How to go during school time?

[Vlahakis2001]

I have a 14 year old son and a 8 year old son. They both love Disney. We hat going in the summer and pretty much always go in the fall/winter months. I was just curious has anyone been able to succesfully get a high school student out of school for a trip to WDW. Any tips or advice would be appreciated. And I obviously know about Spring and Winter break. But the crowds are awful at those times.

Thanks.

 

[eeyore0062]

If there are any times when your school system has a day or 2 out for teacher inservices, incorporate that into your vacation. Your best bet is to be honest about your intentions and let the schools know that you must vacation when your work schedule dictates, therefore the vacation can not be planned during a "normal" vacation time. Where I work, our times off are blacked out during Christmas and Spring breaks, as well as some of the summer, so if we are going to do a vacation at all, it almost always has to be during school.

Good luck!

 

[kiddisney]

i agree - just be honest with the school & teachers - i also cannot take off at holiday times - or in the summer because of critical operations so i tell them that i cannot take time off when the kids are off - i also identify that i don't take all vacation while they are in school - usually only one week - and with this i haven't had any trouble - good luck

 

[funhouse8]

We try to go the beginning of the marking period so the kids have time to make up lost work. There also seems to be less tests at this time. I talk to the teacher about two weeks before we go and usually they are very understanding.

 

[tar heel]

There are no excused absences at our high school for trips. (Getting trip days excused at elementary level, on the other hand, is easy.) The only excused absences are for illness, death in the family, school-sponsored activities, etc. It really doesn't matter whether you talk to anyone about it before -- you have to have a paper from the attendance officer to get back into class when you return. That being said, a good student can get a couple unexcused absences without any detrimental effect on grades/credits. Our high schools have block scheduling, though, and it is very easy to get behind if you miss a couple days of class. If you miss a week, it is like missing two weeks on a regular two-semester set-up. For those reasons, I would never have my high schooler to miss more than, at most, one day for a trip. We cancelled a long weekend at WDW in March after the days off got taken for snow make-up days. We did, however, do a long weekend in Washington, DC, last fall in conjunction with a family wedding. I talked to the attendance officer before, he agreed that the trip would be educational, but it did not qualify as an unexcused absense. Since we're fairly close to Disney and have some flexibility with vacations, it's easy for me to say this, but I wouldn't keep a high school student out of school for a Disney trip.

 

[Harambe]

This is a big "pet peeve" of mine. We also can't go during traditional times other than Christmas and that is out because we don't want to miss our family gatherings. My principal made fun of me (I am a teacher's aide) for being one of those "parents that take their kids out of school to go to Disney". He was comparing me to a co-worker who was going to South Africa.

We go every other year, and usually work it around a long weekend. Our Disney memories are so important to me. I am a cancer survivor and understand how important it is to make these trips special and memorable for my kids. I really don't care what the schools say. I just smile, shrug my shoulders, and get on the plane! HA!

When I'm old and gray - I could say two things:

Gee, I'm glad I didn't upset Mr. Principal and take the kids out of school.

Or, Remember that time DH, DD, and DS wouldn't get off of Splash Mountain, four times in a row!

 

[nicolep91]

I'm glad you asked this question! Our vacation in November is the 1st time I'm going to have to take both of my kids out of school for any extended amount of time. My son will be in 3rd grade and my daughter will be in Kindergarten. I'm a bit nervous about talking to their teachers about them being off school for 7 (or maybe 8) days, but no matter what they say, we're still going to go. I agree that our family vacation is more important than anything they might "miss" in school and I am more than willing to work with them regarding homework, extra assignments, etc.

 

[SamSam]

We never had any trouble taking our 2 kids out of school for vacations. They were both good students and we felt family vacation time was a very important. We would let the schools know at least 2 weeks in advance and most of the time they were able to actually do most of their school work before we even left. One teacher gave our daughter an assignment of writing a daily journal during the trip, which was wonderful.

 

[anne60]

the few days before and after report cards come out are usually the slowest...the teachers are all busy grading the tests and papers that have to go into the grade. Also - some schools will tack a "teacher development" day onto a long weekend like Columbus or MLK day, making a four day weekend. My kids have the day after these holidays off, so to go during that week, they would only miss 3 days of school.

