Has anyone had trouble pulling their child from kindergarten for WDW?

[KimWDW]

I booked our trip for October without thinking it would be a problem taking DS out of school for one week. I mean, it's only kindergarten. He's not going to miss a test or anything. And he's very bright and is hardly ever sick. He only had two sick days this entire year of pre-school.

But another mom mentioned to me that they might give me a hard time. I completely understand why they would in higher grades... but kindergarten? So now I'm scared since I already booked the trip. I don't even know who his teacher is going to be so I can't contact her and ask. He starts kindergarten in September and our trip is at the end of October.

Has anyone had trouble with pulling their child from kindy for one week at WDW or do most people find that it's no problem in kindergarten? Thanks.

 

[Tikicampers]

Actually, he could miss a test. K is way more academic than most people realize, and we do have to give assessments, including some that must be reported to the state. Can you find a testing schedule on your district's website? Check there for attendance requirements too. Whether or not they give you a hard time will depend on the teacher and district, and what's going on at the time of your vacation.

 

[madmom1030]

The best thing to do is to talk to your teacher the first week of school. Every school is different.

My daughter was never sick the two years of pre- school. The parents were good about keeping their kids home if they didn't feel good. Kindergarten was very different. My daughter missed 12 days of school for being sick. She had strep 3 times. The doctor sayed that was normal for kids who never went to daycare.

One other thing, kindergarten here is really first grade. They are adding and subtracting by the end of the year. Most kids can read Junie B Jone or similar books on their own when they are done.

Its your kid and your family, so do what you want.

 

[MiniGirl]

First off, to answer your question...... No, I did not have any trouble pulling my Kindergartener out for a few days for WDW.

Now, here's what you didn't ask.... Like a PP mentioned, talk to your child's teacher when you get a chance. However, I would not use the word "only" as in "It's only Kindergarten." Now granted, this is my own personal pet peeve, but that word makes whatever follows it sound less important than it probably is; and many K (and other elementary teachers, too) seem to take offense to the thought that the lower grades aren't as important as the upper grades -- and rightly so. I am also of the opinion that I don't need to ask permission to take MY kids out of school. However, I do need to follow the district, school, and teacher's policies for doing so. I simply ask what those are. I tell my teacher that we often will take a couple of days off for WDW and ask how she likes to handle such absences. It hasn't been a problem.

One thing you can do now is to find out what your school district's policy is. Our school's office is open during the summer and they could tell you (or direct you) to that information. They could also possibly tell you if there is generally any testing done during that time. They may not have specific schedules yet, but they are about the same from year to year. Sumer is a good time to stop in and ask because it isn't as busy and you can meet the office personnel in a more leisurely way, and you probably should get to know them as you will be asking them a lot of questions over the next several years.

Okay, I'm done now. I'm awfully chatty this morning, so please excuse the long post. Bottom line.... I'm sure it'll all work out. Have a great time.

 

[jakenjess]

We pull our kids out every year, and they're going into 5th and 6th grades. We've never had an issue, but they also go to a private Catholic school. We tell the teachers at the beginning of the year when we'll be going, and they've always been completely supportive. Family time is very important, and we know when they get to high school we will have to travel around the school schedule. But for now we're going with lower crowds, lower airfare, and lower prices! Our DD's kindergarten teacher even lent us one of her Disney guidebooks. She was almost as excited as we were!

Hopefully you'll have the same kind of experience. Good luck!

 

[KimWDW]

Yeah, I would never say "it's only kindergarten" to the teacher. But you know what I mean. Kindergarten is extremely important but he wouldn't miss as much in a given week of kindy as he would in 3rd grade, for example. And he already reads at the level expected for entering first grade, so he won't have any academic problems.

I checked the school calendar for the upcoming year and nothing is listed for that week. I also downloaded the school's handbook but they don't say anything about vacations. The only thing about attendance in there is about keeping your kid home if he's sick and what number to call if you're keeping him home, etc. So maybe they don't have a set policy and they determine it on a case by case basis?

I guess I'll do what you suggest and bring it up with the teacher that first week. Or maybe I'll wait a week until she gets to know my son a little bit and then ask.

Thanks.

 

[Starr W.]

Call the school office, we have the "official" form to fill out for vacation days(signed by teacher(s) and principal). Don't think it is ever refused, but we need to have that all important paper trail. Personally I wouldn't take my kids out for a full week, eldest is going into 5th grade, he would miss too much(they really kick up the "regular subject" tests last year.)

My youngest is starting Kindergarten this fall, it's alot different then when my eldest was there 5 yrs ago. But then again the preschool worked alot more on letter sounds and rhyming then 6 yrs ago.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I took both of my girls out of school in kindergarten for trips to WDW. The teachers were fine with it both times. I let the teacher know at the beginning of the school year, but I did n't speak to the principle or anything.

