Does anyone take their kids out school for DVC?

[gina2000]

Mickey gets a bit confrontational wherever he posts. Take a gander and do a bit of a search.

Having said that (and not really caring who I've offended, hint hint), I will say that I graduated from one of the top private universities (academic ranking, not beer ball) in the US and my DH has 2 science/engineering degrees from major technology universities also in the US. I think that sufficiently meets the criteria set forth by one of our more vocal members.

And for the record, we take our son out of school for vacations.

Why?

We take him out because life is a tapestry. Each piece tells a story and adds to the overall beauty of the picture. It's important to us that he sees and experiences as much as possible. We believe that gives him a strong foundation for future interests and endeavors. We've done it with the understanding that he keep up with his work and continue to excell academically. He also swims 5 days a week competitively. It takes time away from potential studying but we find that an athletically focussed child is an academically focussed child.

That's the stuffy answer. The nonstuffy answer is that life should be fun and children should be rewarded for their endeavors. And we do that.

As many of our northeast, highly competitive, totally focussed friends do with their children.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Originally posted by Missy1961
My sister and BIL are starting to discuss this. Their oldest child will start kindergarten tomorrow. His mom lives in FL, and they have combined a visit to grandma with a day or so at Sea World or DW. They made this year's trip in June--after Samantha was done with her Pre-K class. But June was hot (I went along for the visit.) and the rates are higher. So they would love to go another time--October maybe. So my sister and I were discussing this yesterday. We're just not sure what they should do. I can see both sides of this.

Assuming your brother lives in NY there should be a plethora of three day weekends to choose from. If they live in NJ there is always Joisey week (which is just two or three days).

My sister used to pull her kids out to go to DWorld with me but stopped doing it once her oldest had a rough time upon returning home and the younger one was uncooperative about thinking through the homework.

On average I'd say don't keep them out for the week....but I suspect many choose the week because they don't want to pay airfare for the whole crew.

 

[kathleena]

A long time ago a very bright and poorly educated woman (my Mom, rest her soul) told me that it's always best to Mind Your Own Business - unless of course it is negatively affecting you. Then you should speak up for yourself.

I'm reading some of the unsufferable rudeness here and thinking of Mom and just want to say:

To all of you, for whatever you do for your children - either leave them in school or take them out - the decision and the business to do so are yours alone and I totally support your decision and do not question it at all. It does not affect me in my life, and you are all adults and can make up your own minds.

And you should be able to do that without anyone questioning who you are, your backgrounds, your education prowess or anything else.

Enjoy all of your days and years with your family.

 

[zurgswife]

Perhaps it's just the type A northeastern environment I circulate in, but when parents here get together and share notes on childrearing, the focus is on how to get five year old Johnny on a track to enter Amherst and Harvard Law, not on dreaming up schemes to pull him out of school for a week to go to WDW.

WOW!!! Boy it sounds like Johnny and his parents are a bunch of elitists....makes me want to make sure that my kids stay way from Amherst or Harvard Law.....

 

[Parrothead1964]

Mikey, you're obviously emotional about this subject, as you have every right to be. People on these boards disagree about a range of subjects every day, but they don't normally go for the throat like you have done here (except maybe on the political threads, but that's a whole 'nother subject).

In reading my responses to this thread, I realize I have, myself, stooped to the level of insult. I was raised -- and educated -- to be better than that. So, for the record, I hereby apologize to everyone on this board, especially you, for any statements I made which could be considered hurtful or antagonizing. You would have some idea how hard it is for me to say that if you knew the personal obstacles my daughter had to overcome to make the grades she makes, let alone obtain awards for her work.

I know in my heart that I do not have to justify the university where my child attends school. If my sons decide to attend college, I will support them wholeheartedly no matter what college they decide on. If they decide against college, I will try my best to convince them otherwise, but I will love them nonetheless.

You can make your points here without insulting other people. Please consider that in your future postings, as I plan to do the same.

I would really like to have serious conversations with you in the future on a range of subjects, because you're obviously a bright and witty person who has alot of knowledge to share.

I offer a truce ... do you accept?

 

[mikeymars]

Originally posted by Toby'sFriend
Perhaps it is Mikeymars. Perhaps it is.

Granted, it is a mindset people always complain about...until cousin Bob gets into Yale. Then they can't wait to brag about being related to that club!

Originally posted by gina2000
Mickey gets a bit confrontational wherever he posts. Take a gander and do a bit of a search.

Ah, the old "stalk the opponent" strategy. Haven't seen that for years (went out of fashion long ago on most boards). As I recall, it tended to work better when one cut and pasted examples of what they were tying to demonize. But of course, that required some effort....

I graduated from one of the top private universities (academic ranking, not beer ball) in the US and my DH has 2 science/engineering degrees from major technology universities also in the US.

Very nice, but names would help (definitions of "top" vary, and those holding degrees from said nationally ranked schools are usually more than willing to share that accomplishment, see the cousin Bob example above). Generalizations always leave much to be desired, and to Parrot's credit he recognized that.

And for the record, we take our son out of school for vacations.

Why? yada yada yada.....

Thanks for the poetry, but one notices the lack of mention of lower rates and smaller crowds during off season. They have nothing to do with this? Nothing at all? Please.....at least others -- to their credit -- have admitted that obvious attraction.

Originally posted by zurgswifeJohnny and his parents are a bunch of elitists.

They've been called worse. I prefer to view them as those who appreciate what one of my secondary school advisors pointed out: being a "small fish in a big pond" (ergo, the "B" student at Princeton) has a lot going for it!

Originally posted by parrothead1964

Mikey, you're obviously emotional about this subject, as you have every right to be. People on these boards disagree about a range of subjects every day, but they don't normally go for the throat like you have done here (except maybe on the political threads, but that's a whole 'nother subject).

