HI! I am new here want to ask about highschoolers in disney

[mapa2smjn]

We are Disney addicts...and always have been. We have not been down for a few years however and my have the kids grown. They are now 15,13,10,7 years old. We are farmers and can only vacation the first 2 weeks in December so that means taking kids out of school for 8 days(well 6 school days and a weekend LOL). We are also traveling with my parents who have been sickly and want to see "what all the fuss is about" while they still are able. The kids are all high honors students with no disipline problems and I have never hesitated to take them out...but now I have teens...yikes! I know that they will be able to make up their work and all...and we have made all of our plans and paid for a good portion of the trip already but now I am starting to 2nd guess myself. I read all of the posts about taking young ones out but not the older kids...Anyone have this experience? How did it go? We have worked in several "down days" for homework and rest. We are also considering a december trip in 2 years to celebrate DD's graduation...am I crazy?

HELP I am going nuts!

Katie

 

[swilshire]

I don't mean to add to your pain, but our school system would give us severe penalties for letting the kids miss that many days. They even take legal action after so many days. The older kids would definitely have to make the time up in "time for time".

Even though they are good students, it is hard on the teachers when students miss class. Also, there are federal funding issues involved.

On the other hand, the last two weeks of school before the holidays seem to have more parties and the like than instructional time.

We hesitate to take ours out for more than a day or two, but that's just me.

Is going during their Christmas break out of the question?

Sheila

 

[minkydog]

Personally, I would not take kids out of high school for a week, but then my kids are not honors students. It just seems like a lot to ask of a teen to take a week off right before finals, but that's just me. The younger kids will probably be okay. Have you considered taking off Thanksgiving week, which is already a short week? or the week right before Christmas?

 

[CinderellaIam]

I have taken my dd out of school for WDW trips, even in HS. I spoke with her AP and all of her teachers at the beginning of the year and they all agreed that as long as her grades were good and she made up all of the work AND did some extra credit projects it was fine. She graduated HS and is now in college. No big deal. She didn't mind the extra work as she thought the effort was worth the reward.

As far the older kids enjoying the trip, of course that depends on the child. My DD (19 yrs old) would rather be in WDW than anywhere else in the world (and yes she has traveled to many other places in the world). We're headed to WDW at the end of next month and she's bouncing off the walls excited.

 

[chrisn]

My DD will be a senior in HS this fall. We do a two week vacation every year in February. I always pre-arrange this with the school. As long as I do this, her absense is excused. She is also an honor student and I'm not going to lie to you, she has a lot of work to make up upon returning but she always manages to get it done and keep her grades up. Her junior year was the most difficult for her but she worked it out. We are also going for two weeks this coming February but she only has to attend for half day and all her classes except AP College English are electives so it will be a cake walk for her. I've never regretted taking her out of school and neither has she. I know some people are completely against doing this but as long as the school doesn't have a problem, the grades are made up and it's ok with the parent (you), then I say go for it. Life is too short and our memories are precious...

 

[blessedby3]

I too am taking DD15 out of school for a week following Thanksgiving. He best friend 16 is also coming with us by permission from her mother and father. They are both honor students and we anticipate no problems. They will get work ahead of time and make up most of it before we leave. We did this last time when DD was in 7th grade. NO problems at all. This year we also have DS 5th grade and DD 1st grade. I will get everyone's work ahead of time and they will finish most of it before we go. They seem to be more motivated to do it beforehand. Do what you feel is right. They will be grown in a few years- time flies so quickly.

 

[moopdog]

We're taking my step DD-13 out for a total of 7 school days... yikes. I'm freaked too, but it's the only time we could go. Her Mom said it was okay if my stepDD didn't mind and of course she doesn't. I don't know who will tell the teachers (us, or have DD do it)... what's the best way? I think she's too old to send a note with her to school, but it might be better received coming from a parent, right?

She will do her work while gone, and I think she'll be okay. I feel a little guilty, but like I said... the only time we could all go.

 

[crisi]

Talk to your school and your kids. They can help you best make the decision. A school in a farming community is probably more likely to be understanding to "we can't vacation over summer." You could also move your trip to take advantage of brief school breaks - if one falls when you have some downtime from the farm.. Here in Minnesota the kids get two days off in October. We pull them for three, can leave late Friday night, come home the following Sunday and get eight days of vacation out of three missed days of school.

 

[Dancemom03]

Second guessing with teens is in the job description isn't it? I know I sure do it a lot...

As a parent of a jr currently finishing up credit recovery this week in history because of too many sick days with allergies and strep throat last winter I'd encourage you to double check the school calendar.
Here the end of Nov/beginning of Dec is test tme. Mid-terms i think.
Are you on a 4 mod day or a regular schedule? We've got the 4 mod day with 90 minute classes so missing a week is about equal to missing 2-3 weeks of work if our school were on a regular day schedule with 5-7 classes per day.
As long as they don't miss any big tests, making up the work shouldn't be a major issue, although here it wouldn't be an excused absense unless they're actually sick so teachers don't have to accept the make-up work if they don't want to. Even with my teen having a drs note we still had issues with one teacher accepting the missed work for full credit, hence our credit recovery on the computer this month. It's been two weeks of 90 minute sessions and she'll be done by this Thursday - thankfully ahead of schedule and in time for our vacation on the 29th.

If that were the only time we could go I'd probably still go and bite the bullet and do summer credit recovery if neccessary later. These are likely the last few years you'll be able to go as a family when they'll spend more time with you instead of friends or spouses.
That, to me, is priceless. I'm sure somebody out there will flame me for it but I have only a limited number of years to make memories with my children that will last all of us a lifetime. A week or two of missed work will not stay with you in twenty years. A vacation experience together will...

 

[Zoesmama03]

I say do it let the school no your conditions they should be able to deal with it.


I think if you just take the younger ones the older might get upset but you could ask them if they'd mind.

Could you hire someone to care for the farm while you go over Christmas break? Chrismtas time is wonderful time to go though.

 

[TSWJan78]

Your kids are only kids once.. If they are cool with making up the work go.. You know what is best for your family... you will have a great time!!!

 

[rchristiansen]

I went to WDW when I was 14 for a high school band trip and remember it vividly. It was so much fun. However, I suggest you let the 13 and 15 year old be able to go off and do their own thing themselves for a while. Give them a cell phone or something to check it (however back in 1992 no one had cell phones and we just had a meeting place later in the evening).

I had so much fun - but it was because I wasn't with my parents and me and my friends could do what we wanted, WHEN we wanted. Also I had a lot of fun meeting new people (as I am a very outgoing person).

Let them loose for a day or two. They'll love it.

 

[MattfromLI]

You all need to calm down...its only a few days out of school?...and where do you people live that missing a few days of class causes the school to take legal action? Im from new york and all students grades k-12 are allowed to miss a total of 28 days of school each year. I am two three years graduated out of high school and remember missing the greatest amount of days (28) at least two years in high scool and i ended up graduation high honors, in honor society, with a 109 grade point average due to many AP classes and obtained a full-ride scholarship to the University of Delaware...all of you people need to calm down wtih the missing of school...take it easy...go on vacation...you only live once...