Going to WDW during school year

[torinsmom]

I am a teacher in NC and its my understanding that after 10 UNEXCUSED absences, there may be a problem. I doubt they would hold a child back based solely on the number of days they miss. In your case, even if the 5 days are unexcused, sick days WOULD be excused, so you should be fine.

I teach at a charter school and we are more lenient. Family travel is considered a cultural experience. We have kids from India who will miss 3-4 weeks of school, and as long as their work is up to par, they are promoted.

Oh my, a post so true to my heart! I agree, you will hear many answers to this one as well. I think in your case, it sounds like you really have no choice but to go when your hubby can go, and family vacations are also important in growing up.

We have always taken a beach or Disney vacation in the fall or early spring, and last year we did a Disney Cruise in January. Our daughter was in Kindergarten for the cruise. It was fine. No questions asked. Neighbors with kids in the same school district all said you can get away with this up until about 3-4th grade. After that, it's nearly impossible due to the amount of work given. Especially in HS or if kids are in AP type classes.

Recently we moved to NC. DD will be in 1st grade this year, and I really wanted to go to WDW during one of the first two weeks of Dec. Prices lower, crowds lower, but still decorated. I decided against it for our own personal reasons. We just booked our trip where we will go down the day after she ends for winter break. We'll be in the park for xmas eve and Christmas Day! Since we don't have family here anyway, we decided to go as a special family Christmas for the three of us.

My main concern as that this new school system STRONGLY discourages it. They state a child cannot miss more than 10 days of school or they will not be promoted to the next grade. So, I did not feel comfortable using up 5 of those days, in case of illness, or if we have to travel back North for an emergency such as a funeral.

Yes, it's costing us more, but I already feel a weight off my shoulders that I don't have to do any explaining to teachers, etc. Like that feeling of having to go the Principle's office, silly, I know, but I'm now relieved that I don't even have to have the conversation.

Now, if I could just figure out what to do about Santa!

good luck to you, I think you have to do what you have to do!

 

[sticker231]

I am an assistant warehouse manager for a wholesale membership club and vacation timing can be a problem. November and December are blacked out and we have inventory twice a year. So with November/December and the inventories, that is three months right off the bat that we can't go. Taking the kids out of school is a good alternative for us to go during slower times at WDW. We went in October and this April. We are scheduled to go again in October, although plans may change because I submitted a transfer to an upcoming store in Louisville.

 

[JPN4265]

Everyone is just to positive and nice. Bad mommy, your child will be scared for life. They won't be able to get into college. You will ruin any chance they have for a successful life. Oh the humanity!

 

[kkevcamsmom]

Oh my, a post so true to my heart! I agree, you will hear many answers to this one as well. I think in your case, it sounds like you really have no choice but to go when your hubby can go, and family vacations are also important in growing up.

We have always taken a beach or Disney vacation in the fall or early spring, and last year we did a Disney Cruise in January. Our daughter was in Kindergarten for the cruise. It was fine. No questions asked. Neighbors with kids in the same school district all said you can get away with this up until about 3-4th grade. After that, it's nearly impossible due to the amount of work given. Especially in HS or if kids are in AP type classes.

Recently we moved to NC. DD will be in 1st grade this year, and I really wanted to go to WDW during one of the first two weeks of Dec. Prices lower, crowds lower, but still decorated. I decided against it for our own personal reasons. We just booked our trip where we will go down the day after she ends for winter break. We'll be in the park for xmas eve and Christmas Day! Since we don't have family here anyway, we decided to go as a special family Christmas for the three of us.

My main concern as that this new school system STRONGLY discourages it. They state a child cannot miss more than 10 days of school or they will not be promoted to the next grade. So, I did not feel comfortable using up 5 of those days, in case of illness, or if we have to travel back North for an emergency such as a funeral.

Yes, it's costing us more, but I already feel a weight off my shoulders that I don't have to do any explaining to teachers, etc. Like that feeling of having to go the Principle's office, silly, I know, but I'm now relieved that I don't even have to have the conversation.

Now, if I could just figure out what to do about Santa!

good luck to you, I think you have to do what you have to do!

That's not true for all school districts. As soon as my DD15 recieved her class schedule we emailed all her teachers, including the 3 AP class teachers. All said they would have packets for her to take, some agreed to letting her take tests early or make them up. We were very up front and honest with the teachers. Her 2nd yr German teacher was the best, she had just returned from a trip to WDW and is putting together a "to do" list in Epcot at the German pavillion. The only one upset was her bowling coach...lol She's one of the top girl bowlers (a 172 average ), but since we changed our dates (not for the bowling but for flight options) he's now happy again....lol

I think it depends on where you live and the rules of your school district.

If during school is the only time your family can go, then go....

Lori

 

[Lila95]

In our school district it all depends on the teacher...some are great about it and others try to make you feel guilty. Every principal says they frown on you taking kids out, but it's done all the time and I've never seen anyone told they can't make up the work or getting held back because of the vacation. I am a nurse and every summer the NICU gets slammed so very few people are granted vacation. The same goes for time around the major holidays. We try to plan trips around fall break. This works out well since DD's b-day is on Halloween and she loves being at WDW for her birthday. We will be in FL for 10 days and my kids will only miss 3 full days and 3 half days. The half days are conference days and they don't do much work anyway. We also have a lot of international families at our school who leave for 2-4 weeks at a time. Our neighbors always go back to China for a month at Christmas time and their son has never had any trouble making up work.

