Looking for a Pep Talk...(feel free to lie if necessary)

[Tbone17701]

I'm just going to put in my 2 cents... I teach 8th grade and have a lot of students miss school for vacations. As a teacher, I really appreciate advanced notice so I can gather work. However, many times we're doing in-class activities and discussions that can't be replicated. This puts the student at a great disadvantage when it comes to the unit assessment. Just so parents know, most teachers don't just show videos or do fluff activities before a break. In my class we're doing things that are pertinent to the unit we're studying (except for the last day of school because grades are already in!). I probably didn't help you in any way, but just thought I'd share my perspective.

On the contrary, I appreciate your professional input!

 

[GotLabradors]

As a middle school teacher, I'm going to go against the grain here and tell you to go in February. Most classes in middle school don't count towards any kind of GPA for high school or college, unless it is a high school credit class they can take in middle school. I teach in a school where my kids are affluent enough to take trips all over the globe at all times of the year. They manage to get through it w/o any lasting scars. When they tell me they're going on a trip, I tell them to have a good time. We'll take care of make up work when they get back.

After her older kids got into high school, a friend of mine starting having her older kids meet the rest of the family in Florida mid-week. They would go to school Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday. They would take an evening flight to MCO and then fly back all together on Sunday evening. That way her older ones would only miss 2 days of school. Maybe something like that would work for a compromise.

 

[Rosanne]

As a middle school teacher, I'm going to go against the grain here and tell you to go in February. Most classes in middle school don't count towards any kind of GPA for high school or college, unless it is a high school credit class they can take in middle school. I teach in a school where my kids are affluent enough to take trips all over the globe at all times of the year. They manage to get through it w/o any lasting scars. When they tell me they're going on a trip, I tell them to have a good time. We'll take care of make up work when they get back.

After her older kids got into high school, a friend of mine starting having her older kids meet the rest of the family in Florida mid-week. They would go to school Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday. They would take an evening flight to MCO and then fly back all together on Sunday evening. That way her older ones would only miss 2 days of school. Maybe something like that would work for a compromise.

Interesting what a wide disparity there is from location to location. In our school system the grades you achieve at each grade level greatly influence what classes you will be placed in at the next level in middle school and high school. Of course, there are about 800 kids per grade level in my daughter's school, so maybe that is why. Her grades in middle school affect what will be available to her in high school. They are kind of tracked but not "officially" (in other words, it is obvious but not stated).

 

[itchin2go]

Interesting what a wide disparity there is from location to location. In our school system the grades you achieve at each grade level greatly influence what classes you will be placed in at the next level in middle school and high school. Of course, there are about 800 kids per grade level in my daughter's school, so maybe that is why. Her grades in middle school affect what will be available to her in high school. They are kind of tracked but not "officially" (in other words, it is obvious but not stated).

I know what you mean. In my daughter's school, what she achieves in middle school will decide what she's eligible for in high school. There are programs that won't be open to her unless her grades are at a certain level. I know colleges won't look at her middle school performance, but it still has the ability to impact her future in some respects.

 

[ConnieB]

You said in an earlier post that Thanksgiving week is out because of family needs....but what about going the week AFTER Thanksgiving....leave Nov 29, return Dec 6 (Sat to Sat)

But...here is the great part....hoping of course that her new teacher is as cool as the teacher that posted on this thread......get her work that last Friday before Thanksgiving week and have her do all her homework Thanksgiving week. She can still be with family as needed, but fade off and get her work done BEFORE she leaves for WDW....so no stress while on vacation, because she knows she has it done....she returns to school done with the homework the kids just did, and ready for the new material same as the other kids.

If her teacher is super duper cool, you might even be able to scan her homework and email it...then is she's way way off on something (that new math concept or whatever) you spend a couple hours at the resort hammering it out...maybe phone or Skype with the teacher. It will be only a little extra work for the teacher really....the part with the different method because teacher would still have to grade work, and work with her privately if she needs extra help..so the only extra work might be the technology. Yeah, you'd lose a couple hours while at WDW, but plan your day around it and unless you are a commando family it won't really be less time in the parks, but different time (rope drop to early afternoon, then school time, then evening in the park).

And early December is FANTASTIC time to go....great weather, better crowds than holidays for sure (used to be slow time but it is growing popular)...and all the holiday décor and special events.

I hope your daughter has a fantastic teacher (like the one on this thread) and will work with a student who is smart enough, and responsible enough to want to put school work first, but still honor her parents' need for a holiday! Chances are she's smart enough to not need much or any special help anyway!

 

[webprinter]

We took DD22 out of school when she was in 8th grade. I talked with the prinicipal and her teachers beforehand. They gave her work to do on vacation and had her write about her trip (we also did a cruise after Disney). I was surprised at how understanding they were. On the other hand, we took her out for a week during her Jr year of HS and that principal made me feel like I was ruining her life and the she would flunk out of school, (she ended up graduating from HS and even received a scholarship, lol). I agree with the comment about discussing it with her teachers in the fall. If you have to do a vacation time, I would go with Easter.

 

[Tbone17701]

You said in an earlier post that Thanksgiving week is out because of family needs....but what about going the week AFTER Thanksgiving....leave Nov 29, return Dec 6 (Sat to Sat) But...here is the great part....hoping of course that her new teacher is as cool as the teacher that posted on this thread......get her work that last Friday before Thanksgiving week and have her do all her homework Thanksgiving week. She can still be with family as needed, but fade off and get her work done BEFORE she leaves for WDW....so no stress while on vacation, because she knows she has it done....she returns to school done with the homework the kids just did, and ready for the new material same as the other kids. If her teacher is super duper cool, you might even be able to scan her homework and email it...then is she's way way off on something (that new math concept or whatever) you spend a couple hours at the resort hammering it out...maybe phone or Skype with the teacher. It will be only a little extra work for the teacher really....the part with the different method because teacher would still have to grade work, and work with her privately if she needs extra help..so the only extra work might be the technology. Yeah, you'd lose a couple hours while at WDW, but plan your day around it and unless you are a commando family it won't really be less time in the parks, but different time (rope drop to early afternoon, then school time, then evening in the park). And early December is FANTASTIC time to go....great weather, better crowds than holidays for sure (used to be slow time but it is growing popular)...and all the holiday décor and special events. I hope your daughter has a fantastic teacher (like the one on this thread) and will work with a student who is smart enough, and responsible enough to want to put school work first, but still honor her parents' need for a holiday! Chances are she's smart enough to not need much or any special help anyway!

We've actually been that week a couple of times and it is by far our favorite! I did take a quick look at airfare and resort availability for that week today actually and it wasn't so hot. We usually jump on things right when they open and we are WAY behind for that week at this point. I haven't even been brave enough to peek at ADRs!

 

[wdwjeffc37]

We went at the end of May for week this year and it was great. My 6th grade DD's school ended on Thursday so we took her out that day. I figured what could possibly happening on that day. Most of the other kids skipped that day too. According to her she could have missed the last 3 days without any problem. A lot if schools have not finished yet so the crowds were not bad at all and we are from southern Louisiana so we weren't worried about the heat. I like to do Wed to Wed or Thursday to Thursday so that the week end falls in the middle of our vacation. This year I know a lot of northern schools had to make up days due to the weather. I don't think I would take a kid out of school if they didn't want to. Whenever you go though, it will be fun. It's Disney!