Missing School for Disney Two Years in a Row?

[ccgirl]

SOrry, double post.

 

[disney*mom*82]

I would do whatever works for your family. As long as you feel your child is a good student, making good grades and is able to make up the work and not fall behind, go fo it.

Our 2 oldest children have missed 3-5 days per year for 4 years now to go to WDW. My DH teaches 1st grade in a different town and I teach at a college, so we go during DHs break which is in March and my childrens break isnt until Easter. We always tell the school a month in advance, collect homework and return it before we leave when possible. Both our children make honor/high honor roll and never fall behind by missing these few days. (they are now 6th and 9th grade). We would not take trips during this time if they struggles or if the school had a problem with it.

 

[neodisneyfan]

I have taken my kids out of school for many years now usually in september or october for our disney trips. My son was in 9th grade and my daughter in 5th grade last year when we took them out for a week in september. I had no problems with the teachers and many of them joked with my kids asking if they had room in their suitcase for them. I will be doing it again this year 10th grade and 6th grade in september. I like september since school just started and the kids have plenty of time to make up the work. I say go for it!

 

[mousebymarriage]

1) Try not to do it during testing.

2) Know the rules about taking your kids out and understand the consequences.

Then go from there. I have no issue with taking kids out of school for trips in general, just be sure to do YOUR homework as a parent so you can make an informed decision.

I agree!

*We used to take our kids out of school just about every year. When DD15 was in the 4th grade she requested that we didn't take her out of school for Disney because that teacher was a toughie and DD was afraid to miss even 1 day. We never had an issue taking the kids out of school but, our school was pretty understanding about vacations as long as the work was made up.

Now DD15 is a sophmore in High School and we don't take her out of school anymore for vacation because 1) the school has a much stricter attendance policy (we could still do it but not sure it's worth the hassle), 2) DD really doesn't want to miss that much work/class.
Both kids are excellent students (for DD straight A's come easy, DS has to work his tush off for the straight A's he gets) and neither child has ever been a discipline problem in school. Honestly, if they struggled in school or got in trouble in school then I definately would not have pulled them out.
Last year we went at the end of June, after the kids got out of school.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm currently a sophomore in high school. I got pulled out for a week in 1st grade, a couple days in 4th grade and missed four days for my sister's Make a Wish Trip.

 

[vivianmarie244]

WOW!!! This board is so different from the others I've read. The majority that I've read have been brutal! Hope this one stays positive.

We will be pulling our children out for a week. DS (7) and DD (5). I've been very anxious about it. I've never believed that vacation was more important than school but we are going with my parents and I don't think they can handle the crowds AND the heat. One or the other. So we're going the end of September. I thought this would be the best time since school is just getting underway here and they shouldn't be missing a bunch. We'll see. But it's so nice to read some positive comments for once.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I agree to do what is best for your family as only you know your child and what they can handle in terms of missing a week of school. I think both trip options are great ones. I think June will definitely be more crowded, but I've been told that early June (the dates of your current reservation) is manageable, plus I think free quick service dining is nice for the flexibility with young children and considering the new credit card guarantee/cancellation policy. Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[blessedby3]

We have taken our kids out for a week for years and years now. We take our kids out all the way up through their senior year....with no problems. DD is graduating college in May, graduated with honors from high school and is on the Deans list at college. We have had to go on her breaks since she has been in college, but her breaks dont line up with the other kids breaks, so we have pulled them out. We are taking the kids out again in Oct. for our next trip...DS will be in 12th grade, DD will be in 8th and youngest dd wont be in school yet. We really like going when its convienent for us with lower crowds, etc., so taking them out is the best bet for us. We just dont pull them out when they have testing going on....thats a mess to make up

 

[ccgirl]

WOW!!! This board is so different from the others I've read. The majority that I've read have been brutal! Hope this one stays positive.We will be pulling our children out for a week. DS (7) and DD (5). I've been very anxious about it. I've never believed that vacation was more important than school but we are going with my parents and I don't think they can handle the crowds AND the heat. One or the other. So we're going the end of September. I thought this would be the best time since school is just getting underway here and they shouldn't be missing a bunch. We'll see. But it's so nice to read some positive comments for once.

I know. I was thinking the same thing. I think it's because people that have posted have been nice. Instead of the "they're my kids I can do what I want" posts.

