I know you can help me with this.

[SarahKate]

No additional advice, but PLEASE don't use that silly letter. That thing has been circulating for years.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

LOL ok robin i didnt mean to insult you. Sorry if i did. I was responding to the quote someone else posted. However keep in mind it is a vacation. Yes kids are going to learn something while there. However the for most reason for a vacation is just that a vacation. When you goto a place like Disney you only see the part of the situation they want you to see not the whole truth. People wouldnt go in the safari tour if they saw elephants being slaughtered for there ivory just a example of what happens in the real world. Mexico you dont see the slums that the myan and others live in and police with assault rifles on the corners to protect tourists on 5th ave in playadelcarmen. What you see at disney is the cheary version they want you to see. My kids learn stuff there every time to. Im just not going to tell the teachers were going for a learning expearence. Heck we dont even ask for homework while driving because we know they would only lose it or damage it anyway.

 

[robinsegg]

I'm sorry if I came on too strong. I'm not insulted as far as saying PS kids are likely to be taught . . . their parents are probably *not* looking for it to be a field trip for school. For those of us who homeschool, WDW can *totally* be a field trip . . . like I'm making scavenger hunts for the kids, plus going to have them learn a phrase in each language at the World Showcase, etc.
I have the utmost respect for teachers, and was going to college to be one until time & money ran out It sounds like the teacher above is a great teacher who cares about her students! Thanks for working with community kids! It's a hard job, and too many expectations come with it now!

 

[happymommy]

To the OP:

I hope you have a great vacation. And please stay well! My DD had the swine flu, and she missed so far 11 school days this year. She NEVER gets sick (compared to my DS with food allergies, asthma, and other issues). I actually cancelled our December trip, and we are staying put the rest of this year.

My kids went to a private Catholic school for two years (they still are in private school, just a different one that is totally fine with family vacations). I actually called my kids in sick the whole last week of school when they were in second grade and K. They were nasty about family vacations, especially WDW. So, far as they knew my kids were out sick. Oh, and report cards had already been done by the teachers - they weren't even marked absent... Weird.

I guess it does bug me, if you are paying the taxes for the schools, and your kids are good students, what business is it of theirs why you are absent? I've never been in the public school system, but I guess a letter as to why WDW is educational they must laugh at. I do believe, though, all travel is educational. I have had friends that never travelled, and it does open one's mind. I just think that they must really think it's silly.

 

[MiniGirl]

Not sure how your state funds schools but in the state we live in schools are not funded on a "per day basis" making the above statement totally inacurate. Student count is done 2 times a year and that is how funding is based.

As a teacher - it is not all about $$$. It is about your childs education. Children are only in school 180 days a year (give or take a few weeks). With 365 days in a year there are plenty non schools days to travel. There is a huge double standard. As a teacher, I know my students parents would freak out if I took a week off to go on vacation. But is alright for the parents to pull their children out of class for a week or more and no matter what they do on vacation I still have to catch them up when they get back. A homework packet can not make up for a week of missed instruction.

Yes, there are always special sitatutions why families have to travel on school days and that is fine with me adn most other teachers. Take your children and travel have a great time. Family vactions are priceless and you will gain life lasting memories. Miss as much school as you feel is appropriate but don't try to give the school a silly letter that tries to make it sound eduational. Your going on vacation (great - have a wonderful time) but be honest in your letter. Call it what it is - a great vacation to WDW.

OK - off my soapbox.

Seriously, attendance is counted (for funding) only 2 days a year? Do you know in advance which days those are? Our schools have started taking attendance several times a day so they can use the one with the highest number on the official paperwork. For example, if several students miss the first hour or 2 for doctor/dentist appointments, the attendance will be higher at 11:00 than 8:00, so that is the number that will get used.

I also do think that many teachers do care about the education of their students, but I have doubts about the higher ups. For them, it is all about the funding.

Oh, and while we homeschool now, during our short time in the public school system, we always had teachers missing school for vacations, family weddings, funerals, maternity leaves, etc. We never freaked out about any of it. Teachers are certainly allowed a life outside the classroom. Also, there are many, many people who cannot travel during summer and holidays. My dh has been with the same company for over 20 years and still cannot hold Christmas off, and only has been able to hold an early June vacation for maybe the past 3 years.

 

[lindsmom]

I just wanted to mention this - I was going to quote, but this isn't directed at any one person in particular and I realize I'll need a flame suit, but I hear the argument that "school is only 180 days a year, leaving 185 non school days to take vacation." I agree with the math, HOWEVER those 185 include two day weekends which for most of us going on a family vacation are useless - we need a minimum of 5 straight days to include travel and vacation. If you were to look at WEEKS of time, there are really only the 12 weeks (give or take) of summer (which can be dangerously hot for some in FL), T-giving week, xmas week, maybe one or two weeks in spring. Compared to the approximately 36 weeks of school, it's more reasonable that families take time out of school for a vacation.

Like I said, not directed at any one in particular, it's just a common argument and I don't think it holds as much water as it sounds at first.

