Missing School for Disney... Yay or nay?

[RichNKatHolly]

Does anyone pull older kids out? We have an 8th grader who I'm not worried about he gets all A's and reades at college level. Then there is my younger son going into 6th grade stuggles for every grade and is ADHD. That's what worries me. But next year our oldest will be in high school.

We do! Although she is my sister, but mom and her dad are fine with it and will speak with the teachers way ahead of time. Last year, she jumped right back in on a Monday after getting off a plane at 8pm on Sunday! This year, she will miss one full week and one day after Thanksgiving - she will be 15 and in her first year of high school.

Her grades are great and her attendance is too. My DS will be starting Kindergarten this year and I have not even thought twice about taking him out. Our family vacations are so important to our family dynamic and we always do the homework with our child (or my sister, who always comes with us) every morning while eating breakfast from the resort food court. If additional time is necessary, we stop all the activity and do it. I figure my sister can also do work during this trip when we go back to the hotel in the afternoon for DDs nap.

Good luck and have fun - don't worry!

 

[crazymomof4]

As a teacher, my problem with taking kids out of school is that ALMOST NONE of them make up their work. The great majority do none of the work that I send home. Some of them do the easy stuff (like quick fill-in-the-blank worksheets) but ignore the assignments that take effort. Others try to substitute their own work instead of doing the assignments that are sent home (yes, your scrapbook is lovely and I'm sure you learned something watching the parade, but this week the class learned _____, which is on the state curriculum and the end-of-grade-test.) I'd estimate that fewer than 10% of the kids actually do all their make-up work. This is very frustrating to the teachers, who've spent time putting together a packet for the child; it's not just a matter of pulling out one of each worksheet.

That's a shame that you have experienced that. I believe it though, bc in 2003 the teacher of DS 12 was obviously "miffed" when I told her of our upcoming trip. Later, though, she complemented my DS for being very responsible and turning in all of his work within the time frame alloted. She also commented about this to me at our next teacher's conference. She acted like this was surprising to her, so I guess it's not the norm.

I think that parents really need to be involved here. They need to let the kids know, in advance of the trip, that they expect ALL of he work to be done. They need to show that they value education and respect the teachers. If parents show a lax attitude, the kids will follow suit. Further, the parents need to see what work was assigned to the child, either before or after the trip, and they need to check every day to see that the work is completed and handed in. Also, if the child doesn't understand something within the assigned work bc. they missed the classroom instruction, it's up to the parents to explain it until the child understands.

I feel very strongly that if I choose to take my kids out of school for a trip, it's MY responsibility to see to it that it doesn't affect my child's grades.

 

[mcgovern]

I have been a teacher for over 15 years. I have made arrangements many times for children who's parents took them out of school for a trip. It is a lot to ask a teacher to prepare a project for the kids to do, or to assign work for children to finish in advance of their trip, or wait for it to be returned afterward. Lesson plans change every day and assuming that in Kindergarten they aren't missing much is an insult. Missing school for a funeral or other family emergency is one thing. A trip that can be planned during the summer but aren't because the crowds are less at other times is a hardship for the teacher(s). They are not only expected to project what the class will be doing for the week but then are expected to grade these projects or work when the class has already moved on. People will continue to do it, and I always give families my "blessing" , but you need to know both sides of it. Education should come first. Just my opinion...but I thought someone should have a dissenting vote.

As a side note... it's interesting that the Swan and Dolphin resorts are offering a "teacher rate" while school is in session! Kinda hard for the teachers to take advantage of the discounted rate!!

 

[Simba's Girl]

Lesson plans change every day and assuming that in Kindergarten they aren't missing much is an insult.

I'd like to know how missing the colors, shapes, ABCs and 123s (which my K DD already *knows* and is begining to read) and how to share, take turns, and listen in a classroom for a WEEK is alot? I'm sorry if this sounds insulting. I don't mean it to be, its just that from the impression I get anyway, that Kindergarten is for the children who haven't been taught these things to catch up to those who already know how to do these things and get used to being in a classroom. In my own little world anyway, the parents who take thier children out of school for vacations aren't the ones who's children are at risk for falling behind in Kindergarten. I think those children at risk are in a different demographic... (yeah I know how that sounds, I just don't know how to be more PC about it). Sure Kindergarten is important but so aren't family vacations. Life can change at any moment and I don't want to be the one saying "shucks, I wish I kept DD in school that year in Kindergarten, instead of going to Disney!".

