Hey! July 30th, 2005 cruise to Mexico DISfriends!

[jfis1020]

So life here in the big city is getting back to normal, football season is starting, so we are gearing up for that. Like Jenny loves her baseball, I love my football!!

Debi ~ Preseason football Friday night at 7:30.........Cincinnati Bengals vs. World Champion NE Patriots!! Team Fisher will be there in full force!!!! Honestly, I am bummed because I was suppose to be at Wrigley Field today and tomorrow, but didn't go. Oh well..........



My kids are a mess with the time changes. They go to sleep about midnight and wake up late. Starting tomorrow I am dragging their butts out of bed early! I'll break that habit........ Have to get a routine as school starts in 6 DAYS!

 

[LiserAnn]

I feel for you east coasters with the time change....I didn't even leave my time zone and we're out of sorts. Ryan starts school tomorrow and this week we've all been sleeping until 9am...so tomorrow will be a rude awakening, LITERALLY! At least I got him to bed somewhat early...9pm (normally he goes at 8pm).

Question for the teachers....we were of the position that we wouldn't want to take our kids out of school for a vacation but then of course when you see how much CHEAPER it is to cruise at non-peak times, it becomes rather attractive. So what do you teachers think about pulling a 3rd grader out of school for five days? Does your opinion change for a 4th grader? I'm just trying to figure out when the point is that you don't want to pull them out and how detrimental is might be? I'm sure not middle or high school. Thanks for the input!

 

[jfis1020]

Question for the teachers....we were of the position that we wouldn't want to take our kids out of school for a vacation but then of course when you see how much CHEAPER it is to cruise at non-peak times, it becomes rather attractive. So what do you teachers think about pulling a 3rd grader out of school for five days? Does your opinion change for a 4th grader? I'm just trying to figure out when the point is that you don't want to pull them out and how detrimental is might be? I'm sure not middle or high school. Thanks for the input!

Lisa ~ I feel a little different about vacationing during the school year than most. I encourage parents to take their kids. Sometimes this is the only opportunity that families have to be together. The business world doesn't always sync with school calendars (and you are right, it is cheaper!).

As far as a third grader vs. fourth grader? Joann may be able to shed some light too as we are both 4th grade teachers. I definitely think third grade is easier to pull them out than fourth grade. Fourth grade is quite a transitional year academically but, always remember it depends on the child!!! I easily have pulled John from school, but may be a little more cautions with Marshall. John is a good student and transitions well. Marshall is extrememly routine and gets off kilter easily.

I would plan for the trip, but then talk to the teacher. Some are more workable than others. He/She may want you to do a journal or give some sort of assignment to link the trip to shcool. Others may pile on the work. I usually give the stuff we are planning to do (cautiously as we don't always get to it all) and they can catch up the things we maybe added during the week. Depending on the trip, I might not even send anything if it is a good student who is responsible and hard working. Some teachers prefer just letting you get the stuff after you return.

 

[lwilliam]

How does your school district feel about taking kids out of school?
Our district frowns upon it. We have done it, but only when the kids
were in elementary school. The trips have always been to WDW and
our district does not count this as an educational trip. Some teachers
have given us so much homework we didn't have time to vacation.
Others were more kind. My oldest son had a very hard time in school and
it was really hard for him to make up his school work, even when he was
on a school (musical) trip. Next spring our show choir is planning on a
trip to WDW and maybe a cruise (missing only two days of school, the
others days will be over spring break). Even though Tyler is not in the
high school show choir (yet!), we are planning on taking him out of school (Bob is the president of our music association and we are using THAT
excuse to be able to go along!).
I've sent e-mails to everyone who gave me their addresses at pub night.
If anyone was not there, and would like the list (Lisa, Liz), please send me
the information and I will pass on.
By the way, David, your e-mail came back to me - please send me the
correct one at lwilliam@kutztown.edu
Haven't heard from David, Kelly, Lynn or Keith - hope everyone is enjoying
their extended vacation.

