Have you pulled out your kindergartener in Sept for Disney??

[llori7]

Our twins had just started kindergarten and had only went to school for one day when we went last September for free dining. We are doing it again this year (bounceback). When we went for open house at the school we let the teachers know and then filled out a form that said what days they would be absent. We received the form back and the teachers had written what homework had to be done on it (for my older ones). I'm glad we did it and will keep doing it as long as free dining is offered. It saves soooo much money for six people.

Your kids went to K for one day. Then you went to Disney for a week, and then they went back to school?? Did they adjust ok?? I think my son will be fine. He just goes with the flow. He is smart, and I will work with him while we are gone. I keep thinking it is probably better to pull him out the first few weeks of school rather than later in the year. In the beginning, they will just be reviewing things!!

 

[LJD2143]

Our twins had just started kindergarten and had only went to school for one day when we went last September for free dining. We are doing it again this year (bounceback). When we went for open house at the school we let the teachers know and then filled out a form that said what days they would be absent. We received the form back and the teachers had written what homework had to be done on it (for my older ones). I'm glad we did it and will keep doing it as long as free dining is offered. It saves soooo much money for six people.

My situation was similar.....Our twins started kindergarten on Sept 4th and we pulled them out for 5 days on Sept 24th. They had 3 weeks of school before we left - and that was plenty of time. They started full-day kindergarten without a "hitch" and never missed a beat once they returned from vacation.

However, all kids adapt differently. Only YOU really know your child's capabilities.

 

[dvcdisney]

He is currently in preschool right now, so I won't be able to talk to his teacher. I will have to book the trip before I even register him for kindergarten. It will save us about $500 to pull him out in September, as opposed to December. I would like to go the week of Labor Day. So he will only miss 4 days of school. But he will only start school the week before. That is my concern.

To be honest, I didn't think twice about taking him out in Kindergarten, but I see your dilemma. We thought about that as well. I guess that's why we decided to go in October, so at least he was able to get the hang of things before he's off for two weeks. Like I said, he didn't have any trouble catching up, but I see what you mean. Maybe if you can push it to late Sept, at least it gives your son about 3-4weeks in the class. We never had a problem with the teacher. I think it's a lot better taking them out early on than when they are older. But I do understand how you feel. I think it's a comfort level. You don't want to go on vacation and be worried about him missing school. It would not be a fun vacation. Maybe it's better to wait until he gets to school his class and see how well he acclimates to his environment. I know, that's very difficult to book things in such short notice. I know it would be hard for me (as DVC member, I have to book things 11 months in advance). But you will feel much better about it if you can at least see how he is in school. Good Luck.

 

[Tinka_Belle]

I was a little worried about pulling DD out of school to go in May. I talked to the secretary and she said that since it was the last two days and testing will be over then it shouldn't be a problem. She will just miss the last two days and they don't do anything those days anyways. DH wanted to go a week earlier, but that would mean that DD would miss a whole week of school and her final tests that they give them. So I said no, I wouldn't do that to DD and chance her failing and having to repeat the first grade. DD is really bright so I think that she will pass, but if she misses too many days they will fail her.

 

[spalady]

My kids are older now (15 and 12) but we have done that. Its only kindergaren. I won't do it now since my oldest in high school that is why we go in the summer months now.

 

[NHDisneyMom]

I think it depends on your child. My daughter started K this past year and there was one little boy who cried every day. He broke my heart! His mom handled it very well but was very surprised since he was not normally like that. I wouldn't worry so much about what work they would miss on the K level, I think Kindergarteners are working more on establishing routine and getting to know each other as a class the first week or so.

My daughter had a hard time separating when I sent her to pre-school and just waved good-bye when it was time for K. I was all set for the tears and I got a hug and a kiss and she told me to have a good day! Sometimes, you just never know!