 

[CastleCreations]

I took my daughter, who was in Grade K, out of her second week of school to go to Disney. I was worried because it was so soon in the school year, and I didn't want to get off on a bad foot with the teacher.
This year, we are basically doing the same thing. It's just the way my vacation comes, unfortunatley.
I value our family time, just as much as her academics.

 

[play_69]

I took my daughter, who was in Grade K, out of her second week of school to go to Disney. I was worried because it was so soon in the school year, and I didn't want to get off on a bad foot with the teacher.
This year, we are basically doing the same thing. It's just the way my vacation comes, unfortunatley.
I value our family time, just as much as her academics.

Eh. Don't worry. For my first disney trip. (I was five, now I'm 12.) I was taken of out of Kinder, and it didn't matter. Plus it made me very happy when I came back and everyone was like, "Yayy! Shannon your back!! xD"

 

[Cruz91]

I tried to do a poll on this the other day, but couldn't figure out how. We're taking our DD5 out of K in October and I was wondering how other EDUCATORS feel about it. I know most everyone has feelings one way or another - but I'd be interested in teachers' opinions. Further, I'd be interested in teachers' opinions who have kids themselves.

A bit more background. My wife is a teacher. Prior to having children, we both thought it was irresponsible to take your children out for vacation when you have all summer to do so. Now that we have kids and we realize how much more fun you have during non-peak times, I can never see us going during a school break again. My wife supports that idea. We will, of course, balance our children's academics when necessary. We won't take them out of school during a major testing week or anything. But we will take them out pretty much any other time.

 

[zippy doo dah]

As pps have said, each school and district has different policies regarding excused (sick and usually with a dr. note, death in family, etc) and unexcused absences (usually anything with no note - vacation). This is based on my school system, but it may help lessen your concerns.

The students here are "allowed" (I put it in quoted only because they can't do anything to punish a child for heing out more than that if they keep up with their studies and their grades are satisfactory) 10 unexcused absences out of 180 school days. After that point they begin to send notes home to inform you of the number of days they have out, but then the note also says not to send your child to school sick. With the crazy weather we had here this fall and winter, we were sicker than normal so each of my kids got a note like that and each had great report cards and were promoted to the next grade lol. The parent in me says go on vacation with your kids whenever you want because it really is only a precious few years that kids will actually want to go on vacations with their parents, so take them while they can (my oldest is almost at that point ). After all you are the parent and no matter how much teacher or principal may complain it is your child and you have the final choice.

Now, the teacher in me always tells parents that children should miss as little school as possible. I always suggest that they call to have homework sent home if they are absent 2 or more days because waiting until they return can be too overwhelming for the child and most times it isn't the same quality of work. In cases of vacation, I am happy to send work home early if asked to do so. I have had a few parents ask my opinion (should I take them out for vacation) and I always give the response that the school would want, but at the end I add, "If it were me, I'd have a blast and take my kids on vacation and not give it a second thought because we're not going anywhere."

Apparently I am in a rambling mood today (sorry so long winded) - I'm sure you won't have any problems - just have a wonderful time!!!

 

[guelde96]

I will be taking my kids out of school for our WDW trip in Sept. My kids will be 4th, 2nd, and preschool. This will be the third time we have taken our kids out of school for WDW. We have never had any trouble. Last time the kids missed 6 days of school. They were in K and 2nd. We always make sure to request homework a few weeks before the trip. I will not do homework on vacation. Teachers have always been very understanding. Most of the work is done prior to leaving with only a few remaining items to do upon return.

The first trip we made to disney was during Easter break. I will personally never go to Disney again when school is out.

 

[linda0706]

When my DD7 was in kindergarten she ended up missing 4 weeks of school. I didn't mean for it to work out that way and don't plan on doing it again, but she was fine.

She missed:
1 week for a family reunion cruise (Sept.)
1 week for WDW (week after Thanksgiving)
1 week with chicken pox (April)
1 week for my brother-in-law's wedding which turned into a big destination wedding that was easier to go along w/ the crowd & stay all week rather than try to come home early. (also April)

We are the only folks in my husband's extended family with a small child, so school vacations dates do not enter anyone else's mind when they plan family events like the cruise.

I got a couple nasty-gram letters from the school but her teacher was well aware ahead of time of our plans. (Umm, except the chicken pox, that was an unplanned absence. But half the class was out during those few weeks with the pox)

 

[Tikicampers]

I tried to do a poll on this the other day, but couldn't figure out how. We're taking our DD5 out of K in October and I was wondering how other EDUCATORS feel about it. I know most everyone has feelings one way or another - but I'd be interested in teachers' opinions. Further, I'd be interested in teachers' opinions who have kids themselves.

