Help with educational reason for excused absense...

[drea21]

Hey all. So as a WDW veteran I've got my educational reason for the absence from school down pat. Epcot, between the aquarium area, the Land pavilion, and the whole World Showcase with all the Kidcot stations in each country gives me plenty of educational opportunities to put on the "request for excused absence" form.

I'm coming up short for our Legoland/Disneyland trip. I'm pretty sure Legoland has an aquarium, and we plan on going to see the seals in La Jolla, but does anyone have any ideas for the Disneyland portion of the trip?

Really, I don't think the school does more than glance at the paper, and I've never heard of anyone being denied a week off, but I want it to look like I at least tried to put some thought into it

 

[Darkbeer1]

Check out the Discovery Science Center near Disneyland.

http://oc.discoverycube.org/

Check out the Santa Ana Zoo, known for its Monkeys.

http://santaanazoo.org/

The Aquarium of the Pacific and a Whale Watching Trip, the historic Queen Mary and a Russian Submarine, and the USS Iowa Museum.

www.visitlongbeach.com

Bowers Museum and Kidseum

https://www.bowers.org/

And this summer, the Butterfly Palladium should open in Buena Park.

www.visitbuenapark.com

 

[wilkeliza]

With Disneyland perhaps the history of America? I mean you are visiting one of the first theme parks. Also velocity, gravity, force, etc with the roller coasters. Perhaps throw in some economics and finance by saying your kids will get to manage their own finances?

 

[cmpeter]

The LaBrea tar pits!

 

[drea21]

Thanks so much, that helps a lot! I'm not sure if we are going to have time for anything outside of DL and Legoland other than a half day, but the history aspect is good! And now I have some places to consider for that half day!

 

[rentayenta]

Money and time management aka life skills.

 

[Darkbeer1]

One more, since the Mission Models have returned to Knott's, spend a day taking photos and write a report about the California Missions.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/models-737185-knott-mission.html

Also on property is a true recreation of Independence Hall (So detailed, that when they wanted to restore the one in Philadelphia, they asked for the plans that Walter Knott drew up with Bud Hurlbut.

https://www.knotts.com/california-marketplace/independence-hall

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'm impressed that your school allows for educational absences. I teach and my district doesn't do this though I really think they should.

For Legoland, you can count it under STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics). It covers all those areas and there are interactive training areas on stuff like lego mindstorms, which is essentially robotics.

For Disneyland, make sure to go to DCA. You're learning California entertainment history from early 1900s through present. For Disneyland specifically, you could go on a tour while there and learn the history of Disneyland. It's relevant to pop culture, the entertainment industry, etc. Learn a little about synergy and it becomes a business and marketing lesson.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

I know my kids and I learned quite a few cool facts about Lincoln at Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln... Have fun.

 

[chickapin parterre]

petrified wood, steam engines, Mississippi river boat, wood sidewalks, that learning algebra is not a wasted trip down a rabbit hole, route 66, gold mining and ethics... as in.... how does your child feel about being singled out as a possible criminal before entering the happiest place on earth.

 

[Niltiac]

I've never taken the tour myself but based on its description, the Art of Craft tour at the GCH covers art history. I'm not positive if it's free and open to anyone (not just onsite guests), so you'll want to check on that.

 

[Niltiac]

And for that matter, there's also the art gallery and the animation building in DCA (you can take a drawing class and learn a little bit about animation).

 

[drea21]

Wow! This is all great info! Not only for the form, but just in general too! Thanks so much!

And yes, i love that our district excuses for trips. Last year she missed 9 days of school and 8 of them were vacations. They accepted a trip with grandma to the beach as excused because grandma is Retired elementary reading specialist and we said she would work with her

She's only in 1st grade, so the STEAM aspect of Legoland and history at DL/DCA is perfect!

She'll also learn to budget with the Disney gift cards she got for Christmas

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Our school doesn't even ask. We took DS out in 1st grade for a week, teacher said have fun. I asked for homework, she had him write a journal. Near the beginning of 2nd grade, the kids had a half day followed by a 3 day weekend. I gave the teacher a heads up that he'd miss the half day (4 day trip to WDW). Teacher gave 2 tests that day Good thing our trip to DL is during spring break.

 

[drea21]

Our school doesn't even ask. We took DS out in 1st grade for a week, teacher said have fun. I asked for homework, she had him write a journal. Near the beginning of 2nd grade, the kids had a half day followed by a 3 day weekend. I gave the teacher a heads up that he'd miss the half day (4 day trip to WDW). Teacher gave 2 tests that day Good thing our trip to DL is during spring break.

That's great! I would be so sad to live in a district that doesn't allow excused vacations, I think I would have to move, lol!

 

[SMD]

That's great! I would be so sad to live in a district that doesn't allow excused vacations, I think I would have to move, lol!

If they excuse vacation, why does it need to be educational?

 

[goooof1]

Animation Academy in DCA.........learn to draw Disney characters......art!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Disneyland is full of animatronics! It's never to soon to introduce your kids to Robotics and they are all over the place!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

That's great! I would be so sad to live in a district that doesn't allow excused vacations, I think I would have to move, lol!

Well technically it's not "excused" any more than a sick day is. DS did not get a perfect attendance award last year due to our Disney vacation. Worth it.

 

[drea21]

If they excuse vacation, why does it need to be educational?

I guess I should say an excused "educational" vacation. We still have to submit the paperwork that explains why it taking the place of school time in order for the vacation to be excused. Our district is very generous on what they deem educational though.

I have heard of schools that do not excuse any time off, educational or not, and that's the kind of place I meant would not want to be, love me a winter vacation!