There are sometimes exceptions, but to routinely take your child out of school for several days for a vacation, particularly when it violates a reasonable school policy and/or causes the child problems with their lessons, just seems like a huge mistake to me. It seems to send the message that you think you are above the rules and what is easiest for you is more important than your child's education.

 

[ashjohnson80]

You know, you should really be more concerned with your child's education than taking a Disney vacation. What if they miss something really important and don't ever fully get the grasp of it leaving them dropping out of HS at 16 to work full time at McDonalds. They could have become doctors! They could be saving lives but look at what your yearning for a Disney trip has left them doing! How can you live with yourself??? Huh??? Ok I'm just saying this to have less crowds on my Disney vacations. I couldn't go through with not telling you that. First one to RnRC is a rotten egg....

 

[DLKT]

A little harsh DLKT. We are not saying its a matter of measuring the importance of family time versus school time or inconveniencing teachers. Its about teaching them that play time comes after their responsibilities are fulfilled. Even at 5, my daugher is being taught that there are certain things she is expected to do before she can do some of the fun things she wants to do. Its not anything to get hostile about. It is the way we chose to raise our daughter and everyone has different ideas and opinions. And everyone is entitled to them without persecutions.

Huh?
What was harsh?
And who was hostile?
Me?
No way.
I ended my post with an "everyone here is smart and does the best for thier kids. I even threw in a group hug smilie!!!
"Persecution"? Who was I persecuting?
Teachers?
Well, maybe I was a little harsh but having to give extra effort was given as one of the reasons that teachers give parents a hard time which has to be one of the weakest excuses I've ever heard.
Conversely I have high esteem for the teachers that work with the parents.

Anyway, sorry to anyone who thought I was over the line.
I was just writing what I think.


I do have another question for everyone though.
Are we talking about public or private schools here with all these restrictions and getting a hard time pulling kids out of class for vacation?
Is it even an issue in private school?
Just wondering.

 

[FredS]

Just thought it bears repeating
This discussion is not about the value of family time and family vacations
I think we all agree that both are tremendously important. (thats why we're on this site to begin with)
But unless you have a job/reason that doesn't allow you to plan vacations when your children are off from school, it is a choice you make for convenience, bottomline.
Me and my wife plan our vacations around school not during it, I feel it does set a bad prescedent. But thats just our opinion.
I don't understand all the posts that go on about how important family vacations are ,how educational they are.
Are they only important and educational if you are missing school at the same time?

My question EXACTLY for those folks!

 

[lllovell]

You know, you should really be more concerned with your child's education than taking a Disney vacation. What if they miss something really important and don't ever fully get the grasp of it leaving them dropping out of HS at 16 to work full time at McDonalds. They could have become doctors! They could be saving lives but look at what your yearning for a Disney trip has left them doing! How can you live with yourself??? Huh??? Ok I'm just saying this to have less crowds on my Disney vacations. I couldn't go through with not telling you that. First one to RnRC is a rotten egg....

hehehehehehe

 

[StrwLady]

My son goes to a small Catholic school in Richardson, TX. When I attened the Open House the year before he started school, I spoke to the school Principal. I asked how he felt about taking a child out of school for a family vacation. Basically he said he felt family vacations was important and he would never tell a parent how to raise their child. In the school handbook family vacations are addressed. We have to inform the teacher and arrange to get missed work and contact the principal 1 week prior to the vacation for permission.

When I took my son out in kindergarten there was no work to sent home. The teacher did ask for me to send pictures and an artifact from our trip. I also had my son keep a trip journal. At the end of each day he would tell me about the day and I wrote it down. We tried to include things he learned about at Epoct and Animal Kingdom. He brought the journal back to school with him. For our Nov 2004 trip his teacher was wonderful and sent his work home the Wednesday before we left. He was able to complete all his work before we left. It was quite a bit of work.

I do plan on taking him out of school in 2nd grade for a Disney trip as long as he is still doing as well in school as he is now. When it comes to 3rd grade I will decided based on the amount of work he has to complete when he misses a week in 2nd grade.

Take Care
Jamie

 

[G00fyDad]

I totally agree. If missing a week of school doesn't present a problem for your child, particularly in the higher grades, then I would think about whether or not the school was any good. Kids missing several days just for their parents' convenience does cause extra work for good teachers. As someone else said, multiply this by many kids whose parents decide to vacation during school sessions and it gets to be a significant burden for the teacher, and takes their limited time away from the kids who are there, ready to learn.

And I really, really hate the "family time is more important" comments used as some sort of justification. I think family time is incredibly important but I don't think that one must make a choice between dedication to your family and going on memorable vacations OR having your child abide by school attendance policies. It isn't as if school was in session 11 1/2 months of the year, puhleeze.

There are sometimes exceptions, but to routinely take your child out of school for several days for a vacation, particularly when it violates a reasonable school policy and/or causes the child problems with their lessons, just seems like a huge mistake to me. It seems to send the message that you think you are above the rules and what is easiest for you is more important than your child's education.

"puhleeze"? LOL Wow, that was the funniest thing I've seen today.
Just a little side note for ya here...
My daughter is a A & B student. Never has missed a day of school. Not even a sick day. When I asked her if the 2 days she will miss will be a problem for her to make up the work, she said "Not at all.". I would rather take her out of school for 2 days and have fun than go to WDW during some of the hottest and busiest days of the year. She will do her work on the plane there and it can be faxed into the school from the resort. (Yeah, our schools here in the sticks are fancy enough to have "eelektronik gidgets".) As for:

...whether or not the school was any good...

"puhleeze" (sorry, that still cracks me up) The school is one of the top rated acedemic schools in the area. It even surpasses the private school academic standards. So dont act like our kids are going to be "learned anythin' lesser" than your children because they miss school for a couple of days.

 

[BostonRob]

"puhleeze"? LOL Wow, that was the funniest thing I've seen today.


So dont act like our kids are going to be "learned anythin' lesser" than your children because they miss school for a couple of days.


Well, we're all just going to have to 'agree to disagree'. But you are missing the point that some of us are trying to make. Its not about missed lessons or "learned anythin' lesser" as you put it. It is about following through with obligations and not shirking responsibility.

Of course we are all entitled to parent our own way. But if you are going to laugh at somebody's opionions, you ought to at least grasp their point.

 

[DianeV]

I personally think there are more important parental "responsibilities" to worry about then worrying about letting a child miss a few days for a family vacation....sorry but i am more worried about other issues then that..I take care of my kids just fine and they do well in school. I sure dont think that I am a bad influence over my kids because I would let them miss school for a vacation and I honestly dont think they are going to be forever traumatized by this and end up with bad work habits or anything...life is too short

 

[KirstenJB]

From the perspective as a student (or former student...i got done with HS the 21st of Jan)...It just depends on what the kid's habits are. My parents took me out for a trip to disney over easter when I was back in the 5th grade, and I had a tough time making up the homework...but thats just how I am. I've always have had problems making up homework even if I'm sick for a day.

Our high schools allow you to have 10 unexcused absenses a semester (with 2 semesters in a school year). For next week, my little sister has monday off because of the holiday, but is gonna be absent for Tues-Friday. In the 13 year's i've gone to school in this town, we've had one full week vacation for spring break. and that was 2 years ago. So whenever we plan for vacations, we have to plan around our limited 3 and 4 day weekends because of the little amount of school we are/were allowed to miss. but then again our school district here sucks.

Kirsten