I Could Just Scream Right Now!!!!

[HsvTeacher]

My DH and I planned our first DVC trip for the end of this month, since we were getting out of school on May 22. We were going to stay at SSR from May 24 - May 30, move to AKV on May 31, and then visit some relatives in Vero Beach from June 1 - June 2. Our waitlist for Vero Beach even came through!

Due to a case of H1N1 flu in a neighboring school system, all schools were closed April 30 and May 1. Some schools remain closed until May 14, but we were able to go to work today.

Now the powers that be can't decide whether or not we need to make up the days. Like I said, we have three weeks left of school, but our state superintendent wants to wait until the last minute to tells us about makeup days. All three school systems have applied for waivers.

We are in complete limbo as to what to do. We had everything planned perfectly, and now we don't know whether or not we should cancel or try to postpone. And no one in our school systems seem to have a clue about what is going on. I'm so mad right now that I could scream!

 

[Brian Noble]

At this point, there's no reason to cancel now---whether you do so now, or the day before you check in, your points still go into holding. I'd just sit tight and see what happens.

 

[twinklebug]

I had the same issue a few months back when we hit all those snow days. I had scheduled our vacation so we were leaving the day after school gets out but since education is far more important in their young lives than Disney, I didn't want to chance it.

I think we were OK (have 5 sds built into the school calendar) and I probably could have kept our dates, but moved our reservation *just in case*.

Since you're within your 30 day window there's not too much you can do but call, check on availability and think through what you feel is best. Best of luck with your decision!

 

[BraveMom3]

I feel your pain. My three children and I always left for our 2-week trip the day school got out. Daughter started dance about 3 years ago, so had to wait until mid-June (2 weeks) to go after recital. Now she made dance team at the school she goes to for 7th grade next year and had to move to end of June! Right before try outs, I realized that if she made it, she would have to go to dance camp right in the middle of our existing reservation - you know, the perfect onesI had made. I debated for a couple of weeks if I should go ahead and change them even before I knew if she made the team because each day makes it harder to get ressies that you want. Of course she did make it and I could not get 2 of the 3 resorts I had originally, but I'm over it now. We'll be staying at OKW, which we've never stayed at before and BWV, instead of AKV-Kidani and BCV, but we still got part of our trip at VWL.

I would hold off for a couple of days. They may waive the make up days. If they don't, just get on the phone and change your ressies the best that you can. I'm thinking it is probably good that I got forced out of my rut and will have to try something different.

 

[AlexTina]

Would it be at all possible to take vacation days on those last days if they do decide to require a makeup? I've been worrying about our upcoming trip as well. If they close the schools and require makeup days it will definately mess up our schedule as we are to leave 5 days after school gets out, however, I know that for as long as I can remember (back to when I was in school) the last couple of days are used to clean up classrooms. Last year they even sent a note home to send the kids in their work/cleaning clothes because they would be cleaning desks, shelves, and classrooms in general. I know that there is no way I will be altering my vacation plans so that DD can go clean classrooms.

Tina

 

[dgaston]

I'm pretty sure the teachers will have to be there. Here in CT my husband cannot even take personal or sick days before a vacation.

 

[jblrn2b]

Feeling your pain!!! Snow days have kicked us into almost Fourth of July - too late to be in school!

 

[Sandisw]

Is it possible for you to go two days later and extend your vacation 2 days later? Maybe you could call MS and they would let you, providing there was availability, switch the dates given your situation.

It certainly doesn't hurt to ask if you can do that. I am a teacher as well and I am just praying that our district has no issues. We have two local districts that have had to close (one closed the whole district, the other just closed the school) and I just don't want it to affect us.

Especially since we don't end here in NY until June 25th!!!

But as others have said, you are in your 30 days so points will go in holding whether you cancel today or on the 20th of May so I would sit tight before you completely cancel!

Good luck and here is some pixie dust!

 

[Disney Princess]

I am so sorry that you are in this situation! It stinks when you have the "perfect" plans. If it gives you hope - Ft. Worth school district shut down for a week and a half. The last I heard (although not officially as I don't have any children and I don't teach there) is that the state is waiving the days and they don't have to make them up. Here's hoping that is the case for you!

 

[La2kw]

Do you have airline tickets? If not, then try to move your dates. DW and I are teachers too, and we know how rough the end of the school year can be. We stopped scheduling vacations right after the school year ends years ago. There's just too much that can change your plans, including snow days for us. We like to "decompress" for at least a week after the last day of school before heading out on a big trip.