I never considered September but I might just have to after reading this. Although, we usually go in October so it's not too far from September.

 

[jana616]

OP here...Thank you, everyone, for the replies! Honestly, if it were up to me I probably would just pull them out this year as well, but I had to work sooooo hard to get my DH to agree to this trip in June that I feel like I need to do what he thinks on this one. I don't want to push too hard and have him say no to both! So for now, it sounds like we're going to stick with the June, QS dining, heavier crowds and see how it goes. I'm trying to console myself with the fact that we're being given more flexibility by not having to book ADRs and figure out parks way in advance...it's not really working, but any trip to WDW is better than none, so I'm still excited!!!

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

I would just recommend knowing your school's policy for missing days. We are going to WDW for 10 days in May and have been planning this trip for a year. My oldest kids are in 1st and 3rd grade. In January I decided to let the teachers know so they would have plenty of warning. I figured we were find since we have also been going on this trip about every 2 years - when DS was in 1st grade we pulled him out for 10 days with no comment from the school.

The day after I let the teachers know I got a scathing email from the principal stating that I will be violated the state statute for missing school and could be considered truant. SERIOUSLY!

Now my kids are doing extremely well in school, doing work that is above their grade levels. We never pull them out for anything else during the year, they have missed a couple of days each this year for sickness but that's it. After looking up the truancy law it's there for kids who don't show up for unknown reasons - not taking a vacation.

So - after taking a very big breath, walking away from my computer and counting to 10 numerous times, I very camly emailed the principal back pleading my innocence to the school rules and asking what I could do since the trip was already booked and paid for.

My word of advice - look up the rules first

 

[DisneyCrazyMomma]

I have taken my son out of school for Disney for three years in row... kdg, 1st and 2nd. Probably not going to go this year (2012) due to budget, but we are already planning for 2013 and he will miss school in 4th grade for that. Ouch.. typing 4th grade just hurt me.

I say you know your kids, talk to your school and see what their policies are and go for it.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

OP here...Thank you, everyone, for the replies! Honestly, if it were up to me I probably would just pull them out this year as well, but I had to work sooooo hard to get my DH to agree to this trip in June that I feel like I need to do what he thinks on this one. I don't want to push too hard and have him say no to both! So for now, it sounds like we're going to stick with the June, QS dining, heavier crowds and see how it goes. I'm trying to console myself with the fact that we're being given more flexibility by not having to book ADRs and figure out parks way in advance...it's not really working, but any trip to WDW is better than none, so I'm still excited!!!

I think you will have a great trip either way. There are pluses and minuses with all choices so the magic will be what you make it. Plus, if the trip ends up not being what you hoped it would be, you do have your next trip to look forward to

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The day after I let the teachers know I got a scathing email from the principal stating that I will be violated the state statute for missing school and could be considered truant. SERIOUSLY!

You do kind of have to look at it from the school's perspective too though. The $$$ the school receives from the state is directly related to the attendance at the school. Every single day a kid misses is $$$ the school will not receive. Our school has had low attendance this past calendar year due to several outbreaks of strep and the flu along with lots of bad weather last Winter. The school board recently held their budget meeting and the $$$ they are getting from the state for next year is being reduced by ~$300,000. Some people will be losing their jobs in the resulting budget cuts. My wife was scheduled to receive a slight bump in her hours which would not only have resulted in more salary, but made her eligible for insurance. That essentially would have been like a $600/month raise that she's not getting - assuming she even keeps her job.

Now, having said that I don't expect everyone to go changing their plans. But, please do understand that there is a very valid reason the schools discourage absenteeism, above & beyond academics.

 

[TheMorgans]

Only you can decide what is BEST for your family. Each school system has their reasons for their attendance policies also. Just know the attendance policies before you finalize any plans.

For my family it is best for us to go during the school year each and every year. What works out best for other families may be different. However, my situation is different than most families.

I am fortunate that my children attend a private religious school does not rely on state funding or attendance numbers for their financial support. The school encourages family time for all things. As long as the students are keeping up thier grades and do not penalize family vacations during the school year. This fall we will be gone for a total of 14 days, our school is allowing our family to do the "home-school" option for the first month of school and technically my children will not miss any school.