Do you tell teacher truth when pulling kids out of school to go to disney?

[SeaSpray]

... No offense to Texas, I just mean as far as school policy goes. We're taking our 2 sons out of school for a week in May and I really don't care how the school or teachers feel about it. Both of my sons are honor roll students, so I don't feel that a week will hurt them. They've both had major health problems this school year and have missed 12-14 days so far. They've maintained their honor roll status and didn't have problem keeping up. If my sons were poor students and struggled in school I might not feel this way, I'd definitely think twice about taking them out of school. But in my situation, I have no problem taking them. My 4th grade son's teacher already knows and has no problem with it. In fact, I changed the dates of our trip so that he won't miss the Massachusetts standardized testing mid-May, and she appreciated that. My other son is in 7th grade and has several teachers. I will wait a couple of weeks from now and send them each a copy of the letter I write telling them of our plans. I'll wait till 6 weeks before our trip. My sons know that school is extremely important, it comes before almost everything else. But this family trip is equally important to us!

SeaSpray

WDW@CBR-May 3-9,2001!
DisneyLand '95
WDW '85,'78,'76

 

[valeriekc]

Here in Kansas, we have a maximum number of days your child can miss school due to family vacation. I plan on pulling my daughter out for the maximum in May. We chose May because they do more review and less new material. At our first teacher conference in October I informed the teacher that she would be gone and that we would like her make-up work to be done before we leave. We have tried to do homework at Disney before and it just hasn't gone well. We'll be starting our homework soon, thanks to a great and understanding teacher.

 

[dkfogt]

My daughter was in 3rd grade when we took her out of school for a 10 day trip to Disneyworld last March. I told the teacher ahead of time, but I also suggested she come back with something to tell the class. We got the passport at EPCOT and had all of the countries stamp it and they all wrote her name in their native language. A great souvenier and she had a ball showing it off to the class!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I live in Lee County FL and have 3 kids (grades 3, 7 & 9)...up until this year I never had a problem telling the schools, the teachers worked with us and they were "excused absence" each time. This year was a different tune...my 9th & 7th grds are in different schools from last years (same school board mind you) and they recieved "unexcused" this last October. We are going again in 3 weeks. They will be missing 2 days. I am not sure what to say to the teachers....the 3rd grader is ok...but the other 2???? Never had to lie before!!!!

Sharon L

 

[sha_lyn]

the teracher might not be able to tell you what to do but when you enroll your child in a public scholl system you agree to follow its rules. If you take your child out over the allowed number of days they have every right to not promote a child, and it the dasy missed do not meet their requirements to be excussed they can mark them as unexcussed. Many systems do not require ( or want) teachers to give assignments for unexcussed days.
Because the policies vary so much from system to sysrem it is best to make yourself aware of the policies before planning a vacation.

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[Beverly Lynn]

you do what you need to do. I have no qualms about taking my child out of school when she is in it. sometimes you don't have a choice. since everyone is off for the summer (kids) its not always feasible for the parents at the time and then with the heat and crowds and cost it might have to be at another time. maybe that year round school with 3 weeks off at a time isn't such a bad idea after all.............this way you can take vacations at different times of the year and not be crowded in the summer......

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Beverly

 

[Jimmac]

IMHO, I don't recommend setting a poor example for your child by making up a story to explain the absence. Plus as was already pointed out children love to talk about their Disney experiences to their friends and classmates. Something that they obviously inherit from their parents.

 

[cruella devil]

I would suggest being upfront with your childs teacher unless you think your child will come back from the trip and not mention anything about her trip to WDW and how she met Mickey Mouse. I find that hard to believe. Honesty is the best policy......

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[Morgana]

I am taking both my dd (1st grade) and DS (K) out of school for a week in August. We are from the south so our schools start back early. They will begin classes on August 6th. We will be going to WDW on August 20th thru 26th. If I do have a problem with either of my childrens teacher, not liking the fact that I am taking my children on their very first WDW trip, then I will have to take care of that when the time comes. If it means moving my children to private schools or home schooling them I will. School is important, but so is Family. I feel that both my children will learn more from their experiences at WDW than they would in that one week of school. Spending Quality time with both of their parents will teach them far more about family values and what it means to have a loving family who does things together than any week at school will ever do. So basically what I am saying is be honest and take a stand for what is important for you and your family. I know I will. Even if I step on a few toes in the process. But I am hoping everyone at our school will understand. So I agree with doing what is good for you.

 

[anne60]

the only thing i would add to this is...there are 15-20 other kids in the class besides your child, so maybe we should not expect teachers to go out of their way to help. i mean, it's nice when they do, but if each family expected it....that would eat up a lot of time that should be focused on the class. also, know your teacher. my son's fourth grade teacher was very difficult to deal with. he had his tonsils out and missed ten days of school, and she certainly was NOT helpful. I can only imagine what she would have been like had he missed for a vacation!!!!

 

[mormol]

tell the truth. besides, is kindergarten mandatory in Texas for its not in New YOrk. My dd goes to a private kindergarten and we pulled her out for 3 days. Her teachers were just excited for her! I think going up to all the characters and getting autographs and stuff has really helped build up her confidence (one of the skills they are working on in her kindergarten) so it was great for her!
If you are pulling an older kid I would imagine they would be required to bring some work with them as well.

 

[Betsyfun]

Having 4 kids and having done Disney many times during offical school times, my recommendation is to TELL THE TEACHER, THE COUNSELORS, WHOMEVER CAN HELP YOU!..

I have one child in high school and twins in elementary and one to young to attend. First verify that there is NOT any standardized testing going on or very important school things and then set your dates. We contact the school and all officals about 3 weeks prior to our leaving. More times than not my children's teachers have allowed the kids to work ahead and acutally COMPLETE the work they will be missing BEFORE we even get on the plane! This has been wonderful, because we were not stressing during the vacation. Ususally the kids took their tests before they left! Thanks for the many teachers that have made building special memories with our family easy!

PS....I usually have the kids keep a daily journal and suggest to them to pick a word of the day at Disney and write a fictional story using the word several times! The kids are always excited to share their journal with their teacher and class when they return. Once the teacher even read one of them outloud during a quiet time .(While everyone in the class munched on Mickey Mouse suckers that my daughter wanted to bring back for everyone)

MAKE IT FUN..TELL THE SCHOOL...AND CREATE MEMORIES WITH YOUR KIDS!!!!



Betsyfun

Apr '81 - Disneyland
Nov '92 - Disneyland
Nov '96 - WL
Dec '98 - Poly
Dec '99 - Poly
Apr '01 - Offsite
Nov '01 - ASMo

 

[aimeesmom2]

At my childrens school they allow a certain amount of days absence a year for family vacation.. They just ask that you write a note to the office within 2 weeks prior and that the child has to get their work ahead of time and have it finished before leaving.. This way their work does not get interupted...

I really dont see any reason to lie to the school or the teacher...

WHATZ UP!!??