 

[MomtoMMKO]

Your kids went to K for one day. Then you went to Disney for a week, and then they went back to school?? Did they adjust ok?? I think my son will be fine. He just goes with the flow. He is smart, and I will work with him while we are gone. I keep thinking it is probably better to pull him out the first few weeks of school rather than later in the year. In the beginning, they will just be reviewing things!!

We didn't pull them out for a whole week. For Kindergarten here they go a whole day two days one week and three days the next week. They only missed one day of school and adjusted fine. We didn't take the whole week off. We flew in on Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend and left Wednesday of that week so my other two kids only missed two days. It wasn't long enough and I plan to pull all four kids out for three days this year during the same time.

 

[RedAlfalfa]

I'm having the same dilema. I just got an E-mail from my Aunt that she is planning her last family Dis trip for a while (they go every other year but next year the "kids" will be a Jr and a freshman at college.) We have always joined them (We're lucky & live in FL) but this year my oldest will be starting K. I am very close to my Aunt & cousins so really want to see them, but not sure I should pull my DD out. I'm at least lucky that I don't have to decide for awhile since no plane or park tickets are involved (FL season passes).
what to do????

 

[SplashMountainMama]

My son was on the full day/every other Friday schedule for kindergarten so I think he had had 3 or 4 school days when we took him to Disney. It had no negative impact at all. Seriously, I think we way overthink these kinds of things. Kids adjust way better than we give them credit, usually much better than parents

 

[becca011906]

We took ds out when he was in K5 for a week and 2 days in the first week of Sept. he had been in school for 2.5 weeks before that. he is easy going so it was no big deal. My dd the same year had just started preschool at 3 years old she had an awful time adjusting back into school after missing for that many days we ended up keeping her home with us till after Christmas that year b/c it was just to much, i don't think it really had to do with Disney but more that she was only 3 (and just 3 in June and just NOT ready yet. this year will will take them out of school for 3 days in March... they are in 2nd and K5 now...

 

[Tammysue5]

We took our kids (DS16, DD8 DD5) out last year. It was our first vacation ever... and free dining... the kids are great students.... Do not regret it at all. Actually we prepared... gave the teachers (DDs) notes on the first day of school (we had checked policy prior) to give them the days we would be gone and shared that we would do homework how they saw fit ( DD5 no homework just have fun....DD8 TON of homework ...but plenty of time to do)

DS16 we gave the attendance office our dates... filled out paperwork, it was sent to all of his teachers...he did great...(he is in all AP classes, so we did worry) EVERYONE was wonderful and actually encouraged us)

Had the kindergarten teacher ask us to send Post card.... we did to both classes and the kids loved it.

You are the best judge for your child...there are always issues...crowds, cheaper rates, school, work vacation allowances....so you choose what works for your family and enjoy the vacation no matter when you go!

 

[5 for WDW]

We have taken both of our boys out of school in Kindergarten and each year since, usually in September. They are in 5th and 2nd now and it was never an issue.

However, we are not taking them out this September for a number of reasons. 1-Free Dining and the possibility of it (it has just gotten too busy for us) 2- My oldest is going into Jr High and I am not comfortable taking him out that early in the year 3- Most importantly, my DD is starting Kindergarten and while her brothers did great, DD has a harder time adjusting to new situations. I do not think taking her out that early in the school year would be good for her.

So, I say it depends on your child and the school of course. My boys were fine and we have no regrets about taking them out.

 

[k_s_m]

Ok. I'm a kindergarten teacher so I'm going to give you my "teacher" point of view. Now, take in mind that I am a huge early childhood advocate and I am very grounded in my beliefs about how young children learn.

Your child will only start kindergarten once. That is a very special year because it is the first year in "real" school. Kindergarten is the foundation to the building blocks of your child's education. That being said, take that baby to Disney! Enjoy the perk of free dining. He will come back to school and he will be the hit of the classroom. All the children will want to hear about his trip and he will be able to share his adventures with them. Let him make a little scrapbook or photo album to share when he gets back. He will be fine missing school one week after starting.

