Do you take your kids out of school to go?

[AngieInOH]

I've taken my son out of school for a week to go on vacations the past two years. I'm thinking about doing it a again in Nov 2007 to go to Disney (we went in Nov 2005).

Does anyone feel bad for taking there children out of school to go on vacation? For me, I just wouldn't get the same enjoyment going over summer break (hot and crowded). But I'm also struggling with taking him out of school for the 3rd year in a row. Last time we did Disney I was actually started getting letters from our County Court that they could investigate me (my son also missed a lot of school from being sick all winter).

So can anyone make me feel better for yanking my kid out of school? He's only in 2nd grade....before long he'll be involved with so much I won't be able to take him out.

 

[drivencrazy]

We will be taking our 2 older children out of school in May to go.... our 12 year old is in 6th grade, so I wondered if this would be a problem, so when we went to talk to the teachers I told them of our plans and not one of them had a problem with it. She has 6 different teachers and they all pretty much agreed that it wouldn't be a problem and one of them even told us she did the same last year in May, she missed a week of work (teaching) and pulled her 2 kids out for a week and would do it all over again!

Our other daughter is in 3rd grade and her teacher thinks it is great that we are going and didn't seem to mind at all. She said that she would probably just wait till after we get back to give her any work because she wouldn't want her to have to worry about it while she is gone.

Our son is in preschool... he brings home homework packets all the time as it is, so I think they will be alright with it as well... he only goes 2 days a week so will only be missing 2 days.

I really wouldn't worry about taking your child out of school. Just make sure it isn't on testing days or anything that is going to be hard to make up.

 

[scjo68]

I've taken my daughter out of school for WDW three times, most recently last week. She is in third grade. It has never been a problem for us. I talked to the teacher before the trip, and she said it would be no problem, my daughter has always gotten all A's, rarely misses due to illness. Teacher gave her work to do on the trip (we drove 12 hours each way-plenty of time to do her work). I will probably not pull her out again, though, at least for a whole week, becuse 4th grade is a lot more demanding, I understand.

If you got letters from county court, though, I moght be more concerned. All districts are different, and some are really cracking down on absences. Also, I would consider how frequently your child tends to miss due to illness. Absences can add up.

I totally understand you not wanting to go during school vacations. I can't imagine that, either. I struggle with this same decision.
Good luck!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I tookmy daughters out of school last year and will agagin this year. I donot feel bad. My daughter's are good students and not ever had an attendence problem. I decide to take them out because, it's too crowded during school vacation and the rates are higher. I would prefer a less busy time so that we can relax as a family. My Dh also gets vacation at random times during the year when his plant closes which is never during school vacation. Maybe it's selfish of us, but our school does not have any problem with us taking them. I dont feel that they will have their education ruined. I also dont expect the teacher to get all of their work prepared for us ahead of time. I notified the school 2 months ago for our May trip. The teachers have requested that they keep a journal of what they did everyday. If my daughters had problems keeping up or attendence issues then we would definately reconsider. I have no problem with taking them out.

 

[beattyfamily]

I have taken them out of school every year up to last Fall for our last family trip with no regrets and no problems. I did have butterflies in my stomach each time I had to tell their teachers though. My girls are in 1st and 5th grade. I believe last year's trip was probably the last time though, that we'll take them out of school unless we just do a long weekend trip where they only miss a Fri and a Mon.

My 5th grader has stressed about what she'd miss for work while gone from school for the past 2 years. I don't want to put her through that anymore.

From now on we'll either go the end of August, or like I said maybe a long weekend trip to catch MNSSHP or MVMCP.

I think its fine to take them out if they can handle it without stress or it affecting their grades. Its up to each family to decide what's best for their family and their children.

 

[tea4sanity]

My husband cannot get time off during summer or breaks so we have not had a vacation in 10 years. I was never big on taking the kids out during the school year because they have struggled in school with different LDs.

We decided this was it, its now or never. Our youngest will start K & DS will be in 9th & 2 starting clooege in September. DH was able to get off work in the spring. We tried to plan it around what was going on in school. (reviewing, testing, orientations etc) We are going April 18-26.

DS 17 will not be going with us. He had to make a choice between travelling with his Robotix team (missing 3d of school, 4x over 8w) or missing the 10d with us. He choose the team (ok so we know its just so he can be home without us LOL ) DS13 has missed 10d of school so far this year & in fact is home again today with severe cold. I have gotten "the letter" from the town. I know it will be an issue, but he is doing well but not great in school this year. We'll see what they say.

I still think it is a smart idea for my family to go now. I have considered shortening the trip a few days but it is a 2 day trip each way (driving down). I feel there are times when family time out ranks other commitments.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[ohiominnie]

We homeschool. So the kids are allowed to take time off to go to Disney on two conditions....
they take their teacher with them.
they take their principal (dh) with them.

 

[MSSANDRA]

DS is in 8th grade and we just returned from a week at WDW. I have taken him out to travel off season in K, 1, 3, 5 and again this year. I did hesitate to do it this year but school had no issues even though he had missed some days sick before hand. it was excused for educational travel and yes they knew we were going to WDW. He missed 4 days for an 8 day trip. Last long non vacation trip as next year is high school and in our district that is just too hard. We will limit the days missed to two after this year. Up though elementry at least I would never hesitate to take them out a week. NEVER ever felt bad about it at all. It is so wonderful to walk on rides and not sweat to death and have to fight crowds and pay top rates!!!!!

 

[leighe]

I, personally, wouldn't take my kids out of school just to avoid the summer crowds or higher rates. I think it sends the wrong message about priorities. I would take them out if during the school year was the only time we could vacaton for some reason.