A bit more background. My wife is a teacher. Prior to having children, we both thought it was irresponsible to take your children out for vacation when you have all summer to do so. Now that we have kids and we realize how much more fun you have during non-peak times, I can never see us going during a school break again. My wife supports that idea. We will, of course, balance our children's academics when necessary. We won't take them out of school during a major testing week or anything. But we will take them out pretty much any other time.

Educator and mom here. Actually, to be honest, a Kindergarten educator. I already posted, but since you are curious:
I believe children should miss as little school as possible. I don't have a problem with a child missing 2-3 days for a family vacation, but I feel that a full week (or 2) is excessive. I know that there will be some trips that cannot be avoided (family reunions, weddings, etc.), but since there are only 180 days of school, I feel that parents should try to plan vacations accordingly. We have been to WDW during peak times, and non-peak times. I did not feel that the trips during peak times were any less enjoyable.
I may take my kids out for a long weekend at some point, but I feel that to do more sends the message that school isn't really that important.

And to the poster who said not to tell the teacher "It's only Kindergarten," yes that is extremely upsetting to K teachers. If parents saw how much time I spend training for and doing my job, they would never make a comment like that. I don't just show up and pass out paint brushes. We have standards that we must teach, and we are laying the framework for what will come in the upper grades. I know the poster didn't mean it the way it sounds, but I hear it way too much.

 

[teresajoy]

I booked our trip for October without thinking it would be a problem taking DS out of school for one week. I mean, it's only kindergarten. He's not going to miss a test or anything. And he's very bright and is hardly ever sick. He only had two sick days this entire year of pre-school.

But another mom mentioned to me that they might give me a hard time. I completely understand why they would in higher grades... but kindergarten? So now I'm scared since I already booked the trip. I don't even know who his teacher is going to be so I can't contact her and ask. He starts kindergarten in September and our trip is at the end of October.

Has anyone had trouble with pulling their child from kindy for one week at WDW or do most people find that it's no problem in kindergarten? Thanks.

We have taken our vacation during the school year every year since Corey was in Kindergarden and he just finished up 9th grade. Our school has never given us a problem. he and Arminda (4th Grade) never have any trouble catching up on the school work. They bring the homework with us, and have it ready to turn in shorty after we get back. We've had some terrific teachers! That have helped us out with this. I know it has to make there job more difficult, so I make sure I let them know how much we appreciate them.

ETA: Corey gets straight A's in school, so this practice has not harmed him in any way. Arminda doesn't get grades yet, but she does get the highest marks they give. If I had a child that struggled more, I would be more hesitant to take our two week vacations. Yep folks, I take my kids out of school for two weeks every year, and they still make the high honor roll.

ETA: I just wanted to second, third, fourth etc... the opinion that Kindergarten is an extremely important grade! They learn A LOT! (Ok, my son didn't, but he was too smart for his own good, and his teacher was not very good, but that's a different story!) Never underestimate the importance of Kindergarten.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We didn't have any problem when we were thinking about taking DS out. The reason we would have taken him out was because our trip was scheduled starting the day after school let out, and we had several snow days. He didn't end up missing any school for the trip, but we had discussed it with his teacher and the school administrator (small private school) a few months ahead of time.

However, he did miss a couple days of K because he was sick, and I was surprised the first time at the amount of work he had to make up for one day. It took us 2-3 hours to finish. They do a lot more in K now that we ever did, that's for sure!

The other thing would be to make sure your child isn't going to miss more than the allowed # of days for the semester/year. Our school only allows 9 days missed each semester.

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! 1st grade teacher here

Go & have fun on your trip!

Heck, I pull my own DD12 (starting 9th grade) & DS9 (starting 4th gd.) out every year for WDW trips. Myself too!! This past year we each missed 6 school days. Last year it was 11 or 12.

 

[wishtdream]

We are pulling my DD out of Kindergarten for Disney for more than a week in September. I spoke to her teacher about it before I booked the trip. Her response was that quality family time would teach my daughter much more than a week of letter review ( that is what they will be working on at that point in the year) that said we think kindergarten is Important enough that we will be paying for it at a private school. Kudos to the teachers.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Hi, I am a 5th grade teacher and I have always supported family time no matter when or how. Now that I have three of my own 5, 7, and 10, I am taking them out for a week in Oct/Nov to go to DW. I sat with my principal and discussed the reasons with her and she was totally supportive. I have never done this before. My kids hardly ever miss school (2.0, 1/2, and 1.0 days all year) unless they are very sick. I am sooooo excited and will plan with each teacher individually. I have told some of my 5th grade partners who will have my son, and they are excited for me and told me not to worry about my 10 year old. The K teacher told me to just do it. We are at a Catholic school and I feel blessed to have good hearted people around me.