Don't care if it makes me a bad parent!

[My2Qtz0205]

No flames here. I've taken my kids out of school twice for WDW. First time they were pre-school/1st grade. Last time was 1st grade/4th grade. Our attendance rules had changed between trips. I fretted so much about that truancy letter/phone call. Never received anything of the sort. Everyone in the school knew where we were going because I work there and my kids, of course, had been talking about it also. My daughter's teacher sent work with us. My son's teachers elected not to, preferring that he journal while he was away and make-up work when he gets back.

This year we are not going to pull them out of school. DS will be in 5th grade, and I'm afraid he'll miss too much. We are cruising Spring Break week, and going for an impromptu trip next month (when I said I would never go in the summer. Oh well, DH said to go, so we're going!)

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Both my son and niece will be missing a week in September for our trip. I figure, if we prepare their teachers ahead of time, they can provide us with whatever they will be doing while gone, and we can keep them up to date. I can't afford peak season either so whatever, we're going!!!

This is the part I love.

The teachers should do extra work so you can go on vacation?

I have several friends who are teachers. They smile nicely at the parents and explain that it's the kids job to find out what happened and make it up, not the teachers job to put together "packets' so they can be taught by their parents.

They have no problem with you going but... they aren't doing special lesson plans, etc..

 

[smorkovsky]

To me there's a fine line here. We are definitely in charge of our kids but the school districts are in charge of the schools and have the right to make whatever rules they see fit. We can always go to private schools or homeschool or move to another district of course but we can't really dictate a district's rules beyond a certain point.

I agree. Rules are good, but it's still my decision on whether or not to break those rules. I must be willing to deal with the consequences of breaking the rules. I'm ok with that. It's as it should be. There are people who need these rules and consequences to send their kids to school at all. Since I'm not one of those people, I feel like, ultimately, it'll be fine. My kids aren't going to suffer from this, as they typically don't miss more than 1 or 2 school days per year. My younger son hasn't even taken a sick day yet (kinder or 1st)...I think their typically stellar attendance must at least bode in my favor to the attendance clerk

 

[Planogirl]

Same school district

Frisco or Plano? They are about the same so I guess that it doesn't matter much.

I would still go. I've heard of people working it out with the school and others having to go to court. I've never heard of anyone getting into serious trouble about it though. Just don't be the first.

I've also heard that teachers won't prepare anything in advance but will require makeup once you get back. At that age, that shouldn't be a big issue.

 

[smorkovsky]

Frisco.
I definitely don't expect the teachers to make packets. I don't expect to be making my kids do homework on vacation though either. They will have loads of extra work when we get back. That's sort of a great life lesson if you ask me!

 

[maxiesmom]

To me there's a fine line here. We are definitely in charge of our kids but the school districts are in charge of the schools and have the right to make whatever rules they see fit. We can always go to private schools or homeschool or move to another district of course but we can't really dictate a district's rules beyond a certain point.

I agree.

I wouldn't hesitate to pull the kids out when they are that young either, provided you or they don't have some nasty backlash from the school.

 

[juliebug1997]

I don't about that, but maybe it's true. I've always only ever lived here. I do know they will likely take me to truancy court for 5 unexcused for both kids, though. Maybe not, if I plan ahead, and the school knows what is going on, etc. It typically depends on the district. I know our last district would have been fine if I planned ahead and notified all the teachers, etc. (which, of course, I will do), but the place we are now, is VERY strict about it, so I know it is going to be HIGHLY frowned upon. I don't care. The memories we will make will be worth whatever the school wants to dish out on me, and I'm sure their teachers will be understanding....I have smart kiddos, anyway, so a week of elementary school isn't going to do some lasting damage.

If you don't care what the district thinks, then a bunch of flames/support from a bunch of interwebz strangers shouldn't make much of a difference either. If your district is strict, then I would count on them having a policy in place that says that you can't get work ahead of time.

My district only goes after parents when it becomes excessive--like 30+days. They also have a policy that we do not give out work ahead of time.

 

[Planogirl]

Frisco.
I definitely don't expect the teachers to make packets. I don't expect to be making my kids do homework on vacation though either. They will have loads of extra work when we get back. That's sort of a great life lesson if you ask me!

It is. I also refused to ever make DS do any kind of work while on a trip. It's his vacation too or at least that's how I saw it.

I hope that you have a great trip.

 

[darnheather]

No flames from me. I used to be a homeschooler and still miss it. When we moved to DC we took six months more or less just to explore the city and the wonderful things it has to offer. Best thing I ever did for my kids. We're going in September and they'll miss a week of school.

 

[juliebug1997]

Some districts only allow a certain number of unexcused absences so if the OP exceeds them she may have issues. I dont know if they would go as far as going to court, but I'm not sure how tough her district is on that kind of thing. We are allowed 5 in one year, so if we went to WDW for 10 days we'd exceed that.

In our state (TX), it is actually a state policy and not district policy. It's twofold. 1. Attendance sets funding standards for the school district. 2. When you are talking about getting credit (some MS class and all HS classes), the student has to be in class 90% of the time.

 

[arielmomma]

I'm taking my 3rd and 5th graders out of school for an entire week for a WDW trip! And while the school district may frown upon this, and take me to truancy court (because I will NOT lie about why I'm taking them out of school) some things are more important than school. And this will likely be a trip of a lifetime for my kids, so truancy court be damned! We can't afford peak season, and even if we could, there's no way massive crowds will make a trip anything but hell for us. We HATE crowds. HATE.THEM.