Actually, the old early and mid 1990s AOL Disney boards make even the nastiest arguments here look like a kiddie party (I particularly recall a debate about a riot that happened after a rap concert at Pleasure Island back in 1993 or 1994 - boy, did that discussion get U-G-L-Y- and that was in an era when AOL did little if anything to moderate boards). At any rate, I think emotion is less the issue and more the fact I'm one of the sole defenders of the "no" argument here, against a whole "me-too-yes" mob.

That however, wasn't an excuse to engage in personal attacks, and I apologize for implying your daughter hasn't worked hard for her substantive educational accomplshments. You took on a challenge and were willing to "show the money," and I should have shown more appreciation for that.

 

[gina2000]

I have no problems sharing. So, pray tell, where are YOUR degrees from?

 

[slo]

I definitly take my DD out of school, in fact, I am taking her out real soon for our trip that begins on 9-17-04

 

[gina2000]

Oh, and for the record....I don't think it's important where you go to school, it's what you learn that's important. And that includes how to address other people in a social or internet setting.

I take my child out of school to go places other than WDW...and lower rates don't apply.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

SHOW US THE MONEY

I am certain Walt Disney wasn't "Academically Polished."

 

[mikeymars]

Originally posted by gina2000
Oh, and for the record....I don't think it's important where you go to school, it's what you learn that's important.

And the two have no relation to each other? I guess I'll have let the editors of Boston Magazine know that, given I just put down their latest issue, which focuses on ranking every secondary school in the area and going into ultra-granular detail about how the ones at the "top" produce more seasoned, insightful and articulate graduates, and to which they make an value analogy (e.g., why the Fortune 100 pay a premium for Harvard and Stanford M.B.A.s over those of second tier schools; not sure I completely agree with the comparison, but hey, I'm just a researcher, not a publisher).

And that includes how to address other people in a social or internet setting.

As well as how to defend an argument and point out the weaknesses in those of the opposition. It's called debating, and there are actually still secondary school teams that engage in it!

I take my child out of school to go places other than WDW...and lower rates don't apply.

And I and my spouse don't, instead letting the kids appreciate the rewards of a nice vacation that comes after classes end. It's called teaching the value of deferral of gratification, and as every sociologist starting with Weber has pointed out, it's the primary difference between the values of the upper and lower classes in any established society.

 

[diznygirl]

Mikey, didn't have a very good childhood, eh?

 

[mikeymars]

Originally posted by diznygirl
Mikey, didn't have a very good childhood, eh?

Yawn. On that tangent (ergo, childish behavior), rather than demonizing, check out my web site (you'll learn something about all that surf music you apparently like...)

 

[tmq2766]

I think the bottom line here is that every parent owns the right to make their own decision regarding their children!!!!!! We all have our mind set as to what is best for our own and nothing will sway us either way..... Lets all relax......

 

[mikeymars]

Originally posted by tmq2766
I think the bottom line here is that every parent owns the right to make their own decision regarding their children!!!!!! We all have our mind set as to what is best for our own and nothing will sway us either way..... Lets all relax......

In concept, yes, but notice that some here have mentioned their school districts are now introducing and enforcing limits on unexcused absences, which is exactly what taking a child out of session on vacation is. While that won't sway the way anyone feels, it does certainly slam the door in the faces of some of the sybarites.

 

[tmq2766]

I can only speak for the district that my child is in........ The schools are federally funded....They recieve X amount of dollars for each child for each day they are in school.....Therefore they are trying to strong arm parents re: ***unexcused absence***...
I refuse to let teachers decide what is best for my child...
Again vacation is a BIG incentive for my DD9 to do well in school....Do good we can go to Disney, fall behind, vacation is out!

 

[diznygirl]

Yeah, like surf music. Seen the beach party movies - lots of fun. Frankie Avalon is sooo cute...

You still need a few lessons in civility, and I'm still taking DS out of school for two days for a family vacation. I don't think all your snarky comments are going to change anyone's ideas of how to raise their kids. I think it will only reinforce the old adage, "all work and no play ....."

 

[mikeymars]

Originally posted by tmq2766
ITherefore they are trying to strong arm parents re: ***unexcused absence***...
I refuse to let teachers decide what is best for my child

Hmmm.. let's examine this "logic" a bit:

A school district - a PUBLIC entity - sets regulations regarding attendance. And that is called "strong arming?"

I suppose the fact there are speed limits on roads is also "strong-arming?" As are building codes, zoning laws and noise regulations? After all, it's "your" car, "your" home, "your" property and "your' stereo.

But society doesn't work that way, so trying to wave the "libertarian" flag here doesn't cut it.

Bottom line: if one wants absolute control of every element of their child's education, home school them or put them into a private institution. Whining about the fact there are straightforward rules regarding something as important as attendance isn't going to get much sympathy.

 

[LisaSt]

Like I posted earlier I am glad our school system doesn't have this or we would be in big trouble for it as we take ours for 2 weeks at a time. Thankfully Ontario is funded the same no matter how many kids attend the school you get yor enrollment for the year at the end of the previous year and they get money based on those and the projected numbers if they have more enrollments than they anticipated they do fundraisers etc but it is not set out by attendance.Thankfully our system doesn't see the need for this and also admits to knowing that family time is as important as school time. You only really have your family for a period of time IMHO family time is far more important and for a week or 2 the school system is more than willing to let us do that.

 

[tmq2766]

Mickey: You have your mind set as to what is right and I have my mind set to what is right therefore we are NOT going to agree! I will take my daughter out for a week and you keep your child in. People like you make the parks less crowded during the school year anyway