First Day of School the day after we get home from our Disney trip. Is this bad?

[AnnetteF]

DD will be 3 1/2 in September and starting Pre-K-3 two days a week. She's never been in daycare or any other type of school situation before.

Now, we had made non-refundable airline reservations back in November for our Disney trip leaving 8/28 and returning on 9/5. All reservations and even ADR's are in place now. The school thing still seemed so far away at that time and we just really weren't giving it much thought then which I really regret now. Now I found out that the school we had decided on starts on 9/6 and she will actually miss the orientation which takes place the week before. I feel very uncomfortable about this. I don't want her to get off to a bad start and I'm also worried that the trip home and then having to get up and start school the next day will be too much for her. (I think it also might lead me to feel a little stressed on vacation). I actually had trouble deciding between two schools before we made up our minds and the other school doesn't begin until 9/18 with orientation on the 9/14. I'm now wondering if I should go with the other school, although I know it sounds crazy to make that criteria for choosing a school, but I did like that one, too.

I would love to hear opinions on this. How important do you think missing the orientation is? And do you think the whole thing will be too much for her the day after returning from a big trip? Dh thinks I'm being ridiculous about the whole thing. If I could now, I would just change the dates of the trip, but we are at the mercy of the airline and I think it will be impossible.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Preschool director here... First I would relax. I would not change schools. Something in your heart made you pick this school over the other and chances are that the other school is full by now anyway. I would have everything planned for the first day of school before the trip. See if you can go by before the open house and meet the teacher before you leave. Be sure you have and have read all the information you will receive and act on it. Do you need imunization record, pictures of your DD etc? Have a the back pack and first day outfit all ready. Talk about school up until the trip but try to not put too much emphasis on school while you are gone. Start talking up school the last day or so of the trip. Unless your flight is really late I would plan to start her with everyone else the first day. If however you are really late and she is too tired, just keep her home that day and start her the next. The whole first week will be pure transtition for these little people and she should be fine. Perhaps bring a tiny treat back for the class. A bag of micky shaped pretzels. Enjoy you trip with out worry.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I would call the school and ask if your child can tour the school and meet the teacher before your vacation. At the very least, let her talk to the teacher on the phone. Explain to her how lucky she is that she gets to spend the last week of her life before school in the most special place in the world. Have the child hep out with having the backpack and "first" day out fit all ready. On your vacation, purchase some pencils or other school relalted items and talk about how exciting this is. Once the child starts school, none of the other kids will know whether she missed the orientation or not. Our kids school has a 2 hour orientation the day before school, youngest is now in 4th grade, the only thing we use orientation for is to drop off kleenex and school supplies. We joke about that the only people who really need the orientation are the new students to the school, pre-schooleers and kindergartners. And to be honest, when we first started going, it was so chaotic that we would not have noticed if someone different was there when school actually started.

 

[Hannathy]

I agree with your DH. Chill it's PRESCHOOL!!!! for goodness sake. If you get this worked up over preschool you are going to have a long 13 yrs of school ahead of you. She will be fine. The vast majority will be tired, excited, etc. It won't matter one bit. Enjoy your trip. My DD started High school the day after our trip last August- you know high school where the grades actually count toward your future and none of us gave it a second thought. Actually most of the years my kids have been in school we roll in the night before as late as 2 in the morning and they have always been fine.

 

[Disney Ella]

My kids went to their preschool orientation and were still pretty upset when I left them on the first day of school. If your daughter is the type who is likely to be upset at the idea of being separated from you, going to orientation isn't really going to change that. I would call now and ask if you might be able to drop by and meet the teachers before school is out this year. Sometimes teachers are away during the summer and might not be available until the day of orientation.

I'm sure your daughter will do fine and missing orientation will not be a big deal.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

I understand your concern over this. Preschool is an important beginning to your child's education and starting her daughter off on the right foot is beneficial.

But, I agree with the PPs who mentioned having everything ready for that first day of school before you leave for vacation and giving the school a call to see if some other arrangements for orientation can be made.

I'm sure everything is going to work out and your daughter is going to ease into preschool just fine. Just try not to let this steal any anticipation and joy from your trip.

 

[dis-happy]

We homeschool, but our ds attended preschool and our dd attended some high school classes at a university model school for homeschoolers. We always push summer vacations to the limit and several times arrived home the day before classes were to start. We also missed orientations.

Give the school a call and let them know. A lot of times at preschool orientation is when the moms sign up for jobs or parties during the year. You could talk to the teacher and let her know what you're interested in doing and see if there's a class list of things she'll need to bring in the first day. Other than that you should be fine, try not to stress, just enjoy your vacation.

 

[nettii]

I agree with the previouse posters just relax and enjoy your trip! By her seeing you glide thru with no stress will in turn dothe same for her. Just dont frett,it will all work itself out and she will have great memories to start her year off. I might make a small gift bag for her for the plane ride home I LOVE the book the kisssing hand it has gotten my kids thru many of unsure times!
As far as orentation goes Im sure the teacher will give you all the info you need if you call her. I also think just talking with her will ease your mind and youll find that you were worried for no reason. I hope you have a great trip and you DD has a great year in Pre school! Nettii

 

[LisaNJ25]

I have done it.. you will be fine.. this year ds starts HS 2 days after we get back and my other dd starts 3rd grade.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've done it and everything was fine. 2 years ago we got back from our cruise/Busch Gardens trip at 11:00 p.m. and school started the next day. All the kids were fine. They won't do much the first day anyway.

 

[ptmmg]

we got back from our Disney trip about 10pm the night before school started my older kids were going to be a in 8th grade and a junior . It was no problem at all just have everything ready before you leave. It worked out so well we are doing the same thing this year.