 

[kndyglr]

Lisa,

I know I am not a teacher, but I have Mom experience on this one...
In our district, it is frowned upon, but if you go for more than 5 days, you can do what is called a contract, this way the district doesn't lose money for the days the child is absent and they make up the work. I think you really have to see how the teacher feels about it. Trent's 3rd grade teacher was really against it and was always sending notes home asking parents not to take kids out even early for appts. We had some parents who took their kids out at the drop of a hat--for long weekends to the river, week in Hawaii etc...and it drove her crazy. As a result, I never took Trent out for more than an ortho appt. and she would give any work that he would miss to be completed that day.

Liz

 

[LiserAnn]

I'm sure my school doesn't encourage it but they don't discourage it either as I've known many people who've done it for a week, etc. I've always read all the notes/literature the school sends home and the only reference they make is they ask you not to schedule appointments or take vacation when they do the special testing for the state standards. Actually I'm kinda surprised they've never said anything about it as the school is ranked #1 in the county and top 10 in the state for elementary schools. I am aware there's a big transition between 3rd and 4th which is why I was wondering which would be better. The best time for us to take extended vacations is December because that's Mark's least busy time. Well, we'll see when the time comes....thanks for the advice folks!

 

[littleowensmommy]

Lisa,

We are taking the kids out of school for 4 days in October for a trip to WDW. I picked a week with a teacher work day so they would only miss 4 vs 5 days of school. They'll also miss the last 3 days of school before Christmas break begins...again WDW. Owen will be in 1st grade and Amy will be in PreK-4. When Owen was in preschool we took him out alot. Our first Disney Cruise was in September 2003 on the Wonder. I've always heard that it is easier to take them out of school when they're in elementary school vs middle or high school.

 

[lwilliam]

report....got a little long.

 

[gouodux]

Now you have me scared. Last year in preschool (which was at the elementary school) Jenna's teacher thought it was great to have Jenna see different parts of the country. Of course we paid her tuition for preschool so maybe that is why.

With our cruise next year on the 11 day southern carribean, Jenna will miss two full weeks of school - she will be in 1st grade then. I imagine we should just speak with the teachers at the school - but we are still going!!

 

[jfis1020]

report....got a little long.

I enjoyed your report!! I also enjoyed reading JoAnn and Lisa's!!

I sure wish I was on that boat again!

 

[LiserAnn]

I enjoyed your report!! I also enjoyed reading JoAnn and Lisa's!! I sure wish I was on that boat again!

Me too (I enjoyed Lucy's and JoAnn's, not my own ). JoAnn, I like how you add a little each day...keeps me coming back for more....HA HA!

 

[LiserAnn]

With our cruise next year on the 11 day southern carribean, Jenna will miss two full weeks of school - she will be in 1st grade then. I imagine we should just speak with the teachers at the school - but we are still going!!

10 full days of school is a lot...I would speak with the teacher as soon as that school year starts, just so you have the details and any school requirements fulfilled before you go. I'd love to do the 10 or 11 day, I'm just thinking that's way too much school for him to miss...he'll be in third grade then. Drew will be in his last year of preschool then, but preschool is no biggie to miss.

 

[wendilyn]

I'm back from my 3 day convention. i forgot how boring it was to teach the same seminar 4 times! Oh well, at leat it was teachers, not kids! I have to start setting up my room tomorrow, but we can only put things on the walls, since the carpet is not replaced yet!
Jenny- Good luck next week, we don't have to report until the 29th and school starts the 1st.
Lucy- I hope Bob is doing better and thanks for the list!
Have a great day
GO PATRIOTS
Wendy
PS Lisa- I've had 3rd graders in my class go on vacation during the year, I send them with work and make them keep a daily journal since we also feel, family time and expereince is excellent teaching!

 

[lwilliam]

did anyone get a great picture of our group the last night in the
Atrium - mine was really dark? Can you post please?

Welcome back Wendy - I forgot you had to teach teachers - tough
group! (ha!ha!ha!).

Has anyone else returned home? (meaning David, Kelly, Lynn and Keith).