Sure it makes me nervous taking DD out of K for 4 days, but I think that's mostly because she's our first to go to "The Big School" . I wonder how I'll ballance our love for Disney and the fact that during the school year is really the best time to go, with that of the importance of education. Its a real ballancing act-especially with MCAS (in fact they *will* be introducing words and concepts to the Kindergarten this year, in order to start preparing them for it), but so are so many things in life. In fact our Kindergarten just went from 3 days/week to all 5 all day, so now instead of missing 2 days she'll be missing 4. Our district is requried to send out "notices" if you have more than 7 unexused absences in a semester. I think only you can know for sure what the best decision for your family is, but it is hard when you aren't familiar with how your school works. I say take this trip but play future trips by ear...you'll know your district better and how your child handles school too.

I'll let everyone know how our teacher responds (when we know for sure which one we get)to us going away but I don't really anticipate a problem.

Heather

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I just wanted to add in that the main reason we go off season is PRICE and second HEAT. I think it's far worse to drag those poor little ones through the heat. My DD and DS both get so red in the face even here in NY when it's 90 degrees, they also get very cranky and tired. My DH and I went in August once without kids and we were miserable. I think it would not make for a good vacation for us to go at that time.

Not that I'm saying nobody should go inthe summer, but it's just not for us. We also couldn't do our trips for the full summer high season price.

Anyway, to each his own. We love our trips and I don't see us stopping even through high school (unless, of course, the grades start to drop, etc.).

 

[Stimpy]

Just to address a few comments:

I agree with the teacher that said Kindergarten and Education are very important. Kindergarten is alot harder than it was when we were kids. DS went to full-day 5 days a week Kindergarten. He is very intelligent and knew his ABC's, colors etc. In his school, they are already reading by 1st grade (obiviously not War & Peace ) He takes computer lab and has "written" and illustrated his own books on the computer. He is doing addition and subtraction. It's not "just" Kindergarten anymore.

Also, yes there are 180 days in the school year....and yes my DH CANNOT get off during the summer or during school holidays. In his profession, that is the busiest times of year for him and he cannot take vacation then. He is also not the highest on the seniority list. He also works nights and alot of OT. There are times when me and the kids don't see him much except in passing. If we want to get a family vacation, we need to do it during the school year. We do try our best to do it around 3-4 day weekends and the holidays where not everyone gets off school. (ie Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur)

 

[yyzgurl]

Our DS (age 2) has been pulled three times in the past year for vacations to WDW. His teachers just tell him to have a good time.

However, since he is in private school it always feels like it "costs" us more because we've already paid his tuition for the year regardless of his attendance! I figure we'll keep pulling him out until he's around 8 or 9.

But since I believe that family time is PRICELESS, I say "what the heck!". There will come a day when he won't want to go on vacation with mom and dad anymore so I'll savour it while I can!

 

[momimouse27]

Boy, this topic can really be controversial...

Anyway, currently we are homeschooling, so we just start school early to have that extra week off and we are able to go whenever we want. But, when my daughter was in school (she went until 2nd grade) we would take her out and get her assignments.

I can see how it would be much harder if you have upper elementary and middle/high school students. But, I still would do it because I believe its just as important to have family time as it is to have school. But that's just my opinion...dont flame me!!!

 

[disneyfan61]

We take our DS's out but only for 2 days as they will be in 6th & 11th grade.
We leave the Thur. before our April Vaca. which for us in NH is the last week
of April.We did this last year & it worked out great. My youngest goes to private school & they do not have a problem with it. They believe that family
time is very important & one of the women that works in the school office said"who wants to spend all that $$$$ to stand in the heat & all the lines?". She has a point!! I love going the end of April. It's not too hot then & also not
as crowded as summer. We are lucky our vacation falls the last week of April.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

You know, For me personally I can't see us ever taking our kids out of school to go to DW. But who knows what the future holds. Right now though our kids get a lot of time off school through the year so I would just plan the trip around those if I could. We start school August 5th, get a week off in Ocyober (usually halloween week) for trimester break, get sevearl days at thanksgiving, get 2 weeks at Christmas, get a week in February for trimester break, get Spring break in April for a week and school is out at the end of May. So I'm fortunate with my children's school calander to have many choices.