 

[Susiesnowflake]

I just lost my long reply to this thread. Hope this one makes it!!

We took our 7th and 10th grader out of school last Nov. for a trip to WDW. I was stressing big time about doing it! I was so concerned about missed class time...especially for my high schooler, but all worked out. We went around a school vacation day, so the kids ended up missing 4 days of school. We also went just as the first quarter ended, so they didn't miss any big end of quarter projects or tests.
I spoke with the principals from both schools, completed planned absence forms, and communicated with teachers and requested homework assignments. I was concerned about the inconvenience, but this didn't appear to be an issue. Many teachers actually wished us a wonderful time and commented about the value of family time.
My kids spent all flight time doing school work and also set aside time each evening. They were very conscientious about getting their work done and returned to school ahead in many subjects.
My soph is in advanced and AP classes. I never would have taken her out of school if she wasn't the student that she is. I almost didn't, but I am so glad that I did. We had a wonderful family vacation.

Our trip was one postponed after the events of 9/11. Around that time, my niece also rec'd a shocking diagnosis. My sister understood my hesitancy to take my children out of school for our trip, but she also reminded me of the incredible importance of our family time when she told me to go...because you never know what is going to happen tomorrow. We've realized how true that is. School is very important, but so is life!!! Enjoy!

 

[Vlahakis2001]

My 14 year old is in advanced classes and has a great work ethic, I don't think it is going to be a problem. He has completed his homework pre-trip and on the plane on prior trips. I know that taking a 3rd grader out is no problem. But I think my DS in HS will be just fine.

 

[CRCrazy]

We've always taken our girls out for a week to go, since DH cannot take off time at holidays - and summer is way too hot for us Northerners! We need our winter time break!

My 2 older girls are excellent students - high honor roll - etc. It has never been a problem - although science class is mainly in class group projects, which can be hard to make up. They were always given plenty of personalized projects to complete either before or while we were gone - without a problem. I've noticed that the school has no problem pulling them out of classes for many other reasons(band trip, peer mediator conferences, tutoring, etc), why shouldn't I? I did give EVERY teacher, including special, plenty of written, advance notice of our plans - complete with a requested makeup work sheet - and I always make sure it doesn't interfere with term end, testing, etc. My youngest is in first grade this year, and I do worry a little more about her, as she does struggle with her school work. Luckily, her teacher gave me plenty to do with her as well - and I am a very popular substitute teacher in their school - I work just about every day - so I am comfortable filling the teacher role.

Next year, my 14 year old will be in high school - taking all Level I (honors/AP) classes - so I don't know how this will work. She is also a 3 season athlete - so we are trying to work in a middle November trip - there is no school Nov. 10 - 11, due to Veteran's Day and a teacher workshop - so we are going to try to do that week, and catch the end of the Food and Wine Festival for the first time. I have to check in September with her teachers, and ensure that it isn't end of term - the high school still works on quarters, while the elementary schools are all on a trimester system. I do know that field hockey season will be over, and basketball and/or skiing won't have started yet.

So, basically, you need to judge your own situation, and whether it is workable for your family.

 

[Vlahakis2001]

I agree my 14 year old has made high honors every trimester. He is taking advanced classes so the teachers feel more comfortable allowing him to leave.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

WOW!!! This is a lot different response than when i posted the same ? on another board!! Call me crazy but my 5th and 1st graders will miss 9 days of school altogether....I was hesitant at first but after my dad passed away two months ago (he was supposed to spend a few days w/us at WDW) I lost all hesitation..other family members that I haven't seen in years and my kids have never met will meet us there and I think, esp after my dad's death that I am making the right decision...What I did was talked to their teachers a month ago (2 months b4 we leave) and made sure I went in there with some ideas about how I would work with them while we were gone. It gave the teachers plenty of time to have lessons ready for them to take and I came up with extra work (journaling, math, geography) in case she needed "extra" marks for them while they were absent. The idea was well received i think becuz I didn't spring it on them at the last minute. I am graduating from college w/a degree in Education (21 days!!) and I know when I am a teacher I will not hesitate to say "have a great time!!" as long as the parent is willing to work with me and their children!!

