Kids missing 5 days of school?

[triplefigs]

If we book the new package deal with free dining, the kids would miss a week of Kindergarten in Sept (would be the 7th week of school). 2 of my kids do VERY well in school, and the 3rd is special needs. I would work with them all to make sure they didn't fall behind. Also my mom teaches Kindergarten and can help me tutor them.

WWYD?

Thanks!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Are you kidding me? GOOOOO!

I don't say this lightly. My parents brought us up to value education, and NEVER EVER took us out of school for vacation or even for a single day such as our birthday.

In booking our trip to Disneyland, I tried to time it for DS's mid-winter break or spring break, but couldn't get those dates...fortunately, because we would have hated the crowds! So when I explained to the kindergarten teacher that DS would be missing 5 days of school and asked if we could bring some homework or do a special project, he got very excited! He put together some pages for DS to write about his trip. I'm so excited, and glad that we'll be continuing to work on DS's reading and writing during our stay.

 

[Otto's Doll]

This is a hot topic here, but I will tell you that we pulled DD and DS out of school when they were in 3rd and 5th for 7 days, and again in November 05 when they were in 5th and 7th for 5 days. Both kids have done very well (DS is in advanced classes) in school, and were able to make up everything in no time. This is valuable family time for you, and nothing can replace that. I probably won't pull them out again, but am so glad that we did.

 

[mjmcca]

I say go. I took my DS out in December and I am taking him out again for a few days before Easter. We are only talking about kindergarten.

 

[Becky2005]

For Kindergarten I would do it. I know I was one who said I wouldn't pull my kids out but eventually it might come to that (although I have 2 with IEPs - so it won't be for 3 years before it happens, gives me time to think about it...I'm still not comfortable with it but for ONLY Kindergarten, yep, that would work for me!).

 

[triplefigs]

For Kindergarten I would do it. I know I was one who said I wouldn't pull my kids out but eventually it might come to that (although I have 2 with IEPs - so it won't be for 3 years before it happens, gives me time to think about it...I'm still not comfortable with it but for ONLY Kindergarten, yep, that would work for me!).

My DS will have an IEP (we're in the middle of testing now). How might that impact my decision?

 

[Becky2005]

My DS will have an IEP (we're in the middle of testing now). How might that impact my decision?

Honestly, I think it would depend on how much is academic side/how much physical if that makes any sense to you.

My older son physically doesn't have any issues but his are academic (I felt guilty enough when we went last summer - he ended up missing 2 weeks of summer school - which they fully are fine with missing, they just ask what dates you are going to be gone. Had a progress report at the beginning of the school year and his resource teacher said he was just now getting back to where he was at the end of the school year last year!! I felt that was partly my fault for him only getting 1/2 his normal amount of summer school!). Hence my hesitation to take him out where it's regular school (he's in 3rd this year so I know things will just get tougher) and he has all his subjects to deal with not just his trouble area.

ON THE OTHER hand....my Kindergartner has an IEP for physical stuff, he gets speech therapy & occupational therapy and needs support in that way. He didn't qualify for summer school because academically he's fine (so far, it's hard to tell in Kindergarten, 1st grade is where academics stand out more at least here). He gets summer speech though but us missing that for 2 weeks didn't even affect anything.

So, the answer to that question is, it depends on what the IEP is for and how intensive. I can't imagine one in Kindergarten is going to be that intense that missing 5 days is going to have much of an impact either way.

 

[triplefigs]

Honestly, I think it would depend on how much is academic side/how much physical if that makes any sense to you.

My older son physically doesn't have any issues but his are academic (I felt guilty enough when we went last summer - he ended up missing 2 weeks of summer school - which they fully are fine with missing, they just ask what dates you are going to be gone. Had a progress report at the beginning of the school year and his resource teacher said he was just now getting back to where he was at the end of the school year last year!! I felt that was partly my fault for him only getting 1/2 his normal amount of summer school!). Hence my hesitation to take him out where it's regular school (he's in 3rd this year so I know things will just get tougher) and he has all his subjects to deal with not just his trouble area.

ON THE OTHER hand....my Kindergartner has an IEP for physical stuff, he gets speech therapy & occupational therapy and needs support in that way. He didn't qualify for summer school because academically he's fine (so far, it's hard to tell in Kindergarten, 1st grade is where academics stand out more at least here). He gets summer speech though but us missing that for 2 weeks didn't even affect anything.

So, the answer to that question is, it depends on what the IEP is for and how intensive. I can't imagine one in Kindergarten is going to be that intense that missing 5 days is going to have much of an impact either way.

Thanks. My DS IEP is for physical reasons (has CP), medical/health reasons, and Language Processing disorders. He will get PT, OT, Speech, and Resource for Language Arts (most likely although he's not been in 'formal' school yet so it's a guess at this point).