However, honestly Im not sure I would take them out even if I didnt because last year alone, my dd missed 17 days thorugh the school year with being sick. So every extra day she misses is precious school time lost that she needs. And while she is an A student (her average is over 90) she struggles sometimes with new things taught so she really needs to be in school learning them when they are taught.

Also, where we live, vacations are unexcused abscences and they do not let your children make up work.

 

[laura001]

ABSOLUTELY!!!! TAKE HIM OUT!!!! Over the years we have taken our children out for trips to disney and not once did we ever have a problem from their teacher's or principals, that is til this year. We have even taken them out of high school with no problems. This year my son had a problem with his math teacher for grade 11 who said, "you have all kinds of holidays to go on holidays, you shouldn't be going during school". I made a call to this teacher, explained to him nicely that we were unable to plan our vacation at a time when we wouldn't have to pull our kids out of school and that I would very much appreciate his support in helping my son keep up with his work, also that we would hire a tutor for him to teach him the lessons he was going to miss before we even left for Disney. I think that once the teacher saw that we were willing to help out on our part he caved and said that he would be more than happy to help out, and he did.

Over the years when I would tell the teacher's or principal's there was never a negative response...always a "hope you have a great trip", and also was told on more than one occasion that not all lessons could be taught in the classroom and going on trips etc. taught our children other lessons, which I believe is true. My daughter was in grade 8 this year and not one of her teachers gave her any extra work, they just told her to have fun!

If they give you a hard time, whoop de doo, last time I checked WE were the parents of our children and they are not our parents nor our childrens parents.

PS...The only time I could see it as a problem was if you or your child didn't expect that some extra work was coming their way and that you would have to help, you cannot expect the teacher to do it all.

That is my two cents!

 

[polyfan]

How does everyone feel about teachers taking vacations during the school year?

I would probably only take my children out if it was for a day or two, but not a week. There are too many other times available to go- summer, holidays, Christmas week(many places now close that week also) etc..

 

[Tinkerbelll]

How does everyone feel about teachers taking vacations during the school year?

I see nothing wrong with that. If a teacher wants to take a few days off to go on vacation with his/her family, more power to them! That's why they have substitute teachers! Kids are learning when they are at school no matter what... A teacher leaving for a week is NOT going to make a difference in the long run, IMHO.

 

[frannn]

She is a great student and made up all the work. Her teacher even said how impressed he was that she caught on to all the stuff she missed so easily. We will take her out again in Oct, but picked a time period where there are a few days off for holidays, so she will miss 4-5 days for a 10 day trip. DD16 is another story. She misses several days a year due to stomach aches, etc, so she stays home with her dad (my ex). She is not into WDW at all (went with us when she was in grade school once), and it is really not her "thing". Plus, DH can not get off work in the summer, so we don't have that option. I think, in our case, a family vacation is necessary because it gives us the bonding time DD12 needs with her stepfather. Also spoke to the guidance counselor where she will be going to Jr High, and even though it is really an inexcused absence, he said as long as she is a good student, there will be no problem.

 

[danders2]

I'd like to know how missing the colors, shapes, ABCs and 123s (which my K DD already *knows* and is begining to read) and how to share, take turns, and listen in a classroom for a WEEK is alot?



I am a Kindergarten teacher. I was expected to have all 23 of my students reading by the end of the year, regardless of what level of knowledge they came in with. I had students who knew their alphabet at the beginning of the year and other students who could not tell me their name at the beginning of the year. Kindergarten state standards are not what they used to be. Kindergarten is more academic than before. It used to be more social skills, but now, I am teaching nouns, verbs, addition and subtraction by Winter break (yes, to Kindergarteners!).

