Disney Vacations During School

[Kat&Dom]

We are going in November and my son will miss 7 days of Grade 1 so no judging from me.

 

[Gmouse]

YES! We have done it more than once. Just make sure his/her attendance is ok. Our school called while we were in Disney...they were fine with it since he had a pretty good record. We just had to sign a 1st offence truency letter when we got back Most districts won't actually do anything...unless you do it again! We homeschool now so we set our own schedule

 

[jessnovoa]

I wish my parents would pull me out of school for Disney!

We went once during February break and it was packed

and now every year we go during the Northeast's April break..it's okay but it's still pretty crowded, it just depends on the year.

But I really want to go in early October! I heard it's not that busy plus there would be Halloween decorations! And missing a week of high school during the hectic junior year? I'm gonna need a break haha

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I am a former second grade teacher, and I think it is fine. We used to do it with our own kids, but the last time was just way too much make-up work for my oldest. I can't imagine doing it anymore.

 

[mrseace711]

My kids start school Aug 14th so they will have almost a month under their belts when I take them out for our Sept 11th WDW vacation They will be in Pre-K, Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 4th grade!

 

[1budai]

They will remember the trip for a life time!!!!! They will forget what they learned during that week!!!

 

[yesiamcrazy]

We'll be taking another trip in September. I'll be pulling my DS(7) from school for a week. We did this last school year too. I personally don't see anything wrong with this. I feel he's only going to be young once. Going during school vacations would just be a nightmare crowd-wise.

Will someone out there tell me it's o.k. to miss a week of school for a memory making family vacation please!!!!

We don't pull ours out of school which means we DO go during school vacations and in the 3 trips we've taken I would never describe the crowds as a nightmare. I assume your mind is made up for now, but in case the issue comes up later, don't assume it's too crowded just because it's a school vacation time.

 

[1craftymama]

My kids are 5, 2, and I'm 30 weeks pregnant with #3. We have considered taking them out a day or two during the school week for a long weekend. We live in FL so the drive down is roughly 4-4 1/2 hours so we can come back really any time during the year (with some planning).

 

[mom2aredhead]

I know, I know. You're right. But I get flack from all over the place and it makes me feel like I'm doing the wrong thing. But I'm his mother and what I decide goes! Ha!

I feel better about it now after reading all of these posts!!!

Don't worry about it. Especially in September when they're still reviewing last year's work. I'm pulling my son out for 3 days (they are already off for 2 days that week for Rosh Hashanah). We've done it every year. He does excellent in school, and there has never been an issue. If he was struggling then I wouldn't do it. But he's not, so I feel comfortable with it.

and now every year we go during the Northeast's April break..it's okay but it's still pretty crowded, it just depends on the year.

We're from the northeast too, and we went to Disney in California last year for April break - Anaheim and San Diego. Believe it or not, it was a lot cheaper than going to WDW in Florida during that time!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

We'll be taking another trip in September. I'll be pulling my DS(7) from school for a week. We did this last school year too. I personally don't see anything wrong with this. I feel he's only going to be young once. Going during school vacations would just be a nightmare crowd-wise.

Will someone out there tell me it's o.k. to miss a week of school for a memory making family vacation please!!!!

Two contradictory statements OP. If you feel there is nothing wrong with it, than do it. There is no need to have others tell you it's ok. I personally would not but that is ME. Do what YOU feel is right. I always find it funny how many people are willign to pull thier kids out of school for a cheaper, less hot, Diseny vacation. I don't see many doing that for real educational trips like to washington DC or Philedelphia. Just a funny little observation. Family memories can happen in the grocery store or in the car. Disney is not the only place.

 

[Cin]

I've done it and we had no problems occur as a result. My DD was in elementary school at the time. I was going to do it again but my DS asked not to miss as it was too hard for him to make up missed work. He was in high school at the time. It's your family and they're your kids, raise them how you see fit. I won't judge you if I see y'all at WDW during usual school hours. Here in Texas there are stiff penalties for missing too many days and they fine you, seriously. We were in OK at the time and the school district there wasn't strict about it like TX is. I'd certainly find out the attendance policies and penalties for too many absences.

 

[DopeyDame]

I always find it funny how many people are willign to pull thier kids out of school for a cheaper, less hot, Diseny vacation. I don't see many doing that for real educational trips like to washington DC or Philedelphia. Just a funny little observation. .

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. This is a Disney board, so it makes sense that folks here talk about pulling kids for DISNEY vacations. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of people (probably some of these same people) going on vacations to other places - educational or not - during the school year as well.
Growing up my mom worked for an airline, so we travelled a lot, but to take advantage or her discounts it had to be off-season. I missed school to go all over the US and Europe and yes - even to Disney!

If people in your school or community are only pulling kids for Disney but aren't pulling kids for "real educational trips" (whatever that means) than you live in a very different community than I do.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. This is a Disney board, so it makes sense that folks here talk about pulling kids for DISNEY vacations. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of people (probably some of these same people) going on vacations to other places - educational or not - during the school year as well.
Growing up my mom worked for an airline, so we travelled a lot, but to take advantage or her discounts it had to be off-season. I missed school to go all over the US and Europe and yes - even to Disney!

