How do you feel about taking kids out of school for a Disney trip?

[nikkistevej]

I don't have a problem with it- but DH does- he doesn't want to do it. DD is in first grade.

 

[Green Tea]

OP, as long as you don't submit that stupid letter that floats around here trying to justify the educational aspects instead of saying exactly what it is, a family vacation, then why worry. Commit to make up the missed work and let go of the guilt.

 

[golfgal]

In the interest of full disclosure I'll say up front that I'm a former public school teacher who now homeschools my elementary/middle school age kids.

School is a TOOL, not the whole toolbox for education. Nothing happens within a classroom in a week, no matter what age the child is, that will matter in the long run. A magical family vacation will stay with them forever. Go. Have fun.

Maybe not but it sure makes for a difficult few weeks for the kids and I do disagree that missing a week has no consequence on future learning--especially in math classes.

OP, as long as you don't submit that stupid letter that floats around here trying to justify the educational aspects instead of saying exactly what it is, a family vacation, then why worry. Commit to make up the missed work and let go of the guilt.

 

[SaraJayne]

I just did it in November and had absolutely no problems. My kids are in 3rd and 7th grade, and missed a week of school.

They enjoyed the break from school, I enjoyed getting away from the school schedule and we all had a fantastic time.

Homework was made up with no problems when we got home within a few days.

Go, have fun and enjoy your trip!!

 

[disney_mommy]

It all depends on your child's abilities. I took my son out of 4th grade for a week to go on a Disney cruise, and if I could do it over again, I would not. We prepared by asking his teachers for all the work he would miss, including homework, and we spent a little time each day on it. But when he got back to school, his math class had gone ahead of the work that we had. He was completely lost and his grade really dropped. Math is already a struggle for him, so it was very hard to learn what he missed outside of a structured class. His teacher couldn't go back and teach him when the rest of the class had already moved on.

That being said, it's been two years since that happened, and he's forgotten about the math struggles and obviously he passed the class and has moved on, but he still remembers that cruise! So, I guess you need to think about whether your kids can learn on their own, and be okay if they have to catch up after.

 

[FireDancer]

These often turn into quite the debate but I think as the parent you do what you think is best for your child. It is no one else's business and also there is no need to tell the school why you are taking your child out of school if you think they will give you grief for a Disney trip.

Far too often I see on threads where the schools start to question the parents and that is a trend I don't like. You are the parent and short of abuse what happens outside of the school walls in absolutely none of their business and you owe them no explanation, regardless of what they think you owe them.

 

[-Hope-]

These often turn into quite the debate but I think as the parent you do what you think is best for your child. It is no one else's business and also there is no need to tell the school why you are taking your child out of school if you think they will give you grief for a Disney trip.

Far too often I see on threads where the schools start to question the parents and that is a trend I don't like. You are the parent and short of abuse what happens outside of the school walls in absolutely none of their business and you owe them no explanation, regardless of what they think you owe them.

ITA!

 

[alamode]

I have a 4th grader and twin 1st graders, and will be taking them out of school from May 27th to June 4th.

Last year my son did a nice presentation about plants to his class, including pictures of Disney topiaries.

There are many students in my kids' school that go bad to their "home" countries, so I don't think a week in Disney is a problem.

More people question me taking three kids by myself rather than taking them out of school.

 

[quentina]

We use all of our 10 authorized vacatio days that the school district allows.

Our first principle told us that family time is the best education...I took him at his word!

I always make sure we have homework and upcoming studies.

 

[momof1princess]

we took my DD out of school 4 times, in kindergarten through 4th grade to go to wdw and it was never a problem. she did the work she would be missing before our trip, and her teachers were fine with it. she started middle school last year and they do NOT excuse students for vacations, so we're stuck with school breaks and summer. however, even if DD were excused for it, i don't think i'd do it now that she's in 6th grade. classes have become more difficult and her straight A's from elementary school are now A's & B's, and she struggles to get those-she wouldn't have to struggle if she'd study, but she doesn't see it as necessary. in elementary school, i think it's fine, but once they reach middle and high school, it really depends on the child.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Maybe not but it sure makes for a difficult few weeks for the kids and I do disagree that missing a week has no consequence on future learning--especially in math classes.

Again--depends on the kid.

I excelled in Math and missed a month of 5th grade in between a military transfer (missed a week of school) and then my mom had to take us on an assignment with her when she ahd to go to school for something at another base out of state. I did have worksheets, but let's be honest and say that it doesn't replicate school.

In the long run, it did not impact my math at all..i did math teams in middle school and won and went all the way to AP calc where I got an A and a 5 on the AP exam.

My brother on the other hand missed a month of first grade--he just wasn't a stellar student and he did end up having to do another year. In the long run--since he did repeat the grade, I don't think missing the month was the problem. He has no diagnosed LD's--but he just sucks at math and test taking. His area of excelling is in art.

2 different kids, 2 different grades, 2 different outcomes under the same missed 1 month of school that was really beyond my mother's control.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

DH's family did it a few times when he was younger(obviously lol).

they got all of his homework and assignments from the teachers and they had him and his brother do their work everyday before they left for the parks.

i don't think it's a big deal, but i know some people do.

 

[alamode]

DH's family did it a few times when he was younger(obviously lol).

This reminded me of a conversation between my mom and my son, who is 9.

Mom: This is a picture of me when I was younger.

Son: Grandma, ALL pictures are of someone when they were younger. You can't take a picture of someone from when they are older.