But that's just what works for my family and me. I'm sure others feel differently.

 

[bnf2]

Did it this past September and will do it again this coming December. It is not a problem at our school with prior notice and completed work when we return.

I taught school before becoming a mom and thought it was horrible to take your kids out of school- hey, that's what summers are for- right? Well...now I'm a mom that takes her kids out of school for vacation! DH has a hard time getting time off in the summer, the kids are excelling in school, and our family time is fleeting- they'll be grown before we know it! So... I don't have a problem with it and don't feel the least bit guilty.

 

[Darcy03231]

I think its fine as long as the teachers and school district doesn't have a problem with it. Since "No Child Left Behind" many school districts have gotten very strict about taking your child out of school for vacations. In our district it counts as unexcused and after 3 unexcused absences you may get a visit from the truant officer. Also, if the absence is unexcused its up to the teacher whether or not they want to let the child make up the missed work. A child could receive zeros on everything missed during that week. My kids are at an age where I really couldn't do it anymore even if I wanted to. They are in middle and high school and have way to much work. Its also compounded by the fact that they are on block scheduling so missing a week would be like missing two weeks. There is no way the kids can make up that kind of work.

 

[hvivona]

I, personally, wouldn't take my kids out of school just to avoid the summer crowds or higher rates. I think it sends the wrong message about priorities. .

I couldn't agree more! Taking kids out of school definately sends the wrong message! There are school breaks in november, December, and April and they get 2 months in the summer. That gives plenty of time to take a vacation. School is too important to miss just to see Mickey. I love Walt Disney World and I love to take my kids, but only when the time is right and during the school year is not the right time.

 

[SuperSteelerFan]

We have taken our DD's out of school for the last 2 years, but I won't be again this year. I've found that it's too much hassle to take them out of school. They don't want to do the homework before we leave, they don't want to take homework on the trip, and they don't want to do the homework when they come back plus they have more homework piled on that they missed while they were gone and some of the work they missed cannot be made up, putting them at a disadvantage since we don't always find out what it is that they missed to catch them up with the class. We're going to brave the crowds in August and not worry about taking them out of school again.

 

[pha1226]

I'm taking my kids out for our vacation in March. The oldest is only in 1st grade so school work isn't too much of an issue. I agree that school is important but kids learn in all environments. Read some other posts here though...I think it can be a problem in Georgia and maybe some other states.

 

[MissyDVC]

For us, taking a family vacation together IS a priority. My DH's schedule doesn't always work with the school schedule so we let them know that our time together as a family is important to us and off we go! We have taken them out for 4 years now and will continue to do so as long as grades are good. Do what is best for YOUR family and don't let anyone on either side of the discussion influence you to do otherwise. Enjoy

 

[TheDizMom]

You know what? It's a personal choice. If it's what you want to do then do it. My parents never did and I remember always being jealous of the kids whose parents did. I guess my only consideration would be to make sure there wasn't anything important like standardized tests or finals happening during the time they were gone. Before anyone jumps down my throat,I know all school work is important, I'm simply referring to the stuff over and above the normal class work. I guess my other concern would be if it were to get me into trouble with children's services. You say you have gotten a letter in the past, is that something you want to deal with again?

 

[staley7580]

Im taking my son out of school in Dec. for a trip to Disneyland, but hes only in kindergarden- so I doubt hes missing much! But my mom just about went nuts when she found out we were taking him out of school. (then again, she hates that we go to disneyland, to expensive- to much family time, whatever. We love it!)

 

[jakoky]

It sounds like it is different in the US than in canada, or at least where we live...as long as absences are explained, so far, there are have been no issues for us....we went to DW in 04 and my kids(then 13, 11, and 9) missed 6 school days for an 11 day trip and then in may 06 we went to DL and they missed 5 1/2 school days for a 12 night trip....my oldest daughter was in grade 9 at the high school and she was my biggest concern, i spoke to the school before i planned our trip as i didnt want to schedule during exams...we are the semester system here and YUCK..in 5 1/2 days she missed about 450 minutes of class time in all 4 classes...funniest thing, all grades remained high, A's and B"s except art, she fell to a C..something to do with a pottery project...my youngest daughter missed a lot of school that year due to severe stomach aches(she had 3 major surgeries on her bowel in her first 4 weeks of life)...anyways, we will do it again in the future, as long as my kids are all holding very good grades...the family time we had together and all the fun, how could we not...and all our teachers so far have been VERY supportive....
sharon
WDW-Dec 04-first disney experience for my DH, DD, DS, DD and first time at WDW for us all
DL-MAY 06-first time at DL for DH and kids , and my 9th(but the first 8 were all by the time i was about 13) so it was all new to me

 

[daisyduck123]

Does anyone feel bad for taking there children out of school to go on vacation?
So can anyone make me feel better for yanking my kid out of school?

This will make you feel better...my DD12 & DS8 miss 6 school days every May for our WDW trips.

Heck, last year, we even threw in an extra trip in January, & we missed another 5 school days then.

BTW, I'm a teacher & I also miss school.

Don't feel bad...my kids are even older than yours.

May 12 we check into SSR...can't wait!!!

 

[lmcdo02]

We just got back from WDW, took the 3 kids out of school. Catching up wasn't too hard for the 1st graders, but our son in 4th grade had a lot of catching up to do this week. He was a trooper and got it all done!

Next time, I would time it with the end of the trimester. That way, all their test are out of the way, and they are just starting new material. We did that 2 years ago and it seemed to work much better (he was also only in 2nd grade!).

You can't always take time off the coincides with the kids' time off.