If people in your school or community are only pulling kids for Disney but aren't pulling kids for "real educational trips" (whatever that means) than you live in a very different community than I do.

There are many other topics other than Disney discussed on theses boards my point is that people always seem to need to be supported when they ask if they should pull their kids out of school for a Disney vacation but never do you see other locations asked about.
Who said anything about my school or community?
Disney can be educational if you don't get out much but there is no way int he world I would ever call it an Educational trip. Plain and simple-and completely fine- people who pull their kids out of school FOR THE MOST PART do so to avoid crowds, heat and to save money. There is nothing wrong with that, just be honest. It has nothing to do with making family memories.

 

[HS3kids]

We have done it and would do it again, except maybe with high school. The last time we went (Last October) kids were in 12th grade and 5th grade (and pre-k). We went during Columbus Day week so only missed 4 school days. The high schooler had an awful time catching up. This could be because they didnt give her work before we left, it all had to be made up after we got back, and she had to stay after twice to make up tests she missed. I just think the amount of work is a lot more, the older they get. 5th grader had no problem at all, he was given work ahead of time, and it was very little work.

Bottom line, for us, I wouldnt do it every year, but will definitely do it again. Hoping for next October (2012) The kids will be in 1st grade and 7th grade then (and college God willing!) Fingers Crossed that we can save enough!

 

[satorifound]

I think if your children are doing well at school there isn't a problem with pulling them out. If your children are struggling though it probably would hurt them too much to pull them for a week.

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

I, too, am pulling my DS10 out of 5th grade for 4 days in November. I've cleard it with the school, they'll have his assignments ready, he'll have 10 hours on the drive down and 10 hours on the drive back to finish them.

I say, do what feels right to you. It's a personal choice, and you'll get many opinions in favor and many not in favor.

 

[CoffeeCup]

We'll be taking another trip in September. I'll be pulling my DS(7) from school for a week. We did this last school year too. I personally don't see anything wrong with this. I feel he's only going to be young once. Going during school vacations would just be a nightmare crowd-wise.

Will someone out there tell me it's o.k. to miss a week of school for a memory making family vacation please!!!!

No, in my opinion it isn't okay, but since you are going to do it anyway, why ask for other opinions. You are correct that your child is young only once, but that also means he will be in 2nd grade only once and needs to take advantage of the opportunities to learn as much as he can in 2nd grade, or whatever grade he will be in.

I don't understand the "family time" and "memory-making vacation" remarks some posters always include in the threads like these. Why is family time limited to taking kids out of school and going on vacations? If you have children, you should provide quality family time for them every day. Every day can be a memory-making day, and every day should be precious and special for you and your children.

I am a teacher, and I value education. Of course, anything you do can be educational, but children in our society need to be on an organized educational plan, such as schools provide. Digging a hole in the yard can be educational, but I don't know any parents who keep their children out of school for a week every year to dig up the yard. I love children, and I create memories anytime I spend time with them. Feeding the dog or going to the grocery store can be memorable experiences if you want them to be. Why are memories restricted to being at Disney World?? I understand "once in a lifetime" trips, but once in a lifetime isn't the same as every year. If you believe taking your child out of school is in his best interest, you don't need other people to tell you it is okay.

 

[daisyduck123]

Go ahead & have a great time on your trip.

I have pulled my own out for a half-dozen trips during the school year....missing anywhere from 5-7 school days each trip. Didn't hurt them a bit. DD16 has graduated high school & got into every college she applied to (with over 10AP classes under her belt). She'll be starting in late August.

And btw, I pull myself out as well

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

If you have pulled him out before and were OK with it then, why do you need someone to justify it this time and tell you its OK for you to do again?

Everyone has the right to decide what works best for their family and to go with it. The only people you should be concerned with are your DS's teachers and the school administration to make sure they are OK with the time out of school.

I agree. My kids don't need to miss a week of school to make family memories or to go to Disney World. To go to Disney World when it is less crowded, less hot, and less expensive is the true popular reason why kids get pulled from school for a WDW trip (I am sure there are exceptions to this and some families have to travel during the school year for various circumstances). We know a couple families who we are friends with who go to WDW every year and their kids miss 1-2 weeks of school a year and it works for them. We don't judge their choices or those of others. However, for our children missing a whole week of school for a WDW trip is not an option that we can justify for our family. We will deal with the heat and crowds and still have wonderful family memories as with other vacations or trips. To each their own.

 

[RobRees]

My wife and I set up our vacation to go with a school break in Sept 2011 but then the Cobb County School Board In Geogia decided in April of this year to change the 2011 school year and removed the sept break to late for us to change our vacation plans with out paying alot more for a later date almost twice as much so after talking with the school admin about that they told us to take our vacation and enjoy ourselfs and I know of a lot of people here in Cobb County doing the same thing