I don't understand why its such a big deal to take your children out of school..

[graygables]

LOL...yeah that's me. And if these stereotypes hold, you're the one who has her husband reserve a spot in line at Test Track for an hour, then you and the rest of the family barge to the front.

Maybe she is, but you wouldn't be there to see it anyway b/c your kids are sitting in school, while the rest of us are enjoying the low crowds and cool temps...oh, wait, I guess with low crowds *my* DH doesn't HAVE to hold our spot for an hour!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

How I see it is there are rules that we all have to follow in life, be it work, school, etc. I get my child's calendar and than we can plan our vacations times. My dd is in 2nd grade and she really likes school. She doesn't want to miss a thing. I am trying to teach her that you play by the rules. Her school's calendar are the rules. By knowing that we can go on vacations only at certain times of the year, helps her learn how to commit to something and follow through. It teaches her to respect things and honor her commitments.

I can't put her in a different school everytime I don't like something they do.

My mother let me have one hookie day a year since 3rd grade. Sometimes a "mental" holiday is in order. Edited for clarification--these were vacations, not hookie days. LOL! I know of one cruise (3rd grade)--a handful of extended weekends--and a 3 week stint out of school (a non-vacation--work responsibility she had--5th grade...and for those who are worried..it was in between schools and when in the military and away from family--and the kids are permitted to come along..you do what you gotta do!).

I NEVER once played hookie from a job. I might have left early if all duties were completed and I had otherwise made up the time during the week and with supervisor permission--but on all clock hour jobs..NOPE unless sick, not once.

I even worked overtime voluntarily when it was necessary, in my most recent job did took on much more work responsibility than was necessary which was rewarded in kind.

It is your preference with what you do--but the insinuation of a harmed work ethic is still not jiving with me. I mean--how do you know that when she's older--she won't be a workaholic who is afraid to take a vacation b/c she's too busy at work--and work is open, she must be there. This happens a lot--I've seen it. This is why my hubby's company will actually freeze vacation earnings when it gets to high (2.5 times the annual accrual)--otherwise...nobody would take a vacation! It is funny to watch these people force themselves to not work (they don't really go on vacation--they just stay home waiting to come back)...b/c they won't accrue anymore. How do you know your daughter won't become like that?

 

[WIcruizer]

They are YOUR kids and its YOUR decision. As long as its not being abused, do what YOU feel is best.

Someone has, indeed, said it- just with different wording.

My parents arranged with the school to allow me to come in an hour late and leave an hour early (to go to my job). But...that was back before hiney-in-seat=school funding.

Yes...I know of your obsession with the school funding. But notice what you said before the rant. "My parents arranged with the school..." Not "My parents did whatever they wanted, regardless of what the school says."

b/c your kids are sitting in school, while the rest of us are enjoying the low crowds and cool temps.

We don't like cool temps, we have to live with cool temps 9 months out of the year. I'll take 85 and sunny. And whenever we go, we haven't had long lines.

 

[graygables]

Yes...I know of your obsession with the school funding. But notice what you said before the rant. "My parents arranged with the school..." Not "My parents did whatever they wanted, regardless of what the school says."

Let me rephrase: My Dad called the school and told them to fix it so that I would not be counted absent when I missed homeroom/1st period. It wasn't an agreement on the school's part, my Dad simply told them how it was going to be.

And as far as school funding goes, I happen to really like ours. I get $2100 per year per student to spend on their educational endeavors and the school still makes a profit (and they don't tell me when I can and can't take a vacation). Makes one wonder what's going on in B&M schools sometimes.

 

[jodifla]

LOL...yeah that's me. And if these stereotypes hold, you're the one who has her husband reserve a spot in line at Test Track for an hour, then you and the rest of the family barge to the front.

Actually, I'm way too smart these days to spend an hour in any line at Disney. You see, we go off season.

 

[jodifla]

I don't know....hmmm....I suppose you wait until the schedule is posted. And is the timing of Winter break, Spring break, and summer a big surprise? Myabe it varies a bit, but not much.

