For those that take your kids out of school...

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Seriously? WOW

DD is a 1st grader now, we took her out for a week last year for DL and we will again this year. This is our annual trip and DH just tells her teacher we will be gone and gets her work. Now that might become more complicated as she gets older and the work gets harder but for now it isn't a concern. This is the only time we take our kids out of school. It probably helps that DH is a teacher at her school.

I really don't see harm in taking them out for DL unless they have academic issues or miss time for other things.

My oldest DD is also a first grader in Sacramento. Are you in SJUSD? I hope so! I'll feel ever so much better knowing another educator's family is going to DLR while school's in session.

I've really appreciated what all of you have written about the value and importance of spending family time at Disney even if it means missed school days. I am so looking forward to our trip, but worry over the school's reaction has been the proverbial fly in the ointment. So, it's nice to hear so many voices of reason!

 

[jacs1234]

Those that bring school work with them...............how much time do you spend on it a day? I intend not to have a spare minute eachday we're there. I don't know where we could fit schoolwork in other than on the plane.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Just a thought here on a lesson idea...

it's a small world: geography, world cultures, social studies

 

[keptwoman]

The website handsofachild.com has a Disneyland lapbook project pack for $12. We're homeschoolers, so we did it last year before our trip.
Basically, it's an eBook with lessons and activities that you can print out. The idea is that you'll then make a cute little folder with all the stuff in it. Lessons include Disney history, layout (mapping skills), Disney around the world, Walt Disney biography, and a bit of vocabulary. Activities include making a timeline, writing a Walt Disney biography, creating your own 'land', learning to draw Mickey, planning and itinerary, etc. It might be too young for your kids. Mine we're 1st and 2nd grade, but a bunch of the stuff was too advanced for them. You could have them work on it on the plane, or in the hotel room.

Spend some time in the Animations building in DCA- art lesson right there! Also, wouldn't all the shows you'll be seeing count for art credits?

How did I miss that lapbook!!??

 

[cinderella_mom]

We are in CA too and I took my 3rd grader out for 4 days last month. Our district has independent study and we brought her work for the days she was gone on the trip. The school didn't loose out on their $$ because she isn't counted as absent (except for the day they had a sub, but it was straightened out before we even got back). DD is in GATE this year, and has a much higher work load than last year, so I've limited any further days off this year to one at a time.

This is a CA state policy. If a child is going to miss 5 days or more, you can do a contract with the teacher to get the homework in advance and return it after the student comes back to school. The districts get their state funding for the days off. We are going the opposite direction as the OP - WDW the week before winter break - and will be doing this. I want to add that DD was sick with pneumonia last year (2nd grade) and missed 7 school days. Each day I called the teacher and asked if we could get her missed school work and each day her teacher told us not to worry about it. She never made DD make up any work. Of course, that was 2nd grade, we'll see how it goes this year.

 

[Dinder1]

How did I miss that lapbook!!??

Searched for one on a hunch, and was thrillled when I found it! It's a bit less educational that some of their other lapbooks, but it was great for our purposes. We'll probably do it again before we go in the spring, going a bit more in-depth since our kids are older.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Those that bring school work with them...............how much time do you spend on it a day? I intend not to have a spare minute eachday we're there. I don't know where we could fit schoolwork in other than on the plane.

DD worked on her homework on our afternoon breaks, and on evenings when the parks closed at 8 (we were there in Sept.). Also traveling to and from Anaheim (5+ hour drive).

This is a CA state policy. If a child is going to miss 5 days or more, you can do a contract with the teacher to get the homework in advance and return it after the student comes back to school. The districts get their state funding for the days off. We are going the opposite direction as the OP - WDW the week before winter break - and will be doing this. I want to add that DD was sick with pneumonia last year (2nd grade) and missed 7 school days. Each day I called the teacher and asked if we could get her missed school work and each day her teacher told us not to worry about it. She never made DD make up any work. Of course, that was 2nd grade, we'll see how it goes this year.

I thought it was the norm, but other posters from CA were saying they weren't "allowed" to take their kids out of school?

 

[Leofoenget]

DD worked on her homework on our afternoon breaks, and on evenings when the parks closed at 8 (we were there in Sept.). Also traveling to and from Anaheim (5+ hour drive).



I thought it was the norm, but other posters from CA were saying they weren't "allowed" to take their kids out of school?

You are "allowed" 3 UN excused absenses a year. With the 4th you will get an annoying letter telling you your child is turant and the wrath of GOD will befall you if your child keeps this up. Just call them in with a fever that buys you 2 days minimum

 

[phred84044]

We inform the kids' (DD 10, DS 7) teachers about a week before we leave and ask the teachers to put together a packet of homework that they can work on while we are gone. We are leaving next weekend and the kids will miss three days of school.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

You are "allowed" 3 UN excused absenses a year. With the 4th you will get an annoying letter telling you your child is turant and the wrath of GOD will befall you if your child keeps this up. Just call them in with a fever that buys you 2 days minimum

With independent study in our district (and others I know of) they aren't "absent", and the school doesn't miss out on their $$. We have to fill out paperwork beforehand, but that only asks dates they will be missing and where we are going. We get all her work before we leave and it is due her first day back. It sounds like other districts are making in harder than it has to be. I understand not wanting kids to miss school, but if they know they are going to be gone, can get their assignments done while gone, and turn them in when they return I don't see why they have to make it such a big deal.