I fully support any teacher's right to take vacation when it's affordable and reasonable for his or her family - I would much rather have a well - rested, happy teacher in my child's classroom than one who resents having to go on vacation during peak expense weeks.

 

[disfan07]

I'll probably get flamed but....

There is only one argument that really drives me nuts to hear about WDW vacations and that is.....

"It's too hot in july and august"....this might sound mean but...seriously, cry me a river. Unless there is a medical reason why the heat in july and august is not good for you, that is a lame adn weak excuse.

This might also drive me crazy because I have severe asthma that can be aggrivated by heat and severe eczema that can be aggrivated by sweating too much and we still went in july and august with no problems so i find that to be an excuse used to justify taking a trip during school.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

I'll probably get flamed but....

There is only one argument that really drives me nuts to hear about WDW vacations and that is.....

"It's too hot in july and august"....this might sound mean but...seriously, cry me a river. Unless there is a medical reason why the heat in july and august is not good for you, that is a lame adn weak excuse.

This might also drive me crazy because I have severe asthma that can be aggrivated by heat and severe eczema that can be aggrivated by sweating too much and we still went in july and august with no problems so i find that to be an excuse used to justify taking a trip during school.

This is not a flame just my 2 cents worth. I say to each there own. Our climate rairly gets above 85f and averaged about 75f in the summer so for us to goto Disney in peak crowds in the summer when the temps are above 110f yeah i say there is a big adjustment. We would rather spend our money and go during a comfortable time with far less crowds. Usually we go in May high 80s early 90s. We save the extreme temps for when we goto a tropical enviroment like Mexico or Dominican not hurding like cattle at Disney.

 

[jacksmomma]

Seriously?! Wow...I would say, this is my child and I am taking him here, end of discussion. Schools are in our lives WAY too much these days!

 

[amyj1024]

Thanks guys, I'm using the one from the mouse for less.

The principal can excuse up to 5 days without it going before the school board or becoming a truency issue. With so much sickness this year I really want it to be excused because heaven forbid my little darlings get the swine flu...again!!! My son woke up one Friday with what we thought was the flu and didn't go to school. The following Friday, he woke up with a GI bug that was HORRIBLE!!! The next week, he came down with swine flu. So you see, I have to get these excused. I fear that the flu season is no where near over and if we got it again "mommy's note's" will only get you so far with the school. I have had doctor's notes for everything, but I just want to stay in good graces with the school.

Thanks for everything. I just had writer's block this morning and couldn't get it out.

Karen

Karen
While vacation would count as unexcused and be counted against 'truancy' if your child got the swine flu it would be illness and that IS excused, at least in our district. So as long as you don't have any other vacations during this school year then I wouldn't worry too much about the unexcused absences. We are taking my DD out of 1st grade in Feb to go, and she will miss 3 days of school...I am a teacher and will also miss 3 days. Her teacher is fine with it--it's only 1st grade and she is already well ahead of where she needs to be. Our trip will be unexcused per district policy, and her teacher is planning on giving us work for while she is gone, and she already missed a week because of swine flu. I'm not really all that concerned about a truancy issue, because again it's FIRST GRADE...

 

[here757]

wow .. we teach our children not to lie.. but isnt telling the school that ur kid is sick so you can go on vacation lying?

lol this discussion always get heated.

bottom line. you do what you gotta do.. but dont go crying when you have to pay for your actions

 

[happymommy]

wow .. we teach our children not to lie.. but isnt telling the school that ur kid is sick so you can go on vacation lying?

lol this discussion always get heated.

bottom line. you do what you gotta do.. but dont go crying when you have to pay for your actions

I agree, but my kids were very young (5 and 7) and didn't know that I called them in sick.

The school was just very nasty about taking vacations during the year - the last week was all half days (oh they loved their half days - every Wednesday was a half day) of cleaning out their desks, one day was an ice cream party (and my son is allergic anyway, he didn't want to be at it) and such. They had already finished up all their academics. I am so glad to be in a different school now, actually! Their current school has students that travel during the school year, and it is fine as long as they can get their work ahead of time to make up. I was so worried one time, as I had to pull my kids out for a couple of days. The head of school was so sweet when I talked to her about it!

I totally agree with the previous poster - they are my kids, this is what we're doing, end of story. Wish I'd been like that with the previous school to be honest! For heaven's sake, they were only in K and 2nd grade, not college! Live and learn.

 

[nicki.momof3]

I am a teacher and will also miss 3 days

I wish the district I worked in would allow 3 days in a row off. After 2 days you have to have a doctors note and I get 2 personal days a year but they can not be used in a row and they can also not be used a day before or after a day off or holiday.

So no school year vacations. Which is fine with us. I went into teaching knowing the schedule and beside the vacation thing I love my schedule and job.

We have been in Aug.two times and yes it is hot but it is managable. We also have gone at Easter and are again this year. We will also be going during Christmas break in 2010.

Everyone - Enjoy your vacations - have fun - go any week you and enjoy it. Just be honest with the schools about what you are doing and don't use a silly "educational note".