Our school schedule wasn't given to parents this year until the second week of the school year. That's too late for people who need to plan their vacations at work a year in advance, like many of us do.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Actually, I'm way too smart these days to spend an hour in any line at Disney. You see, we go off season.

 

[C.Ann]

Money.. If a student isn't there, they don't get their state aid for that child.. Which is why they will go ahead and have children come to school under the most horrific weather conditions only to turn around and send them back home after role call has taken place..

 

[LoveTink05]

Actually, I'm way too smart these days to spend an hour in any line at Disney. You see, we go off season.

Well, we only go during peak season and we still don't wait in lines. We must be REALLY smart.

 

[LoveTink05]

Let me rephrase: My Dad called the school and told them to fix it so that I would not be counted absent when I missed homeroom/1st period. It wasn't an agreement on the school's part, my Dad simply told them how it was going to be. .

You have GOT to be kidding me? You previously said "arranged", so you are changing the wording of your previous statement in order to make it appear that your Dad was not negotiating with your school? Heaven forbid!

HA! That is too funny!

 

[jodifla]

Well, we only go during peak season and we still don't wait in lines. We must be REALLY smart.

Nice try. But I hardly believe you, having been to Disney 75 times plus or so.

 

[LoveTink05]

Nice try. But I hardly believe you, having been to Disney 75 times plus or so.

Yes, it's called getting to the park at opening and also using fast pass. We are very resourceful people, trust me on this one!

 

[LoveTink05]

Our school schedule wasn't given to parents this year until the second week of the school year. That's too late for people who need to plan their vacations at work a year in advance, like many of us do.

You poor thing!

 

[cheerbop]

This is just my opinion. From the postings I have read on this subject on the board it seems that many people pull their kids out every year for a trip to WDW for 7-10 days. What is that teaching children about honoring obligations they will have when they are adults? I'm a single mom and have to work, my employer only gives me so many vacation days a year. When my dd was in daycare/pre-school we could come and go any time of the year. Now she is in 2nd grade and I tell her that her job is to be the best student she can and it is important to have good attendance. She won a perfect attendance award for 1st grade of which she is very proud.

I see taking her out of school for a vacation as frivolous JMHO. I feel it sends her the wrong signal. Her school right now has a week break in Oct and Feb in addition to Christmas and Easter, so we work within the confines of her schedule. When she goes to jr high she will not have Oct and Feb breaks and once again we will adjust.

In my work place I see so many young workers who have little or no work ethic. I think we learn our most important lessons from how our parents conduct(ed) themselves.

I think most people would agree that memories are not confined to just special family time or vacations, but to all experiences we have. I have some great memories of my school days and of family time together. Very few of my family memories are from vacations, but the every day interactions and little things that happen.

I think the lax attitude of some parents to just pull their kids out a school has lead to school districts enacting stricter truancy policies, not money.



To each his own, but it is amusing the number of people who post here to complain about schools who are trying to usurp their parental rights. Yes, I like to travel during the off-peak season, but that's life.

i see what you are saying, but what about the familes who do NOT get the breaks to which you refer? My husband NEVER gets a vacation during when our DS is out of school. So, I am guessing that you are saying we are to NEVER take a family vacation?
hmmm..sorry, but I don't agree you are totally right with this. There is not always a blanket answer for everything!

 

[deltachi8]

welll this thread has officially become a silly argument. sorry i participated.

do what you think is right.

 

[Livie's Mommy]

Yes, it's called getting to the park at opening and also using fast pass. We are very resourceful people, trust me on this one!

Ya, that works for like 2 hours before the parks are flooded with people. Then what, by 11:00 am your back at your hotel in the pool for the rest of the day? I still don't believe that you don't wait in lines during peak season. I think you are kidding yourself if you think we are going to believe that.

