August 20, 2005 - L.A. to Port Canaveral - Eastbound Repo Cruise - The SHIP OF FOOLS Part 2

[kpgclark]

Hi everyone. I need your help! Our school board has two draft calendars posted for next year. One has school starting the week before Labor Day for the first time ever. If school starts then, we won't be able to go on this cruise. I want to write a note to the school board about this and need lots of good reasons why we should start the day after Labor Day. Here are my reasons. Can you think of more??? (these are written more eloquently in my letter)

1. People already have vacations planned for that week
2. May be too hot in school since many classrooms aren't air conditioned
3. The calendar that starts before Labor Day has the children going to school for 3.5 days and then they have a four day weekend (Friday and Monday before Labor Day). This does not provide good continuity for the children as they will have to get readjusted all over again to school.
4. If the board is going to change the policy to start school before Labor Day they need to provide more advanced notice.

HELP!!! I really want to go on this cruise. Don't tell me to pull the kids out of school. I don't want them to miss the first week of school.

 

[Denise W]

I know what you are going through. We started school before Labor Day this year. The kids went Wed. and Thursday and then had Friday off for an "inservice day". They started up again the Tuesday after Labor Day. I think in our case it was done because Labor Day was fairly late this year. Unfortunately, it will still be late next year. Our town hasn't come out with the calendar for next year yet (they don't do it until about April) but I am assuming they will do the same thing next year. We have decided to still go on the cruise, even if school starts before Labor Day. If it is like this year, our DD will only miss 2 days of school. I plan to e-mail each one of her teachers before we leave (assuming we have her school schedule with teacher names prior to leaving for California!!) to inform them that she won't be there. She will have to have her summer reading done and papers written before we go. Our older DD has been starting college the Tuesday after Labor Day for the last 3 years, and I am hoping they don't change that next year either.

Your reasons are very good and I can't think of any others for you to list. We actually started before Labor Day one other time about 10-12 years ago. There was not much advance notice and parents were furious. Many had vacation plans for that week that could not be cancelled without losing a lot of money. The ones I know all went on their trips and the kids missed the first few days of school. Good luck and let us know what happens, but consider coming on the cruise even if they start before Labor Day. They don't really do much the first few days of school!!!

Denise

 

[mark & sandra]

I thought this avatar and smilely fit in with our Ship of Fools theme. Add them to your posts if you'd like.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

With all of the people joining us recently, has the Ebay action winners logged onto this thread yet??? Didn't it go for $20k plus? For a Cat 9.

 

[ehtpnt]

When our DDs were in school it started after Labor Day. I read all your reasons and remembered especially numbers 1 and 2. The week running into Labor Day has always been a popular week for family vacations. And having helped out in out local elementary school for some years. The lack of AC can be a problem as late as this time of year. I know the first weeks in September are frequently quite warm. I have to agree that 3.5 days spent listening to their teachers talk about rules, they already know, and frankly things they have heard for some years is something they could miss. I would think that if your DD has all her work (from over the summer) done and is a good student that missing those days wouldn't hurt her. I don't remember my DDs learning anything Earth shattering in the first couple of days.
The Board should have not only given parents a heads up on this but they should also have asked for parental input. IMHO
Okay the soapbox is closed now.

Estelle

 

[kpgclark]

Estelle I'm really not worried about the academics. I'm concerned about them not getting acclimated to school- where their classrooms are, who their teachers are, where their locker is etc. I'm especially thinking about my son who will be in 6th grade. I don't want him to feel like a fish out of water. I don't want his first day of school to be all work, work, work. I want him to be able to ease into it like everyone else.

I have taken the children out of school before for a few days for vacations but never the first week of school. I think it is important for them to get used to a new schedule.

 

[mark & sandra]

kpglark- I'm sure you'll make the right decision, whichever it is, for your child. Just make sure you also weigh the positives of a 14 day cruise through the Panama Canal.

Any thoughts on getting a group rate for a charter back to MCO after we return to Port Canaveral...Mark

 

[invaderzim]

Kathy:

I know how you are feeling. It is a tough decision. However, I totally agree with your no. 1 reason -- also mention that many people in this area rent and pay for a week down the shore and cannot get those deposits back. They have to rent them at least a year ahead -- so it is too late to change that.

