Do you take your kids out of school to go?

[kkc_mom]

I am glad to see that I am not the only Mom that struggles with this question. We are planning our very first trip in October. It was supposed to be over a school holiday but the others in our group changed the dates on us. So what I thought was not going to be an issue has become one. My girls will be in 1st and 5th grades then but both are gifted and talented students so catching up wont be a problem but I just hate it when they have to miss school.

 

[AngieInOH]

Wow, thanks for all the responses. The more I think about it the more I'm feeling better about taking DS out of school. We don't just have fun on vacation but it's also a great learning experience. Last time at AKL DS had lots of mini lessons just going around the lodge and reading about the different cultures and animals. DS is only in 1st and before long it will be difficult to take him out of school. During the summer it's very difficult to take vacation as my job gets very demanding. So I'm convinced! Now all I have to do is convince dh that we need to go back!

 

[disneyfan6301]

Go and have fun.

We have taken our DS out every year (he's in 4th now) to go to WDW. This year we had an extra break in Nov. for election. We went then, and DS only missed one day of school. Since he is getting older, we try to schedule around breaks during the less crowded times at WDW. If not, I try to schedule trips when I know there is down time at school--right before Christmas break is usually good or middle to late May. I would not dare take him out in the spring (March/April) because we are getting ready for TCAP tests.

By the way, I am a teacher. When I am thinking about what my son will miss, I think about what I am missing, too. While I know a sub cannot replace what I do, a day or two of review work never hurt any student!!! Besides, teachers need mental health recovery days from time to time. And, what better place to recover than WDW?

 

[hollyb]

We will be taking them out of school for 6 days in May. It is our choice what we do with our kids. They have so many days off because of one reason or another anyway during the year that school gives. Teachers are always out too it seems. So why not? Give the kids homework before or after teachers choice. It will get done on time.

Life is too short to worry about the small stuff.

 

[Ambassador]

We don't home school. For the past nine years, teachers and principals have asked to join us on our annual trip.

Kids miss regular classes for many reasons, such as illness and travel with working parents. WDW can be a very happy reason to miss school. We have no problem with it, and so far neither have our teachers.

 

[mericletwins]

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.

I am a teacher and if *I* could get the time off to go on a non-break time, I would yank my kids out in a heartbeat. All three of my kids do well in school so at this point that is not an issue.

 

[kinntj]

I wouldn't hesitate to take my kids out of school with certain conditions:

The kids were doing very well in school
Not a lot of absent days during the year (we vacation in the spring, so we would know this)
Work around the schools schedule (no testing, orientations, etc.)

Next year we plan on going to WDW in May while DD starts K, but we plan on talking to the teacher about what will be missed. We'll work together to keep her on track. Plus, we plan on going to Hawaii the following year and we'll pull her out of 1st grade for 7 days in April (we'll try around spring break).

At a certain age and grade level it gets more complicated to make up work and prepare for time away from school. While your kids are still young, I would do it.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I think it really depends on your children and how they adjust and how well they do in school. Personally, if its just 2 days, l think its fine. However, now that DD is almost 10 and DS is 13, its more homework involved when they return. I don't think its fair to go on vacation and make them do homework! We missed 2 days returning from our CAlifornia trip over Christmas break, but our next trip March 2-5...they have off the 2nd and 5th!! In Illinois we have a Monday holiday called "Casimer Pulaski" day! Yipee! I try and plan our trips around long weekends etc.

 

[DaisyD]

Sure do. DD is only in elementary school. I have no problem pulling her out of school for vacations as long as she is doing well in school. I am taking her out of school for 3 trips this year.

 

[Atchley]

Thinking about changing my ressies to end of August....Hmmmm.....

 

[ICF]

Family vacations are very importaint, but, IMO a week is a long time to have kids miss school especially as they move into Jr High / highschool.

We are taking our son (2nd grade) out for 3 days (to conincide with fall break) this Oct, but at this age that likely isn't too big of an issue.

We won't likely go again until 2009, and I'm not sure how we will do things when he's in 4th grade. It will likely depend on work load and his school situations as that time.... much older then that, and I would imagine we would need to deal with the crowds and such like most everyone else.

 

[ksloane]

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.

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.

This is where I stand too. I don't judge those that do, but I wouldn't want my daughter to miss instruction time. We will miss a day in December, but it's the last day before the holidays which means it will be a day of partying. I was never allowed to miss school as my parents told me it was my job, and that's how I feel with my daughter. She has vacation time throughout the year and we'll brave the crowds and go during those times.

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.

Wow! my daughter learns massive amounts in 1st grade I would hate for her to miss. She makes all a's and I'm sure she could handle it, but the move so fast that I just hate to do that to her.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

We have taken them out for 2 different trips and haven't had a problem with the school or the teachers. Everyone has been very supportive of our family trips. Although, now I have to be very careful about how many school days DS misses due to illness. My standards of what qualifies as "stay home status" has had to go WAY up!

 

[DaisyD]

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.

I wish we had all those breaks you listed. Easter no longer gets us a big break. My kids only get off Good Friday and the Monday after. Thanksgiving gives up Thursday and Friday. Christmas does give us off the day before and up til the day after NYE but there is no way we go away during Christmas. Our schools have taken to giving up a day off here and there throughout the year but no long two week spring holiday like I used to have when I was a kid.

 

[swkmom]

I must preface this reply by saying even though I myself would not take my children out of school for vacation, I have nothing against a parent that chooses to do this. You know your children best and know what is best for your family.