 

[HsvTeacher]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging thoughts! We still haven't heard anything about make-up days since my earlier post. Since we never have snow days, and our superintendent never lets us out for tornados, I really didn't think we would have any problem getting out on time. Who knew we'd be affected by the swine flu!?!

Even though we have no rules against it, I really don't feel comfortable taking off the last few days of school. So, after talking to my DH this afternoon, we've come up with a few different options. We decided we would wait until Wednesday and make our decision. Hopefully, we will hear something by then.

I hope everyone gets their plans worked out, and like I said above, thanks for the encouragement!

 

[jdkdorn]

We were freaking out that they added 2 days at the end of the year, we had already booked our airfare. With my daughter in High School she would be missing final exams. I called the district and they told me because it would cause a financial burden they could work with me to get the kids out early. My daughter is now taking her exams a week early, with the graduating seniors. We can now still leave on June 12th and be in Disney for my B-day and my parent's 50th Anniversary

Good luck

Judy

 

[HsvTeacher]

I got a (hush-hush) update a few minutes ago from my principal. The two make-up days are going to be half-days for the students and full days for the teachers. She encouraged me to go ahead and take both days off, especially since most kids won't come to school. I have a wonderful boss!

So, everything is back on schedule. I'm thrilled!

 

[jodifla]

I got a (hush-hush) update a few minutes ago from my principal. The two make-up days are going to be half-days for the students and full days for the teachers. She encouraged me to go ahead and take both days off, especially since most kids won't come to school. I have a wonderful boss!

So, everything is back on schedule. I'm thrilled!

great news! enjoy

 

[Disney Princess]

I got a (hush-hush) update a few minutes ago from my principal. The two make-up days are going to be half-days for the students and full days for the teachers. She encouraged me to go ahead and take both days off, especially since most kids won't come to school. I have a wonderful boss!

So, everything is back on schedule. I'm thrilled!

Wahoo!!!! Have a wonderful, relaxing vacation.

 

[dgaston]

Good for you! And you do have a far nicer boss than anyone my DH has had!

 

[christa112]

OMG!!! That is aweful

Feeling your pain!!! Snow days have kicked us into almost Fourth of July - too late to be in school!

 

[christa112]

Glad to hear your boss is a good one.

I was going to say I would be calling my Union Rep and saying look-- I booked this vacation and I am not going to be missing it because of the Swine Flu. Everything is paid for. They cannot expect you to miss out on your vacation because of something out of your control. You originally booked for when school was out. How can they fault you for that.

 

[photobob]

My DH and I planned our first DVC trip for the end of this month, since we were getting out of school on May 22. We were going to stay at SSR from May 24 - May 30, move to AKV on May 31, and then visit some relatives in Vero Beach from June 1 - June 2. Our waitlist for Vero Beach even came through!

Due to a case of H1N1 flu in a neighboring school system, all schools were closed April 30 and May 1. Some schools remain closed until May 14, but we were able to go to work today.

Now the powers that be can't decide whether or not we need to make up the days. Like I said, we have three weeks left of school, but our state superintendent wants to wait until the last minute to tells us about makeup days. All three school systems have applied for waivers.

We are in complete limbo as to what to do. We had everything planned perfectly, and now we don't know whether or not we should cancel or try to postpone. And no one in our school systems seem to have a clue about what is going on. I'm so mad right now that I could scream!

I was wondering the other day about such scenarios.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

We were freaking out that they added 2 days at the end of the year, we had already booked our airfare. With my daughter in High School she would be missing final exams. I called the district and they told me because it would cause a financial burden they could work with me to get the kids out early. My daughter is now taking her exams a week early, with the graduating seniors. We can now still leave on June 12th and be in Disney for my B-day and my parent's 50th Anniversary

Good luck

Judy

We are in the same situation. Our school year was supposed to end on a Friday. We planned to leave Friday night. Snow days pushed the last day to Wednesday which normally would not be a problem - for the last few years my kids have been in the district, the last few days were festivals & filmstrips (okay they watch DVDs now) However, because of all the flack they took for closing school one day for the cold temperatures (we live in N.E.), they are making a point of scheduling exams after the weekend on the last 2 days of school so that the kids have to attend. Totally messed up our plans.