Just to let you know -- we were caught in the 8/28 "lost at sea" cruise that was supposed to get back on Saturday before Labor Day, but we didn't actually get home until Wednesday! My DD missed her first two days of school -- which we were not planning on originally. She was upset because it is her senior year and was afraid that she would miss the chance to get a lunch table group, lab partner, locker arrangements, etc. Well, she got back to school on Thursday and just fit right in. Even had to change her schedule to drop a course and choose another and they were very helpful.

Next year she starts college. When I was booking the cruise in May, I was still thinking of public school. I completely forgot that college starts before Labor Day. So now she will miss a couple of her courses. But we never blinked an eye about our decision -- both my DH and DD feel that this is a chance of a lifetime and a couple of missed school days can be made up, but this opportunity may never come again. And even if it does, we will have been on the first "Bring the Magic Home" cruise!

 

[AuntyBrat]

My DD first week in public school (middle school) was nothing like her private school. She did nothing for the first week except write about her self and class room rules. I am going to tell her principal and teachers that we are going on the cruise and that we may be late getting back depending on airlines and/or hurricanes. I really dont see her missing anything if we get back late.

There are also rumors that her district may start earlier. If they do, then she is missing school, because I am not canceling this cruise. I will have her write a paper about it that can work for English, History and have her do math work on the Panamal Canal locks!!

Laura

 

[disney3144]

My children go to a charter school and they always start school in mid August. I am still going on this cruise. I'm just going to let the school know that they will not be in school fo 2 weeks. Actually, my kids will have been in school for a week before we leave. Then they will be off for two weeks. It's never been a problem with them, so Panama Canal.....here we come.

Jennifer

 

[ivanova]

Under most circumstances I would have my high school DD miss the beginning of school ... my only problem with next year is that registration is 2 weeks before school starts (it starts the day after Labor Day) ... so since she's missing that she HAS to be at school the first day to register or we face the possibility of her being transferred to another high school (due to over crowding) ... now, I plan on letting the counseling office know all of this next Spring when we're picking her classes for the next school year, and I'm even going to go so far as to see if we can register "early" (the Friday before we sail out of San Pedro).

Regardless of airfares we HAVE to fly home on Labor Day, hurricanes (the non-drink variety) are another issue (out of my control)

 

[piglet33]

Boy, everyone's been pretty quiet here today. What's up?

Reneé

 

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by piglet33
Boy, everyone's been pretty quiet here today. What's up?

Reneé

Yes, i am soooo glad!! thank you thank you!! WHEW!!!

HELLO everyone!! I am back from Atlantic City just an hour ago!! I was amazed i didn't have to catch up too much here!! i did bought my laptop but i didn't have the time to lurk this week....NOOOO, i didn't gamble at all!!! Need to save my $$$ for excursions and drinks with the FOOLS!! Can't afford to lose!! I do have to tell you though, i stayed at Trump's Plaza and if Donald was the interior decorator of the place and i was the owner, i would have FIRED HIM!!!!! Other hotels were much nicer!!
anyway....
Welcome aboard Mammawannavacation!! Glad to have you join the fools!!

Mark, good idea about the MCO charter bus!!I know i am flying home that day!! Let's look into that!! Perhaps a very long stretch limo??? like the Rock and Roller kind???

Kathy, i share your concerns about school...Is there anyway you can get the schedule before you leave and have your kids get oriented in the school in the summer?? Look into that!! I just wouldn't jump into cancelling just yet!!! Just look into all options first!!

My family and I are covered in the Hepatitis deptarment!!! I just won't drink the water in Mexico!!

Now i have to concertrate getting ready to go DISNEY in 32 days!!!!! WOO HOO!!!