 

[OKWMom]

We take the kids out every year for our annual week at Disney family vacation. We go in December because of the low heat and low crowds, but mainly because it is the only time it would be an enjoyable trip for our daughter with autism. We could not take her in the heat and crowds of the summer because she couldn't tolerate either for very long. Our school district does not like us taking the kids out for a week and the administrators were not very nice about it, but they couldn't really do anything about it. The teachers themselves were very understanding and gave us the kid's work so they could keep up.

Our philosophy is that we have to do what is best for our family and in our opinion, that happy family time is vital. Ultimately, you have to do what is best for your family, and not let the judgments of others get in the way.

 

[Pdowning98]

The OP has gotten alot of great responses. This past May we took our then 2nd grader out of school for a week to go to WDW. His teacher was great and just asked that a journal was kept, at least a sentence a day, take some pictures and that he present it to the class. We also had to sign an extended absence form. A couple of years ago we also went to DL for 5 days and took him out of Kindergarten. So, for our family it was a very positive experience. This year we are planning for Feb. and have moved to a new school district, so I hope that it goes as smooth. To the OP good luck whatever you decide to do and have a great vacation!

 

[Gizmo1951]

We always have the 2 girls out of school for 6-8 days each year for our Disney trip. We let their teachers know ahead of time and they get any work ready. Some we have them work on before we leave and they finish it up when we return. So far it has never been a problem.
I recently came across this form letter on the Mouseforless.com web site and thought it was great.


DATE:

TO: [school official]

FROM:

RE: [students name and vacation dates]

Please be advised that [student] will be out of school during the week of [date]. We ask that his absences be excused.

The reason for [student]'s absence is that our family will be out of the state during this week. While we are gone, we will be visiting Walt Disney World. We believe that [student] will be learning many things during this trip and that his education will continue in his absence from school.

Some things [student] will learn about:

• Different cultures of the world, including architecture, language, diet, and dress, by visiting the different countries in the Epcot World Showcase (Japan, China, Germany, Mexico, Norway, Canada, France, etc.) [student] will have the chance to explore the exhibits for each country and speak with natives from each country who work as cast members.
• American history by viewing the Hall of Presidents presentation in the Magic Kingdom and the American Adventure show in Epcot.
• Nature and conservation at Animal Kingdom.
• Science by exploring the Mission:Space ride in Epcot where he will have a chance to see and feel what it would be like to travel by rocket to Mars and by experiencing the Universe of Energy exhibit which teaches about fossil fuels, energy, and conservation.
• Economics by managing his own spending money and making budget decisions on how to spend his money.

[student] will also be learning about map reading by navigating in and to the different theme parks, as well as the resorts and water parks via the Disney bus system, sociological aspects of crowds including patterns and behavior, physics of the different rides, breakthroughs in technology at the Innoventions computer lab in Epcot, art and animation and the history of film, and mathematics.

We believe this will be a wonderful and educational experience for [student] and hope you agree not to charge him with unexcused absences as a result. If it is possible for [student] to take any assignments with him to be turned in when we return or to turn in before we leave any work that will be due while he is gone, please let us know as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

[Parent's Signture]_________

 

[sorul82?]

I was also wondering about how teachers react to kids being taken out of school for vacations. We have a kindergartner this year and was trying to make plans for WDW in May, at end of school year. He would miss about 5 or 6 days. We can fly for free then ,costs are less and less crowds. School has not started yet and we don't have a teacher to ask, so I was thinking about calling the Principal to see what he says.

IMHO, missing K is not that big of a deal!

 

[Lila95]

Our philosophy is that we have to do what is best for our family and in our opinion, that happy family time is vital. Ultimately, you have to do what is best for your family, and not let the judgments of others get in the way.

I couldn't agree more. I think most parents are intelligent enough to know if the time missed from school will be detrimental to their child. Time away to enjoy being with your family is so important since we live in a time when often both parents work and things are always so rushed. The kids need that time when it's all about fun and family. Those memories are priceless. Luckily my kids have always had understanding moms as teachers and they have worked with us and not made us feel guilty about vacation. Hopefully this year will be the same

 

[red riding hood]

Thanx to everyone for all of the great replies. I am really excited about our first "real" trip. Gizmo1951, thanks for the letter. I will definitely cut and paste it and put it in my "Disney" notebook. Our school just introduced our new principal and I was told she won't have a problem with it at all. As a matter of fact, she told our PTO president that she used to take her kids out all the time when they were younger, but that they "always had a good reason!" I sometimes wonder if the year around school schedule would be the answer to some of this?! I hope that everyone has a great last few weeks of summer!!

 

[disneyfan6301]

I agree with the year round suggestion, or a modified year round where the fall and spring breaks are 1 week and the summer break is 8 weeks. That would help us all out!!! But, I guess that is another debate for another thread....

