Kids missing 5 days of school?

[Alex2kMommy]

I did call the school to ask about missing so many days of school, and was assured that as long as the child was progressing well scholastically, the number of days absent was fine. (I was asking about 5 days, I don't think they meant that ANY amount of days was fine.)

 

[mom2my3kids]

I would take them out, My kids are going to miss 4 days when we go in october, fall break. We are going to miss the free dining by a couple weeks.. Ohhh well maybe we wont be as busy when we go..

 

[princessjv]

We went LY, during the Free Dining Plan, wow it was fun (and mmm...mmm...GOOD!)

Although I only had to take my ds out of preschool, I will do it again and again as years come...without a doubt! Education is important! Family time is too! For us it is better to not go in the summer months or during regular school breaks.

Make sure you tell your teachers as soon as school starts, so that you together can make a plan for work missed. I would start adding extra homework into your routine a few weeks before you go, so that you have less to do while gone and when you come home. You can also make your trip educational in many ways. Head to Epcot for both ART, History & Geography within the World Showcase. Math: Give each child a set amount of Mickey $'s to spend each day or for teh entire trip. Reading: bring Disney books to read every night before bed and/or read the signs throughout the parks (esp. on Main St.). Spelling: While in lines, pass time by spelling different Disney words.

Have fun!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My DS11 has an IEP for dyslexia and dysgraphia. We took him out of school for a week in K, 3, 4, and 5th. We've never had any problems. No regrets!We won't take him out of school anymore. I feel that it would be too hard to catch up in middle school.

GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Lori

 

[Becky2005]

I did call the school to ask about missing so many days of school, and was assured that as long as the child was progressing well scholastically, the number of days absent was fine. (I was asking about 5 days, I don't think they meant that ANY amount of days was fine.)

Our school is farily lenient on that. In the handbook it says "we don't encourage you to take time off..." and then the next paragraph tells you what you need to do to get it excused. I think in our district you have to miss 10-15 UNexcused days before they even blink an eye. I know last year, my son missed way over 5 days just being ill (in 2nd grade)..although a lot of the time he went to school and was sent home - does that count as being in attendance though since it was after attendance was taken? I know he missed over 10 days total but most of them were being sent home from school as it was just bizarre stuff last year. I never got any letter sent to me.

I know they actually sent letters home before spring break, asking to make sure you tell them what days of school you will be missing for any plans you have.

Since you have already talked to the school and they are fine with it, then that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Gillian]

My concerns with taking my kindergartener out of school this year (2 x 5 days, one due to an extended family trip) were mainly social. In one week they don't miss much at all in terms of academics, but depending on the timing, they can miss stuff with their friends.

For example, our DS was out of school 2 weeks before Christmas break and he & I both missed some parties and fun activites. Most of his was the following week, but I missed out on some good ones! we won't do that week again.

Then, he will be out the week after spring break. There isn't much going on then, but soon after they start with trips & parties again. I think this week will be better than the december one.

We couldn't take the kids out in september (which was our preferred time to travel in the past) because school doesn't start here until after labor day and I wouldn't want them to miss out on making new friends the first few weeks. But I think the 7th week should be fine!!!

 

[Otto's Doll]

My DS11 has an IEP for dyslexia and dysgraphia. We took him out of school for a week in K, 3, 4, and 5th. We've never had any problems. No regrets!We won't take him out of school anymore. I feel that it would be too hard to catch up in middle school.

GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Lori

I forgot to add that my DS12 also has an IEP for dysgraphia. He is in advanced classes, but still never had any problems catching up.

 

[triplefigs]

Thank you all so much. We are going to take them out. I actually spoke to my son's specialist today, and she stressed the importance of going when it is low crowds, best for us. He actually qualified for a MAW trip, but we turned it down so a more needy family could go. She said she would be happy to write a doctor's letter of necessity stating why the trip is good for him, gives us time to be "normal", etc. I'm hoping that the school system will excuse it with her lettter, and if not, we'll just get the letter from the County!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Denise - are you switching your trip or adding another?

 

[triplefigs]

Denise - are you switching your trip or adding another?

