At what age do you stop taking the kids out of school?

[badblackpug]

I don't think this is a loaded topic, or at least it shouldn't be. What's right for one family is not necessarily right for another. No one knows the circumstances guiding a family's decisions except that family. What is necessary (and this board is great about it) is an open mind, compassion and understanding, and at the very least - tolerance.

19 Days and 7 Hours 'til we're back at Fort Wilderness and WDW!

In theory, you are correct. But I have seen this topic (ok more so the topic of "Should you take them out") degenerate quite quickly. Not everyone is open minded. I agree that you should do what is right for your family. Some kids miss a week and it was like they were never absent, some kids struggle to keep up. You should also check with your school and your childs teacher regarding the absenteeism policy. Some teachers will not give out work ahead of time, so make sure you allot time to do school work while on vacation. Others have posted that their school do not allow work to be made up in the case of unexcused absences, therefor the child earns failing grades for the time he is out. Just make sure that you are clear on all the school policies:
When does the teacher/school need to be notified?
Will the absences be excused or unexcused?
What are the maximum amount of unexcused days allowed in a year?
What is the policy for make up work? What is the deadline for handing it in?

I buy trip insurance and let the kids know if their grades, performance, or behavior are not up to par, I WILL CANCEL!

That is usually enough incentive!

 

[jessirae]

I have to agree with Florida Teacher. You just never know what life will hand you! We had a horrible tragidy in our family last year, and my Mom felt what better way to move forward than a family trip to Disney! Fortunately, she will be paying most of the trip...unfortunately, our children will be missing a week of school (DD is in first grade, and my nephew is in 3rd grade). Don't get me wrong, school is extremely important, but as we learned the hard way, in the whole scope of things, family happiness comes first ... .

 

[Hope73]

Due to sports this is the hardest time.

 

[Gymbomom]

I have a hard time with anyone telling me what I can and can not do with my child

I would take my kids out any time I wanted to.

 

[DawnM]

Wow. I was a teacher for 16 years....my district would never allow that. 10 sick days per year, no personal days. Also, if you were out 5 days or longer, the principal could ask for a doctor's note.

I did take personal days here and there, but never for a full trip. In our district we were told to call them "mental health days" as we all needed a break now and then.

Dawn

We do it every year in May, except this past year we went twice & added a trip in January also. Between the 2 trips, they missed 11 school days. I'm a teacher too, so I also pulled myself out of school!! One of my students was in WDW at the same time, so I even looked for her!!

I love the lower crowds when most kids are in school. We actually had a trip planned for this August during FREE dining & canceled it...we'd rather go during the school year.

DD12 (8th grade) & DS8 (3rd grade) will miss a full week again this year but I think we'll only take 1 trip this school year...I know we almost pushed it a little too far last year.

 

[jonestavern]

We will be taking DS17 out for 1 day this November. They have a block schedule & a day missed really counts for a lot.
I will be so down at WDW putting him on a plane back to RI!

He changed schools so now his vacation weeks coincide with most of the rest of the US, so what a bummer! In New Hampshire our school vacations are a week or so behind the majority of states~

We've gone in the summer & with the suffocating (at least to us polar bears! ) humidity, heat & crowds, it's simply not worth it to us.

If cheapo plane fares, coupled with codes happen we will take him to WDW for a long weekend (providing his grades are good!) otherwise I believe we'll be stuck with winter/spring break

When he was in grade school, we simply asked for the homework in advance & he completed it before we left. He also did a trip report.

IMHO, most folks know what is best for their families, & family togetherness is paramount. Patrick's Grandpas' are getting on & each day & magical experience is precious

Jean