Have to Cancel ... Am in Tears

[raidermatt]

Besides the practical issues with missing 4 days, kids need to get the message that school is a priority, and taking them out for a vacation hampers that. Actions do speak louder than words.

If the opportunity exists to take the trip in June, then its not a choice between taking a family vacation or 4 days of school. Both can be accomplished, and the kids get the message that leisure needs to be scheduled around school, not the other way around.

Now, all that said, if cost prohibits the trip from being taken in June, then it is a special circumstance of sorts. In this case, I really would talk to the principal about the situation. I realize its not a good thing to miss the first 4 days of a new semester. However, since this is known in advance, your kids could meet with their new teachers before the end of the previous semester and work on their own to have everything made up before they return. It won't be like they got sick and had to catch-up.

Again, however, if the option exists to take the trip at another time, that's the best way to go in the long run. Magical family memories will still happen, they'll just happen at a different time.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I had a student who's father would un-enroll his kid and re-enroll the kid to avoid the absences. The kid was an A student and did not want his record blemished. Not my advice, but perhaps an alternative? (No flames, please.)

I never thought about that one!

Don't you have to prove that your child's been enrolled somewhere in the interim though? It seems the State would need proof.

 

[metsfan11]

My advice: I'm agreeing with everyone else. They would miss four days, and although it is a new quarter, there are ways around it. Maybe they could find out their teachers for the new semester in advance and get filled in on exactly everything that the new teacher would inform them? Or they could get an alternative assigment. Go to Disney World! They will have an awsome time, and it may be your last family outing before college, marriage, and beyond. Good luck!

 

[mickeymousemom]

Okay, I'm going to post my opinion even though it looks as though your mind is made up. Here's what I would do:

--Talk to your kids. Find out EXACTLY what their fears are.
Don't make them think you'e forcing them to go during that time...let them know you/they have plenty of time to do decide.
--Find out what teachers they'll have 2nd semester, if possible. I would guess they'll know at least a few of the teachers they'll have.
--Talk NOW to those teachers AND the administrators. I have no doubt that, because of the change in calender, they are expecting these situations to arise.
--Ask each teacher if it will be possible to at least get the materials for the first day or two of class before they go. I'm betting teachers will be willing to work with you.
--Your son is a senior. I'm also bettin' that there won't be too many family vacations with all of you together. I know. I have a junior this year and I know we have a year or two left and she'll be doing her own thing.
--Even though your kids are hesitant, I'm sure that once you/they talked to teachers they'll feel much better. This can be done. We did it last year.
Honestly, what can it hurt to at least TALK to the teachers AND the principal ASAP...before you cancel? Nothing...and because of the last minute calender change, there's the chance they'll work hard to make things easier for you and the kids...esp if they're good students.

--Take them out if at all possible and enjoy your time as a family. You've worked hard to plan this trip and have looked forward to making memories.
If, after talking to the teachers, your kids STILL are uncomfortable, then plan it in JUNE....BUT GO! Go before your kids are grown and have lives of their own. This time is IMPORTANT....

At least TRY!

 

[EnnEss]

Missing four days of high school is not that much of a problem. You can just miss it and suffer very minimally, with some planning missing 4 days wont matter at all. Probably take them only a few hours of extra homework before or after to stay on track.

I usually miss one week of university a year to go to disney, i schedule all my school papers accordingly and never have a problem. In university it usually means some extra hard work the week before to make sure I get any stuff done early, but its very doable.

 

[Micca]

Please reconsider cancelling. 4 days? I don't think that is huge. Do the kids want to go to WDW? I think you could work things out with teachers.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

Give this some time, you put many hours into planning your family vacation, so, do the same with your planning with the school . Plan to meet with the school administrators and come up with a new plan for meeting everyones goals. They could even have a plan in place for this very situation, knowing the school calander was changed. They have to know that familes make plans for vacations during that period . Good luck and keep us informed.

 

[notnothin]

When I was in high school, this would have been considered an 'unexcused absence'. As such, the teachers are under no obligation to provide notes, etc., and/or make-up exams. That's how it goes when you're in high school, you're expected to be a little more responsible and mature. Listen to your children, don't put them in a bad position with their teachers and classmates. Cancel and go at a more convenient time for everyone.

 

[PA Princess]

When I was a high school senior, I missed a week of school to go to FL...5 whole days. Who did this? Actually, the school took me since I traveled with our school select choir and band to a competition in Kissimee area. In fact, our school attened this event every 3 years, and a large group of kids would miss a week of school. We managed to make up the work and I still graduated number 6 in my class

Course, that was...gulp...20 year ago this year, so perhaps things have changed?? But I know many schools still travel with various groups during school time. And any child who plays a sport of any kind, will often miss hours and hours of school time for meets, games, etc. I also missed days for musical performances, student council conferences, and numerous other activities...all okayed by the school and sponsored by the school.