Switching. It saved us $300 over the AAA plus dining rate and the airfare is $150 per person cheaper! so, we're going to try MNSSHP this year. I'm excited.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

That sounds great - I've always wanted to try MNSSHP. You are so lucky to get the free dining. I would have switched our trip to get it (we would have saved about $1000!) but our ds will be starting law school in August and then the other ds will be going back to college in August and DH can't miss work in September so we're not able to take advantage of this offier. What a great deal!

Now you'd better hurry up and get your ADRs picked - you don't have as much time as you normally do. That happened to me in January. We didn't decide to go in January until October so that completely threw me off! Have fun planning.

 

[triplefigs]

That sounds great - I've always wanted to try MNSSHP. You are so lucky to get the free dining. I would have switched our trip to get it (we would have saved about $1000!) but our ds will be starting law school in August and then the other ds will be going back to college in August and DH can't miss work in September so we're not able to take advantage of this offier. What a great deal!

Now you'd better hurry up and get your ADRs picked - you don't have as much time as you normally do. That happened to me in January. We didn't decide to go in January until October so that completely threw me off! Have fun planning.

I emailed Concierge last night and they're booking them now!

 

[merrywether]

I'm a special needs teacher myself, and I would never tell a family not to go on vacation, but I would request that the student take some work with them. If your child's teacher doesn't offer any, my advice would be to ask for some practice work, and make sure it gets done so your child stays within the swing of things!

Last time I had a 6th grade student go to WDW on vacation, I made up a few fun assignments that could be done in the parks (like looking at the headstones at the Haunted Mansion and then creating one about somebody you know). I had a great time creating them, but when my student returned, he had completed NONE of it! I was really disappointed and upset that the assignments (and they weren't many - just enough to keep my student thinking!) weren't taken seriously. So have a great time, but make sure you keep some sort of routine as far as getting any assigned work completed. You'll be glad you did when your child goes back to school and doesn't have a difficult time transitioning back to the regular schedule.

 

[triplefigs]

I'm a special needs teacher myself, and I would never tell a family not to go on vacation, but I would request that the student take some work with them. If your child's teacher doesn't offer any, my advice would be to ask for some practice work, and make sure it gets done so your child stays within the swing of things!

Last time I had a 6th grade student go to WDW on vacation, I made up a few fun assignments that could be done in the parks (like looking at the headstones at the Haunted Mansion and then creating one about somebody you know). I had a great time creating them, but when my student returned, he had completed NONE of it! I was really disappointed and upset that the assignments (and they weren't many - just enough to keep my student thinking!) weren't taken seriously. So have a great time, but make sure you keep some sort of routine as far as getting any assigned work completed. You'll be glad you did when your child goes back to school and doesn't have a difficult time transitioning back to the regular schedule.

Thanks for the advice. I'm hoping their teachers will give me their worksheets, etc so we can work on them before the trip. We will definitely do all the work and hopefully an extra fun project while at WDW. Maybe I'll luck out and their teachers will love Disney too.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

First of all - School is important, but family time is MORE important.

As a teacher, I also recommend you talk with your child's teacher and get any assignments possible ahead of time and actually do them (many people get them, few do them). We do them on the ride down and back (about 8 hours).

Also if the teacher knows ahead of time, it is so much easier on everyone involved as s/he can make sure the student has or is ready to make up missed work - and may disregard some assignments that may require the student to be there, or are "practice" type assignments, especially if it is in an area in which the student is proficient in.

Happy Camping

 

[HappyLawyer]

this will be a hot topic on here as people ave different views and beliefs, i would say not to ask the opinion of others on here as it can get heated and not everyone will be cordial, do what you think is best, i am a former teacher, and i go every other december, my daughter does not miss that much, it is a vacation and it is needed for our family. I don't really care what others say. I do have her do reading and if she is weak in a certain area i ask the teacher for some work and if not i make up some myself and have her complete it. Good luck and have fun on your vacation.

 

[triplefigs]

Thank you all for your encouragement and advice. We are going to take the kids out of school. My DS's Neurologist/Developmental Ped has offered to write a letter stating why she feels a family vacation is warranted. I will submit it to their school, be upfront and honest with the teachers, and see what happens.

I have asked the Moderators to close this thread now. Thank you again!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I'm another one who would tell you that family time is very important. I've taken my girls out of schools on two occasions to go to WDW.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation. Your kids will remember the time they spend with you for ever.

Thanks to everyone for the good advise.

I'm closing the post now at the request of the original poster.