Oh but then again, I am one of the shallow, unethical parents (and *gasp* I am also a teacher - oh, where is the humanity!), who take time during the school year to go to WDW. I guess I have to look forward to my DD being a lazy, uneducated "schlup" with no concept of work ethic when she grows up. Well, I will just have to fix up the basement as a little apartment for her to live in and she collect her welfare checks and sit in front ot the TV all day. All because I have hindered her potential to be a productive member of society by taking her out of school for a few days a year while school is in session. Oh, and DH can take vacation whenever he wants. I take my vacation during value season because it is cooler, cheaper and less crowded. Boy, the nerve I have!!! You better call child protective services, according to some of you, my kid is going to be doozy!!!

 

[cheerbop]

I know my husband works a 3-11 shift, where he is NOT in a position to change that right now. So, when will my dd see him? If she is in school until 2 pm? And he works every other weekend. So our family time is really limited. Not everyone's situation is ideal. And not everyone is able to enjoy quality family time day to day. Some of us really look forward to that week in December when the family gets together and we can all recconect. And unfortunatly that doesn't always fall on school vacation times.

AMEN! We have a very similar problem...and it is very hard to work in any family time at all! My husband has not had Christmas off in 6 years...and Thanksgiving in 9 years. Family time is hard to come by in our home. We value every minute we do get, but we haven't had a vacation as a family in over 4 years...going in Dec. MY child, NOT the school's.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

I had posted earlier in this thread that we would be taking our children out of school next spring for 10 days for a trip to Florida to include a wedding vow renewal for myself and DH as well as a family vafcation. My husband is currently on an 18 month deployment and will return early next year. Our district's policy is that we are allowed 5 days of excused absences for an educational/vacation trip.

I spoke with the principal of our school on Friday and he said "I hope you all have a great time. Your family certainly deserves it." He said we will probably getting the form letter for excessive absences from the school district but "don't worry about it".

I knew he was going to be that way, but it made me feel better after talking with him. My kids do deserve that special time with their father.

 

[cheerbop]

Ya, that works for like 2 hours before the parks are flooded with people. Then what, by 11:00 am your back at your hotel in the pool for the rest of the day? I still don't believe that you don't wait in lines during peak season. I think you are kidding yourself if you think we are going to believe that.

Oh but then again, I am one of the shallow, unethical parents (and *gasp* I am also a teacher - oh, where is the humanity!), who take time during the school year to go to WDW. I guess I have to look forward to my DD being a lazy, uneducated "schlup" with no concept of work ethic when she grows up. Well, I will just have to fix up the basement as a little apartment for her to live in and she collect her welfare checks and sit in front ot the TV all day. All because I have hindered her potential to be a productive member of society by taking her out of school for a few days a year while school is in session. Oh, and DH can take vacation whenever he wants. I take my vacation during value season because it is cooler, cheaper and less crowded. Boy, the nerve I have!!! You better call child protective services, according to some of you, my kid is going to be doozy!!!

You are too funny! I totally agree with you. I guess my kids can join yours...

 

[Teacher03]

Ya, that works for like 2 hours before the parks are flooded with people. Then what, by 11:00 am your back at your hotel in the pool for the rest of the day? I still don't believe that you don't wait in lines during peak season. I think you are kidding yourself if you think we are going to believe that.

Oh but then again, I am one of the shallow, unethical parents (and *gasp* I am also a teacher - oh, where is the humanity!), who take time during the school year to go to WDW. I guess I have to look forward to my DD being a lazy, uneducated "schlup" with no concept of work ethic when she grows up. Well, I will just have to fix up the basement as a little apartment for her to live in and she collect her welfare checks and sit in front ot the TV all day. All because I have hindered her potential to be a productive member of society by taking her out of school for a few days a year while school is in session. Oh, and DH can take vacation whenever he wants. I take my vacation during value season because it is cooler, cheaper and less crowded. Boy, the nerve I have!!! You better call child protective services, according to some of you, my kid is going to be doozy!!!

That is funny! I am a fellow teacher who posted earlier ! I left for a while, and am surprised to see it is still such a hot topic! Have fun! (Just between you and me, I took my oldest daughter out of school when she was young (twice!) to visit DW, and she is graduating college summa cum laude! She never misses a class!)