I think it could not possibly hurt to speak to the administration and/or teachers at the school. I hope you can find a good solution that works for your family!

 

[sukhakuli]

What about leaving early on your trip so you will be back in time? There is still plenty of time to move reservations and so forth around, unless you or your spouse's work schedule is inflexible?

 

[JandT'smom]

I have to ask are your kids on block schedules? We have block schedules at most of the high schools around us and 4 days is the same as missing 8 . Not easy to make up. My son would never want to do it. I wanted to go in November and he said no way.

 

[DiszyDeanette]

Besides the practical issues with missing 4 days, kids need to get the message that school is a priority, and taking them out for a vacation hampers that. Actions do speak louder than words.

In our house, family is priority. Not school. YMMV.

 

[blue_river]

This is a different scenario than a trip to Disney but it is about missing "4" days of high school.

This past May my mother was in the hospital very very sick and the doctors asked us to call the family in as they knew she wouldn't make it. My daughter - in high school - wanted to be with her grandmother during her final moment and spent two days in the hospital with her and then two days for the funeral. She had no problems catching up however, there was ONE teacher who was not sympathetic to the situation and would not help her in any way at all with the work and lessons she had missed. In fact she was quite rude with her and she suffered terribly for the rest of the semester with that class. She worked hard and received a B in the end. I haven't asked her if she regrets taking those 4 days off but I know in my heart that she wouldn't have changed it even if she knew the outcome ahead of time.

I realize that only you and your children can make this decision but if it were me I would be to take the family trip - we don't know what the future brings. What is four days of lost school in comparison to memories that last a lifetime.

 

[scjo68]

When I was a high school senior, I missed a week of school to go to FL...5 whole days. Who did this? Actually, the school took me since I traveled with our school select choir and band to a competition in Kissimee area. In fact, our school attened this event every 3 years, and a large group of kids would miss a week of school. We managed to make up the work and I still graduated number 6 in my class

Course, that was...gulp...20 year ago this year,




I went to a choral competition in Kissimee during High School, too. We may have been there the same time, PA Princess. I graduated 20 years ago too.
Anyway, I missed a week, and it was excused of course, since it was school-sponsored.
We've pulled my daughter out of school twice, but it was only Kindergarten and second grade. The school didn't say anthying, and the teachers were great. We'll see how it goes this year in third grade. If they complain, I will ask why I was excused for a week of high school, so I could sing for one hour, but she can not miss 4 1/2 days of third grade. (in the same school system as I attended.) I mean that figuaratively, as they obviously don't care what I did decades ago.

DixieDiz, I wouldn't worry so much about the school's opinion, but I think you are right to listen to your kids and give their opinion much wieght. If they are not comfortable with missing school, then postponing may be for the best.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Personally I think the kids show more sense here then a lot of posters....

Hopefully the kids won't be missing the days on which they're taught the difference between then and than.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Wow OP, this post breaks my heart for you! Sounds like you have made up your mind. However, if you are still waffling a bit, my suggestion would be to have a meeting with a school official/teacher, with your kids present. Let your kids voice their concerns to a school official/teacher to hear their perspective. It may be that the school will have an opinion that will please everyone and put your kids' fears to rest! Also, I would imagine that you are not the only parent in this predicament within your school. The holidays are a very popular time of year to travel not only to WDW but Hawaii and the Caribbean as well and since that week following New Years would be off season with offseason rates, you can bet that many other parents jumped on the opportunity to travel then. So the school has likely addressed this with other parents and may have a policy in place to deal with it, such as not counting absences that week against the student. You won't know until you explore every avenue. Good luck!

 

[disneycutie84]

Hopefully the kids won't be missing the days on which they're taught the difference between then and than.

 

[Glendamax]

The only reason I would cancel the trip, is if my kids refused to go. Even if I were still in college, I would miss a week of classes to go on a family vacation. Missing FOUR days of high school is not a big deal. If they don't go, they will look back at this and regret it.

 

[Tired Mama]

I was an excellent student in high school. All college prep and a ton of AP classed (which I got credit for). I went to an incredible college upon graduation, which I'm still paying for

In our district we could miss 18 days a year. Every year of high school, I missed 18 days. Exactly. Some days I'd have to come back for half a day or whathaveyou, but it worked out fantastically.

I always found the first 4 days of school to be a catch up or a review of what was already learned.

4 days out of 180 days is nothing. I think your kids are scared of missing school now, but in a yr or two, they will be regretful that they didn't go.

Good luck to you!

 

[JRawkSteady]

In our house, family is priority. Not school. YMMV.

If there was a smilie hoisting a beer/wine glass to toast, I would have put that here!!!