 

[Harambe]

You made the right decision Crazy4! Family is important. Sorry to hear about your dad. I'm sure the trip will be great for you and the kids.

 

[khawk]

I suggest call your kids school and ask what their policy is. I have 2 DD's one in elementary (4th) and the other in middle school (6th). I always call ahead and get their school work for the week that they will miss and make them do their school work on the plane or at night in the hotel. My older DD's school has a policy. she has a paper from the office that she has to bring home and I have to fill out regarding the dates that we are taking vacation. then she brings it to all her teachers and they write in the assignments that she will need to do while she is gone, then I sign it and she brings it back in to school. Its just too hot in florida to vacation in the summer and spring break is crazy and crowded and more expensive. Not to mention I share custody of my DD's with my ex husband. the kids live at both our houses and go back and forth every 2 weeks, so I also have to work out a system with my ex when we go on vacation we are supposed to do it during our own two weeks with the kids. Plus, my parents are coming with us this year and I had to work around my dads work schedule and mine. ITs difficult sometimes trying to find a week that is good for everyone.
Kim

 

[mad4themouse]

We took our kids ou of school (DD was in 6th grade, DS in 4th) for aour cruise in Dec 2001. DS had no problems, DD has a teacher who made it her mission to punish my daughter for the remainder of the school year for missing that time.

The woman was an absolute witch about not giving my daughter any homework or assignments before the trip and then not telling her about what she had missed while she was away. She just gave my daughter zeros for everything she missed. Naturally, her grades suffered as a result and the teacher had more ammunition for her "don't dare take your kid out of school for a family vacation" campaign. My poor daughter, who is an excellent student, went through all kinds of trauma as a result of this woman's treatment and we are still doing damage control a year later.

My advise would be to talk to other parents from the high school. See what kinds of experiences they have had and with what teachers. Every school has different policies and every teacher will have their own viewpoint on the subject. Even though our school district will not stand in the way of a family removing a child from classes during the school year in order to take a vacation, they are not very supportive of the student if there is any conflict with a teacher like the one my daughter had.

 

[khawk]

what a horrible teacher your child had. I hope you complained about her? It would be one thing if your child had skipped school and received zero's but as the parent you pulled her out of school. You think the principal or someone on the school board would intervene somehow in that situation. what if you had to pull her out of school for a week for a funeral? Maybe next time you could just tell the teacher that? I live in michigan and all my family is in NY so if someone in my family died we would have to leave for at least a week and drive across country. Some teachers are just mean and nasty and have no right teaching. I had a really mean teacher when i was in school and my parents never believed me when I told them some of the things he did. I will always believe my children if they have a complaint.
Kim

 

[mad4themouse]

khawk,
The woman is a witch with a capital *B*! Fortunately, my daughter now knows that this teacher has a reputation for doing this and that it is not so much a personal thing. It took the intervention of the whole team of teachers, guidance counselors and the school district's advocate for gifted education to smooth things out. The woman just should not be teaching. To this day she is known in our home as "she whose name cannot be spoken".

A letter has already been sent to the middle school guidance department to ensure that my DS will not have any contact with her when he enters the 6th grade next year. Given my feelings about her, as well as those of my DH, it would not be in anyone's best interest for him to be in her classroom.

It's sad but there are educators like her in just about every school district and administrators who do nothing about them because the teacher has so much seniority. The best you can do is make sure that they don't have an opportunity to scar your child. I'm not sorry that we took that cruise. After 9/11, it was one of the best things we could have done. I'm just sorry that I didn't anticipate the animonsity that this woman was capable of displaying in the classroom.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Other than the fact that she did not agree with you taking your child for a trip, what kind of teacher is she?


Did the teacher let you know before the trip that she would not allow your daughter to make up any missed work? Is there a written school policy that covers this?


When parents make the choice to pull their kids out, they have to understand that not everyone will agree with them. Some teachers may say go enjoy yourself and don't worry about the missed work. Others may give them pure hell. That's the chance you take.

As a teacher I have to admit, I'll be more willing to help the students who are being pulled out because of their parents work schedule. Many people just are not able to take vacation when schools are closed. I'm not as willing to help those who are just pulling their kids out to avoid the heat and crowds