Is it worth saving money to take an extra day off school?

[CowboyCO]

We are planning an April trip and for the week we are going, we'll have to take the boys out of school (1st & third grade). They'll only miss three days that week because they are out for in-service days. Here's the deal, though. If we go Sun-Mon we'll save $250 in airfare over going Sat-Sun. But, it means taking the boys out of school for a fourth day.

Is it worth $250 to have the kids miss another day of school? Also, both me and my spouse would have to burn another vacation day to do it.

 

[poohbear227]

I'd do it....but I only say that because I remember my parents would do that sometimes for our WDW trips (have us miss a day of school for whatever reason) and my brother and I were so excited-made the first day of our trip extra magical knowing we should be in school while we are riding SM!!

Now, I'm a teacher so it's probably bad for me to say that but in all honesty-if you are leaving right before a designated school vacation, the last day or two of school is usually not very productive anyways so they likely won't be missing much.

 

[CinderellyCinderelly]

I had a friend that would do their vacation the week BEFORE the real break in order to beat the crowds. She was gone the entire week before break, so 4 days isn't too bad. I missed 3 I think after Christmas break to do Hawaii. Also depends how old they are though, and 1st and 3rd grade should be ok!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Until my kids got to high school, I had no problems taking them out of school for a family vacation. My vacation needs come first. I avoided traditional school vacation times and took advantage of value season pricing.

First and third grade? That would not even give me a moment's pause.

 

[momof3girls6712]

We are doing it for all the reasons listed above. We will be at WDW Sun - Thurs and I have no problems taking my kids out of school. I sent emails to the oldest's teachers last month and simply told the younger two's teachers. Since the oldest is in middle school this year it is alittle different. But we still will be taking them out.

 

[martinacris]

Hello. I would let them miss the extra day...! I am planning a trip for Dec.2008, and my DD's will be in 3rd and 1st grade too ! We live in Italy..and we are planning on flying on the 14th of Dec and staying at the Contemporary Resort for 3 or 4 nights, with a value rate ..and the going to a villa ! The girls will miss about a week of school but it will be before Christmas vacation. I know it's not the best but this is a once in a lifetime trip and if I don't do it now I will be sorry later...
So I would go ahead and take the extra day off !! When your children will be older and remember what a great time they had..I'm sure you will be glad you DID take the extra day off !

 

[lvloopingbag]

I would do it for sure.

 

[MarcyMouse]

I'm a 1st grade teacher, and I have students miss school for vacations all the time. Of course I would "officially" have to frown upon it, but as a parent I think time with family and a chance to see another part of the country is way more important that a couple days of elementary school! Go for it!

 

[Buzz2001]

I would go for it since the grades they are in are low.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

When my son was that young, we had no problem taking him out for a week. His teachers gave him homework and each day we took some time out in the middle of the day to allow him some time to get some work done. We would then swim in the pool for a while, go eat lunch and then go back to a park. It worked out great. A nice break in the day.

This last trip we took a seven night eastern DCL cruise, we took him out for four days along with a buddy of his, they are both sophmores. They let the teachers know well in advance and got some extra homework to do before they left, they had some to take along on the ship and did some each day, and they both had some make-up tests to take when they got back. They had no problem with it but they are both A students.

I'd say go for it

 

[safetymom]

moving to families

 

[daisyduck123]

I'd do it ....but I'm a mom who pulls my kids out for WDW vacations every year. They miss 6 school days every May for our annual May trips. In 2006, each missed 11 school days because we went twice during the school year.


My DD13 is a freshman and my DS9 is in 4th grade.

I'm a 1st grade teacher & pull myself out as well!

 

[CowboyCO]

Thanks for all the responses.

DW is a HS teacher, so she would have to take 5 days off, but she has the days.

I think we're gonna do it. The airfare is down to $180+ taxes R/T non-stop with good flight times. Thanks again for all the responses. It just makes me guilty to pull them out at all, much less for extra days. Both our kids have perfect attendance records. Neither one has missed a day of school-- ever. We're blessed because they are healthy like oxes! Of course, they are both starting to EAT like Oxes too!

 

[doodlesmommy]

We do it every year. They miss about 4-5 days but we always tell their teachers ahead of time so we can get a packet with work so they don't miss as much. We do the work on the plane (and in the airport) on the way there and the way home. When they get into HS, I'm sure I'll feel differently but at Kindergarten and 3rd Grade for two students that otherwise have perfect attendance, great grades and great behavior; they've earned it!