I think he will need extra help (definitely) to help him stay on top of things, but DH and I are both willing to put in the effort needed. I really think a Disney trip will be wonderful for him as it is his favorite place. He faces such struggles in life with surgeries, therapy, etc that I think he deserves a fun trip where he can just be a kid.

Thanks for the input.

 

[tmt martins]

Just while your there have THEM help with the Money ( MATH ) .Help them read RIDE restictions (Grammer /Spelling),Do some Art at Epcot and History/geogaphy,

You will be all set You could even make some little Books with some activities for them to do in line .

 

[lastminutemom]

In many school districts across the country now, because of the requirements of No Child Left Behind, schools systems have really cracked down on unexcused abscences. Three days in a row triggers a nasty letter from the system (not the school, so it doesn't matter if you have notified the school ahead of time). In our system, 8 unexcused abscences merits a referral to the social worker, even if the school counselor knows why you were absent. The system is obligated to treat all families the same, or they could be accused of discrimination.

I never thought that missing a few days of kindergarten matters, and I still don't, but under NCLB schools are held accountable for attendance. It is logical, student achievement is impacted by attendance for some children, but as always one size does not fit all and many children can miss a few days here and there with no negative impact.

 

[hollyb]

Both of my children have IEP's they both have learning issues. OT, speech, 85% in special education classes etc etc. They did get not this way over night or because they miss school do to a vacation.

DH and I are strong believers in family vacations. YES school is important but sometimes we all need a break during the school. DH from his 2 jobs, having 2 children with special needs in school takes alot of me both mentally and physically. The kids really need a little break too. We all come back refreshed and ready to start again. We take a vacation in May. The kids go to summer school right after regular school gets out. For us going in May really anywhere is better for the kids. Less crowds and not so hot yet. DS has issues with noise so we really need to be concerned.

Go have a great time. School will be there when you get back.

Have a GREAT day!

 

[warpdarkmatter]

when your kids grow up they won't remember those 5 days of school but the disney memories will last a lifetime

 

[poohmomof3]

Go, Go, Go! The WDW memories will last a lifetime, but the schoolwork memories wont.

Have fun!

 

[daisyduck123]

For me...I wouldn't even have to think about it.

Go!!

We went for 9 days in January....going for 9 more in May....
DD11 & DS8 will have missed over 2 school weeks of class.

My kids loved it. The break did them good. A week after we returned from our January trip we learned DD11 had made Principal's Honor roll & won an Academic Achievement Award...awarded only to 3 students out of 400.

We still laugh that the Disney break was what did it!!

 

[NookOfTheNorth]

Whether or not you take your child, it is ultimately up to you. And a few weeks into school, you have a pretty good knowledge of how the class works, and your child will be aware of routines (particularly with any special help--speech, etc.) But, the thing that bothers me the most, is the attitude "It is only kindergarten." I think a majority of us would be a bit annoyed if our child's teacher said, "It's only Kindergarten, so I'm sure you won't mind if I miss school for a week." No matter what, I would talk to the teacher, and chances are, there will be no problem.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

If we book the new package deal with free dining, the kids would miss a week of Kindergarten in Sept (would be the 7th week of school). 2 of my kids do VERY well in school, and the 3rd is special needs. I would work with them all to make sure they didn't fall behind. Also my mom teaches Kindergarten and can help me tutor them.

WWYD?

Thanks!

Our son has special needs and we are encouraged to take trips since the school knows how important it is for us to decompress. It is time as a family where we don't have as much worry like when we are home. I am sure as he gets older we will keep rethinking about pulling him out but for now I say GO!!!!!!!!

 

[kowalchicky]

Where can I get information on this package deal you are speaking of ?

 

[tmt martins]

Where can I get information on this package deal you are speaking of ?

Now it's a Disney Visa release only E-Mail but it to be opened to general public on 4-4 -06

 

[ozarkmom]

Like another poster said due to No child left behind or whatever there are probably only so many days your children can miss. My daughter missed 5.5 days of school this semester. All of these are due to illness. She had a round of a bad stomach virus and then some other problems. These were all excused absences. Several times she even had a doctors note. Anyway we received the form letter informing us of the law and stressing how important it is for students to be in school etc. then comes the part about if she has 10 absences (not unexcused) in a semester authorities will be notified, she could lose her drivers license (she's almost 16) we could face some sort of legal action. My point is those 5 days will probably be fine where you could run into problems is if one of the children were ill later on.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I took my out of school for five days so we could go to Disney to watch DH run the marathon. Years ago I also took the older ones out the first week of school to go to Disney (one ds had just finished chemo and I didn't want to wait).

Both times things went fine. Especially for kindergarten they're not going to miss that much and you can always help them catch up. To me family time is much more important. Its not like they are going to fall so far behind that they can't catch up - especially in Kindergarten. Go and have fun!