I would take my own child out. In fact, I did when he was in kindergarten. He missed three days because we went to Disney. It was his first trip and I wouldn't have done anything differently! Well, except maybe stay longer! He was fine!

He's in second grade now and he's going to miss 3 days in February. We are going the week of Mardi Gras and we are already out for 2 days.This time we'll get to go for a week! I'm so excited. I can't wait!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We have taken both of our boys out of school in Kindergarten and each year since, usually in September. They are in 5th and 2nd now and it was never an issue.

However, we are not taking them out this September for a number of reasons. 1-Free Dining and the possibility of it (it has just gotten too busy for us) 2- My oldest is going into Jr High and I am not comfortable taking him out that early in the year 3- Most importantly, my DD is starting Kindergarten and while her brothers did great, DD has a harder time adjusting to new situations. I do not think taking her out that early in the school year would be good for her.

So, I say it depends on your child and the school of course. My boys were fine and we have no regrets about taking them out.

I agree. We had no problem taking our 4 kids out last year, but we will not be doing it again. Every single year the Free Dining crowds are growing and growing. We specifically booked for low crowds and this past September there were not low crowds. And the heat!! OMG the heat! It was so terrible. On Sept. 16 at AK we saw a woman taken out on a stretcher for heat exhaustion and a couple in front of us in line said they had seen a man taken out on stretcher the day before at MK for the same thing. We did save a lot of money, about $1300, but my husband said he would happily pay that much for us to go back this December (first week) for the cooler weather, lower crowds and the beautiful Christmas decorations.

 

[tinkandpan]

We were in the same spot this year- but I decided to wait until the third week of Sept to take him out. He had enough time to make friends, get adjusted to the schedule and not feel like he was left out when he returned. I'm not sure if waiting another week or so would be an option for you. I totally agree about the crowds though- between free dining (which we didn't use) and it being Magical Beginnings time, things were a lot more crowded than the past and it really was HOT.

 

[duffy]

We took our daughter out in Sept. for a trip in 2001. She was in kindergarten, her sisters were both in high school. We knew it would probably be our last trip with just us five, since the 2 older girls were both going away-one started college the following September, and the other became an exchange student and went to Poland, then finished high school, then college....

She didn't miss a thing. Neither did our older 2, because our school district teachers went on strike as soon as we came back, and when it was settled, they basically had to start the whole school year over.

 

[llori7]

Ok. I'm a kindergarten teacher so I'm going to give you my "teacher" point of view. Now, take in mind that I am a huge early childhood advocate and I am very grounded in my beliefs about how young children learn.

Your child will only start kindergarten once. That is a very special year because it is the first year in "real" school. Kindergarten is the foundation to the building blocks of your child's education. That being said, take that baby to Disney! Enjoy the perk of free dining. He will come back to school and he will be the hit of the classroom. All the children will want to hear about his trip and he will be able to share his adventures with them. Let him make a little scrapbook or photo album to share when he gets back. He will be fine missing school one week after starting.

I would take my own child out. In fact, I did when he was in kindergarten. He missed three days because we went to Disney. It was his first trip and I wouldn't have done anything differently! Well, except maybe stay longer! He was fine!

He's in second grade now and he's going to miss 3 days in February. We are going the week of Mardi Gras and we are already out for 2 days.This time we'll get to go for a week! I'm so excited. I can't wait!

I taught second grade, before my kids were born, and I am not going to lie. The beginning of your post was starting to scare me. Parents took kids out for vacations. I thought it was great. I was very jealous. I was just not sure how it would be in the 2nd week of school. I know my son and he goes with the flow. He has been in preschool for 2 years, so he is used to going. Thanks for your advice

 

[DevilDuckie]

I wouldn't. I will pull a kid out of school for Disney but in the first two weeks of kindergarten... I know the cheap rates are tempting, but this is an important settling in period. Disney isn't going anywhere and there will be super deals again in the future.