I do not mean for this post to say yes you should take your child out, or no you shouldn't. I really think it depends on the child. But please think of the teachers who are being held accountable if your child falls behind in the standards the state sets for them. It is difficult for the teacher to "reteach" a whole weeks worth of lessons to just one student.

As for teachers taking their vacations during the school year, we are not allowed to do so. We get 12 substitute days per year. Of those only 2 are personal days, the rest must be sick days. Our school board does not allow us to take sick days to go on vacation. We must be truly sick, or have a doctor's appointment for ourselves or someone in our immediate family. It's true some teachers do go on vacation during the year and just use their sick days, but they are very nervous all during their vacation that they will "found out" and get written up!

 

[crazymomof4]

But please think of the teachers who are being held accountable if your child falls behind in the standards the state sets for them. It is difficult for the teacher to "reteach" a whole weeks worth of lessons to just one student.

That is why it is so important for the parents, who make the decision to take a trip during school time, to take responsiblity and make sure their child does not fall behind. When it comes to the elementary and middle school grades, the concepts are such that most parents should be able to teach their child a lesson that he/she finds difficult bc. he/she missed the classroom explanation. I wouldn't expect the teacher to take extra time out of her schedule to do this nor would I expect her to hold up the rest of the class to do it just for my child. In addition to not frustrating the teacher, your child will appreciate the time you take to help them with the make-up work from the vacation and it will show them that you value their education.

 

[DisneylandAlum]

With all respect to the work teachers put in on behalf of their classes as a whole, I really don't think missing a few days here or there matter as far as an individual child, if that child is already doing well in school. I took my daughter out of Kindergarten for a couple days to visit Boston a few years ago...she doesn't remember what they were doing in Kindergarten that week, but she sure remembers going on the Mayflower replica and walking the Freedom Trail. I could cite other examples in our family's history. You can't put a price on that kind of learning. Someone here said "Education comes first"...in my opinion, that's true, but what is the definition of education? In my book, travel is one of the most broadening, educational things a child can experience. Not all education takes place in the classroom .

The learning that takes place in school is cumulative, over time, and in many cases the children will also "spiral" back to the same material when they are older and do it in greater depth...what matters is what they learn gradually, over time, not on a couple specific days. And it's very important to remember that significant, life-enhancing learning takes place outside the classroom. Families aren't always able to schedule trips during school vacations, for a variety of good reasons.

Now, I'm not talking about difficult situations such as we have here in CA, where Hispanic families often take educationally at-risk children back to Mexico at Christmas and don't return until late January, and the children miss several weeks of learning to read, etc. ...I'm talking about children who are doing well, who have hands-on, educationally involved parents who are enriching their children's lives by taking a couple days here or there to show them more of the world and build happy family memories as well .

JMHO, of course .

 

[marathonmommy]

Go for it!

 

[mom2kazkids]

I have two kids and am planning on taking them out of school in May of 2007 for a trip to WDW, at that time my DS will be in 1st grade and DD in Kindergarten. I have looked in to the policy for the school district that we are in and they allow up to 10 days off of school for family vacations. They just request that for as long that the kids are out of school that is the amount of notice that they receive. I am hoping that my DH can split a week of vacation before the week that we take vacation, so that we have a total of 1 1/2 weeks off for the trip and the kids will miss 8 days of school. I am more than likely thinking that taking the kids out of school for vacations will end once they hit middle school.

Barb
-

 

[snowy76]

They gave my DS so much work to do that it made the last 4 days of vacation very stressful. We even said that we'd not tell the school again if they were going to make that a habit. When he got back he was several assignments ahead of his class in reading, math, and science.

This is one of the reasons I'm glad my school won't allow me to hand out work early -- ask me on Wednesday what I'll be teaching the following Monday (in terms of the exact pages, chapters etc.) and nine times out of ten I won't be right once Monday comes! I find myself hoping to get through more material than I usually do. But you just never know what will happen during a given week that puts you behind on lessons... a stomach bug hits and a third of the kids are absent... that lesson you thought they nailed last month brings a big round of "huh?" when you review it, so you spend extra time on it... the principal suddenly tells you there's an assembly at 2:00 during your math test... Thus anyone who had asked me for work early would probably end up ahead of the other kids.