Flame away.

Good for you. I did it for 2 weeks last November without a morsel of regret. Have a great vacation!

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I'm taking my 3rd and 5th graders out of school for an entire week for a WDW trip! And while the school district may frown upon this, and take me to truancy court (because I will NOT lie about why I'm taking them out of school) some things are more important than school. And this will likely be a trip of a lifetime for my kids, so truancy court be damned! We can't afford peak season, and even if we could, there's no way massive crowds will make a trip anything but hell for us. We HATE crowds. HATE.THEM.

Flame away.

No flames here!! This topic has been on this Forum since the beginning of time! You will hear from both sides .....whether you want to or not lol!!!

While it's nice to get people's opinions, only YOU know what's best for your family. And FAMILY COMES FIRST!!!!

 

[Bob NC]

I'm taking my 3rd and 5th graders out of school for an entire week for a WDW trip! And while the school district may frown upon this, and take me to truancy court (because I will NOT lie about why I'm taking them out of school) some things are more important than school. And this will likely be a trip of a lifetime for my kids, so truancy court be damned! We can't afford peak season, and even if we could, there's no way massive crowds will make a trip anything but hell for us. We HATE crowds. HATE.THEM.

Flame away.

Honestly I'm curious why you posted this.

You have made your decision.

You aren't looking for opinions.

Are you WANTING flames?

 

[brattyme]

at the beginning and end of school year, teachers and principal remind us to keep our kids healthy so that they don't miss school. You still have to write a letter, call them, and write a letter upon return.

Sadly we may never dare to take them out for even a day, unless they are sick.

 

[WDSearcher]

I'm taking my 3rd and 5th graders out of school for an entire week for a WDW trip! And while the school district may frown upon this, and take me to truancy court (because I will NOT lie about why I'm taking them out of school) some things are more important than school. And this will likely be a trip of a lifetime for my kids, so truancy court be damned! We can't afford peak season, and even if we could, there's no way massive crowds will make a trip anything but hell for us. We HATE crowds. HATE.THEM.

Flame away.

So ... was this a vent? Picking a fight? Did you just have an argument with the school administration and decide to take it out on the DIS? Friends and family giving you a hard time? Why all the anger?

If you HATE crowds, then Disney's not really your best destination any time (there really aren't "uncrowded" times any more), but off-peak will certainly be better. And you certainly won't be the only family there who pulled their kids out of school.

But ... wow. I've read some intersting opening posts, but it's like you posted specifically so that people would flame you and then you could stauchly defend your right to take your kids out of school. Seems like a very negative way to spend an afternoon, but ... whatever.

 

[zuzu310]

No flames here! I think it is ridiculous that the school should control when we take family vacation. I am with you: we hate crowds and we wouldn't be able to afford to go any other way. I don't really see what the big deal is as long as you notify them well in advance and get the work ahead of time. And yes if you notify the teacher well in adavance then I expect to be given makeup homework and assignments so that I can help my kids work on it. I think that teachers have to meet you halfway and I think most are more than willing to do that. I mean I guess it would be different if your kids really struggle in school.

 

[juliebug1997]

And yes if you notify the teacher well in adavance then I expect to be given makeup homework and assignments so that I can help my kids work on it. I think that teachers have to meet you halfway and I think most are more than willing to do that.

You would have a teacher break a school district policy in order to accomodate you? I hope you give really great presents at Winter Break and the end of the school year. However, even if you gave me gifts worth $100, it wouldn't take a disciplinary action out of my file should my principal decide to pursue it.

What you do with your child is your decision and no one else's. However, there are state guidelines and policies and district policies (at least in my state), that we as teachers are all expected to follow. If I break one rule for one child, then I should let all the children break that rule. If I'm not going to enforce it, then neither should any other teacher in the district/state. I send my kids off on their trips with a smile and tell their parents that the work will be waiting on them when they return. Why? Because I like my job.

 

[Moodyzblu]

I think the OP was looking for reassurance and back up from other parents who feel the same way. (not looking for a fight)

I know, for myself, I really struggle with taking my kids out of school .. not a decision I take lightly .. but I also feel the family time and what they get to experience in Disney out weighs everything else. So I push my guilt aside and take my kids to Disney.
We went twice last year .. we went to Disneyland in October where the kids missed 3 days and then to WDW in May where the kids missed 5 days.
We had to make sure the work was caught up and if they had been falling behind at all .. I wouldn't have done it.

 

[juliebug1997]

I think the OP was looking for reassurance and back up from other parents who feel the same way. (not looking for a fight)

I know, for myself, I really struggle with taking my kids out of school .. not a decision I take lightly .. but I also feel the family time and what they get to experience in Disney out weighs everything else. So I push my guilt aside and take my kids to Disney.
We went twice last year .. we went to Disneyland in October where the kids missed 3 days and then to WDW in May where the kids missed 5 days.
We had to make sure the work was caught up and if they had been falling behind at all .. I wouldn't have done it.

She actually ended her original post with "Flame away".

 

[AuroraRora]

No flames here either! My parents pulled us from school every two years to go to Disney, for two weeks at a time, and we never had any issues at all. We'd do some of the work in advance, and the rest when we got back. It was a long flight so my parents made us work on the plane there, then it was put away and the vacation began. When I have kids of my own, I imagine I'll be doing the same