Oh yeah, wanna know how Disney nuts i am?? Went to the Rainforest Cafe (located at Trump's Plaza) for lunch and got goosebumps all over me the whole time I was sitting there!!! Reminds me of being in Disney all over again!! I even kidded the waiter and asked him when does Animal Kindgom closed that day!! I went back there every day just to hear the thunderstorm and animal noises!!!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Ok, I haven't had a lot to say. Sorry. I lost a dear family member last week. My sweet little female dog was suffering from old age, doggy Alzheimers, and I made the decision to have her put down. Then today I spent $667.00 on her brother, teeth cleaning, tooth extraction, xrays, medicines, etc. He is (as she was) almost 13, so it is to be expected. I guess we have to do whatever we can to keep them comfortable. OK, enough of that. ToOday I got a great bargain on rolling coolers. THey are on sale for $19.99 at Discovery.com : http://shopping.discovery.com/store...000&catalogId=10000&langId=-1&productId=55709

and at the new Disneystore.com:http://disney.store.go.com/DSSearch.process?restartflow=t&CLK=DS_12845_SEARCH_FRM&Searchstr=cooler
I got one of each, one for DH for Christmas and of course the Mickey one will be for me! I will not be bringing it on the ship, I plan to pack everything into one rollling duffle.

Melinda, interesting about the Trump property. Maybe he put everything into the Taj Mahal.

 

[Scratch42]

Sorry for your loss Marsha. It's very painful when you have to make that decision.

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}

Is a cooler really necessary? I have been debating but because of flying into LA and afraid I won't have room for everything essential!LOL

Scratch

 

[Otisp]

Originally posted by piglet33
Boy, everyone's been pretty quiet here today. What's up?

O.K....fine... Maybe some of us long-time lurkers should pick up the slack.

This actually goes out to everyone else who got 25 out of 25 on Mark and Sandra's age checklist. I'm sure some of you can relate, and those that can't, well, this might explain why we are the way we are. Recently, I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:
• I decide to wash my car.
• As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the hall table.
• I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.
• I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice that the trash can is full.
• So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the trash first.
• But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.
• I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left
• My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking.
• I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.
• I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
• As I head toward the kitchen with the coke a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.
• I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.
• I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.
• I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.
• I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.
• I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor.
• So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.
• Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.
• At the end of the day: the car isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers aren't watered, there is still only one check in my checkbook, I can't find the remote, I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.
• Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.
• I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.

 

[Scratch42]

Originally posted by Otisp
O.K....fine... Maybe some of us long-time lurkers should pick up the slack.

This actually goes out to everyone else who got 25 out of 25 on Mark and Sandra's age checklist. I'm sure some of you can relate, and those that can't, well, this might explain why we are the way we are. Recently, I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:
• I decide to wash my car.
• As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the hall table.
• I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.
• I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the trash can under the table, and notice that the trash can is full.
• So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the trash first.
• But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.
• I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left
• My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking.
• I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.
• I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
• As I head toward the kitchen with the coke a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.
• I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.
• I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.
• I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.
• I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.
• I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor.
• So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.
• Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.
• At the end of the day: the car isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers aren't watered, there is still only one check in my checkbook, I can't find the remote, I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.
• Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.
• I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.

The Things I have to look forward to!



Scratch

 

[izzinmac]

Otisp

You're obviously in the very early stages of AAADD!

At least you can remember what you forgot to do!

I don't even remember what I forgot to remember!

 

[Jazzman]

Greetings from China!

-Shanghai-

Grumbo - I have offered your proposed deal for low cost food and wine to several dealers here, and they all said that wasn't enough money. In fact with the exception of one somewhat indecent offer there doesn't seem to be much of anything you can buy in bulk for $5. The extra $25 of Canadian Tire money you gave me doesn't seem to be worth much here either.

- Taxi service in Baoying-

Hey Mark, the second driver (not the lady in the foregraound) claimed he used to drive for you on Long Island. Swore up and down he knew you. He told me he wouldn't have left except the equipment here is better.


Oh well, back to work.

Hey Grumbo, I thought you said my office here would be air conditioned??

-JGE Asian Headquarters-


-Jazz

 

[Grumbo]

Uh well there IS air, and I'm not going to pledge to the condition of it
Enjoy yourself Jazz
I don't think it is quite fair I have to put money in to send you to Korea and China and I have to check out the limo service equipment at the scrap yard 2 kms from my house. Uh I mean the used limo lot.

Envy your trip Jazz and have a good and SAFE trip.

Cheers,
Grumbo