I always find the "whether or not to take your kid out of school for vacation" threads interesting. The reason is, I am a social worker that works with children who have excessive absences. I am employed by the state, and the county in which I work has a very strict truancy policy, once the child has missed a certain number of days they are referred to us (DHHR or DHS is some states).

Most of my job consists of working with teens that are criminal or status offenders and truancy falls in the category of a juvenile status offense (status offenses are things you can get in trouble for as a child but not as an adult i.e. smoking, truancy, running away). Once the referral is received on a truant child we must make contact with the family to determine the reason for the absences. In my experience, if the child is under 10 and continues to be truant the parents are arrested and must answer to a magistrate judge. If the child is over 10, the child is charged as a status offender and must answer to a circuit court judge. In the past year, 8 kids on my caseload ages 10 and up were removed from the home (temporarily placed in states custody) and placed in facilities that would force them to attend school. Granted, these are extreme situations, most of the kids were 13+ and two of the children had not attended school in 3+ years.

Even though the truancy policy is strict it has greatly increased attendance in the county in the past few years it has been in effect. The policy is generous in allowing for 6 excuses written by a parent (per year) therefore if one wanted to go to WDW for a week they could write a note to cover the 5 missed school days. I have once gotten the WDW excuse which made me pretty jealous of their trip ! But, I still had to explain the rules and monitor the case throughout the end of the school year.

So, the morale of this very long reply is make sure you know your school, state or county attendance policy. Make sure you turn in those excuses, always get one from the doctor if the child is sick. Always keep in contact with your child's school. And, if the social worker or truancy officer shows up at your door, be nice, explain the absences, and if you're willing to work with them they will normally bend over backwards to help...at least I know I would.

 

[lorimc]

My aunt & uncle are traveling to WDW with us in May and they are taking their 3rd grader out of school to go. My aunt has already talked to the teacher about it and had no problem with the absence since the WESTESTing will conclude before the vacation. My aunt and uncle reason that at the end of the year not much is going on and their daughter won't miss much.

I think it was fine to think this way at the beggining of there year, but we have had many snowdays recently and I bet they'll extend the school year.

To the previous poster, "Hi from WV!"

 

[Kelly5538]

While I do agree that school is of course important - I also want my DD to know that quality family time is also important, and that it is important to realize that you can not be all work and no play.

I used to think the same - not taking her out of school - but you know what? I now take her out for a week every year and do not feel bad about it. When my mom passed away suddenly I quickly realized that life is too short, and you need to take advantage of these special times!!!! She can (and will) make up her school work!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Found something great for parents who do take their kids out of school for Disney!!! I think this is great! Go to www.mouseforless.com, look for the School Excuse Letter download. I couldn't have written a better letter! Hope some of you can use it! Let me know what you think!

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I've been taking my DS out of school since Kindergarten. This year was the last time though. Next year he will be in 4th grade and my DD will be in Kindergarten. His teachers have always given us work to do while we're away.This trip he and I spent an afternoon doing laundry and schoolwork. He is a very good student so it wasn't really a problem. Next year the work will be increasing plus I will have my DD's work too. It will just be too much work and not enough time for fun and schoolwork.

 

[jodifla]

I must preface this reply by saying even though I myself would not take my children out of school for vacation, I have nothing against a parent that chooses to do this. You know your children best and know what is best for your family.

I always find the "whether or not to take your kid out of school for vacation" threads interesting. The reason is, I am a social worker that works with children who have excessive absences. I am employed by the state, and the county in which I work has a very strict truancy policy, once the child has missed a certain number of days they are referred to us (DHHR or DHS is some states).

Most of my job consists of working with teens that are criminal or status offenders and truancy falls in the category of a juvenile status offense (status offenses are things you can get in trouble for as a child but not as an adult i.e. smoking, truancy, running away). Once the referral is received on a truant child we must make contact with the family to determine the reason for the absences. In my experience, if the child is under 10 and continues to be truant the parents are arrested and must answer to a magistrate judge. If the child is over 10, the child is charged as a status offender and must answer to a circuit court judge. In the past year, 8 kids on my caseload ages 10 and up were removed from the home (temporarily placed in states custody) and placed in facilities that would force them to attend school. Granted, these are extreme situations, most of the kids were 13+ and two of the children had not attended school in 3+ years.

Even though the truancy policy is strict it has greatly increased attendance in the county in the past few years it has been in effect. The policy is generous in allowing for 6 excuses written by a parent (per year) therefore if one wanted to go to WDW for a week they could write a note to cover the 5 missed school days. I have once gotten the WDW excuse which made me pretty jealous of their trip ! But, I still had to explain the rules and monitor the case throughout the end of the school year.

So, the morale of this very long reply is make sure you know your school, state or county attendance policy. Make sure you turn in those excuses, always get one from the doctor if the child is sick. Always keep in contact with your child's school. And, if the social worker or truancy officer shows up at your door, be nice, explain the absences, and if you're willing to work with them they will normally bend over backwards to help...at least I know I would.

There's a huge difference between taking your kids out for a family vacation and having a teen skip school for nefarious purposes.

Is the system so moronic that it cannot see the difference?

The "get a note from the doctor" policy is also DRIVING UP OUR HEALTHCARE costs. DS shouldn't need a note from the doctor if he barfed all over the teacher's shoes -- get a clue, school system and truant officers. He's SICK.

The lack of common sense is appalling!