 

[LiserAnn]

Kathy-I got my info over to Keith at allseas for summer '07. Our participation in a summer '07 cruise really depends on cost, so we'll see if we end up going...I'd love to though!

 

[jlawall]

Hey all!!

Thx Lucy for the list!

Thx to Lisa for the trip report review!! I'm still not done! I love reliving the fun moments of the trip!!

About missing school in 4th grade..............here's my opinion....up until last year, I was totally cool with people being absent.....however, last year, I had over 5 students miss MORE THAN 8 days of school due to a vacation and the subsequent illness the student acquired when they returned. Three of the students missed so much work that their grades dropped in a few subjects which was a shame.............so...................

I think you CAN go away but try to keep it to the least amount of time as is possible, once the middle elementary and middle school years hit, it gets harder and harder to make up the work.

I HATE PAYING THE PREMIUM PRICES FOR VACATIONS!!! Since I started teaching 10 years ago, I haven't had a choice and I LOVE my traveling so I make it work! Do what you think is right, but just be aware that it is really hard on your child if they miss more than 3 or 4 days!!

Hey Jenny! Best wishes as you start school.............we are in quite a heat wave around here and are starting in about 10 days......it should be interesting!! Jet lag has been tough for me, I think I'm finally back to normal today (but I am a bit tired!!)

 

[lwilliam]

know when Lynn and Keith were returning to the UK?
Heard this morning on the news British Airways has stopped all
incoming and outgoing flights - just wondered. Don't know
what airline they are flying.

 

[jfis1020]

According to MSN.com all of Heathrow is shut down (250 flights in and 250 out cancelled). The earliest resolve will be 6 p.m. UK time.

I know for a fact that Lynn and Keith flew out of Heathrow to the US. Let's hope it's resolved before their return or they are already home!!!

 

[DisneyMom13]

Sorry guys, haven't been online in a few days. I know Lynn and Keith were flying back into Heathrow, I am just not sure what day, if it was today or tomorrow. It was quite funny when they said it on the news this morning, they said if you had intentions of "hopping across the pond" this weekend...Micco and I cracked up.

Just to throw my 2 cents in with the school thing, I know our school district did not encourage it and I was one of those moms who didn't believe in taking your kids out during the school year for a vacation. It killed me when Briana was in JHS and I had to take her out for 2 days for a cheerleading competition and when Alex was in HS and she missed a week to go to LA for an acting program. But I think if you were going to take them out for a week, it would definitely be better in the younger years because they don't miss as much. 4th grade is a big year in NY, major state and citywide testing starts which is when they tend to start holding the kids over.

Anyway, been busy at the store this week. It is good to be home, but man do I miss you guys!!!

Kathy- We are definitely in for the Magic in 2007, could you imagine a 12 day cruise, that would be sick!!! But whatever it takes to pay for this trip, we will do it, I don't want to miss out!!!

The weather is getting hot again here and it is supposed to be in the 90s and humid this weekend. It has been a very hot and dry summer here.

Good luck to all the teachers who are back to work this week, some with school starting already. We don't start here until after Labor Day.

Debi

 

[lwilliam]

welcome back Debi.
I was sure you forgot all about us.....what IS your excuse?

oh, so i was playing at work, still have time for that you know, and
looked up Royal Carribean's itinerary in the Mediterranean - they are
12 day cruises (how sad is that ),
the itinerary leaving from Barcelona sounds awesome.
We, too, are doing whatever we need to do so we can do that trip
(maybe Bob needs to pick up a few more high school directing jobs).

I can't believe how awful the weather is here in PA - makes you appreciate
California, even Mexico, weather alot more. If the theory is true (if your
summers are hot and humid - as they have been all summer) - your
winter is going to be terrible too.

Because DISers have talked us into this DVC thingy, we are now planning for Christmas and next summer already. When/If this cruise comes thru for
2007, we will cancel our Magic trip in August 2006. I really, really, REALLY,
want a verandah on in 2007. I was reading another thread, and they
mentioned a Canal crossing and Alaska - yuck!