Does anyone take school age children out of school for a DVC vacation during the year

[jennybobenny]

We take our daughter out of school for the week after Thanksgiving every year. I haven't had a problem with any of her teachers (she's only in 3rd grade) although I do receive a standard letter from the principal that she has 'x' number of unexcused absences. When I asked him about it he said he has no choice - he has to send it to the families of all students who miss a certain number of school days. Off the record he said he was fine with our family vacations and would do the same thing in my position.

One teacher gave my daughter a journal to write/draw in during the vacation, another gave her *all* the inschool and homework ahead of time. It was *alot* but we got it all done (99% of it before we left for WDW) and passed it in when we got back. My daughter is an excellent student and so far (again, she's only in 3rd grade ) the missed school days haven't had an impact on her report card in the slightest. When she gets older and the work gets more involved we'll re-evaluate our choice of vacation time but for now I couldn't be happier with the week after Thanksgiving. The FL weather is great, the WDW holiday decorations are up, yet we're home in time to put up our own decorations and get ready for Christmas. This is the first year my son will miss school but since it's only preschool I'm not anticipating any backlash.

 

[WOW]

Our kids are both college graduates now, but we took them out of school (Thanksgiving week) from the time they were in 2nd grade until college. They missed 3 school days each year.....and they grew up to be great college students, so there was no harm done. They are average kids and it didn't seem to harm them in any way, and we had Wonderful Family Vacations each year which we all loved. It is all about family values. We felt the time spent with them was worth the time out of school. No regrets here.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Trainfun, thank you for posting! When I saw this thread, I was sure that no teacher would have the courage to post an alternate viewpoint. Professionally, I accommodate parents who take their kids out of school to go to Disney, bear hunting, etc. because that is what we do in our profession. Personally, I think that regular abusers should be taken out and shot!! It sends a horrible message to children, that education has less value than pleasure, and is a major problem in the workplace today. Actually, I would feel better about taking your child out of school every year for vacation, if you insisted on doing that no matter what, regardless of sports or other conflicting schedules. But when a parent puts vacations first in their lives, then changes it for sports or other extracurricular activities, and school is third--well, at least we know why the students in Japan outscore our kids from the third grade on--and exactly what does everyone do when your school actually gives you a vacation??? I just don't understand that mindset--sorry, everyone, I just had to vent. I lose 1/2 my classroom every year for deer hunting season--bow and rifle--yet, in June we are beaten senseless by our principal, schoolsystem, and the state if those kids didn't gain a year in growth in every subject area.

 

[WOW]

When we took our kids out of school their teachers were really great about it---the kids (and us parents) held up our end of the bargain by making sure they were up to speed with their assignments.

Keep in mind that WDW is very crowded during all the school holidays, etc. Summer is swealtering!!!!!!! This doesn't make for a great vacation. We all lead such hectic lives that a trip to WDW becomes an important FAMILY time...I believe family time is very important and so do our kids. I also believe that it is more important than missing 3 days of school. IMHO...Our kids have grown up to be very responsible people. They never miss work unless they are sick.

 

[RobDoc]

This has begun to stray very far from a DVC topic (and it was a marginal DVC topic to start with).

The Debate Board is the proper place for a discussion about the merits/probelms with vacation trips while school is in session.

Thanks!