 

[mrsscooter]

We will be going in October for a week over the columbus day holiday and I too am hoping that the teachers will not have a problem with us taking the kids out. They will only technicaly be out of school for five days, so hopefully no big problems. My daughter will be in first grade and my son will be in pre-k so cross your fingers. I too am in management for a large department store chain and we (especially management) and we were told back in June that absolutely no vaca time from the end of October to the end of January. So, that leaves us with only October, really to fit it into our schedule. Good luck during when your trip!

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I am going to answer this from a teacher's point of view---GO!! I teach and have had students taken out for vacations (Disney, beach, even for a month to go to India). No big deal. Just get the work ahead of time. This will give them something to do on the way. As a teacher, I would rather know and give work then have the student come back after and then have to gather up all the work.

Now, as a parent, I do the same thing!! Once we went in Sept and saw the low crowds and cooler temps, my DH decided we would always go in the fall. DS now plays football, so we go in Nov. or Dec after the season has ended. I have never had any problems with the teachers. They have all been great. One suggestion--if you have any work out of the textbook, try to photocopy the pages. The books get heavy.

As an earlier post said--do this now. Once my DS hits high school, there is no way I would take him out for a trip.

I am so glad to see a teacher answer this. I took my child out of kindergarten for a week and the teacher knew in advance but didn't seem to like the idea. The school also sent me several letters warning that we only had 11 days out of a year to miss school. The funny part is that kindergarten isn't even required for school! She didn't get sick very often so I really wasn't worried about missing any more days. Which she didn't thankfully.

So I am glad to see a teacher that would actually work with the parents on this. You deserve an award!

 

[daisyduck123]

Another teacher here....

I say, "Go & have a great time!!"

I took my own DD11 & DS8 out in January (they missed 5 school days) & then again in May (they missed 7 school days) for trips to Disney. All 3 of us missed school but had a fantastic time!!

 

[Eeyore's Tiara]

I'm lovin' these teachers who are Disney folks. Wish you had been ours! Cheers to you all!

 

[AStarOnMars]

I'm a teacher (9th and 12th grade) ...

Personally, I understand school is not a child's whole life ... I do not make a big deal when a student takes a leave of absent for any reason (of course, unless it happens too much) ... but I do work with some teachers that cannot stand it and IMO go hard on those students ...

I would much rather have the student/parent tell me before hand that way I can get a make up assignment(s) in order, which only benefits the student, giving them more time and clarification matters. It just bothers me when I am not informed before hand and they expect all their make up work the first day they return.

I give them assignments that can be done in a realistic amount of time and due up to two weeks before/after they return b/c I don't think doing homework on vacation is going to happen lol ... and they have time to see me during my tutoring hours.

I had this parent e-mail me on a Friday afternoon telling me her son was going on a family vacation for 1 week starting Saturday and needed his work ... let's see, that gives me less than 24 hours to get something together (note: I do not believe in "busy work" for students) ... needless to say, I did not get back to her with any assignments but was glad to give him his work when he returned ... she ended up in a meeting with the principal about it (I was not the only teacher) ... which the principal was puzzled about b/c we never denied the student from doing make up work ... the mother was up set we could not give it to her less than 24 hours before the vacation lol ... I am more than willing to work with the student/parent with a proper amount of time ... no matter if it is before or after the vacation

As a child, my parents never took me out of school for vacation b/c I had a high stress level ... I started pulling out my eyelashes when they took me out in 2nd grade and cried during portions of our trip b/c I missed school -> assignments --> grades ... yes, I was an odd child lol

I am not yet a parent (nor does my work schedule allow me to take a vacation during off-season lol) but I would not take my child out of school if it was going to be harder when they return ...

just my opinions

So in conclusion would I take my child out of school for vacation ...

As a teacher ... I do not mind when my students take a leave of absents (as long as it follows the attendance guidelines)
As a child I hated be taken out of school
As a parent of the future ... probably not

 

[PortieOwner]

My parents both have PhDs (in education) and they always took us kids out of school for family trips. I went on to get a PhD myself and I hope to be able to take my kid out of school for familty trips too.

 

[JPN4265]

I would go and have a great vacation with my family, BUT!!! I would not expect the school or teacher to do anything special for my child. I would not expect a special package or makeup work to be provided. What ever my child missed would be just to bad. Although I agree on taking your children out for a family vacation when no other time will work, I understand that this is not a time away from school that I can justify as excused.

 

[badblackpug]

This is the 1st year I have [lanned a vacation during the school year. Previously we always went during school vacations because I went with my ex and stepdaughter, and she was not a very "dedicated" student and couldn't afford to miss the time. This year we are going during "Jersey Week" (we live in New Jersey, obviously!) and the kids will only miss 2 full days and a half day (and that is only because we decided to return Monday, instead of Sunday because of flight prices) We will leave Friday, November 3 and return Monday November 13.
Maybe you could try to plan around a school holiday, that wasn't necessarily a major holiday, to minimize abscences.
The kids are watching the planning video every day!!!!!!!